45 Cool Things to 3D Print Which Are Actually Useful

Stuck for ideas for what to 3D print? Bored of pointless 3D printer projects? Here is a list of cool things to 3D print which are genuinely useful.

Don’t miss: 33 Best Sites for Free STL Files & 3D Printer Models/Files 

Like us, you’re tremendously excited by the possibilities of 3D printing. Unfortunately, the landscape is cluttered with trinkets, doodads and ornaments. We’re in danger of drowning in 3D printed objects that nobody wants or needs.

Fight the tide of mediocrity! Let’s make stuff that’s actually useful! Here’s a list of cool things to 3D print, right now, today. Prove to your nearest and dearest that there’s an everyday and practical application of this wonderful technology.

Don’t have access to a 3D printer? Have no fear. Simply upload the 3D print files to our Best Price 3D Printing Service to get these cool things 3D printed.

Cool Things to 3D Print #1: Sliding Door Bolt

Obviously, this sliding door bolt will not protect you against breaking and entering. It’s made of plastic! But if you want to keep a cabinet or shed door securely closed, this quick and easy design will get the job done. Thingiverse Download

Cool Things to 3D Print #2: Monster Mouth Headphone Holder

If you like to use a large pair of headphones at your desk, then this “monster mouth” could be just what you need. It’s got a “print in place” adjustable clamp so it can be securely attached to your desk, plus additional features to keep the cord from getting tangled. Thingiverse Download

Cool Things to 3D Print #3: Out of Office Desk Sign

Rushing off to a meeting? Going out to lunch? Or maybe you’re on holiday? This is a another useful item for your desk, a sign that can be flipped up or down to indicate your availability. Print as two separate parts in different colors, and glue them together. Thingiverse Download

Cool Things to 3D Print #4: One Handed Page Holder

A simple but ingenious lifehack for those who like to read good old fashioned books. You know, those stacks of pressed wood fibre, embossed with glyphs that induce shared hallucinations. Keep a book open with one handed with this page holder. Thingiverse Download

Cool Things to 3D Print #5: Swiss Army Style Key Chain

This is a variation on the classic Swiss Army Knife design that swaps out the blades and can openers for something infinitely more useful — your house-keys. Prints in two halves, and the keys are held in place using standard hex nuts and bolts. Thingiverse Download

Cool Things to 3D Print #6: Auto Coin Sorter for All Currencies

Pockets laden with loose change? Impose ORDER on your finances with this coin sorting device. The smart thing is that it can be adapted for any currency in the world, from the mighy US dollar to the humble Thai baht. Thingiverse Download.

Cool Things to 3D Print #7: Collapsible Coffee Sleeve

Perhaps you bought a cup of takeaway coffee and forgot the sleeve to protect your hands from scalding. Or maybe the prospect of filling landfills with pointless waste is putting a bad taste in your java. Either way, this collapsible, reuseable coffee sleeve has you covered. Thingiverse Download.

Cool Things to 3D Print #8: Cable Management Hive

Phone charger cables, USB cables, HDMI cables, Thunderbolt cables, DisplayPort cables… Your desk space is covered in a spaghetti of cables, are we right? Banish the mess with this neat cable management hive. The design is stackable too, so you can extend the hive as the need arises. Thingiverse Download.

Cool Things to 3D Print #9: Snap On Portal Bookstand

Whether you’re a fan of the Portal videogame or not, this is a charming application of the concept to your bookshelves. Because what’s reading, after all, but a PORTAL TO ANOTHER DIMENSION…? Each stand is assembled from three separate pieces, so you can mix and match colors. Thingiverse Download.

Cool Things to 3D Print #10: Tampon Magazine

Designed around an essential item that almost all women use, this is a tampon holder that loads up like a gun magazine. Functional yet witty, action heroines should get a good chuckle out of this one. Thingiverse Download.

Cool Things to 3D Print #11: Caffeine Molecule Drinks Coaster

You love coffee, we love coffee, everybody loves coffee. But you know what no-one likes? Ugly brown rings. Ugh! Banish them from your table with this smart drinks coaster in the shape of the caffeine molecule. Thingiverse Download.

Cool Things to 3D Print #12: Hex Phone Sound Amplifier

This is a passive amplifier for your smartphone, which adds a little extra “oomph” to those tinny speakers when blasting out your tunes. Pinshape Download.

Cool Things to 3D Print #13: AA to C Battery Adapter

Did you know that the only difference between a C battery and an AA battery is the size? Despite offering the same voltage, the bigger batteries are significantly more expensive to buy. This neat little hack allows you to quickly and safely adapt an AA battery into C size for your electrical appliances. Thingiverse Download.

Cool Things to 3D Print #14: Cow Face Doorstop

Annoyed by swinging doors in your home or office? Have weird fascination with bovines? Then this doorstop is for YOU. It’s lightweight, designed for easy placement, and simple to fabricate. Just don’t try to milk it. Thingiverse Download.

Cool Things to 3D Print #15: SD Card Mountain

If you’re a regular user of digital cameras or 3D printers, then you’ll probably have little stacks of SD cards dotted around your workspace. Keep them neatly organized with this SD card mountain. Cults3D Download.

Cool Things to 3D Print #16: Shopping Bag Handle

We’ve all been there. Trudging back home from the supermarket, laden with shopping bags. The forces of gravity are biting the plastic into your hands, amirite? NO MORE. Print off these shopping bag handles, and sore hands are a thing of the past! Thingiverse Download.

Cool Things to 3D Print #17: Jar Handle

Upcycle an empty jam jar with a 3D printed handle. What could be simpler? YouMagine Download

Cool Things to 3D Print #18: One-handed Bottle Opener

This boomerang shaped one-handed bottle opener helps people with difficulties in performing movements or activities which require hand strength, such as opening a plastic bottle. Print one off and give it to your grandma; she’ll love you for it. Cults3D Download.

Cool Things to 3D Print #19: Drawer Knobs with Labels

The art of storing doesn’t have to be boring. The HobbKnob is a dinky little drawer knob with a label track, so that you can describe the contents of your drawers. Never misplace your socks again! Thingiverse Download.

Cool Things to 3D Print #20: Customizable U-Hook

This is a set of parametric u-hooks, which are suitable for universal use and very strong. How strong? One hook was used to hold a plastic bag full of heavy books weighing 47.4 kg. Use either the four sample hooks supplied, or adapt and modify for your own use with the supplied CAD files. Thingiverse Download.

Cool Things to 3D Print #21: Plastic Hammer

THWACK is a lean and mean plastic hammer for general purpose clobbering. Perfect for bludgeoning interior nails, tight-fitting objects, free-form jazz percussion, and intimidating strangers. Thingiverse Download.

Cool Things to 3D Print #22: Piggy Bank

Keep your loose change safe in this cutesy coin bank in the shape of an overweight pig. 3DShook Download.

Cool Things to 3D Print #23: Wall Outlet Shelf

Put a shelf on your power socket, so you can prop up the phone when charging. This model also has an angled slot that holds your smartphone and tablets in an upright viewing position. MyMiniFactory Download.

Cool Things to 3D Print #24: Soap Dish

An elegant soap dish for the bathroom, in two separate pieces that are washable. You can customize the inner tray with your own patterns, if you prefer. Cults3D Download.

Cool Things to 3D Print #25: Calendar Blocks

These days, we rely on our smartphones and the interwebs to tell us what date it is. But this desk calendar is a clever blend of old-school timekeeping and modern technology, and the tactile design is very appealing for the modern office space. Thingiverse Download.

Cool Things to 3D Print #26: Articulated Lamp

This modular, articulated lamp is composed of 6 basic pieces: bottom, trunk, and a top piece which houses a LED Tap Light. More pieces can be added to make the lamp as long as you like. MyMiniFactory Download.

Cool Things to 3D Print #27: Shower Head

Is bathing under a waterfall on your bucket list? The next best thing is this 3D printed shower head (probably). Thingiverse Download.

Cool Things to 3D Print #28: Secret Shelf

Keep your precious documents or currency hidden from view in this secret shelf stash. MyMiniFactory Download.

Cool Things to 3D Print #29: Stiletto Business Card Case

Impress your fellow executives with this stylish and functional business card case. Each case holds around 20 standard American sized business cards, and comes with a printable “spring” to ensure the topmost card glides smoothly out of the slot. Thingiverse Download.

Cool Things to 3D Print #30: Plastic Wrench

Fully articulated plastic wrench, for general purpose, er, wrenching around the house. Thingiverse Download.

Cool Things to 3D Print #31: Space Invader Toilet Paper Holder

Brighten up the bathroom with this functional print of a classic Space Invader. Um, holding your toilet paper. YouMagine Download.

Cool Things to 3D Print #32: Platform Jack

This is a fully assembled platform jack, 3D printed as one piece. No messing around with multiple parts. The adjustable height can be used to raise or prop up an object of reasonable weight. Thingiverse Download.

Cool Things to 3D Print #33: Earbud Holder

We spend a small fortune on our earphones for music on the move, but not enough on protecting them when not in use. Securely stash those buds in this 3D printed earbud holder. Thingiverse Download.

Cool Things to 3D Print #34: Self-Watering Planter

Houseplants dying from neglect? NEVER AGAIN. Print off this easy-peasy automatic plant waterer, and your conscience will remain clean. Particularly useful for kitchen herbs, where you can make them last up to a week longer by repotting in this natty device. Cults3D Download.

Cool Things to 3D Print #35: Car Windshield Ice Scraper

Winter is coming. Or in some cases, it’s already here. Quickly and easily remove the snow and ice from your car windshield with this handy-dandy ice-scraper. It prints without supports, and has a hole for a cord-loop on the end. Thingiverse Download.

Cool Things to 3D Print #36: USB Drive Cryptex

If you’re frequently carrying sensitive data on a USB thumb drive, then this DIY cryptex is a great solution to protect against theft. The drive is protected with a four lock combination. Consider encypting the data, too, for maximum security. Thingiverse Download.

Cool Things to 3D Print #37: Pizza Bottle Opener

Ah, pizza and beer. How much do we love thee? This pizza bottle opener combines two of the world’s favorite passions into one. The handy design has a slot for a penny, which provides the leverage for opening a bottle, plus a hole for a keychain ring. Don’t leave home without it! Cults3D Download.

Cool Things to 3D Print #38: Survival Whistle

This is a survival whistle of completely original design, which is rugged, easy to make and carry, and is very loud. How loud is it? Try 118 decibels for size! That’s more than enough to get you noticed in an emergency situation. Thingiverse Download.

Cool Things to 3D Print #39: Flex Door Carabiner

Now, these carabiners are not something you would use in a life-or-death scenario like mountain climbing, but they are pretty tough for less essential applications. Some makers attest it can hold up to 50 lbs in weight! Thingiverse Download.

Cool Things to 3D Print #40: Solo Finger Pen

The solo finger pen is a dramatic flourish on the humble writing instrument, where a mechanical jointed finger and a flexible “BIC” pen transform you into a Steampunk Shakespeare. (Thingiverse Download)

Cool Things to 3D Print #41: Side Release Buckle

Have you broken the buckle on your favorite rucksack? Not a problem, simply make yourself a new one. Fabricate a sturdy new side release buckle on your 3D printer, and give that backpack a whole new lease of life. (Thingiverse Download)

Cool Things to 3D Print #42: Klots Quick Release Shoelaces

This a 3D printed lacing system, where the two halves of your laces quickly and neatly snap together. But hey, if you’re too busy to even tie your shoelaces, then perhaps a pair of loafers are the better option.  (Thingiverse Download)

Cool Things to 3D Print #43: Digital Sundial

Your eyes do not deceive you. This insanely cool thing to 3D print is a digital sundial. And it really does work. The shape of the sundial has been engineered to only let through the right rays at the right time and angle, so it can display the actual time at 20 minute intervals. Operational only during daylight hours, naturally, between 10:00 and 16:00. (Thingiverse Download)

Cool Things to 3D Print #44: AeroPress Unlock Ring

Ardent coffee drinkers will already have an Aeropress in their kitchen or office. It’s simply one of the best coffee makers you can buy. But some folks struggle with removing the filter cap after a brew. This custom unlock ring will solve the problem. (Thingiverse Download)

Cool Things to 3D Print #45: GoPro Knuckle Mount

This is a handheld mount for the GoPro camera. It may indeed resemble a set of brass knuckles, and perhaps it’d be tempting to film yourself throwing a punch in glorious HD, but that’s not the intended use. This useful item is for handheld recording while running, skating, diving, skydiving etc. (Thingiverse Download)