Hot or cold nozzle, and which filament it takes, before any color count
A 3D pen is a handheld extruder: filament goes in the back, melts or softens, and comes out of a tip that draws in the air. The first decision is the nozzle type. A heated pen melts standard filament and reaches temperatures that call for care; a low-temperature pen uses its own softer material, stays cooler at the tip and is the one sold to children — and the maker states which it is and what age it recommends. The filament accepted follows from that choice and is the running cost: common filament in 1.75 mm is cheap and everywhere, while a proprietary low-temperature refill ties the pen to one supplier. Speed control is published as a number of steps or a continuous dial, and a pen with only one speed makes fine lines and filled areas equally awkward. Power is a mains adapter, a USB cable or an internal battery, and a cordless pen is freer and has a stated runtime. Then the physical things that decide whether it is used: weight and grip, how the filament is loaded and unloaded, and what the listing says about an automatic shut-off. We compare nozzle type and temperature, filament accepted, speed control, power source, weight and published safety features.
1.75 mm 3D pen · PLA 160–210 °C, ABS 210–235 °C · stepless speed slider · ceramic nozzle · 3 colors, 30 ft of PLA
The most rated pen on this shelf: a display, a ceramic nozzle, a stepless speed slider and 30 feet of PLA in three colors in the box.
Best for: A first-time buyer who wants a heated pen at the lowest price with a track record.
≈ $35
1.75 mm ABS and PLA 3D pen · stepless speed slider · ultrasonic sealed nozzle · 3 colors of PLA · A/C adapter
A slim 3D pen for standard 1.75 mm ABS and PLA filament, with a stepless speed slider and an ultrasonic sealed nozzle the maker calls nearly clog-proof.
Best for: A teen or adult who wants a simple pen that runs on cheap filament.
≈ $40
Low-temperature 3D pen for ages 6+ · no hot parts · 72 Start+ plastic strands · DoodlePad, activity guide · charges by USB
A low-temperature 3D pen for children aged 6 and up, with no hot parts by the maker’s account, 72 plastic strands and a DoodlePad mat.
Best for: A parent buying a first 3D pen for a child of six or older.
≈ $50
1.75 mm 3D pen · 140 to 230 °C in 1-degree steps · OLED display · adjustable feed · 3 colors of PLA · 1-year warranty
A heated pen with temperature set from 140 to 230 °C in single degrees, an OLED display and adjustable feed, for finer control over standard filament.
Best for: A craft user who wants to tune the pen for different filaments and effects.
≈ $60
3D pen · variable speed · large LCD · 8 temperature settings in the listing · 5 colors, about 50 ft of PLA
SCRIB3D’s step-up pen, with a large LCD, variable speed, a contoured grip and about 50 feet of PLA in five colors in the box.
Best for: A regular user who wants a bigger screen and a more comfortable grip.
≈ $60
Heated 3D pen for teens and adults · LCD temperature display · 8 colors of plastic spools, 80 ft · stencil book
A heated 3D pen from 3Doodler for teens and adults, with an LCD temperature display and eight colors of plastic spools totaling 80 feet.
Best for: A teenager or adult who prefers the 3Doodler brand and wants a kit that is ready to go.
≈ $73
A low-temperature pen with no hot parts, by the maker’s account.
The filament accepted is published: diameter and compatible materials. Outside that list the pen jams or does not melt.
What the manufacturer announces, such as automatic shutdown or a shielded nozzle. This site reports them without presenting them as sufficient.
It accepts other filaments and heats less. The published temperature says exactly what it is.
Metering the material flow. It is published because it decides the fineness the line can reach.
The published power source decides mobility. A mains pen is lighter and more constrained.
The shape and output diameter, published by the manufacturer. They decide line thickness.
That depends on the model. The published nozzle type says what is provided for.
That depends on the filament used. This site publishes the accepted materials and describes no ventilation condition.
Decide hot or cold first, then check the filament. A proprietary refill is the cost that lasts.
Four machines in five must publish the value before a column is raised. Below that, it would be comparing absences.
| Model | Price | In the box | Weight |
|---|---|---|---|
| SCRIB3D P1 | $35 | 3 colors, 30 ft of PLA, stencil book, power adapter | 12.9 oz |
| MYNT3D Super | $40 | 3 colors of PLA, A/C adapter, pen | 7.7 oz |
| 3Doodler Start+ Essentials | $50 | Pen, DoodlePad mat, plastics, USB charger, activity guide | — |
| SCRIB3D Advanced | $60 | 5 colors, 15 m (about 50 ft) of PLA, power adapter, manual | 11.7 oz |
| MYNT3D Professional | $60 | 3 colors of PLA, A/C adapter, pen | 12 oz |
| 3Doodler Flow | $73 | 8 colors of plastic spools, 80 ft total, stencil book, guide | 15.8 oz |
Specifications: manufacturer sheets for maker machines and tools and the matching Amazon product pages. Prices and availability: Keepa. Every figure in this table names its source.
Most recent revision in this category: November 1, 2026.
A price quoted in the text of a MakerVerdict page dates from the day that page was written; the live figure beside each product is fetched while you read and replaces it.
