Feels like I have spent about 20 hours in the last 2 days researching 3d printers. There are so many models out there!

I think I have narrowed it down to getting a Prusa style.

It will mostly be used afor small crafts and projects around the house. My wife is a teacher and may also use it in her classroom from time to time. We're both pretty techy and don't mind having to do some teaking.

Eventually, I'd like to add laser engraving, but it's not a show stopper.

Here are the models I am looking at and some pros and cons (that are my best guess at this point):
  • Wilson II - $485 + $30 shipping
    • Pros:
      • Aluminum frame
      • Has high-quality parts - including a E3D Lite hot end (an $80 upgrade for the others)
      • Auto levelling

    • Cons:
      • Smaller community than some of the others, so there aren't a lot of homebrew mods. (That said, it looks like they improve the stock model with user suggestions)
      • May be a bit too different from the other Prusa-style printers to use any general Prusa mods
      • The most expensive on the list
      • Buy direct instead of through Amazon

  • Alunar Prusa i3 - $295 on Amazon
    • Pros:
      • Pretty active community
      • Lots of community upgrades

    • Cons:
      • Acrylic frame
      • Parts may not be high quality - but may be good enough?

  • Geeetech Aluminum i3 - $388 on Amazon
    • Pros:
      • Aluminum frame
      • Pretty active community
      • Lots of community upgrades

    • Cons:
      • Parts may not be high quality - but may be good enough?

  • Folger i3 - $279 + $20 shipping
    • Pros:
      • Pretty active community
      • Lots of community upgrades

    • Cons:
      • Acrylic frame
      • Parts may not be high quality - but may be good enough?
      • Buy direct instead of through Amazon

  • WanHao Duplicator i3 - $425 on Amazon
    • Pros:
      • Steel frame
      • Very active community
      • Lots of community upgrades
      • Parts seem like average quality

    • Cons:
      • Parts may not be high quality - but may be good enough? If you upgrade to the E3D Lite hot end, it's the same price as the Wilson, but with the rest of the parts might not be quite the same quality.
      • Also, when compared to the Wilson, no auto-leveling

    • Here are some details in Helpdesk & Support Platform video from Advids.