MINGDA Magician X in test (2023)

aMingda-Magier Xit's already very cheapabout 330 euroand therefore interesting for everyone who wants to experience the world of 3D printing without making a high investment of three or even four figures. Despite the low price, there is a lot to offer: from easy assembly and commissioning to detailed instructions and step-by-step videos.

Print quality is generally good, but varies by subject. The hub and wedge, for example, work very well and have only minimal overhangs. Holes and pillars also work well, but the wires can be seen. And the corners are slightly bent here. Wizard X struggles a bit with the chess piece and rhombicuboctahedron. In the first, the threads are formed and details such as the collar of the chess piece get dirty. Some of the layers are also very visible, which is partly due to the not-so-stable filament provided. The octahedron is also wired, sags, and the supports are a bit awkward.

The minimum layer thickness is 0.05 millimeters. We measured a total deviation of just 0.08 millimeters for a 2 x 2 centimeter figure. To this extent, the printer is inour leaderboardeven at the front.

It is also way ahead when it comes to the maximum size of the object that will be printed. The print height (Z-axis) in particular is very high at 260 millimeters. And the 230 millimeters in width and depth are also very elegant. Thus, the Magician X has a maximum print volume of a respectable 13.8 litres.

For such a cheap printer, you have to do without comfort. Can't connect directly via (W)LAN, but have to bypass via USB-C via PC. And the choice of printing material is limited to PLA, TPU and ABS.

On the other hand, we like the printer's nice big screen and overall very good finish. There is also a tool compartment. The open source software used is excellent and offers all the important functions such as forecasting the print time and forecasting the amount of material that will be required. In addition, the printer can also print without a PC and the table is automatically calibrated, although some readjustments must always be done by hand.

It takes a few seconds for the filament to start flowing after startup, but the Magician X prints well and quietly. At the end, the filament must be manually cut and the rest in the nozzle must be released piece by piece. Unfortunately, there is no automatic download here.

As for the price, not only the acquisition costs are cheap. The material can also be reordered for relatively little money: the printing material costs 28 euros per liter or kilo from the manufacturer. Average power consumption is 115 watts, which puts it in good company with the other larger 3D printers on the market.our leaderboard.

Tests: Leopold Holzapfel

Editing: Robert Laute