There are so many 3D printer manufacturers and models out there that choosing one felt like an endless rabbit hole. I spent weeks going back and forth, comparing specs, reading reviews, second-guessing myself.
I’m a total beginner with 3D printing, and the QIDI Tech I Dual Extruder Desktop 3D Printer ended up being my first purchase. My requirements were straightforward: minimal assembly and a price tag under $1,000.
After bugging friends who already had printers and doing way more research than I’d care to admit, I finally went for it.
The QIDI Tech I hit every mark on my list.
Overview
QIDI Technology Dual Extruder Desktop 3D Printer
An affordable dual extruder printer that genuinely surprised us with print quality. QIDI's customer support has been some of the fastest we've dealt with.
Pros
- Extremely high print quality for the price
- Dual extrusion capability
- Outstanding customer support with fast response times
Cons
- Assembly required (about 3 hours)
- Prints can stick to bed if left overnight to cool
Ordered September 28th. Estimated delivery was October 26th through November 2nd. It showed up October 1st, three days later, shipped all the way from China. That alone was a fantastic first impression. The FlashForge Creator Pro is another dual extruder option worth checking out if you prefer an enclosed frame design.
Photo Gallery
Key Specifications
| Spec | Detail |
|---|---|
| Build Volume | 225 x 145 x 150 mm |
| Extruders | Dual |
| Filament Type | ABS, PLA (1.75 mm) |
| Connectivity | USB, SD Card |
| Software | MakerBot Replicator compatible |
| Price Range | Mid-range |
Support
Since I was expecting a month-long wait, I figured I’d get a head start. I emailed QIDI asking for the software.
They responded within a few hours with download instructions for the MakerBot Replicator software, which is what they recommend. That gave me time to install it, poke around the interface, and get comfortable before the printer even showed up. If you’re already familiar with MakerBot’s software, you might want to look at the MakerBot Replicator 2 itself.
Opening The Box
The QIDI Tech I Dual Extruder Desktop 3D Printer showed up with everything neatly packed and well protected. They threw in two free filament spools, silver ABS and green PLA, which was a nice surprise.
All the hardware, parts, and a small toolkit were right there in the box. Going from unboxing to fully assembled printer took me about 3 hours.
Instructions were clear enough that even I, with zero 3D printing experience, didn’t get lost. One critical thing you need to do immediately: switch the power to 115 volts.
You have to pull off the bottom plate to get to it.
Print Quality
Assembly done, I couldn’t wait to fire it up. And then I hit a wall.
I’d forgotten that weeks earlier I’d installed the MakerBot software, plus Replicator G, some Python dependencies, and a Windows compatibility fix. With all of that cluttering up my system, my PC flat out refused to recognize the printer.
Almost an hour of troubleshooting later, it hit me. Support had warned me: you can’t have all those programs running at once. Closed everything out, and within 60 seconds the computer found the printer. Of course.
Finally printing.
The quality at this price is something else. Yes, assembly takes work and you might need to recalibrate now and then. But for an entry-level machine under $1,000 that cranks out extremely high quality prints, the QIDI Tech I is tough to beat. The Monoprice Maker Select gets close on single-color work at an even lower price, but it doesn’t have dual extrusion.
I leveled the platform following the instructions and printed my first real object, a keychain. Took about 37 minutes. The detail genuinely caught me off guard.
Right now I’m printing a hydroponic top for a mason jar, about 6.5 hours estimated. During setup, don’t forget to mount the dual extruder into its cradle and attach the filament holders, filament, plexiglass walls, door, and top.
The SD card has instructions for all of it. Prints come out smooth and detailed. The photos below speak for themselves.
Two weeks in and I’m really pleased with this purchase. I’ve learned a ton, and the print quality is good enough that people genuinely don’t believe me when I tell them it came from a sub-$1,000 machine. The Orion Delta delivers a similar “no way” reaction with its unique round print bed design.
Only issue so far: the fan on the left extruder wasn’t spinning. I emailed QIDI in China, and within hours a rep named Audrey called me on my cell phone. Not an email. A phone call.
She diagnosed the problem quickly and walked me through the fix. They shipped a replacement part the next day. I had it in hand the day after that. The XYZ Da Vinci 1.0 also has standout support that competes with what QIDI offers.
For a company on the other side of the planet, that turnaround is pretty remarkable.
Tips and Notes
A few things I’ve picked up while using the QIDI Tech I Dual Extruder Desktop 3D Printer that are worth passing along:
- Don’t leave prints sitting on the bed overnight. Once they cool completely, they bond to that surface something fierce. Getting them off is a pain, and cleaning melted tape residue off the bed afterward is even worse.
- Rafts matter more than you think. A lot of parts have spans that need support underneath to print cleanly. Always double-check that everything’s balanced before hitting print.
- Pick up a small file set for cleaning up rafts and supports. An exacto knife does the trick too.
- I haven’t noticed any meaningful difference between ABS and PLA tape. Both included spools printed fine.
- Want a polished finish? Try putting your print in a ziplock bag with some acetone. It smooths the surface and gives it a professional shine. Not required, but a nice finishing touch.
- The guide tubes on mine rubbed against the dome cover, so I trimmed them by about 2.5 inches. Fixed it right up.
Frequently Asked Questions
The QIDI Tech I supports both ABS and PLA filament. It comes with two free spools included in the box, one silver ABS and one green PLA.
Assembly takes roughly 3 hours. The instructions are fairly clear, and the only critical first step is switching the power to 115 volts by removing the bottom plate.
Customer support is excellent. They respond within hours by email and have even called customers directly to troubleshoot issues, shipping replacement parts the next day.
Final Thoughts
Several weeks in with the QIDI Tech I Dual Extruder Desktop 3D Printer and I have zero regrets. Print quality punches way above the price, and the support team is hands down the best I’ve dealt with on any product. Not just printers. Anything.
If you’re after a dual extruder printer under $1,000 that actually does what it promises, this is the one. For beginners who only need a single extruder, the Printrbot Play is a fantastic sub-$400 alternative.
