Quoted from Lopa:I’m looking to pick up a 3d printer and am looking for suggestions in and around the $1000 range.
Thanks in advance
Hard to go wrong with Ender 3, it is the leader in sales volume, low price, performance per dollar, and retail availability of parts in the USA at Micro Center. Not the greatest build quality, but you can buy two and keep both of them running most of the time. Good choice if you just want to dabble without a big investment.
But I'm still going to say Prusa MK3S+, no contest. The price looks out of line with the Creality lineup until you see they use name brand bearings, belts, and even connectors, instead of price conscious imitations. Hardened machine rods for alignment instead of Delrin rollers on the frame. Auto bed leveling and magnetic PEI sheet, which should be minimum standard features, not upgrades. After 4 years of MK3 production, they are still maintaining and improving the firmware. Prusa is committed to an upgrade kit to the next model (if that's important to you), just like the last 5 in the series.
Ender is the Wal-Mart Black and Decker special that will get you through projects. Prusa is the DeWalt or Milwaukee. I saved up for the better 3D printer, and I am glad I did.
Another recommendation for PrusaSlicer; it is shaping up to be an industry leading slicer, and comes with both Creality and Prusa printer profiles.