Is there a better alternative?

You’ll be hard-pressed to find a more affordable printer that offers so many high-end features and such a large build envelope. But if you aren’t looking for luxury, the Delta Pro might not be the best option.

　　If your main concern is getting the most bang for your buck, you can definitely find cheaper FDM printers that offer comparable print performance. In fact, Monoprice’s own Maker Select Plus offers many of the same features that the Delta Pro does, yet costs less than $400. If you don’t need luxury features like filament sensing and silent drive, you’d be wise to consider it.

　　If your main concern is print quality and resolution, we suggest looking into SLA/DLP printers. These machines use a different printing technique, and are typically capable of reproducing far greater detail. The Form 2 ($3,200) is the gold standard in this category — but luckily a handful of more budget-friendly competitors have sprung up in the past year. For $1,500, you could easily find a great resin printer, such as the Peopoly Moai or the Anycubic Photon. Be warned though: Working with resin is far messier than working with plastic filament.

　　

How long will it last?

Years. If properly maintained, there’s no reason this printer can’t keep on ticking for the better part of the next decade.

　　

Should you buy it?

Yes. Just keep in mind that the extra money you’re spending here doesn’t get you huge gains in print performance — it mostly gets you luxury features that are really nice to have, but not essential.