A 3D Printer Changed My Son's Life, and This One Is $120 Off During Amazon's Big Spring Sale

I have a teenage son, and while I’m happy to indulge his Xbox obsession, I have been looking for a new hobby to distract him from his games and apps. So, I consulted with CNET’s own James Bricknell, our resident 3D printer expert, regarding the best 3D printers, and I couldn’t be happier with the purchase. The Flashforge Adventurer 5M 3D printer is not the same model I opted for, but it is highly rated and, thanks to Amazon’s Big Spring Sale, it is also reduced to a record-low price of $259. That’s $20 lower than what we saw during Black Friday sales last year

Bricknell rated the Flashforge Adventurer 5M Pro as the best bet for educators, and this slightly smaller model also received his kudos. It’s more compact and a great choice for students or beginners. The Flashforge Adventurer 5M typically costs $379, but it’s discounted by 32%, which knocks $120 off the price, reducing it to only $259.

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The Flashforge 5M 3D printer offers 12X ultra-fast printing, maximizing efficiency. Once you’re in the world of 3D printing, you’ll know why this matters. Depending on the printer’s speed, some projects can take hours to complete. So, a faster machine means more cool stuff can be produced in less time. The tech specs are a Core XY structure with 600mm/s travel speed and 20000mm/s² acceleration. It also has a few other efficiencies, little things that make a difference when you’re printing and changing filaments. There are quick, three-second nozzle changes, a high-flow 32mm³/s nozzle and a fast 35-second warm-up to 200 degrees Celsius to deliver stable high-speed printing.

When my teenager got his 3D printer, it was like a lightbulb went off. Within a few short weeks, he’d taught himself a CAD design program, printed trophies for his end-of-year team party, made me multiple cool pen holders and vases and an entire army of glow-in-the-dark cats. He’s spending much less time getting lost on apps and games, and I’ve spent less time telling him to get off his phone. Win-win!

Why this deal matters

Last fall, we saw this same model go on sale for $279, a $100 discount. Now, it’s reduced to just $259, the lowest price we’ve seen. If you’ve been considering a 3D printer and want an affordable, reliable starter model for student or personal use, it’s a great time to snap this one up while supplies last.

Looking for more great bargains during Amazon’s Big Spring Sale? We’ve been curating lists of the best ones, including great deals on headphones, excellent outdoor gear, and a plethora of home and kitchen gadgets.