Our picks from Bambu Lab use their own slicer, called Bambu Studio, but are broadly compatible. It’s a big plus if a printer has a preconfigured profile in PrusaSlicer or UltiMaker Cura, our favorite slicing software. The software should come preloaded with print settings but provide options for more experienced users to fine-tune.
A design that requires you to keep a computer tethered to the printer at all times via USB is a serious flaw but not necessarily a dealbreaker. Loading files onto an SD card that you plug into the printer is also okay. The bed should also level itself or be simple to level manually, since a sloping print bed can cause printing errors.
