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SainSmart Genmitsu 3018-PROVer
- Strong construction
- Good safety features
- On the larger side of "mini"
- Duarbility when working with aluminum
Normally, a CNC machine will be a relatively sizeable object capable of tearing up big chunks of whatever it is you need tearing up. That’s all well and good if you have the space to put one of those big boys, but what if you don’t?
If that’s the case, you might want to take a look at a mini CNC machine. There aren’t many of these smaller CNC machines out there, but we’ve scoured the web and found a few that have a solid reputation online. They’re all small enough to fit on most desktops or workbenches without any difficulty, and can handle a variety of materials, so they should help you in any number of possible projects you have in mind.
Our Mini & Small CNC Machine Picks
With barely a handful of small CNC machines out there, our choices for top picks are extremely limited. We suggest playing it safe and opting for the SainSmart Genmitsu 3018-PROVer. It isn’t actually that small, but CNC machines don’t really get much smaller than this – unless you’re willing to purchase a 1810 or 2418 model from a more questionable vendor.
SainSmart has a pretty good reputation among users for its quality and attention paid to customers – something other manufacturers of small, basic CNC machines don’t have – so although it isn’t the most compact CNC router on this list, it is the one we’d opt for.
If money’s no object, we’d point you in the direction of Carbide 3D’s Nomad 3, a compact, stylish-looking, and strongly-spec’d CNC machine that will cost you a considerable amount of money. Yes, prepare to part with $2,800 to get one of these. You get a good specification and Carbide 3D’s excellent customer service to back up your making though. It’s a premium machine, after all.
Overview
| CNC Router | Work space (mm) | Spindle | Type | Price | Check Price (Commissions Earned) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SainSmart Genmitsu 3018-PROVer | 260 x 155 x 35mm | Yes | Semi-assembled | $349 | |
| OpenBuilds MiniMill | 120 x 180 x 80 mm | Yes | DIY | $550 to $1,500 (Build dependent) | |
| Carbide 3D Nomad 3 | 200 x 200 x 70 mm | Yes | Assembled | $2,800 | |
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Best Mini CNC Machines
Recommendable mini CNC machines are few and far between. There are a decreasing number of them out there, and you have to be careful where you put your money, as smaller CNC machines that can be purchased often come from companies with questionable track records. Many machines come with a lot of negative feedback, either about the machine itself or the company selling it.
As a result, the list below is fairly short, but from our research, we’ve decided that these picks are solid, dependable choices for small CNC machines. They come with a number of recommendations from users and are from companies with a reputation for being reliable or vendors with a strong standing.
Here is a short-but-sweet list, sorted by price, not preference. If we were going to pick a mini CNC machine, it would be one of these.
If, however, these aren’t quite up to your CNC needs, then perhaps one of the buyer guides below will have the right machine for you.
upgrade pick
The Best Mini & Small CNC Machines
SainSmart Genmitsu 3018-PROVer
If you have a little more space to work with, then perhaps stepping up to the SainSmart Genmitsu 3018-PROVer will pay off.
For a start, it’s larger, with a work area of 260 x 155 x 35 mm and an overall footprint of 400 x 330 x 240 mm, meaning it’s on the upper end of the “mini” spectrum here, but still pretty small for a CNC machine.
The PROVer is an upgraded version of the Pro (makes sense…) and has a number of features designed to make your life easier, starting with the fact it comes pre-assembled. According to SainSmart, set up – from emptying the box to starting to carve – should take around 30 minutes. The all-aluminum construction gives it a chunky, sturdy look, and it should get through foam, wood, and plastics without any bother. However, we have doubts over how it will cope with metals such as aluminum over long term use.
There are a few other Genmitsu 3018 models out there, and truth be told, we don’t particularly think there’s much of a difference between them all. If this one is slightly out of your budget, you might well find there’s another 3018 that scrapes in just under your mark and does more or less the same job.
SainSmart Genmitsu 3018-PROVer
Commissions Earned
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SainSmart Genmitsu 3018-PROVer
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The Best Mini & Small CNC Machines
OpenBuilds MiniMill
The tidy, sturdy-looking OpenBuilds MiniMill is a DIY mini CNC machine that you can have some control over the spec thanks to the OpenBuilds ordering system.
You can choose a number of different configurations for your MiniMill, allowing you to buy either a bare frame you can customize using parts you’ve sourced yourself, or a full kit for a working machine. Depending on your choices, this means this machine can cost as low as $550, but could be north of $1,500.
Potentially this is much more expensive than other machines on this list, but with an open-source ecosystem, you’ll have plenty of scope for future upgrades. With a small-ish footprint of 560 x 406 mm, it should be able to find a home in most workspaces.
In terms of cutting, it should handle stronger materials over time compared to the Genmitsus. It has a work area of 120 x 180 x 80 mm, and OpenBuilds says it can deal with acrylic, soft and hardwoods, and non-ferrous metals. As it’s a screw-driven machine, it should hold up well over time and be more consistent in terms of accuracy.
OpenBuilds MiniMill
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OpenBuilds MiniMill
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The Best Mini & Small CNC Machines
Carbide 3D Nomad 3
If money isn’t an issue and you want a top-notch CNC from a company with a great reputation, then Carbide 3D has a product just for you.
It’s called the Nomad 3, and it’ll set you back $2,800. For that, you get an extremely capable mini CNC from a company with a solid track record of providing great machines as well as assistance to its users. For instance, if you make a mistake with the machine during assembly or use during the first 30 days, Carbide 3D will send you replacement parts.
The Nomad 3 is not a new machine; it’s the third major revision of the 883 series and features several upgrades, including internal lighting to help you track what’s going on, as well as a helpful BitZero V2 work probe. The entire machine is made in California and also comes with MeshCAM and Carbide Create CAM software.
With approximately a 200 x 200 x 70 mm cutting space and a footprint of 445 x 483 x 432 mm, the Nomad 3 should be a good fit in most places you might want to work, whether it’s a workshop or a desk, and is also designed to work with a host of pre-existing workholdings. Woods, plastics, and aluminum should be a piece of cake for this machine.
Designed to be strong, simple to use, and safe (the spindle will pause if you open the door during work), the Nomad 3 looks to be one of the top choices for anyone looking for a mini CNC machine… but it will cost you.
Carbide3D Nomad 3
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Carbide3D Nomad 3
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What's Changed?
Update: September 20, 2022: Unfortunately, SainSmart’s 1810 Pro has been discontinued, leaving a void for good quality mini CNC machines. There really aren’t many recommendable small units around this size out there, so we’d recommend putting your money into a 3018 PROver from the same company instead. With the 1810 Pro’s discontinuation, the 3018 PROver becomes our Top Pick, and the Carbide3D Nomad 3 becomes our Upgrade Pick. If you can afford one, it’ll serve you well.
Aside from that, we’ve checked prices and availability, as well as potential new entries, but nothing has really received good enough feedback to warrant a place in one of our “The Best” articles. Buyers should be aware there are some very hit-and-miss options out there, and according to user and review feedback, customer support appears to be severely lacking in many places.
Lead image source: Carbide 3D via YouTube
License: The text of "The Best Mini & Small CNC Machines" by All3DP is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
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