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A6 Vs. A8 3D Printer: Which One Should You Choose?

A6 Vs. A8 3D Printer: Which One Should You Choose? | 3D Printing Spot

Updated by

William Stone

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January 12, 2023

3D printing has taken the whole world by a storm due to the insane uses we have found for this technology. The more we use it, the more companies develop the most advanced versions of printers. This technology is not new but has been adopted and a broad growing trend more recently than ever before. Many printers are coming out with new features that we have not seen, and you may think they are all the same, but that is not true.  

Anet3D is one of the biggest and best names in the game if you’re looking at home 3D printers. They make some unbeatable products for a budget-friendly price. Two of their most well-known printers are the A6 and the A8 printer. If you need a large support community choosing the A8 may be better for you. However, if you are looking for something to explore on your own, an A6 has some fantastic features.

These printers are similar, but key features that separate them. This brand has an exciting history, and if you decide to purchase this brand, you will want to make sure to get it on their website. If you’re trying to choose between an A6 vs. A8 3D printer, stick around, and we’ll help you navigate the decision.

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Table of Contents

A6 Vs. A8 3D Printer

There are a few key features of each type that you should know if you’re interested in purchasing something for your home. 3D printers are no longer hard to get pieces of technology; they are relatively easy to get. Since they are so easy to use, you may run into bad versions or knockoffs that will not produce the same quality material. Here are a few things to look for when choosing a 3D printer, either A6 or A8.  

Size

Before you look at printers of any kind, you will want to be sure it can print the size and object you are looking for. Both the A6 and A8 are almost identical, but one will provide more oversized objects that the other.

You will need to ask yourself what you want to print, how big, and how often you need to print this object size.  

Parts

For both printers and most printers you buy on the market, you will find that you have to put together your printer. This can take some serious work. The A6 is more comfortable to put together on your own.  

Community

All printers should come with some support if you have any questions. However, not all communities are significant, and some may be harder to find help.

This can depend on how old a printer is or how popular it is. If you are good with less support, it might drastically change the 3D printer you buy.  

Price

No matter what printer you look at, you need to look at features, assembly, product quality, and if it is worth the price.

Each printer will be different, and it is probably a bad deal if it is too cheap. The A6 is slightly more than the A8, but both are very budget-friendly compared to other options.  

Features

Certain features will change how your product comes out or how you interact with your machine. Individual printer beds can give you a very different outcome depending on their size.

Be sure that you choose something with high-quality features. One more thing you should pay attention to is what materials it uses to print. No printer will use the same material, so it is a vital feature to look at.  

What Can You Print with the A6 and A8 Printers?

The A6 and A8 are two good options for simple needs. You will not be able to print your jeans with these printers; however, you can print small household items. If you need bowls, cups, or small utensils, this would be a great way to create them.  

You can print small objects like balls and tiny statues for desks. When you start printing, one feature you will want to pay attention to is the resolution feature. This will ensure that your print turns out good, but it will turn out bad if it’s too low in quality.  

Every 3D printer uses microns to determine how clear something will come out. It can range anywhere from 10 microns to 300 microns, and choosing something with a lower micron level will give you better results, in theory.  

A6 vs. A8: Which 3D Printer Should You Choose?

Between the Anet A6 and A8, there is no wrong answer. It depends on what you want to make, the support system you need, and if you’re going to spend time putting it together.

If you’re looking to make something quick, the A6 comes with pieces mostly put together, while the A8 will need more assembly. However, if this is your first-time printing something, the A8 has a much larger community to troubleshoot when you need it.

Both printers are some of the best for at-home printing and can be highly impressive when you buy from the right place.  

The Pros and Cons of Anet3D A6

Each printer has some fantastic qualities that make it worth the price. However, there are some other qualities as well that may be less desirable. It is essential to know all the information before choosing your 3D printer.  

Pros of the A6

  • Solid Frame: This is one of the best key features of this product because it won’t break easily. You can build more massive objects on the platform without worrying if it will tip over.  
  • Support: This does have a small support system that is mostly online. It is an excellent way to get help or read forums if you need something easily fixed and can do it yourself.  
  • Heat: The most remarkable feature about this product is that the nozzle and bed get up to 260 degrees Fahrenheit, which leaves you a lot of room to experiment.  
  • Tools: Due to this being in separate pieces, you will have to assemble the machine. The great thing about this is that it comes with the tool you need when bought from the right site. This is great for anyone who wants to learn how the actual machine is structured.  

Cons of the A6

  • Wire: The wire that is located on the 3D printer bed does not handle ABS print. It can do it, but it will not be of high quality. ABS print is a widespread type of thermoplastic polymer that a lot of printers can accept. However, the A6 is a little picky with this material, and you may want to use something else.  
  • Screws: There will be loose screws because this is something that you put together, and it wiggles a lot. Check for any other loose screws on the machine. Any loose screw can mess up the quality of your print.  
  • Levels: Every time you use this printer, you will need to level your bed because it is not automatic, like many newer versions. That can be a massive downfall of this machine. However, you can buy new add-ons and accessories to level your bed before you use them automatically.  

Those are the biggest pros and cons of using the A6 versus the A8. The A6 is one of Anet3Ds best versions of 3D printers, especially for a fair price. It can do all the things a new printer can do, but you may have to work with it and assemble it slightly more.  

Those are the biggest pros and cons of using the A6 versus the A8. The A6 is one of Anet3Ds best versions of 3D printers, especially for a reasonable price. It can do all the things a new printer can do, but you may have to work with it and assemble it slightly more.  

The Pros and Cons of Anet3D A8

This printer is phenomenal because it will print high-quality material and objects with very little human interaction. It is very similar to the A6 but with small differences that make it unique. No matter which one you choose, you will need to read through the features very carefully.  

Pros of the A8

  • Beginners:

The best thing about the A8 is that you don’t need any previous 3D printing experience. You can pick it up, put it together, and start creating. It is that simple. There are no hidden tricks, and nothing super fancy necessary to print things.  

  • Budget:

This is a perfect start for those who do not want to spend a fortune when they are just beginning. The price does not affect the quality of the products you make if you go through a reputable site. There are many knockoffs of this brand that may not be good or provide quality.

  • Community:

This is a 3D printer that offers a wide variety of support in different forms. You will find online chat support, forums, groups, and more involving this printer. If you have any problems, it will be easy to find answers quickly to resolve the issue.  

Cons of the A8

  • Time-Consuming:

This machine comes in parts and will take a lot of time to put together. The directions are straightforward to follow. They clearly label how it needs to be organized, and it is super detailed, but it will to a massive amount of time. You will need to set a few hours aside before printing to get this built properly. If it is not constructed correctly, your products will not be high-quality.  

  • Navigation:

Alright, for many folks, this will be a significant whammy. The navigation is very poor on this 3D printer. Buttons control the LCD on the outer part of the machine, and this can be a real setback for some users. This controls the way the printer moved and involved a lot of human interaction. This is the least fun way to print something because you must be there and help control it when the machine needs directions.  

  • Acrylic Frame:

This is not terrible material, but it does not help the entire frame stay stable. This leads to print quality is unstable at times. You will need to be very careful with what you print, where the printer is, and anything else that could quickly shake this acrylic frame.  

Both the A6 and A8 have pros and cons to them, but both are super affordable, making them one of the best choices you could choose. They both work wonders if you’re using these at home.

There are also many benefits of 3D printing that you may not be aware of. It has created a whole new world in technology, and we are just finding out the benefits of using this incredible equipment.  

Benefits of Using the A6 or the A8

  • Sustainable:

It is not 100% sustainable because we are still creating plastic and using plastic materials. However, many researchers are now taking recycled plastics and melting them down to use. Scientists are also coming out with materials that are plant-based to use for 3D printing. Once more people get on board using sustainable resources, this will be one of the best ways to create new products.  

  • Noninvasive:

This product is fantastic because it does not harm anything else. There are very low emissions from this product; it would be like comparing it to a stove. It does not require making something overseas and sending it by boat or mail, which reduces the amount of energy needed to make something. It doesn’t hurt humans, animals, and nothing is required to be near it. This is a noninvasive way to create something.  

  • Consistency:

If you set up your 3D printer right, your products will turn out the same almost every time. It is one of the best ways to get the same results very accurately. This is something you would not get if you were to make it by hand.  

  • Quality:

Due to 3D printing being so consistent, you will also get a better-quality item every single time. This also depends on what 3D printer you choose, not all are made equally, but most of them will give you quality items.  

  • Versatile:

There are so many things you can do with a 3D printer, and so many companies are figuring out how to take this machine and do impressive things with it. You can create entire homes, jeans, makeup, and even food. Though the food is debatable, and would not recommend doing that yourself.  

  • Speed:

Though it may take some time to assemble correctly, the speed you can create is incredible. If you were to make something by hand, it would not be as fast, precise, or consistent. That is one of the most surprising things of 3D printing is the speed.  

  • Custom:

The beauty of 3D printing is that you can customize the object to be exactly as you want through the CAD before you print anything. You can make it simple or super intricate, and you will get just that if you choose the right printer. It takes custom made to the next level.  

No matter what you’re looking to do with this machine, you will be amazed at the possibilities. Technology has truly changed our lives and given us something to use for extraordinary things. There is no other piece of equipment like this.

Who Should Use the A6 and A8?

This is an entertaining question because it is for everyone. If you want to teach your kids the process of putting something together, you should think about buying the A8. You can teach them how to follow directions and teach them which piece goes where and how they work. You can watch the entire process of how the product is made layer by layer.  

3D printers are no longer for a manufacturing team or researchers only but for anyone interested in creating their products and learning the process of creation. It is one of the most exciting things you could do and easy to understand once you learn about it. You can create something in a CAD program and then watch it print before your eyes.  

This could be good for students showing off a display or trying to teach others about technology. 3D printing is suitable for people who study bones and want to recreate them, like a display in a museum that can be touched. It can be ideal for kids interested in engineering and creating things that work. No matter who you are, what age you are, you should think about trying 3D printing.

Final Thoughts

3D printing is some of the most advanced technology globally, and now you can get it easy. You need to make sure you buy the Anet3D printers from their website or a reliable source, no matter if you choose the A6 or the A8. Both are unique options to choose from, but depending on how good you are at putting things together will drastically help you determine which one you should get.  

Both types of printers look similar and have similar features; however, there are a few things that differentiate them. When you start shopping around for your first 3D printer, be sure to read the key features, the cost, and the website you are buying from. Have an idea of what you will print in mind, and as you read through everything, ask yourself if the printer you choose could handle the object you have in mind.

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A6 Vs. A8 3D Printer: Which One Should You Choose?

About THE AUTHOR

William Stone

William Stone

William has spent 20 plus years in the custom manufacturing industry as a COO, CEO and Owner of various custom product businesses. His experience has exposed him to all types of manufacturing from die cast, die struck, injection molding, CNC machining, laser etching, engraving and of course 3D printing.

Learn more about William Stone

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