3 Best 3 in 1 3D Printers in 2023 (Laser & CNC!)

Ideally, we would all own one machine that could complete every manufacturing task required – a 3D laser printer that printed, laser cut, CNC carved, and more. While not quite there yet, 3 in 1 3D printers offer jack-of-all-trades versatility across 3D printing, CNC machining, and laser engraving – to various levels.

These printers, sometimes called multifunction 3D printers or AIO 3D printers, feature removable tool heads that can be switched out to change their function. If you want to create a prototype and want to carve a wood model first, use the CNC machine, and then switch back to the 3D printer extruder to create the final plastic prototype.

Having tested dozens of 3D printers over the years, including our top pick, the Snapmaker 2.0, we’ve collated our findings into our top recommendations for 3-in-1 3D printers to help you make the best choice for you.

	Snapmaker 2.0	Snapmaker Artisan	Zmorph Fab
Functionality	3D Printing, CNC carving, laser cutting or engraving	3D Printing, CNC carving, laser cutting or engraving	3D Printing, CNC carving, laser cutting or engraving, food printing
Build Volume	230 x 250 x 235 mm OR 320 x 350 x 330 mm	350 x 400 x 400 mm	250 x 235 x 165 mm
Max Extruder Temp	275°C for A models or 300°C for F models	300°C	250°C
CNC Spindle Power	50W	200W	300W
Laser Power	1.6W	10W	2.8W
Price	$1,199 – $1,799	$2,900	$4,000

What is a 3-in-1 3D printer?

A 3-in-1 3D printer is a multifunction machine, usually including a CNC cutter, laser cutter/engraver, and an extruder for 3D printing. 

They use a modular system to swap between functions, and are best for hobbyists who want multiple tools while saving money and space. Some 3-in-1 printers actually have the capacity for more than 3 functions, such as including dual extruders, food extruders, and more.

The criteria we used to judge the best 3 in 1 3D printers

In rating the 3 in 1 3D printers we recommend below, we compared:

• 3D printer quality: most of these 3 in one 3D printers are made by 3D printer companies and are mostly focused on additive manufacturing. Therefore, the 3D printer’s quality is key.
• CNC mill power: some CNC machines cannot fully mill, but just engrave. More powerful CNC machines spin faster, can carve tougher materials, and work more accurately and for longer.
• Laser engraver power: as with the CNC machine, some all in 1 laser engraver 3D printers can only engrave, whereas others can cut through materials.
• How easy is it to change the tool heads: it’s all well and good having powerful tool heads that work perfectly, but if they’re too difficult or delicate to switch out, they may as well only have one function.
• Effectiveness of software: most of our recommendations feature specialized software that can slice models for 3D printing, and prepare CNC and laser projects. The best software is easy to use, yet effective and reliable across every function.

The Best All in 1 3D printers

Snapmaker 2.0 – comes in 3 forms: A150, A250 & A350

• Price: $770 – $1199 — Best price on Snapmaker Store here / Available on Amazon here
• Build volumes: A250 = 230 x 250 x 235 mm / A350 = 320 x 350 x 330 mm / F250 = 230 x 250 x 235 mm / F350 = 320 x 350 x 330 mm
• Max extruder temperature: 275°C for A models or 300°C for F models
• CNC spindle power: 50W
• Laser power: 1.6W (optional 10W add-on)
• Functionality: 3D Printing, CNC carving, laser cutting or engraving

The Snapmaker Original already made waves when it raised over $2.2M on Kickstarter, but the Snapmaker 2.0 completely obliterated that by becoming the most funded technology project in the history of Kickstarter, raising an astonishing $7.85M.

Its edge over the functionally superior Snapmaker Artisan is that it doesn’t cost anywhere near as much. The build volumes of every 2.0 model are smaller than the Artisan’s, but you can catch up to some of the Artisan’s other features with optional modules.

We have tested and reviewed the Snapmaker 2.0, and waxed lyrical about how great it was. It offers a fantastic 3D printing experience and a great CNC carving and laser option. Arguably you could even call it a 4-in-1 3D printer, as you can also buy the 4-axis rotary module add-on, which turns the laser and CNC tool heads into 360-degree, 4-axis versions. We carved cylindrical chess pieces, engraved cylinder gift boxes, and more with this add-on.

The 3D printer can print PLA, ABS and flexible filaments like TPU, and with WiFi connectivity, you can print remotely online, or offline using a USB. The portable and movable touchscreen used to operate the printer looks and acts like a smartphone, simplifying your workflow and making it easy to control and manage projects.

Whereas the Artisan comes with an enclosure, with the 2.0 you can choose to buy it as an add-on. With an enclosure, you can more easily print ABS to prevent warping — and it’ll keep dust in from CNC, and the laser light out of your eyes (still wear glasses though).

As a laser engraver, you can create contrasting images on fabrics, leather, plywood and acrylic materials.

I also tested it as a laser cutter, and managed to cut out and assemble a gift box from a thin sheet of soft wood 1.5mm thick.

The CNC machine can carve designs on walnut, PCB woods, as well as carbon fiber sheets, acrylic and hardwood. A key upgrade on the 2.0 is the increased speed, meaning that larger projects can be created in record time. For more information on the CNC and laser parts, you can read our breakdown of the Snapmaker 2.0 CNC and laser toolheads.

Overall, we highly recommend the Snapmaker 2.0 models, of which we tested the largest version — the Snapmaker 2.0 A350. You can optionally buy the enclosure, 4-axis rotary module, and the new 10W powerful laser toolhead, but we did not try the 10W laser add-on. That add-on comes with the Artisan by default.

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Snapmaker Artisan – Premium but reasonably priced

• Price: $2,900 — Available at Snapmaker here
• Build Volume: 350 x 400 x 400 mm
• Max extruder temperature: 300°C
• CNC spindle power: 200W
• Laser power: 10W
• Functionality: 3D Printing, CNC carving, laser cutting or engraving

The Snapmaker Artisan was hyped up long before its official release, and with good reason. It promptly won Snapmaker the CES innovation award for its high-quality, premium modular design.

If there’s a 3D printer 3-in-1 option that could be used for genuine business or industrial purposes, it would be the Artisan. It’s equipped with a 200W CNC spindle, 10W laser, and dual extruders for printing with multiple materials at once.

The high-power laser means it can do heavier laser cutting instead of just laser engraving and light cutting – and with a 200W spindle, you can use materials like wood, acrylics, and even jade. The Artisan is essentially a direct upgrade to the popular Snapmaker 2.0 models, with better specs in almost every category.

There’s one area where the Artisan falls behind the Snapmaker 2.0 models: it has no filament runout sensor or auto bed-leveling. Without these user-friendly features, the Artisan can be a little harder to pick up. For more, check out our article comparing both Snapmaker 2.0 and Snapmaker Artisan (and the Snapmaker J1).

It’s technically a downgrade compared to the ZMorph Fab’s 300W spindle, but that won’t be relevant for most hobbyists (or even professionals) since it outclasses the ZMorph in laser power and max extruder temperature. It also has a significantly larger build volume at 350 x 400 x 400 mm.

Still, it’s a stretch to say it beats out the ZMorph in 3D printing prowess. The Artisan has an edge with the inclusion of dual extruders in the base model and an enclosed design. On the other hand, the ZMorph can use a dual extruder module and even a thick paste extruder module for 3D printing food. There’s a tradeoff either way.

If you’re looking for a 3-in-1 machine with strong capabilities in every sector, then the Artisan can deliver. It’s very much a premium machine, though. Buying the Artisan could be overkill, especially if you won’t make use of the higher-power CNC and laser modules, dual extrusion, or large build volume.

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ZMorph Fab — 4 in 1 3D printer

• Price: $2,000 – $4,050 for the full set — Available on Matterhackers here
• Build Volume: 250 x 235 x 165 mm
• Max extruder temperature: 250°C
• CNC spindle power: 300W
• Laser power: 2.8W
• Functionality: 3D Printing, CNC carving, laser cutting or engraving, food printing

ZMorph makes some of the most versatile all-in-1 3D printers around, which makes it an amazing Snapmaker alternative. 

The different variations of the ZMorph Fab are able to 3D print, CNC machine, engrave and laser cut, and can even be switched into a food 3D printer using a thick paste extruder. This edible material option can print chocolate, as well as other similar materials like icing and cooking dough.

ZMorph 3D printers are famed for their reliability and workhorse-like qualities, and the Fab is no different. It’s a great 3D printer, with a high-quality heated bed that can comfortably 3D print ABS, HIPS, and other tougher filaments like Nylon. The printer can level itself automatically, and turn from a 3D printer to laser engraver or CNC router with ease.

The catch is that what you can do is dependent on which version you purchase. There are a few different Fab models, and all of them are tiered with increasingly more functions (and expense). 

For example, you could purchase the ZMorph Fab 5-in-1 set for five unique functions– including food printing, dual extrusion, regular single extrusion printing, CNC cutting, and laser engraving. This costs significantly more than the Snapmaker Artisan.

Alternatively, you can purchase cheaper versions with fewer functions if you’re on a tighter budget or don’t need the extras. ZMorph places the power in your hands so you can choose the best multifunctional printer for you.

Additionally, with the dual head option, the ZMorph performs well as a dual extruder 3D printer, able to 3D print multiple colors, or soluble support materials such as HIPS and PVA, and even blend two colors together for multiple different shades in one part.

The 3D laser printer CNC hybrid can be adjusted to print both 1.75mm and 3mm filaments, and has a large enough build area to print even the largest of projects.

Using ZMorph’s CNC tool head, the ZMorph becomes a powerful CNC mill 3D printer that can mill and engrave almost any type of wood, as well as other materials like acrylic glass and EVA foam.

The 300W CNC head mills at a rate of 120mm/s, and ZMorph lists a cutting depth of up to 0.5mm. These specs are even better than the Snapmaker Artisan.

The Laser PRO tool head turns the Fab into a laser engraver 3D printer capable of burning and engraving plywood and many other types of wood, cardboard, leather, and acrylic glass using its powerful yet compact 2.8W blue laser.

Unlike the Artisan’s 10W laser, it’s best suited for engraving rather than cutting. Still, it has enough power to be compatible with a wide range of materials. Though the default speed is 15mm/s, the laser can work up to 120mm/s for faster engraving.

ZMorph’s Voxelizer 2 software acts as a 3D slicer for 3D printing parts, as well as offering CAD CAM software features for CNC and laser cutting models, all in one. Overall, it’s a fantastic and extremely versatile all-in-one 3D printer, and the closest available option to a full manufacturing suite machine.

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Buying Guide: Factors To Consider When Buying a 3-in-1 3D Printer

3D Printer Quality

Key points that impact your overall 3D printing experience include auto bed-leveling, a filament runout sensor, and the type of build plate (usually flexible magnetic plates are the best, with tempered glass as a close second).

The max extruder temperature also affects which filaments you can use. Finally, an enclosure lets you manage internal temperatures better, such as ABS and Nylon.

If you’re really just looking for some add-on tools to your 3D printing, you should prioritize the machine with the best 3D printing specs. In this case, the Snapmaker Artisan is all-around the best thanks to its enclosed design, dual extrusion, high-temp resistant extruder, and glass build plate.

The Artisan lacks a runout sensor or auto leveling, but the pros still outweigh the cons – especially when you consider the relative ease of installing a runout sensor yourself.

CNC Cutter Quality

Most multifunction printers have some type of CNC module, but they aren’t made equal. Keep in mind the max recommended depth and the wattage of the mill, since they’ll both impact material compatibility.

An enclosure doesn’t hurt, either. It can keep shavings from flying out, and helps make cleanup a breeze. The ZMorph Fab offers the absolute best CNC cutting module out of all the 3-in-1 3D printer CNC cutters out there.

It has a much higher wattage and a decent depth. You’ll be able to cut through acrylics, a variety of wood types, and even some stone. So, for a CNC printer, the Fab is your best bet.

Laser Engraver Quality

Laser engraver modules are similar to CNC cutter modules in that power will dictate whether you can use the module for general laser cutting, or if you’ll mostly be stuck with engraving. Again, an enclosure can help by keeping laser glare out of your eyes.

If you’re a huge fan of laser engraving, then you should prioritize the quality of the laser module. But that doesn’t mean you need to go overkill. 

Consider the ZMorph Fab’s 2.8W laser if all you need is engraving, or the default Snapmaker 2.0’s 1.6W laser. For more cutting potential, go for a Snapmaker machine with the 10W laser attachment.

Software Effectiveness

Effective software is always important in a hobby machine, and the software for a 3-in-1 printer needs to handle three times the functionality. You’ll want to make sure the product you buy has user-friendly, expansive software that will carry you through the process with as few hiccups as possible.

Snapmaker uses Luban, which we found to be an amazing option for beginners or more experienced users alike. It feels a lot like Cura, but for a multifunction printer with CNC and laser module file preparation. 

Luban has all the main points of functionality that you would need in a streamlined package: settings changes, simple edits, and importing files from a range of file types. It’s also really easy to use for 4-axis CNC and laser engraving.

ZMorph uses Voxelizer 2. It isn’t a bad option by any means, and is fully capable of handling everything you’ll need for the modules ZMorph offers. Voxelizer 2 has a similar range of functionality. Between these two software, it might come down to a matter of personal preference or familiarity. We suggest checking out a video or two just to see what they’re like.

Function Options

Although most 3-in-1 printers will have laser printing and/or CNC cutting, there are other add-ons that are only available on certain machines.

For example, dual extrusion might be a priority for you. You’ll likely be better off purchasing a machine that comes with dual extrusion but leaves out some of the fancier functions, instead of trying tacking a dual extrusion module onto the already expensive ZMorph Fab.

The ZMorph Fab’s optional thick paste extruder, though, is one of the few options out there for food printing on a multifunction printer. If you really want that function, the Fab is great.

Work Space

Whether printing food, regular old filament, cutting up pieces of jade, or laser-engraving a leather pouch, your work area matters. You should always make sure that you’re selecting a machine with enough build volume to keep you satisfied with your options.

If you choose a printer that’s too small, then you’ll be sorely limited in what types of projects you can print or carve. On the flip side, it’s possible to have a machine that’s really just too large to fit into your limited hobby space.

Although it could be seen as bulky, the Snapmaker Artisan offers the most build volume and work area regardless of which module you’re putting to work. Tragically, the ZMorph Fab is the smallest despite having good specs.

Price Value

3-in-1 printers aren’t cheap, so you’ll need to know that you’re getting the best value for your money. The fact that the Snapmaker 2.0 models and the ZMorph Fab allow you more customizability is great for picking the exact specs you want without overpaying.

In the case that you want solid CNC, laser, and 3D printing functionality, though, you’re best off purchasing the Artisan. It’s similar in price to a decked-out 2.0 model, but cheaper than most Fab models. Plus, you’ll be getting solid results for all three functions.

If you’re mainly planning to use one other function aside from 3D printing, try to go for a Snapmaker 2.0 or ZMorph Fab depending on which has the function you want. It’s going to be better for you to just save the money instead of investing in a 3-in-1 that you’ll use like a 2-in-1.

Do you need a specialist all-in-one machine?

While the options we recommend are specifically designed for multi-tool use, you also have other options.

For example, there are a range of Ender 3 laser engraver attachments that you can switch out the extruder for – but you still miss out on the CNC toolhead that you’d get with a true 3-in-1 machine.

There are also a range of low-cost CNC routers that come as 2-in-1 kits, where you can switch the CNC head out for a laser.

FAQs

If you liked this article, you may also be interested in:

• Our guide to the best 3D pens
• Our guide to the best 3D scanners
• The complete dual extruder 3D printer buyer’s guide
• Our ranking of the best FDM 3D printers
• The Best Free CNC Software