Pros and Cons of Enclosed 3D Printers vs Open Frame

When choosing a 3D printer, one major decision you’ll need to make is whether to go with an enclosed 3D printer or an open frame printer. This decision can impact not only the quality of your prints, but also the types of materials you can use, the safety of your workspace, and how easy it is to maintain your printer.

Both designs have distinct advantages and disadvantages, and the right choice largely depends on your specific needs, experience level, and intended projects.

In this detailed guide, we’ll explore the full list of pros and cons of enclosed and open frame 3D printers, helping you make an informed decision before you buy.

What Are Enclosed and Open Frame 3D Printers?

Before diving into the comparison, let’s quickly define these two types.

Enclosed 3D Printers

• Feature a full enclosure around the print area
• Enclosures can be rigid (metal or acrylic) or flexible (fabric or DIY)
• Maintain internal environmental conditions

Example Models:

• Bambu Lab X1C
• Prusa MK4 with enclosure
• Flashforge Creator Pro

Open Frame 3D Printers

• Exposed build area without walls or doors
• Easier access to the print bed and extruder
• Common among DIY and budget printers

Example Models:

• Creality Ender-3 V2
• Anycubic Kobra
• Prusa i3 MK3S+ (without enclosure)

Pros of Enclosed 3D Printers

1. Better Temperature Control

• Enclosures retain heat, maintaining a stable ambient temperature around the print.
• This minimizes issues like warping, cracking, and layer separation—especially critical for materials like ABS, ASA, and Nylon.

2. Improved Material Compatibility

• With stable high temperatures, enclosed printers can handle a broader range of filaments:
  • ABS
  • ASA
  • Nylon
  • Polycarbonate (PC)
• Open frame printers often struggle with these high-temp, warp-prone materials.

3. Increased Print Quality for Large Prints

• Reduced drafts and consistent cooling lead to smoother layer adhesion.
• Better dimensional accuracy, especially for large models.

4. Reduced Noise Levels

• Enclosures dampen mechanical and fan noise, making them much quieter.
• Useful in home, office, or shared spaces.

5. Safer Operation

• Enclosures act as a physical barrier, protecting:
  • Children and pets from touching hot parts
  • Users from accidental burns or filament ejection
• Also contains fumes and particles (important when printing materials like ABS).

6. Fume Management

• Some enclosed printers come with carbon filters or HEPA filters.
• Helps capture and vent harmful VOCs emitted by certain filaments.

Cons of Enclosed 3D Printers

1. Higher Cost

• Enclosed designs require more materials, better cooling systems, and careful thermal management.
• Entry-level enclosed printers typically cost more than open-frame models with similar specs.

2. Harder Access for Maintenance

• Enclosures can make it harder to:
  • Replace nozzles
  • Perform bed leveling
  • Fix clogs
• Doors, walls, or tight spaces can get in the way of routine tasks.

3. Potential Overheating of Electronics

• If not properly ventilated, the enclosed space can cause:
  • Stepper motors
  • Control boards
  • Power supplies to run hotter than intended, reducing lifespan or causing failures.

Good designs ventilate electronics separately from the heated print chamber.

4. Added Weight and Bulk

• Enclosed printers are often heavier and larger, requiring more dedicated space.
• Not as portable or easy to move around as open frame designs.

5. Visual Monitoring Can Be Harder

• Doors, smoked acrylic panels, or internal reflections can make it harder to see prints in progress.
• Camera setups for remote monitoring might need adjustment for enclosures.

Pros of Open Frame 3D Printers

1. Lower Cost

• Open frame designs are simpler and cheaper to manufacture.
• Ideal for beginners who want to get started without a big investment.

2. Easier Maintenance and Modifications

• Unobstructed access to all components.
• Easier to:
  • Adjust belts
  • Swap hotends
  • Install upgrades like BLTouch, filament sensors, or direct drive extruders
• More modding-friendly for DIY builders and hobbyists.

3. Lighter and More Compact

• Open frame printers are generally lighter and have a smaller footprint relative to their build volume.
• Easier to move, store, or reconfigure.

4. Better Cooling for Certain Materials

• PLA and TPU prefer cooler, well-ventilated environments.
• Open frames allow more effective cooling, preventing heat creep and stringing on materials that don’t like being overheated.

5. Clearer Print Monitoring

• No visual barriers make it easy to:
  • Watch layer lines as they form
  • Stop the print if problems arise early
  • Record or livestream the printing process

Cons of Open Frame 3D Printers

1. Limited Material Compatibility

• Printing ABS, Nylon, ASA, or PC is challenging without an enclosure.
• Expect warping, delamination, and poor bed adhesion when using these materials.

2. More Vulnerable to Environmental Changes

• Breezes, air conditioning, or ambient temperature changes can:
  • Affect layer bonding
  • Cause cooling artifacts like layer shifts or warping

This is particularly problematic for large prints or long-duration jobs.

3. No Protection from Dust or Contamination

• Open frames are exposed to:
  • Dust settling on the bed
  • Airborne debris affecting print quality
• Requires regular cleaning of bed and mechanical parts.

4. Less Safe Around Children and Pets

• Hotbeds, moving axes, and extruders are fully exposed.
• Risk of burns or accidents if left unattended.

5. No Containment of Fumes or Particles

• Printing ABS or other VOC-emitting filaments releases smells and potentially harmful particles directly into the room.
• No filtering or venting built-in.

Side-by-Side Comparison: Enclosed vs Open Frame

Which One Should You Choose?

Choose an Enclosed 3D Printer If:

• You plan to print with ABS, ASA, Nylon, PC, or other advanced materials.
• You need high surface quality and dimensional accuracy.
• You have kids or pets around and want extra safety.
• Noise control is important in your environment.

Choose an Open Frame 3D Printer If:

• You primarily print with PLA, TPU, or PETG.
• You’re on a tight budget or just getting started.
• You love modding and upgrading your printer.
• You want easier access for maintenance and repairs.

Can You Upgrade an Open Frame Printer with an Enclosure?

Yes!
Many users upgrade open printers with DIY or purchased enclosures to get the best of both worlds.

Common options:

• IKEA Lack table enclosure (popular, budget-friendly)
• Pre-built acrylic enclosures from Creality, Wham Bam, and others
• Fabric pop-up enclosures (heat-resistant, foldable)

An aftermarket enclosure lets you start affordably with an open frame and add protection when needed.

Final Thoughts

Both enclosed and open frame 3D printers have a rightful place depending on your needs. Enclosed printers offer better material compatibility, safety, and noise control, while open frame printers provide better affordability, accessibility, and easier upgrades.

If you intend to print a wide range of materials, build larger parts, or work in a sensitive environment (like around kids or coworkers), an enclosed printer is a smart investment.
If your priority is learning, modding, and printing with user-friendly filaments like PLA and TPU, an open frame printer offers flexibility and a lower entry cost.

Whichever you choose, focus on your long-term goals and the types of projects you envision. A well-chosen printer, properly tuned and maintained, can deliver outstanding results—enclosed or not.