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We liked
The Ultimaker 2 takes 3D printing to the next level. Design, features and software give you a complete package. If you're looking for a printer at home then the small footprint and large build plate are really appealing, and for work and education the quiet operation is very welcome. The SD standalone approach also works well, enabling the printer to be placed out of the way and to be used without the need to boot a computer.
The Cura software really stands out giving plenty of flexibility with the models before they're printed for beginners and experts alike, and it supports STL, OBJ, DAE and AMF file formats. If it doesn't do what you want then the Ultimaker 2 is open to other third-party software.
We disliked
It's easy to overlook the disadvantages of the Ultimaker 2 as it has so much going for it. However, the filament holder at the back does feel a little like an afterthought, and once in a while the filament can get caught causing slip in the feeder which will inevitably ruin prints.
The standalone approach is welcome but USB printing isn't really possible, and third-party software is needed if you want to adjust printhead temperatures for materials other than PLA and ABS.
Final verdict
Ultimaker 2 is an exceptionally well-rounded 3D printer that produces good quality prints at 20 microns, which is one of the highest resolutions in this price bracket at the present time.
Ease of setup and use will appeal to the masses and although it is only a single colour printer, model makers and engineers will find that the high quality output is perfect for creating prototypes and models at a decent quality.
In our tests the machine proved reliable with the only failures down to human error. If you need exceptional quality and total reliability the Ultimaker really is hard to beat.
