150 Cool Things To 3D Print This Weekend

Lisa Ernst · 15.02.2026 · Technology · 11 min

The world of 3D printing in 2025 is a dynamic space where innovation flourishes and creativity finds tangible expression. This year, we have seen manufacturers and designers consistently push the boundaries, leading to remarkable advancements across the entire additive manufacturing sector. From cutting-edge printers to intricately designed models, the growth and ingenuity are truly impressive.

Source: The additive manufacturing sector has shown impressive growth and ingenuity, from sophisticated new printers to intricate models, celebrating innovation and award-winning designs.

Quick Summary

• Printables Awards 2025: Celebrated outstanding community designs, with winners chosen by the Printables community.
• Top 3D Printers: The Prusa CORE One+ was recognized as the best enclosed printer, while the Bambu Lab P2S was named best overall for 2026.
• Industry Accolades: TCT Awards and IFA Innovation Awards highlighted advancements in hardware and consumer electronics.
• Emerging Trends: Focus on precision, durability, sustainable materials, and AI-driven design.
• Sector Impact: Significant growth in construction, aerospace, robotics, and healthcare applications.

The Printables Awards 2025 Selection Process

The Printables Awards 2025 marked a significant event, celebrating outstanding design within the 3D printing community. This second edition was better aligned with the calendar year, considering models published from November 2024 to November 2025. Unlike the previous year, where a jury had a say in one of the main prizes, the 2025 winners were chosen exclusively by the Printables community, fostering a truly democratic selection process.

This year also introduced new model categories, and each main category boasted a substantial prize of $10,000. Community members had a dedicated window, from December 2 to December 15, 2025, to nominate their favorite designers and models. Each Printables user could nominate up to five models and three designers, with the flexibility to update their nominations throughout the period. Following this, the shortlisting and voting phase took place from December 17, 2025, to January 12, 2026.

While the original announcement for the Printables Awards 2025 winners was set for January 21, 2026, the date was later postponed. The winners were eventually revealed during a live stream featuring Josef Prusa and Mikoláš Zuza, with a detailed blog article and a dedicated Printables Awards page published afterward. It’s important to note that only free, publicly available models published between November 1, 2024, and November 30, 2025, were eligible for nomination.

Award-Winning 3D Prints of 2025: Noteworthy Finalists

The finalists for the Printables Awards 2025 truly showcased the incredible breadth of creativity and technical skill within the 3D printing community. These designs ranged from intricate decorative pieces to highly functional models, reflecting the diverse applications of additive manufacturing.

Decorative and Functional Designs

Among the standout finalists were:

• The Ankou Dice Tower, a testament to creative gaming accessories.
• The majestic Inferno Dragon Bust Wall Trophy, perfect for fantasy enthusiasts.
• The Mini Armorer and CAD Bane, demonstrating detailed character modeling.
• Artistic and practical designs like the Drift Lamp, Vector Planter, Hearts Vase, and 3D Printed RC Skidsteer V3.0.
• The DIY RC Excavator.
• The V2.0 3D Printed RC Skidsteer.
• The impressive DIY RC Semitruck.

Source: printables.com

The Dummy 13 Version 1.0 was a significant finalist, showcasing the strong representation of action figures in the Printables Awards.

Action figures were also strongly represented, with the highly popular Dummy 13 Version 1.0 and the intricate M13 Thor Printable Mecha Model Kit Deluxe Edition. Other notable action figure finalists included Grabby the Claw and the detailed Dragon Action Figure.

Beyond Printables: Industry Recognition

The year 2025 also saw significant recognition for the 3D printing industry at large, extending beyond community-based awards to global industry accolades.

TCT Awards 2025

The TCT Awards 2025, presented on June 4, honored 13 winners and inducted four new members into its prestigious Hall of Fame. These awards celebrate excellence and innovation in additive manufacturing globally. Key recognitions included:

• Women in 3D Printing Innovator Award: Awarded to Jonné Messer, Global Additive Manufacturing Lead at Ford Motor Company.
• Sanjay Mortimer Foundation Rising Star Award: Received by Abigail Duckworth for her groundbreaking research into 3D printing lattice structures on physiotherapy tape, designed to support individuals with arthritis.
• TCT Hall of Fame Inductees: Todd Grimm, Neil Hopkinson, Sheku Kamara, and Wilhelm Meiners were recognized for their enduring contributions to the industry.

IFA Innovation Awards 2025

In the realm of consumer electronics, the IFA Innovation Awards 2025 acknowledged groundbreaking products across numerous categories, many of which leverage advanced manufacturing techniques, including 3D printing for rapid prototyping and specialized components. Winners included:

• LG SIGNATURE OLED T
• The Premiere 5
• Rokid Glasses
• SwitchBot AI Pet
• Anker SOLIX V1 Smart EV Charger

Additional awardees featured the LG Comfort KIT, BLUETTI Pioneer Na Portable Power Station, BLUETTI RVSolar 48V Power System, and TCL NXTPAPER 60 Ultra. Categories spanned "Best in Emerging Tech," "Best in Tech for Good," "Best in Design," and many more, showcasing the broad impact of innovation.

Innovations in 3D Printing Technology

The year 2025 brought forth remarkable advancements in 3D printer hardware, making the technology more accessible, efficient, and capable than ever before. These innovations cater to a wide range of users, from hobbyists to industrial professionals.

Leading 3D Printers of 2025

Here’s a look at some of the most acclaimed 3D printers and their key features:

Source: matterhackers.com

The Prusa CORE One+ received recognition as the best enclosed 3D printer of 2025, offering superior print quality and speed.

The Prusa CORE One+, for example, with its fully enclosed CoreXY design and active chamber temperature control, set a new standard for print quality and speed. This was further highlighted by its role as the grand prize in the Winter Holiday Decorations 2025 contest, which drew over 2,600 entries.

For those new to the field, the Creality Hi proved to be an excellent entry point, recognized as the best 3D printer for beginners. Meanwhile, the Bambu Lab P2S earned the title of best overall 3D printer for 2026, lauded for its clean prints, fast extrusion, quiet operation, impressive cooling, and smart calibration. This printer, with its 5-inch color touchscreen and AMS 2 Pro unit for multi-filament printing, caters to a broad audience, from novices to seasoned professionals.

Budget-conscious users found excellent options in the Qidi Q2, named the best budget 3D printer for 2026, and the Elegoo Neptune 4 Plus, an open-frame printer offering high-quality large prints at an accessible price. Multi-color printing also saw significant advancements, with the Bambu Lab A1 mini and A1 leading the charge, offering affordable and high-quality solutions for vibrant, multi-material prints.

In the resin printing segment, the Anycubic Photon Mono M7 Max delivered exceptional quality and innovative resin management under $1,000, while the Formlabs Form 4 stood out as a pro-level powerhouse for industrial applications. The UltiMaker S5, with its dual extruders and large print area, remained the top choice for rapid prototyping of large objects. Even children's education benefited from these advancements, with the Toybox 3D Printer specifically designed for young users.

Future of 3D Printing Trends

The trajectory of 3D printing in 2025 points towards a future defined by enhanced precision, durability, and user-friendliness. We are seeing a convergence of cutting-edge materials, intelligent design processes, and sustainable practices that are reshaping the entire landscape of additive manufacturing.

Key Trends and Innovations

• Advanced Materials: The industry is moving towards smarter materials, including self-healing polymers and high-performance polymers, which promise increased longevity and functionality for 3D printed objects.
• AI and Automation: Artificial intelligence and automation are revolutionizing the design and production phases. AI-driven design processes optimize models for strength and efficiency, while automated systems detect errors early, significantly reducing waste and production time.
• Multi-Material Printing: This capability is becoming increasingly sophisticated, allowing for the creation of components with diverse properties—such as rigid and flexible sections—within a single print run.
• Sustainable Practices: Environmental consciousness is growing, with a strong emphasis on using recycled materials and implementing energy-efficient printing processes. This aligns with broader efforts to make manufacturing more eco-friendly.
• Faster Production: Improvements in print head technology have dramatically reduced production times, making 3D printing a more viable option for rapid prototyping and on-demand manufacturing.

Sector-Specific Impacts

The influence of 3D printing is expanding across various industries, demonstrating its versatility and strategic importance:

• Construction: The global market for 3D printing in construction is projected to grow by an astounding 111.3% annually from 2025 to 2030, indicating a major shift in building practices.
• Aerospace: Boeing, for example, has leveraged additive manufacturing to mitigate delays and stabilize supply chains, particularly for critical components like brackets, ducts, and interior fittings.
• Robotics: Robotics companies are using additive manufacturing to create lightweight end-effectors, sensor mounts, and joint components, accelerating iteration cycles and improving performance.
• Healthcare: The 3D-printed prosthetics sector has seen significant improvements in fit accuracy and faster turnaround times, thanks to enhanced scanning and printing workflows.
• Energy (Nuclear): Additive manufacturing has expedited the production of reactor components, especially for microreactor projects, signaling its role in critical infrastructure.
• Automotive: The electric vehicle (EV) sector, in particular, is increasingly adopting additive manufacturing for parts requiring unique geometries, pushing design boundaries.
• Trade and Logistics: New trade agreements in 2025 have facilitated the cross-border exchange of additive manufacturing materials, technologies, and services. Companies are also using AM for tariff planning, producing parts closer to their location to avoid costly import routes.
• Drone Development: Custom airframe components and aerodynamic fairings for drones are now being rapidly prototyped and produced using 3D printing.

Source: 3dprintingindustry.com

Boeing utilized additive manufacturing to mitigate delays and stabilize supply chains by creating brackets, ducts, and interior components.

The restoration of full R&D tax incentives in 2025 further spurred innovation in additive manufacturing, ensuring continued growth and development in this transformative field. The examples of fully 3D printed products, such as the Adidas Climacool sneaker, perfectly illustrate the practical applications and potential of these advancements.

Conclusion

The year 2025 stands out as a landmark year for 3D printing, marked by significant advancements and widespread recognition. From community-driven awards celebrating ingenious designs on platforms like Printables.com to prestigious industry accolades such as the TCT and IFA Innovation Awards, the sector has demonstrated remarkable progress.

Innovations in printer technology, material science, and design methodologies are continually reshaping manufacturing processes. These developments are not only bringing unprecedented capabilities to industrial professionals but also empowering hobbyists with tools for boundless creativity. As we look ahead, the trajectory of 3D printing promises even more exciting breakthroughs, further integrating additive manufacturing into our daily lives and various industries.