Best multi-colour and multi-material 3D printers

Updated 6 September 2026 · Live prices on every page load from United States marketplaces

AMS, ACE, MMU, toolchangers - the printers that swap filament mid-print without hand intervention. For anyone printing minis, display pieces, or parts with soluble supports.

Matt's take

Multi-colour looks fantastic in marketing and less fantastic in the filament-waste bin. An AMS-style printer purges filament between every colour change, which means a 4-colour Benchy uses three times the filament of a single-colour one. Real uses are narrower than YouTube suggests: soluble supports (valuable), matte-and-gloss two-tone (valuable), full rainbow benchies (expensive novelty). If you never print with supports and never print multi-colour visual parts, save the money.

Frequently asked

Is multi-colour 3D printing actually worth it? +

For soluble supports and two-tone display parts, yes. For four-plus colour decorative prints, usually no - the purge waste per colour change is 3-8 g, which multiplies fast. Most owners use their AMS a lot in the first month then switch back to single-colour.

How much extra does multi-colour cost? +

The AMS / ACE / MMU unit typically adds $250-500 to the system price. Then budget 30-50 % more filament per print because of colour-change purges. Toolchangers avoid the purge problem but cost $1,500+.

Can any printer be upgraded to multi-colour? +

In theory yes with DIY MMU kits, in practice the first-party AMS systems (Bambu, Creality) are worth the premium for how much tuning they avoid. Retrofit kits work on a Prusa or Voron but need firmware flashing and tuning time most hobbyists will not enjoy.

Other shortlists

for ABS, ASA and nylon large-format 3D printers CoreXY 3D printers for beginners Quietest 3D printers - flat and studio friendly for tabletop miniatures for schools and classrooms with remote monitoring Fastest 3D printers (by real volumetric flow) with high-temp heated beds compact 3D printers (small desks, small spaces) for cosplay and props

Long readFDM vs resin 3D printingWhen each process wins, where each fails, and why most beginners should start with FDM.Read →Long readHow to pick your first 3D printerSpec by spec, what actually matters on a first printer and what the marketing hopes you will not question.Read →

Ranking is spec-driven. It favours printers that objectively have the capabilities this shortlist targets. Firmware, support quality and long-term reliability aren't on the spec sheet - read the full printer page and owner reports before committing.

Best multi-colour and multi-material 3D printers

Matt's take

Frequently asked

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