The era of affordable 3D printing seems to have come to a halt in the U.S. A series of newly imposed tariffs are rapidly driving up costs, as tariffs on Chinese-made goods have reached a record 145%, including popular 3D printers from brands like Bambu Lab, Creality, Elegoo, and Anycubic.
Bambu Lab’s latest 3D printer, the H2D, was launched on March 25, with a starting price of $1,899 for the dual-color non-laser printer. It is now priced at $2,399, an increase of 23%, while the 40-watt laser printer we reviewed last month is now priced at $4,399. This is $500 to $900 higher than expected, representing a 20% increase.
Tracking the price increases of 3D printers is not an easy task. Some Chinese manufacturers have not raised their prices yet, but their products are also out of stock, presenting another challenge for 3D printing enthusiasts and business owners. The Elegoo Centauri Carbon is noteworthy in this category, with a launch price still at $299. However, it is in a “pre-order” status and is expected to be available by the end of July.
The Creality K2 Plus Combo, which we reviewed in January, remains at its original price of $1,499 and is marked for shipping from a U.S. warehouse. The tariffs only take effect upon shipping. Although no one was willing to speak on the record, several company representatives attending this year’s Rapid + TCT event told me that they had urgently shipped products to U.S. warehouses before the tariffs took effect, hoping to keep prices low for as long as possible.
