Reviews You Can Rely On

Ultimaker 2+ Review

An exceptionally capable printer at a premium price, this model is easy to get up and running right out of the box
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Ultimaker 2+ Review (The Ultimaker 2+.)
The Ultimaker 2+.
Credit: Ultimaker
Price:  $2,500 List
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Manufacturer:   Ultimaker
By David Wise and Austin Palmer  ⋅  Jun 14, 2017
74
OVERALL
SCORE
  • Print Quality - 40% 8.0
  • Ease of Use - 30% 7.0
  • Print Capabilities - 20% 7.0
  • Support - 10% 7.0

Our Verdict

Earning the top score overall, the Ultimaker 2+ took home the Editors' Choice award. This is the best overall 3D printer, producing top-notch prints while being easy to use. This model is a full-featured, highly capable printer that is ready to go right out of the box. While this model is pricey, it is the best and is a fantastic choice for those that just want a 3D printer that works well and won't require a ton of tinkering.
REASONS TO BUY
Great prints
Ready to go out of the box
Easy to use
Extensive support
REASONS TO AVOID
Expensive

Our Analysis and Test Results

The Ultimaker 2+ is a sleek and stylish model that stands out from the pack — in both appearance and performance. This model comes at a premium but doesn't disappoint, whether you are a complete novice or an experienced user.

ultimaker 2+ - the top-scoring model in our test, the ultimaker 2+.
The top-scoring model in our test, the Ultimaker 2+.
Credit: Jenna Ammerman

Performance Comparison


We took the top 10 3D printers out there and put them to the test to see which models reigned supreme. We ranked and scored these products based on a comprehensive head-to-head testing process, splitting it up into four rating metrics: Print Quality, Ease of Use, Print Capabilities, and Support. Each of these metrics had a handful of tests, the results of which are detailed below.

ultimaker 2+ - a selection of the test prints from our top fdm printer in this...
A selection of the test prints from our top FDM printer in this metric.
Credit: Jenna Ammerman

Print Quality


The most important metric in our test, Print Quality accounted for 40% of the overall score. We printed a wide assortment of sample models, then had a panel evaluate them without knowing their printer of origin. The Ultimaker took home the top score of 8 out of 10.


We used the manufacturer's recommended settings for both PLA and ABS, only adjusting obvious fixes if the print completely failed, such as slowing down the initial layer if the plastic wouldn't stick to the build plate or adjusting the raft air gap if the raft was impossible to remove.

Overall, this model did very well in our retraction tests — surprising, for a Bowden tube style extruder — and did exceptionally well in creating a spiral vase and printing models that required supports. We did notice that the large ABS prints tended to have the usual bed adhesion problems, warping and popping off the bed.

The Ultimaker did above average at printing 3D Benchy (a small tugboat designed specifically as a torture test), only rivaled by the FlashForge in terms of quality. The ABS Benchy had visible sagging in 3 of the windows, while the PLA version didn't have as nice of a bottom layer.

ultimaker 2+ - the windows had a little bit of sagging, dropping the score slightly.
The windows had a little bit of sagging, dropping the score slightly.
Credit: Jenna Ammerman

This printer did average on our bridging test with PLA, only having some sagging sections. However, the ABS version of this print popped off the bed partway through printing and failed. The Ultimaker also created an average PLA Eiffel Tower but once again failed at the ABS version.

ultimaker 2+ - clearly, the abs eiffel tower wasn't great.
Clearly, the ABS Eiffel Tower wasn't great.
Credit: Jenna Ammerman

This printer did print a very nice articulated elephant in PLA and an exceptionally high-quality ABS version. The body was smooth, the legs and head moved freely, with only some of the overhanging areas showing deformities. This printer did do slightly below average in our nickel test, with both the ABS and PLA version being slightly larger than the nickel. However, this model did an absolutely fantastic job on our overhang test in both PLA and ABS, only showing any sign of a struggle on the steepest overhang.

ultimaker 2+ - both of the elephants and the overhang tests were exceptional.
Both of the elephants and the overhang tests were exceptional.
Credit: Jenna Ammerman

The Ultimaker struggled a little with printing the platform jack, showing some Z-Axis wobble and a little bit of a shift but the PLA jack still worked fine, opening and closing without difficulties. The ABS jack failed partially through printing. However, the Ultimaker redeemed itself in our hollow cube test. The PLA version was essentially perfect, with no dropping on the bridged regions or extra plastic strings between columns. The ABS version was about average, with a little drooping and a poor surface finish on the unsupported underside.

ultimaker 2+ - the pla cube was amazingly good and the platform jack opened and...
The PLA cube was amazingly good and the platform jack opened and closed without difficulty.
Credit: Jenna Ammerman

The Ultimaker did an excellent job at printing our test set of low-poly figurines. The PLA versions were practically perfect, with only the smallest points of the models showing any imperfections. The ABS versions were almost as good, though there was a little layer separation on one print due to bed adhesion issues.

ultimaker 2+ - the ultimate low-poly figures made by the ultimaker2+.
The ultimate low-poly figures made by the Ultimaker2+.
Credit: Jenna Ammerman

This printer made an excellent spiral vase — in both PLA and ABS — with only some barely noticeable imperfections in the lower layers. This model also did very well in our support test, with the sacrificial support matrix breaking away easily and cleanly in both the ABS and PLA version, leaving a smooth surface finish on the supported sections. This printer also took home top marks in our tall tower test, with smooth flat sides on both the ABS and PLA towers, with no detectable Z-Axis wobble.

ultimaker 2+ - the ultimaker excelled with this group of prints.
The Ultimaker excelled with this group of prints.
Credit: Jenna Ammerman

Finally, the Ultimaker finished up our Print Quality metric with a strong showing in our final two tests: threaded jar and lid.

ultimaker 2+ - the threaded jars and lid by the ultimaker fit together nicely.
The threaded jars and lid by the Ultimaker fit together nicely.
Credit: Jenna Ammerman

This model made an excellent jar with perfect threads. The threaded lid had great resolution on the diamond knurl pattern on the outside and smoothly threading in place on the jar.

ultimaker 2+ - the ultimaker was quite easy to use, with minimal setup.
The Ultimaker was quite easy to use, with minimal setup.
Credit: Jenna Ammerman

Ease of Use


Ranking just behind Print Quality, Ease of Use made up 30% of the final score. We evaluated the ease at setting up the printer out of the box, swapping filaments, leveling the print bed, connecting to it from the computer, and if there was any sort of display on the printer. The Ultimaker 2+ once again did exceptionally well, earning a 7 out of 10.


This model is one of the easiest to set up, being essentially ready to go right out of the box. You only had to attach the spool holder in the back and it was ready to go. There was also an app to download to guide you through the process step-by-step.

ultimaker 2+ - the directions and the setup app were very clear and easy to follow.
The directions and the setup app were very clear and easy to follow.
Credit: Jenna Ammerman

It was also very easy to swap filaments using the semi-automatic method on this printer. After selecting the change filament button under settings, the nozzle will heat to the necessary temperature and reverses the filament out of the Bowden (guide) tube rapidly, faster than you could do it manually. You then insert the new filament until it catches and hit “Ready” and the Ultimaker does the rest.

It's relatively easy to level the build plate, with a guided series of prompts to walk you through the process. It's not automatic or semi-automatic but is probably the easiest of the manual printers to level. The Ultimaker has a built-in display that will show some basic data and the % completed.

ultimaker 2+ - the printer has a built-in display and a scroll wheel to navigate.
The printer has a built-in display and a scroll wheel to navigate.
Credit: Jenna Ammerman

The Ultimaker 2+ can be controlled directly from a computer via USB cable or files can be prepared with Cura and saved to a standard SD card for standalone printing.

ultimaker 2+ - the print bed on the ultimaker was reasonably effective at adhering...
The print bed on the Ultimaker was reasonably effective at adhering the print, especially when prepared with a glue stick.
Credit: Jenna Ammerman

Print Capabilities


The Ultimaker continued its stellar performance in our Print Capabilities metric, which accounts for 20% of the overall score. We compared the build volume and build plates of each printer, their filament capabilities, the amount of extruder cooling, as well as what level of software compatibility each one had. The Ultimaker tied for the top score of the group, earning a 7 out of 10 for its performance. The following chart shows how the rest of the printers stacked up against the Ultimaker


Ultimaker recommends using the standard edition of Cura as a slicer — the software program that prepares digital 3D files for the printer. This is a solid program that is free to download and is very easy to use after a short learning curve. This printer is also compatible with Simplify3D, a more sophisticated slicer that you can purchase to upgrade.

ultimaker 2+ - cura is the recommended slicer for the ultimaker.
Cura is the recommended slicer for the Ultimaker.
Credit: Jenna Ammerman

This printer had an above average build volume, able to print up to 223 x 223 x 205mm (8.8 x8.8 x 8.1 inches). The bed is made of glass, giving us minimal bed adhesion issues when prepared with gluestick or hairspray. The Ultimaker 2+ utilizes 2.85mm filament — a somewhat crucial distinction, as true 3.00mm filament can bind up in the guide tube. In addition, this model is compatible with generic brands of filament and is not restricted to the manufacturer's brand.

ultimaker 2+ - the ultimaker has two layer cooling fans, one on each side of the...
The Ultimaker has two layer cooling fans, one on each side of the nozzle for even airflow.
Credit: Jenna Ammerman

The extruder nozzle can reach temperatures of 260°C and has two layer cooling fans, making it compatible with a decent selection of filaments, such as PLA, ABS, Nylon, or Polycarbonate, just to name a few.

Support


Our final metric — Support — evaluated how easy it was to contact the customer support team, how helpful they were, whether or not there were any instructional videos, and how comprehensive the warranty included with the printer is. The Ultimaker 2+ scored well, earning a 7 out of 10 and tying for the runner-up position.


Ultimaker didn't have a ton of instructional videos on their site but it was packed with pictures that complemented their already extensive documentation. Their customer support can be contacted by email or phone and we found them to be very responsive and helpful. They answered our questions promptly and accurately and even checked in a few weeks later to see how we were going. There is also a 12-month warranty for the original purchaser.

Value


This isn't a great value choice, as it is the top performing printer at a premium price.

Conclusion


The Ultimaker 2+ is a top performing printer, coupling exceptional print quality with being extremely easy to use. This model is almost ready to go right out of the box and is a great choice for both new and experienced users.

David Wise and Austin Palmer