What’s the Best Digital Caliper For 3D Printing? Top 3 Picks

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When you are into digital printing, a caliper is a mandatory tool for your work. If you don’t want to end up with the wrong measurement when 3d printing, you need the best quality digital caliper for 3d printing.

That’s what this article is about. We’ll introduce you to the best options available in the market, so you don’t end up with the wrong one. If you have a preference outside our list, you can use our buying guide to determine whether the caliper you like fulfills all the criteria or not.

In case you don’t want to go through the whole review, the best among these three calipers is the Neiko 01407A Digital Caliper. It’s a six-inch digital caliper with a +/-0.001” accuracy level.

If you’re curious about this caliper’s detail review, we recommend you keep reading. Besides, the other two calipers on our list are also something you don’t want to miss out on. So, let’s get started.

3 Best Digital Caliper For 3D Printing Reviews in 2022

We’ve considered all essential attributes a caliper needs to be the best for 3d printing and chose the following three as our top choices. Once you read their details, you’ll know why they’re specifically suitable for 3d printing.

Neiko 01407A Digital Caliper

best digital caliper for 3d printing

The first thing you will love about the Neiko caliper is how affordable the device is. You won’t have to spend a fortune to get this caliper. That makes it one of the best digital calipers for 3d printing beginners.

However, don’t doubt its capability for a moment just because it is affordable. There are multiple high-end calipers that don’t offer half the feature this one comes with. For instance, let’s look at the measurement units.

You’ll notice that many digital calipers only offer you mm and inch. If you decide to get this one from Neiko, you’re also getting a fractional measurement system, which is a mandatory feature for many people.

If you move on to the accuracy level, you’re getting 0.02 mm of accuracy level, which is fine for most measurements. However, if you’re searching for a more precise caliper, you’ll have to think of other options that cost a lot more than this one.

You can trust this caliper to be consistent when it comes to measuring various objects. It can measure step and depth along with inside and outside measurements. Another fascinating thing is the auto-shutoff feature. If you’re not used to turning off your caliper after each use, you can rely on this system to save your battery life.

The caliper is made of high-quality stainless steel, ensuring premium smoothness to the slide. In addition, you’re getting a case and the battery you need to operate the caliper.

Pros

  • The auto-shutoff system saves battery life
  • Can measure outside and inside diameter, as well as step and depth
  • Stainless steel material and smooth operation
  • Large display for convenient visualization

Cons

  • The buttons feature rubber as their material which can be bothersome

Short Verdict

The buttons could have been better. But that’s not a deal-breaker. If you can deal with the buttons, it’s one of the perfect digital calipers for 3d printing. If you want more details about the caliper, click here.

Kynup Digital Caliper

Kynup Digital Caliper for 3d printer

Another stunning caliper made of stainless steel is this one from Kynup. You can feel its premium-grade materials by the touch. However, the features are not limited to the material.

You can change your preferred unit of measurement within seconds. One push of the button will change the unit between mm, inch, and fraction. The same goes for zeroing the caliper. No matter what position the caliper is in, you can zero it with one click.

Let’s talk about an underrated feature. The auto-off feature makes Kynup better. If you’re just switching from dial to digital caliper, you’ll surely forget to turn off the caliper after using it. With this one, you won’t have to worry about it because the caliper will shut itself off when not in use.

Unlike many other calipers that only feature inside and outside diameter measurements, this one can also measure the step and depth of an object. Besides, the six inches range allows it to measure various objects with accuracy.

If you take a look at the reviews of this caliper, you’ll notice that most users are happy with their purchase. Even though the battery replacement requires opening a screw, the brand provides the screwdriver along with the caliper for your convenience.

The frame comes with a lock so that you never lose a measurement again. In addition, the caliper is dust and waterproof. What else can you expect from a caliper within this price range?

Pros

  • Versatile use with outside, inside, step, and depth measurement
  • Turns off automatically when not in use and saves battery
  • Switch between measurement units according to preference
  • Dust and water-resistant for convenience

Cons

  • Requires removing a screw when replacing batteries

Short Verdict

You won’t find any flaw in this caliper unless you can’t stand removing a screw when replacing batteries. If you’re curious to know more about this caliper’s features and user reviews, don’t forget to click here.

iGaging IP54 Digital Caliper

iGaging IP54 Digital Caliper for 3d printing

Another affordable option you can go for is the iGaging digital caliper. This one comes with an IP54 rating, which means it’s dust, oil, and water-splash resistant. However, that’s not the only specialty you’re getting from this caliper.

The frame is made of stainless steel that features a clear and large LCD. You can see the readings without any difficulties. Besides, the buttons on display will allow you to change the unit of measurement pretty easily.

The caliper can show you readings in mm, inch, and fraction, depending on your preference. The caliper is great for someone who seeks fractional measurement in their device. Any woodworker, jeweler, hobbyist, or automotive enthusiast will be fascinated by this caliper.

Another plus side is the affordable price. If you’re a beginner in using a digital caliper, you can start out with this one because it doesn’t require a higher budget. Besides, you’re getting an accuracy level of +/-0.001” and a measurement range of 6 inches.

Some users have complained about the battery compartment, though. A few found it difficult to open the battery compartment. However, the quick response from the manufacturer solved their issues.

All in all, this is one of the best digital calipers for 3d printing you can find on the market. At least the majority of the user reviews will tell you so.

Pros

  • Three units of measurement for different needs
  • Easily readable large display
  • Oil, dust, and water-splash resistant
  • Hardened stainless steel body with a precision finish

Cons

  • The battery compartment can be a bit difficult to open

Short Verdict

If you’re searching for the perfect digital caliper as your 3d printing companion, look no further than this one from iGaging. Click here to know more about this digital caliper.

Buying Guide of Digital Caliper For 3D Printing 2022

best 3d printing digital caliper
Buying Guide of the Best Digital Caliper for 3D Printing

So, what attributes do you consider essential when selecting the best quality digital caliper for 3d printing? If you have no idea what to look for, allow us to walk you through a buying guide.

Accuracy Level

The first thing you should concern yourself with is the accuracy level. If we’re talking about 3d printing, you should seek at least an accuracy level of 0.02 mm or +/-0.001”. If you want a higher level of accuracy, you’ll have to increase your budget.

The more precise your caliper becomes, the pricier it’ll become.

Ease Of Use

Some calipers are tough to operate. Consider a caliper that would be easy to operate, no matter the level of experience. Dial calipers are comparatively difficult to interpret. Digital calipers always enjoy an advantage compared to dial calipers.

The caliper should also be smooth. If the slide is rough, using it won’t be comfortable. Make sure the material is of high quality, and the thumbscrew is ergonomic.

Auto-Shutoff System

Many people don’t consider this feature a must-have, but it’s one of the essential attributes of a caliper. Users often don’t bother turning off their calipers between uses, which can lead to early battery drainage.

Increasing the battery life and improving caliper efficiency, it’s a crucial feature of a caliper. However, remember that removing the battery is always a great idea if you’re storing the caliper for a long time. Keeping the battery inside the caliper can damage the battery and the caliper.  

Measurement Range

Make sure your caliper has a measurement range of at least 6 inches. You can get some really affordable options with six-inch calipers. Besides, if you’re considering a caliper for 3d printing, you won’t need any more range than this.

However, if you want your caliper to be more versatile, you can consider a larger device. There are plenty of digital calipers that feature an eight-inch range and come within budget.

Versatility

Many calipers only feature inside and outside diameter measurements. However, you can also get step and depth measurement gauges in affordable digital calipers. So, spend your money wisely and choose a caliper that can measure all four dimensions of different objects.

This way, your caliper doesn’t become limited to 3d printing. If you want, you can use it for other purposes too.  

Material

The most suitable material for digital caliper is high-quality stainless steel. It feels smooth to slide and is durable in nature. So, instead of going for plastic, try sticking to stainless steel, even if it costs a few bucks extra.

Some calipers feature a polish on their frame, which makes them water and dust-resistant. If that’s something you would be interested in, don’t forget to check the specs.

Units Of Measurement

Some digital calipers come with only metric and imperial measurement systems, whereas some also feature fractions. Even though it depends on your preference and comfort, we recommend selecting a caliper that features all three of them.

On digital calipers, it’s convenient to switch between units. You can click a button, and the unit changes within moments.

User Reviews

You’re getting all the specifications from the manufacturer’s website, which hardly contains any negative sides. The most reliable source you can use is the user review section of a product. So, don’t forget to go through the reviews if you have doubts about a caliper’s accuracy, consistency, and quality.

The reviews can also tell you about features the manufacturer didn’t mention on the website. Sometimes the shortage of information can influence the decision. User reviews can make you catch up on the info you’re missing.

Alternative Product suggestion by our expart team is Mitutoyo 500-196-30 Advanced Onsite Sensor (AOS) digital caliper.

You may read a full review about mitutoyo digital caliper from our blog.

Frequently Asked Questions on “Digital Caliper for 3D Printing”

What are the best 3d printer calipers, and where do I get them?

Even though there are a lot of high-quality digital calipers, the best ones are Neiko digital caliper, Kynup digital caliper, and digital caliper. We’ve considered price, accuracy level, measurement range, material, and additional features while selecting these three options. All of these calipers are available on Amazon at an affordable price range. You can also find them in a shop, but they may cost you more.

Do I need a caliper for 3d printing?

The answer entirely depends on your printing pattern. If you’re into functional printing, then precise measurement is the key. When the measurement needs to be correct to the millimeter, you certainly need a digital caliper. However, if you’re into other printings like toys, penholders, etc., then the caliper isn’t a mandatory tool for you.

Final Words

Each caliper we reviewed deserves the spot as the best digital caliper for 3d printing. However, if you’re thinking about the most cost-effective option, we recommend going for the Neiko digital caliper. If you don’t mind increasing your budget a bit, the Kynup is also an excellent choice for 3d printing.

Note that there are more precise and accurate calipers than the ones we reviewed, but they’ll cost you a lot more than these. However, for 3d printing, these will do more than fine.

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Calvin Cameron

Hello, I'm Calvin Cameron. I'm a metalworking specialist for more than a decade. As a metalworker, I've been working in various areas like automotive plants, jewelry shops, and shipyards. I'm experienced with a lot of machines, tools, and materials. This is my loving area where I can talk and share about tools, measurement, and provide accurate data. Hope you will find some really good things from my research and studies. Enjoy reading.

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