iNSTONE Easier 3D Printer Kit Rated
- Print Quality
- User Experience
- Ease of Use
- Durability
- Value for Money
Craft Schmaft Verdict
The iNSTONE Easier 3D Printer is an affordable, compact solution for anyone looking for a 3D printer for their own home.
There have been a few concerns with customer service and compatibility, but for those just looking to get their toes wet in 3D crafting, this machine may just be up your alley.
3D printers are the hot new accessory for professionals and hobbyists alike. They can be great for weekend projects with the kids, testing out prototypes, and giving your business a unique edge over the rest.
The iNSTONE Easier 3D Printer Kit is a machine that is perfect for the home or office. You really get the best of both worlds with this cheap 3D printer, receiving professional-quality prints at a very attractive price.
But what makes it so wonderful? Where does it fall flat?
Here we break down all the good and the bad you need to know, so check out our iNSTONE Easier 3D printer review below!
Contents
iNSTONE Easier 3D Printer Kit: The Details
Specs
- Weight: 3 pounds.
- Dimensions: 7 x 7.5 x 10.4 inches.
- Print Dimensions: 110 x 110 x 120 mm.
- Filament Types: PLA
- Ready to Print?: Yes
- Compatibility: Windows, MAC, Linux.
- Warranty: 6 months (motor, thermistor, heating rod), and 12 months for other parts (exempting the nozzle).
How Does it Work
As with many small 3D printers that are ready to print right out of the box, the iNSTONE Easier works without much effort on the user’s part.
Once powered up, manually feeding in the filament and uploading the print file is the most work you’ll have to do.
Unlike many 3D printers, you do not have to calibrate the machine or level the print bed either! It is all done for you beforehand.
It comes equipped with free software so all you have to do is select your design and print with the touch of the knob. It can’t get much simpler than that.
Accessories
A spool of PLA filament comes standard with the iNSTONE, alongside a 1GB TF card pre-loaded with software and PDF instruction manual.
Basically, everything you need to start printing!
Features
Print Dimensions
Despite being a compact printer, it can still pump out a range of sizable prints.
Small and medium models will easily fit within the print dimensions, and the printer itself will sit unobtrusively on your desk or shelf. This is some smart design work!
Portability
The iSTONE is lightweight and super easy to move around.
Shifting the printer between home and the office isn’t a struggle, and there are no parts to disassemble for safe transportation – aside from unplugging the power.
Build Plate
Made from a flexible, lightly textured plastic, the build plate makes for a good print surface.
Glue is still necessary to stop the print from sliding around during the process, but having a flexible build plate makes removing completed prints a great deal easier.
Connection Options
You have the choice of either directly connecting the printer to the computer or using an SD card to transfer print files.
This is good for those with dodgy connections, and those that don’t have enough space near to the computer for the printer to sit.
Design
Aside from a pleasing appearance, the overall design of the iNSTONE Easier is unobtrusive and smart.
The spool reel hangs upon a hook, keeping it out of the way, and there are minimal moving parts out in the open – where curious fingers can get caught.
Plus, we love the use of magnets instead of screws to keep the build plate fixed in place!
iNSTONE Easier 3D Printer Kit Review
The Positives
Noise
The iNSTONE Easier is remarkably quiet. Sit it in the living room while you are watching T.V. and you’ll hardly notice a print in progress.
This is a really good feature, especially for businesses or classrooms with limited space, as the iNSTONE will not disturb the peace.
Direct Connection or SD Card
It sucks when you have to rearrange your whole office to accommodate a direct connection between the printer and your computer. Especially if you’ve just placed everything exactly how you like it!
Thankfully, there is no need for a direct connection to the computer for the iNSTONE Easier to work. This is hugely convenient. No one needs to plug in!
Transferring print files with an SD card is handy for kids that work on designs at school too!
Print Quality
Cheap 3D printers usually mean sub-par quality in the prints. We were happily surprised by the prints the iNSTONE Easier churned out!
Though not a high-end machine, the prints produced are certainly of professional quality. You can have your very own Dungeons and Dragons figurine set in no time at all!
Great for Beginners
Testing out 3D printing can be slightly daunting, if only because of how complicated they appear and how pricey mistakes can be.
There is no need to fear the iNSTONE Easier! Ready to print and easy to use, the iNSTONE Easier is fantastic for those new to 3D printing.
A detailed user manual will guide you through set-up, installing software, and beginning prints. You do not need experience with 3D printers to be able to use the iNSTONE effectively either.
Each print begins with a simple six-step process, of which the user manual will guide you through – the 6th step is just waiting for the print to finish!
Detailed instructions and a simple interface make this a fantastic printer for newbies to dip their toes into the world of 3D printing, and all yours for an affordable price.
Oh yeah, there’s no calibration or levelling required!
Calibrating and levelling 3D printers can be an extraordinary tax on one’s patience – especially if you don’t know the ins and outs of how these printers function.
The print bed does not need levelling on this one, however, and the printer needs no calibration to fine-tune the settings. This is a fantastic feature!
Don’t forget to take advantage of iNSTONE’s special bonus too. When you purchase the iNSTONE Easier 3D printer kit, you’ll also be entitled to 30% off on iNSTONE filament.
Aesthetic and Functional Design
To be frank, the appearance of the iNSTONE Easier is kind of adorable. A pale blue and white body offers a clean aesthetic, and the design keeps all cables and moving parts hidden inside.
As for the functional design aspects we like, a flexible build plate held in place with magnets means less fiddling on your part – both in removing finished prints and fussing around with clamps or screws to keep the plate in place during printing. This is a great combo!
Overall, this is both a good looking and well-designed printer!
Compact
Not only is it cute and attractive in design, but the size of this printer makes it a great solution for those staying in a tight living space, dorm, or small office.
You won’t need to clear off a world of space to have this printer sitting on your desk or countertop.
It weighs in at five pounds so it won’t be daunting to move with, and should you need to tuck it away for occasional use, it won’t be a hassle to put away on a shelf or in a closet.
And say you do want to travel with this printer (out of town or even out of country), it’s compact and light enough to ease all transportation worries.
Warranty
It’s always reassuring when a device, especially a 3D printer, comes backed by a warranty.
In the case of the iNSTONE Easier 3D Printer, you’ll be covered under a six-month limited warranty on the motor, thermistor, and heating rod, while all other parts (except the nozzle) are covered under a one-year warranty.
Should you notice any manufacturing errors or defects on your 3D printer during the coverage periods, you’ll need to contact the company where they’ll then decide whether they need to replace or repair your machine.
The only issue here is actually contacting them, which we’ll get into below.
The Negatives
Customer Support
Customer support for the iNSTONE Easier has been… iffy. When buying any device, especially a 3D printer, it’s reassuring to know the company has your back should questions or issues arise.
Supposedly, there is a 24-hour support service available, but getting a response from support seems next to impossible if one is to believe the dozens of customers unhappy with the service.
And the support section of iNSTONE’s website is glaringly empty. Given the other problems we discuss below, a lack of customer support can be a dealbreaker to some and shows a lack of care in the company.
That being said, those who have managed to get in contact with iNSTONE’s customer service have been pleasantly surprised by their attentiveness and helpfulness when dealing with issues.
Software Missing
As mentioned, free software is meant to come with the printer. But there are a worrying number of instances where the devices carrying this software are empty.
Aside from being irritating, this shows a fundamental lack of quality assurance on iNSTONE’s part.
Mac Incompatibility
The iNSTONE Easier is stated to be Mac-compatible. It is not. Mac users will be driven nuts trying to get this printer to work with their computer.
Digging around on support forums – though not the ones on iNSTONE’s website, as they have all been deleted – for assistance might yield results, it might not seem worth the stress for some.
If you use Mac, you may want to look elsewhere for a 3D printer.
Here’s a video showing what the iNSTONE Easier 3D Printer Kit looks like in action.
Overall Verdict
The iNSTONE Easier 3D Printer Kit is a smartly designed and highly affordable printer – perfect for the home or office.
Though there are issues with Mac-compatibility and a glaring lack of customer support, the print quality, ease of use, and price tag make this a tempting buy.
Is this the best cheap 3D printer on the market? Maybe not, but it is certainly one worth checking out.
Where to Buy the iNSTONE Easier 3D Printer Kit
3D printing is still a growing craft, and while many people may not have 3D printers in their home yet, it’s becoming more popular in offices and classrooms.
With affordable printers on the market like the iNSTONE 3D Printer it will certainly make it easier for people to have this technology in their homes, though certain models might still prove tricky to find.
The iNSTONE Easier 3D Printer is available through their website, but of course, it’s also available on Amazon.
- iNSTONE (from $199)
That’s all for our iNSTONE 3D Printer review. Have we tempted you to give it a try?
