5 Best Prusa i3 MK3S Clones

Having an original 3D printer such as the Prusa i3 MK3S handle your 3D printing is a thing of pride. Prusa’s high-end 3D printers haven’t stopped delivering exceptional print quality, material integrity, branded hot ends, and robust customer support. With all of the amazing benefits of the original Prusa products, why would anyone, even for a second, consider getting a clone?

When Joseph Prusa’s Prusa Research unveiled the i3 printers in 2012, the product was greeted with overwhelming acceptance and mass excitement. Since then, the company has built on the momentum by releasing new and improved variations to the groundbreaking product, the MK3S.

What Are 3D Printer Clones?     

3D printer clones are 3D printers that replicate the features of the original products. Some clones are so similar to the originals that they have to be inspected to discover the difference. The goal of 3D printer clones is to produce the same or almost the same quality of results and experience as the originals. Depending on the manufacturer and the model, 3D printer clones may come with improvements to the originals and in some cases, extra features.

What Are the Best Prusa i3 MK3S Clones?

Based on your budget and reasons for needing a 3D printer, clones could be the better option for you. While clones may not always deliver the highest print quality, several clones could match the print delivery of the original printers. So, even in the community of clones, there are distinctions in output quality. Also, many clones come with some extra features and perks that original products do not offer. So, if you would rather get a Prusa i3 Mk3S clone instead of the original, you should ensure that you get a good one. Here are the outstanding i3 MK3S clones that will give you the best 3D printing experience.

1.    MatterHackers Pulse

 

 

MatterHackers Pulse printers are customizable single extrusion printers that can fit a variety of applications and preferences. You are free to make a selection of printer components to create the machine you desire. In addition, MatterHackers Pulse software is pre-configured to match whatever upgrade you desire.

The cost of MatterHackers Pulse 3D printers presently varies from $799 for the basic Pulse product to $3195 for the Pulse DXE – Dual Extrusion printer. Other products include the Pulse XE for nylonX advanced materials, Pulse HV, and the Pulse education bundle printer for classroom demonstrations.

2.    CR-10S Pro V2

 

With a double gear extruder, auto bed leveling, and filament detection, the CR-10S Pro V2 is a worthy alternative to the Prusa i3 MK3S. you can get a CR-10S Pro V2 for $599 and enjoy a digital HD touchscreen printing experience, and a shortage detection switch that is sensitive enough to detect transparent materials.

The Chinese-made CR-10S Pro V2 also provides automatic leveling, a larger building arena, and a power supply protection feature which ensures that even after an interruption in power supply, printing will resume without any hitches.

3.    Snapmaker 2.0

The Snapmaker 2.0 is a 3-in-1 3D printer that offers amazing customizability. Snapmaker 2.0, a follow-up to the Snapmaker Original, goes for $1,199 for the A150 model, $1,499 for the A250, and $1,799 for the A350 model; depending on the build volume you desire, the Snapmaker 2.0 is a worthy alternative to the Pruse i3 MK3S.

Its exciting features include an all-metal aluminum frame, a heated bed, touchscreen, and a CNC carver plus laser engraving.

4.    Flashforge Creator Pro

 

The Flashforge Creator Pro can maintain its internal temperature, which is impressive for a closed-box design. It can run various filaments such as ABS, PLA, PETG, and PVA. It also operates with double extruders, uses two nozzles to enhance printing speed, and runs with the USB and SD card.

The Flashforge Creator Pro goes for between $449 and $948. 

5.    Tiertime UP mini 2 ES

The Tiertime UP mini 2 ES printer offers a touchscreen control, USB, Wi-Fi, and LAN connectivity and goes for $699. It offers in-built HEPA filtration and can keep a constant internal temperature, enabling it to run well with the ABS and PLA filament. In addition, it runs a print queue that allows the input of multiple assignments at one, which will be printed in the order of input.

Why Do People Go for Clones?

As expected, there will be several notable differences between the Original Prusa i3 MK3S 3D printers and the clones.

1.    Price

Even before getting to meet the products in person, the first difference that comes to notice is the price. Original Prusa i3 MK3S printers are not in the same rank as the clones in terms of the price tag. And this is the most popular reason anyone would think of getting a clone.

While an original Prusa i3 MK3S could cost you up to tens of thousands of dollars depending on the level of sophistication, the corresponding clones are always a lot cheaper. The opportunity to save hundreds of dollars by getting the clones could be quite irresistible. There are several categories of 3D printers depending on the user's proficiency level, starting with the entry-level printer which you can get for $300. However, originals always cost more than the clones.

2.    Functionality

Another reason why people opt for clones is motivation and application. There are different motivations for acquiring 3D printers. Some, especially organizations like hospitals and toy manufacturers, require 3D printers for commercial or profit-making applications, while the majority of home-users use 3D printers as a way to catch fun, enhance creativity, and fulfill fantasies.

For institutions, the quality of the print is crucial to the growth and sustenance of the business and this need makes the option of clones less attractive. On the other hand, domestic and leisure users who are not too particular about the print quality are the biggest market for clones.

Conclusion

3D printers may prefer clones to the original issues for several reasons. Depending on the budget, the motivation, and the use, clones could be a more convenient option. Clones are replicas of the original products and contain many similarities plus some bonus features. If you want to enjoy 3D printing and not miss out on the best experience, the Prusa i3 MK3S 3D printer has several alternatives that you can choose from. These MK3S clones are cheaper and offer quality that isn’t much different than the prestigious Prusa i3 MK3S printers

Its exciting features include an all-metal aluminum frame, a heated bed, touchscreen, and a CNC carver plus laser engraving.

The Chinese-made CR-10S Pro V2 also provides automatic leveling, a larger building arena, and a power supply protection feature which ensures that even after an interruption in power supply, printing will resume without any hitches.

Over a decade down the line, that prestige hasn’t seemed to have waned despite a growing surge in demand for the Prusa i3 MK3S clones. The rest of this article will show us why clones have come to stay and the best Prusa i3 replicas that are currently available. But, first, let's get a brief peep into the concept of 3D printer cloning.