The Best Gifts for Makers: 3D Printing, Laser and Cricut
Gifts for people who 3D print, laser engrave or cut vinyl, from a first machine to an upgrade. Plus what not to buy someone who already has one.
November 10, 2026 · by Nate Calder
Our pick · Best First Printer for a Desk
Bambu Lab A1 mini 3D Printer
Who it's for: A beginner, or a teenager curious about 3D printing.
Disclosure:As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases. This costs you nothing and never changes which tools we recommend. Read more.
The short answer
3D printing
- 1 Best First Printer for a Desk: Bambu Lab A1 mini 3D Printer
- 2 Safest Printer Gift: Bambu Lab A1 3D Printer
- 3 For Miniature Painters: ELEGOO Mars 5 Ultra 9K Resin 3D Printer
Laser engraving
- 4 Safest Laser Gift: xTool S1 20W Enclosed Diode Laser Engraver and Cutter (Basic Bundle)
- 5 Easiest to Use: Creality Falcon2 Pro S 22W Laser Engraver
Cricut and cutting
- 6 Safest Cutting Machine Gift: Cricut Maker 5 Essential Bundle
- 7 For Sewists and Quilters: Brother ScanNCut SDX125e Cutting Machine with Extra Blades
A maker machine is a big gift, and the wrong one sits unused. The safest gift is the machine they have already asked for.
Before you buy
- Do not buy a second machine for someone who already owns one. Ask what they would upgrade.
- Lasers and resin printers need a space. An enclosed laser still needs an exhaust route, and resin needs ventilation. A bedroom is not the place for either.
- Budget for materials. Filament, resin, wood blanks and vinyl run out fast.
Shopping the sales? See Black Friday maker deals. For woodworking gifts, see gifts for woodworkers and DIYers.
3D printing
Bambu Lab
A1 mini 3D Printer
The A1's easy start on a 180 mm bed that fits a desk or a shelf.
- Who it suits
- A beginner, or a teenager curious about 3D printing.
- What it does well
- Prints with almost no setup.
- The trade-off
- The small bed is what they will outgrow first.
Check the link for current pricing.
Bambu Lab
A1 3D Printer
Our top beginner printer. Self-calibrating, with a full 256 mm bed.
- Who it suits
- Someone who has asked for a 3D printer.
- What it does well
- Reliable PLA, PETG and TPU prints.
- The trade-off
- Open frame, so no ABS or ASA.
Check the link for current pricing.
ELEGOO
Mars 5 Ultra 9K Resin 3D Printer
An entry resin printer with a 9K screen, for miniatures and fine detail.
- Who it suits
- A tabletop gamer or miniature painter.
- What it does well
- Fine detail on small parts.
- The trade-off
- Resin needs gloves, ventilation and washing. Not for a child's bedroom.
Check the link for current pricing.
Laser engraving
xTool
S1 20W Enclosed Diode Laser Engraver and Cutter (Basic Bundle)
Enclosed and Class 1, so nobody in the house needs goggles.
- Who it suits
- Someone who wants to personalise boards, boxes and signs.
- What it does well
- Engraving indoors on a 498 mm-wide bed.
- The trade-off
- No camera, and it still needs an exhaust route out of the room.
Check the link for current pricing.
Creality
Falcon2 Pro S 22W Laser Engraver
An enclosed laser with a built-in camera, so designs are placed on screen.
- Who it suits
- A beginner who will engrave odd-shaped offcuts.
- What it does well
- Quick placement and flame detection.
- The trade-off
- Reviewers say the enclosure leaks smoke at the seams.
Check the link for current pricing.
Cricut and cutting
Cricut
Maker 5 Essential Bundle
Cricut's current Maker: vinyl, iron-on, paper, cardstock and fabric.
- Who it suits
- A crafter who makes cards, decals, shirts or gifts.
- What it does well
- The widest range of materials.
- The trade-off
- Many designs need a Cricut Access subscription.
Check the link for current pricing.
Brother
ScanNCut SDX125e Cutting Machine with Extra Blades
Scans printed fabric and cuts around it, with no computer needed.
- Who it suits
- A quilter more than a vinyl crafter.
- What it does well
- Fussy cutting and quilt pieces with seam allowance.
- The trade-off
- Weaker for vinyl crafts than a Cricut.
Check the link for current pricing.
Is it worth waiting for Black Friday?
Yes, wait.
Yes for machines: 3D printers, lasers and cutting machines are often discounted around Black Friday (November 27) and Cyber Monday (November 30), and that is when most people buy them as gifts. Order early enough for delivery; popular models can sell out.
Buying for someone else?
The safest pick at each budget: the one least likely to be wrong for them.
-
Smaller budget
An easy first printer that fits on a desk.
-
Middle budget
Cricut Maker 5 Essential Bundle
Useful for almost any craft, from cards to shirts.
-
Biggest budget
xTool S1 20W Enclosed Diode Laser Engraver and Cutter (Basic Bundle)
Enclosed, so it can live indoors. Only for someone who has asked for a laser.
How these picks were chosen
Picks come from our 3D printer, resin printer, laser engraver and cutting machine guides, chosen for being easy to start with and safe to give. Each was assessed on manufacturer specifications and on recurring praise and complaints in owner reviews and independent guides. Gifts are grouped by craft; Amazon prices change often, so check the button for today's price. Nothing here was tested hands-on for this guide.