Best 3D Printer Controllers of 2025

Kenneth Collin Avatar
Kenneth Collin
Last Updated: 29 Jan 2025

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3D Printer Controllers are essential components that regulate the movements and operations of 3D printers. These devices control the temperature, speed, and direction of the printer's motors, allowing for precise and accurate printing. They come in various types, including standalone controllers, motherboard controllers, and integrated controllers. 3D Printer Controllers offer users greater control over their printing process, allowing for customisation of printing parameters and the ability to print complex designs. They are recommended for individuals and businesses looking to improve the quality and consistency of their 3D printing output.

At a Glance: Our Top Picks

Creality Ender 3 V4.2.7 Silent Motherboard Upgrade Cover #TOP 1
Creality Ender 3 V4.2.7 Silent Motherboard Upgrade
ftb score rating icon 9.8
BIGTREETECH TFT35 E3 V3.0 Touch Screen Cover #TOP 2
BIGTREETECH TFT35 E3 V3.0 Touch Screen
ftb score rating icon 9.7
BIGTREETECH Octopus V1.1 Control Board Upgrade Cover #TOP 3
BIGTREETECH Octopus V1.1 Control Board Upgrade
ftb score rating icon 9.5

Top 10 3D Printer Controllers

#TOP 1

Creality Ender 3 V4.2.7 Silent Motherboard Upgrade

Creality
Ender 3 V3 KE
Creality Ender 3 V4.2.7 Silent Motherboard Upgrade Cover
Creality Official Ender 3 Silent Motherboard Upgrade V4.2.7 Mainboard Control Board with TMC2225 Driver 3D Printer Controller Parts Accessories Works with Ender-3 / Pro/Max / 3 V2 / 3 V2 Neo

The Creality Ender 3 Motherboard offers a range of impressive features designed to enhance your 3D printing experience. With TMC2225 drivers, this silent board ensures ultra-quiet operation, allowing you to print without disruptive noise. The upgrade to a 32-bit processor means that your prints will be smoother and faster, significantly improving efficiency. Additionally, the V4.2.7 mainboard comes pre-flashed with firmware, making it incredibly easy for you to install. This plug-and-play feature saves you time and hassle, letting you focus on your projects.

What We Like
Ultra-quiet operation
Smoother and faster printing
Easy plug-and-play installation
32-bit processor upgrade
#TOP 2

BIGTREETECH TFT35 E3 V3.0 Touch Screen

E5ZZB00037820191118
White
BIGTREETECH TFT35 E3 V3.0 Touch Screen Cover
BIGTREETECH TFT35 E3 V3.0 Touch Screen Display RepRap Smart Controller Panel Compatible with SKR V1.3 SKR PRO Board for Ender 3/CR10 3D Printer

The BIGTREETECH TFT35 E3 offers a 32-bit high-performance microprocessor, ensuring smooth operation for your Ender 3 3D printer. You can choose between two working modes, allowing for flexibility in how you use the display. The product includes additional extension ports for features like filament detection and automatic shutdown, enhancing your printing experience. Furthermore, updating the firmware is straightforward with an SD card, making it easy to keep your device up to date.

What We Like
High-performance microprocessor
Two display working modes
Extra extension ports available
Easy firmware updates
#TOP 3

BIGTREETECH Octopus V1.1 Control Board Upgrade

Octopus V1 1
BIGTREETECH Octopus V1.1 Control Board Upgrade Cover
BIGTREETECH Octopus V1.1 for CR10 Ender 3 3D printer Control Board Upgrade Spider motherboard Marlin 2.0 Klipper Support TMC2209 TMC2208 TMC2130, TFT35 E3 V3.0, TFT35 V3.0, 12864LCD ect

The BIGTREETECH Octopus V1.1 is designed for advanced users, offering support for up to eight stepper drivers. This allows you to enhance your 3D printer with additional extruders, enabling multi-colour printing in a single job. You can conveniently install 5, 12, or 24-volt fans by simply adjusting jumpers, making cooling setup straightforward. The built-in USB Type C and LAN connections enhance connectivity, providing modern options for your printer. These features collectively improve your printing experience by offering versatility and user-friendly adjustments.

What We Like
Supports multiple extruders
Easy fan voltage adjustments
Modern connectivity options
Compatible with advanced setups
#TOP 4

BIGTREETECH SKR Mini E3 V3.0 Control Board with Touch Screen

SKR MINI E3 V3.0+TFT35 E3 V3.0.1
Black
BIGTREETECH SKR Mini E3 V3.0 Control Board with Touch Screen Cover
BIGTREETECH SKR Mini E3 V3.0 Control Board +TFT35 E3 V3.0.1 Touch Screen Display 32-Bit Silent Board Integrated with TMC2209 UART Stepper Driver Compatible with Ender 3/5 Ender 3 Pro/V2 3D Printer

The BIGTREETECH SKR Mini E3 offers an excellent upgrade for your 3D printing experience. It features a 32-bit control board with the latest G0 series MCU for enhanced performance, ensuring smooth operation. With the integrated TMC2209 silent stepper driver, you can enjoy quieter prints, making it ideal for home use. The upgraded heatsink and PWM fans provide impressive heat dissipation, helping maintain optimal printing conditions. Additionally, the TFT35 touch screen allows you to easily switch between control modes, offering a more user-friendly interface.

What We Like
Quieter printing experience
Easy installation
Excellent heat management
User-friendly touch screen
#TOP 5

BIGTREETECH SKR Mini E3 V3.0 Control Board

SKR Mini E3 V3.0
103.75 x 70.25 mm
BIGTREETECH SKR Mini E3 V3.0 Control Board Cover
BIGTREETECH SKR Mini E3 V3.0 Control Board Integrated TMC2209 UART Stepper Driver Supports Marlin/Klipper Compatible Ender 3/Ender 3 Pro/Ender 3 V2 3D Printer Motherboard ZZB000590 Black

The SKR Mini E3 V3.0 offers a high-performance STM chip, providing a powerful ARM 32-bit Cortex-M0 CPU for enhanced 3D printing experiences. Its practical design features a USB Micro B interface that is not only user-friendly but also durable, ensuring longevity. With an improved heat sink design, the board allows for faster heat dissipation, enabling you to print for extended periods without overheating. Additionally, it boasts silent operation, with a controllable fan that helps maintain optimal temperatures, protecting the board and enhancing its lifespan.

What We Like
High-performance STM chip
Durable USB Micro B interface
Fast heat dissipation
Silent operation with cooling fan
#TOP 6

BIGTREETECH TFT35 V3.0 Smart Display Controller

TFT35 V3.0.1
BIGTREETECH TFT35 V3.0 Smart Display Controller Cover
BIGTREETECH TFT35 V3.0 Graphic Smart Display Controller Board for 3D Printer Ramps 1.4 RepRap 3D Printer Can Select Two Work Modes for SKR 2 Octopus V1.1 SKR E3 Turbo E3 RRF Motherboard

The BIGTREETECH TFT35 V3.0 offers an easy way to upgrade your 3D printer with its user-friendly SD card firmware upgrade feature. You can choose between two work modes, allowing you to switch between UART serial port and 12864 screen modes based on your printing needs. The serial port screen mode supports both SD card and U disk printing, providing you with flexibility in how you manage your prints. Additionally, the board includes a reserved WIFI port, enabling you to add wireless capabilities with an external module for greater convenience.

What We Like
Easy firmware upgrades
Flexible printing modes
WIFI capability extension
High compatibility
#TOP 7

BIGTREETECH Panda PWR Smart Power Controller

Panda PWR
Black
BIGTREETECH Panda PWR Smart Power Controller Cover
BIGTREETECH Panda PWR, Smart Power Controller for 3D Printers, Power Management Tool, Real-time Power Monitoring, Auto Power Shutdown, for Bambu-Lab X1/P1/A1, Ender-3 V2, K1 Max, Voron 2.4

The Panda PWR Controller by BIGTREETECH allows you to monitor and control your 3D printer's power usage remotely, enhancing your printing experience. With real-time power monitoring, you can easily check voltage, current, and energy consumption from any device on your network. The auto power shutdown feature ensures your printer turns off after completing a print, saving energy. Additionally, the local timer power-off capability lets you schedule shutdowns, even without an internet connection, giving you greater control and convenience.

What We Like
Wireless power monitoring
Auto shutdown feature
Local timer for shutdown
Dual USB ports
Wide printer compatibility
#TOP 8

ESP32 WIFI 3D Printer Motherboard for MKS TinyBee

Hyuduo4i3da89x6n
black
ESP32 WIFI 3D Printer Motherboard for MKS TinyBee Cover
3D Printer Motherboard ESP32 WIFI 240MHz MCU 520Kb RAM 3D Printer Main Control Board for MKS TinyBee MINI12864,Convenient 2 Way Controllable Fan 3D Printer Controllers Accessories

The Hyuduo 3D Printer Controller is an excellent choice for those seeking a reliable replacement for their MKS TinyBee MINI12864. It supports a serial screen, allowing you to easily update firmware via USB and control printing through a web page. With its compatibility for Marlin2.0 firmware and various LCD screens, you can enhance your printing experience. Additionally, the built-in 8Mbyte flash memory chip ensures effective protection for numerous applications, making installation straightforward and hassle-free.

What We Like
Easy firmware updates
Supports various LCD screens
Built-in memory for protection
High-speed MCU performance
#TOP 9

DollaTek 3D Printer Controller Kit with Display

DZ0427
DollaTek 3D Printer Controller Kit with Display Cover
DollaTek 3D Printer Controller Kit Ramps 1.4 + Full Graphic Smart Display Controller + A4988 Stepper Motor Driver for RepRap (12864 LCD Full Graphic Smart Display Controller)

The DollaTek 3D Controller Kit offers excellent features for enhancing your 3D printing experience. It supports an 8 GB SD card, allowing you to store and manage your slicing files conveniently. The kit includes a graphic smart controller with a 128 x 64 dot matrix LCD display, making it easy to monitor your prints. Additionally, the included SD card reader and rotary encoder streamline the printing process, enabling you to select files effortlessly. With a smart adapter, connecting to your Ramps board is straightforward, ensuring a hassle-free setup.

What We Like
Supports 8 GB SD card
Easy file selection on LCD
Includes SD card reader
Simple connection to Ramps board
Graphic smart controller display
#TOP 10

BIGTREETECH SKR 3 32-bit Controller Board

SKR 3 Board
Black
BIGTREETECH SKR 3 32-bit Controller Board Cover
BIGTREETECH SKR 3 Mute Silent Board Motherboard 32bit SKR 2 New Upgrade Controller Board Support TMC2209 TMC2208 A4988 Drivers Compatible with TFT LCD Display FDM 3D Printers DIY Mainboard

The BIGTREETECH SKR 3 offers a powerful 32-bit ARM-class main control chip, enhancing the performance of your 3D printer. With its DIY-friendly features, you can easily customise functionalities, including the option to update firmware via an SD card. The board also supports advanced functions like print resume and filament break detection, ensuring a smoother printing experience. Additionally, the built-in EEPROM allows you to save and set parameters conveniently, making your 3D printing tasks more efficient.

What We Like
High-performance 32-bit processor
Easy firmware updates
Customisable DIY options
Advanced print functions
Convenient parameter saving
Buying Guide Image

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. What is a 3D printer controller?

The controller board is responsible for all the electronic functioning of a 3D printer. ... Controller boards handle all the logic behind 3D printing, such as parsing G-code files, regulating temperature, and most importantly, controlling motion.

2. Which microcontroller is used in 3D printer?

The Arduino Mega is a popular choice for a microcontroller since there is a lot of support for it in the 3D printing community and it is compatible with the RAMPS 1.4 stepper drivers kit and NEMA17 stepper motors. Once these components are chosen, you need to wire everything correctly.

3. Are 3D printers illegal?

Patented Objects: Having a patent on an invention or innovation means no one else can create, use, or sell a product without the patent holder's permission. Therefore, 3D printing of a patented object is illegal, and the patent holder could sue for patent infringement.

4. What does a 3D printer motherboard do?

In a 3D printer, the motion controller, namely the 3D printer motherboard, is a core part responsible for the electronic functioning, such as parsing g-code files, regulating temperature, and moving motors. The motion controller is so essential like a brain inside the 3D printer that keeps track of a lot of things.

Editor's Notes

During our 3d printer controller research, we found 79 3d printer controller products and shortlisted 10 quality products. We collected and analyzed 18,146 customer reviews through our big data system to write the 3d printer controllers list. We found that most customers choose 3d printer controllers with an average price of £51.64.

The 3d printer controllers are available for purchase. We have researched hundreds of brands and picked the top brands of 3d printer controllers, including Creality, BIQU, BIGTREETECH, BIGTREETECH Direct, Hyuduo. The seller of top 1 product has received honest feedback from 337 consumers with an average rating of 4.9.

Written by
Kenneth Collin Avatar

Kenneth Collin graduated from Imperial College, London, at 22. He is a UX/UI designer, a web developer, and a writer, amongst others. At age 14, Kenneth programmed his first app. Kenneth's app served as a remote control for censored devices. "When I was 8, I would pick up scraps from electronics and try to rebuild or at least fix them," Kenneth said in one of his recent articles on Home repairs for top gadgets.