A 3D pen can turn a flat sketch into a standing shape, but the wrong one quickly becomes a frustrating exercise in tangled filament, uncertain heat settings, and lines that are hard to control. The useful differences are not hidden in the marketing. They are in the feed controls, filament compatibility, safety design, included materials, and how much guidance comes in the box.
The Best best 3d pen picks below cover child-friendly low-temperature drawing, adjustable tools for experienced makers, and bundles that include enough filament to start building immediately. SCRIB3D Advanced is our top pick for its LCD, eight speed settings, comfortable shape, and broad creative range. The rest span safer children's kits, more precise professional controls, generous refill bundles, and a capable drawing mat kit.
| # | Product | Award | Filament and controls | Display or guidance | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | SCRIB3D Advanced | Best overall | PLA, variable speed, 8 settings | LCD, stencil guide | Most adult and teen projects |
| 2 | SCRIB3D P1 Start Set | Best for beginners | PLA and ABS, stepless speed | Manual and stencil guide | First-time users and families |
| 3 | MYNT3D Professional | Best temperature control | PLA and ABS, adjustable feed | OLED, 140 to 230°C | Detailed material experiments |
| 4 | 3Doodler Start+ | Best child-safe pick | Start plastic | Activity guide, 10 stencils | Children age 6 and up |
| 5 | MYNT3D Super | Best simple adult pen | PLA and ABS, stepless speed | No display | Straightforward freehand work |
| 6 | SCRIB3D P1 Color Bundle | Best refill bundle | PLA, stepless speed | Manual | Color-heavy projects |
| 7 | 3Doodler Flow | Best guided kit | PLA, ABS, and wood, 1.75mm | LCD, activity guide | Teens, adults, and creators |
| 8 | SCRIB3D Advanced Color Bundle | Best advanced refill set | PLA, variable speed, 8 settings | LCD, project guide | Frequent color changes |
| 9 | SCRIB3D PLA Refills | Best refill assortment | 1.75mm PLA, 160 to 210°C | No pen included | Owners who need more colors |
| 10 | MYNT3D Super DesignPad Kit | Best for stencil work | PLA and ABS, adjustable temperature | DesignPad and FreePad | Geometric and traced designs |
1. SCRIB3D Advanced: Best Overall
Pros
- LCD makes heat and feed settings easier to follow
- Eight speed options give useful control over line thickness
- Comfortable soft-touch shape
- Includes five colors and about 50 feet of PLA
Cons
- No child-safe, cool-touch design
- Warm-up takes about 2 to 3 minutes
- Heavier than the simplest pen here
Best for: teens, adults, and makers who want real control without an intimidating interface.
The SCRIB3D Advanced is the pen we would hand to someone who wants to move past novelty doodles. Its controls are clear enough for a beginner, but the eight speed options give an experienced user room to slow down for outlines or increase flow when filling a shape. The soft-touch body and curved ergonomic design also matter during longer projects, when a hard, narrow shell becomes tiring.
Its large LCD screen puts temperature information in view rather than leaving the user to guess what the plastic is doing. The pen works with PLA, and the supplied kit includes five colors totaling about 50 feet, along with a stencil guide, manual, and power adapter. Loading and unloading use dedicated controls, while the reverse function helps remove remaining filament instead of leaving it lodged in the feed path.
That makes the Advanced more flexible than the simpler MYNT3D Super, and its controls are less granular than the MYNT3D Professional, which adjusts temperature in 1-degree increments. Compared with the SCRIB3D P1 Start Set, the Advanced is the better fit for precise structures and repeated projects, while the P1 has the easier learning curve and stepless speed slider.
The weakness is its heat and material handling. This is a heated tool, not a cool-touch children's pen, and the stated warm-up period means it is not an instant activity for a restless child. Choose it for a teen or adult who will use the LCD and speed controls. For someone making a first few flat shapes, the simpler P1 is less distracting.
2. SCRIB3D P1 Start Set: Best for Beginners
Pros
- Stepless speed slider is easy to understand
- Supports PLA and ABS
- Ceramic nozzle and anti-clogging features
- Includes three colors and 30 feet of PLA
Cons
- No display for temperature feedback
- Warm-up takes about 2 to 3 minutes
- Not a cool-touch children's pen
Best for: a first-time user who wants a familiar, uncomplicated heated pen.
The SCRIB3D P1 Start Set gets the first session right. Plug in the adapter, wait for the red warm-up indicator, feed the filament from the rear, and use the forward button to begin. The sequence is simple enough for a new user to understand without a screen full of numbers. A stencil guide and step-by-step manual help turn that first session into a project instead of a trial-and-error exercise.
The important control is the stepless speed slider. Rather than forcing a user to choose from a handful of presets, it allows a gradual change from slow, careful lines to quicker infill. The pen accepts PLA from 160 to 210°C and ABS from 210 to 235°C, so it can grow with a user who wants to explore different plastics. The supplied starter material is three PLA colors totaling 30 feet.
A ceramic nozzle, premium motor, anti-clogging design, and two-minute auto-sleep function give the P1 useful practical touches. The reverse button retracts filament after a project, which is a small habit that can make the next start less troublesome. The pen weighs about 0.8 pounds and measures approximately 7.87 by 4.61 by 1.97 inches, so it is not especially tiny, but it is manageable on a desk.
The trade-off is that temperature feedback is indirect. SCRIB3D Advanced adds an LCD and more speed options, while MYNT3D Professional goes further with exact temperature adjustment. The P1 is the better starting point for someone who would rather draw than configure. Skip it only if a child needs a cool-touch design, in which case 3Doodler Start+ is the safer direction.
3. MYNT3D Professional: Best Temperature Control
Pros
- Temperature adjusts in 1-degree increments
- OLED display shows material temperature
- Supports PLA and ABS
- Adjustable feed helps tune the flow
Cons
- More setup than a beginner pen
- No included stencil book
- Warm plastic requires careful handling
Best for: artists and technically minded users who want to tune heat precisely.
The MYNT3D Professional makes its case with information. Its OLED display shows the material temperature, and the pen lets the user adjust that temperature in 1-degree increments from 140 to 230°C. That is more control than most casual users need, but it becomes useful when a line feels too runny, too brittle, or simply wrong for the chosen plastic.
The adjustable feed works alongside the heat controls. Slower feed can help with deliberate outlines, while faster movement can make filling broader areas less tedious. The kit includes three colors of PLA, an AC adapter, and a slim ergonomic pen. It supports both PLA and ABS, giving it a wider working range than a pen designed around one starter material.
Its physical size is about 7.99 by 5.2 by 2.6 inches, and it weighs roughly 0.75 pounds. That places it close to the SCRIB3D Advanced in hand rather than in the ultra-light category. The professional is a sensible choice for someone who already understands that filament, temperature, hand speed, and line thickness affect one another.
It is not the friendliest pick for a child or a user who wants to start immediately. SCRIB3D Advanced offers eight straightforward speed settings and a more project-focused kit, while MYNT3D Super removes the display and much of the setup. Pick the Professional when exact temperature is the reason you are shopping. Skip it when the screen is likely to become another thing to manage.
4. 3Doodler Start+: Best Child-Safe Pick
Pros
- No hot parts for children age 6 and up
- Pen and plastic can be touched during use
- Includes 72 mixed-color strands
- Comes with 10 new stencils and an activity guide
Cons
- Uses only 3Doodler Start plastic
- Less suitable for adult material experimentation
- No temperature or speed display
Best for: supervised or independent creative play for children age 6 and up.
The 3Doodler Start+ solves the most important problem in a child's 3D pen: heat. Its pen nozzle and plastic are designed to be touched without burn risk, and the product is intended for children age 6 and up. That changes the whole activity. An adult still needs to provide sensible supervision, but the pen is not built around the same exposed hot-tool experience as the SCRIB3D and MYNT3D models.
The kit is also unusually complete for guided play. It includes 72 mixed-color Start+ plastic strands, a USB-C cable, a DoodlePad or Doodlemat, and an activity guide. Ten new stencils give a child a path from tracing to making simple freestanding shapes. The slimmer pen is easier to hold than the earlier design, and the standby mode adds another safety-minded pause when drawing stops.
The limitation is the closed material system. Unlike SCRIB3D P1 Start Set, which accepts PLA and ABS within its stated temperature ranges, the Start+ uses 3Doodler Start plastic. That is a deliberate compromise for safety, not a flaw in the intended use. It also means this is better thought of as a creative learning tool than as a general-purpose pen for household fixes or detailed adult models.
At about 0.67 pounds and approximately 9.06 by 6.02 by 2.56 inches, the kit is easy enough to keep in a child's activity area, though the box takes more space than the pen itself. Choose it over 3Doodler Flow when safety and guided learning come first. Families seeking broad filament compatibility should choose another model, but for a young maker, this is the clearest fit.
5. MYNT3D Super: Best Simple Adult Pen
Pros
- Light 0.49-pound pen body
- Stepless speed slider
- Supports 1.75mm PLA and ABS
- Sealed nozzle is designed to resist clogs
Cons
- No display
- Only three starter colors
- Less precise temperature control than MYNT3D Professional
Best for: adults and older children who want direct controls and little setup.
The MYNT3D Super is the uncomplicated option in this group. It is slim, weighs about 0.49 pounds, and gives the user a stepless speed slider rather than a menu or display. That makes it easy to pick up and use for a quick outline, a repair, or a freehand shape without spending much time learning the interface.
It accepts 1.75mm PLA and ABS, and the box includes three colors of PLA, an AC adapter, and the pen itself. The sealed ultrasonic nozzle is designed for durability and resistance to clogs. Those details make the Super more versatile than a dedicated child-safe tool, while its relatively light body makes it less tiring than some of the larger display-equipped alternatives.
There is no screen to show temperature, so the user has to rely on the material setting and the feel of the extrusion. That is fine for ordinary PLA and ABS work, but it does not offer the exact feedback of MYNT3D Professional or the guided setup of SCRIB3D Advanced. The Super is about keeping the controls visible and the workflow short.
The main weakness is its modest starting kit. MYNT3D Super DesignPad Kit adds 10 PLA colors and drawing surfaces, while SCRIB3D P1 Color Bundle includes a far larger assortment of filament. Choose this standalone Super when you already have a project surface or want a light, simple pen. It is not the pick for detailed heat experiments.
6. SCRIB3D P1 Color Bundle: Best Refill Bundle
Pros
- Includes the P1 pen and a broad color assortment
- Stepless speed control suits beginners
- Ceramic nozzle and anti-clogging design
- Includes 3 starter colors plus an extra refill supply
Cons
- No display
- Bundle quantity may overwhelm a first-time user
- No cool-touch safety design
Best for: households and classrooms that want many colors ready for projects.
The SCRIB3D P1 Color Bundle is less about changing the pen and more about removing the next shopping trip from the creative process. It includes the P1, three starter colors totaling 30 feet, and an extra 328 feet of assorted filament. The listed bundle contains 23 items, with colors including blue, green, red, yellow, and others.
The underlying P1 has the same useful beginner controls as the standard set. Its stepless speed slider lets a user slow the flow for outlines or increase it for infill, and its manual explains loading, forward feed, and reverse retraction. The ceramic nozzle, premium motor, and anti-clogging design are practical features for a pen likely to be shared among several users.
This bundle is a better match for color-led projects than MYNT3D Super, whose basic kit starts with only three PLA colors. It also avoids the extra configuration of MYNT3D Professional and SCRIB3D Advanced. If a child is the main user, though, the 3Doodler Start+ remains the safer choice because it does not use the same heated-tool design.
The weakness is that the large refill supply does not add a display, more precise temperature adjustment, or a more advanced feed system. It is still the P1 experience, just with much more material available. For anyone planning decorations, gifts, models, or repeated group sessions, that is exactly the point. For a one-off experiment, the standard P1 is easier to justify.
7. 3Doodler Flow: Best Guided Kit
Pros
- Works with PLA, ABS, and wood filament
- LCD provides real-time temperature monitoring
- Includes eight colors and 80 feet of plastic
- Activity guide supports freehand and stencil work
Cons
- Larger body than the lightest pens
- Uses a proprietary 3Doodler ecosystem for some materials
- No stated stepless speed control in the product details
Best for: teens, adults, and creators who want a structured starting kit.
The 3Doodler Flow is built around making the first project feel manageable. Insert the filament, wait for the pen to heat, and begin drawing either freehand or over a stencil. The activity guide gives beginners something concrete to follow, while the pen remains capable enough for decorations, handmade gifts, and small household repairs.
Its integrated LCD monitors temperature in real time, and the pen supports 1.75mm PLA, ABS, and wood filament. That material compatibility sets it apart from the child-focused Start+ and gives it a broader creative path. The box includes eight colors totaling 80 feet, along with the activity guide and stencil resources.
The listed dimensions are approximately 10.74 by 4.44 by 3.1 inches. That is a sizable package, though the product is described as compact and lightweight for carrying between projects. SCRIB3D Advanced gives a more explicit set of eight speed options, while the Flow emphasizes material compatibility, guidance, and a ready-to-explore color selection.
The Flow's weak point is the lack of a clearly stated feed-control range in the supplied details. Users who care most about line speed should choose SCRIB3D Advanced or MYNT3D Super, both of which specify their speed controls. Users who want a supported creative activity with an LCD and several material paths should choose Flow. If you are comparing tools for projects that need more controlled 3D drawing, this is the more structured option.
8. SCRIB3D Advanced Color Bundle: Best Advanced Refill Set
Pros
- Advanced pen includes an LCD and eight speed settings
- Includes 348 feet of 1.75mm PLA
- Ceramic nozzle and anti-clogging design
- Project guide and stencil book support structured work
Cons
- Larger filament bundle than many beginners need
- No child-safe cool-touch construction
- LCD does not replace hands-on practice
Best for: experienced users who want the Advanced pen with a deep color supply.
The SCRIB3D Advanced Color Bundle takes the strongest pen in this roundup and surrounds it with a substantial working supply. The set includes the Advanced pen, 20 feet of starter filament, and an extra 328 feet in 20 colors, for 348 feet of 1.75mm PLA in total. That is useful when a project uses several colors or when a pen will be shared.
The pen itself keeps the features that make the regular Advanced appealing. Its LCD helps monitor heat, its variable speed control has eight settings, and the ergonomic soft-touch surface is designed for longer drawing sessions. Buttons handle loading, unloading, temperature, and speed, while the ceramic nozzle and anti-clogging design address the maintenance frustrations that can interrupt a project.
Compared with SCRIB3D P1 Color Bundle, this kit adds the Advanced interface and more deliberate speed control. Compared with MYNT3D Super DesignPad Kit, it gives up the dedicated drawing surfaces but offers much more filament and a more informative pen. The choice is therefore about how you work: screen and material range here, guided geometric tracing with MYNT3D.
The weakness is simple: the refill supply can be excessive for someone still deciding whether 3D pen drawing is a lasting hobby. The tool also remains a heated device, so it is not a substitute for the cool-touch 3Doodler Start+. Choose it for a serious maker, a shared creative station, or anyone who knows they will use multiple colors repeatedly.
9. SCRIB3D PLA Refills: Best Refill Assortment
Pros
- 20 colors for varied projects
- 320 to 328 feet of 1.75mm PLA
- Compatible with most 1.75mm 3D pens
- Vacuum-packed colors support storage
Cons
- Pen is not included
- Not compatible with 3Doodler Create+ pens
- PLA range is narrower than a PLA and ABS pen setup
Best for: existing 1.75mm pen owners who need color variety.
The SCRIB3D PLA Refills are the practical add-on for a household that already owns a compatible pen. The bundle includes 20 colors and a stated total of 320 feet in the title, while the feature details describe the total as 328 feet. Either way, the important distinction is clear: this is a large assortment intended to keep color changes from stopping a project.
The filament is 1.75mm PLA and uses a stated print temperature range of 160 to 210°C. The material is described as easy to mold, without oily residue or breakage, and each color is vacuum packed. Those characteristics matter less than the fit, so check the pen's filament specification before loading it.
Compatibility is broad but not universal. The refills work with 1.75mm pens, including SCRIB3D, PIKA3D, and MYNT3D models, but they are not compatible with 3Doodler Create+ pens. They also do not turn a PLA-only pen into an ABS-capable tool. For a deeper explanation of how material choice changes handling, the differences between common 3D pen plastics are worth understanding before opening the bags.
This is not a standalone pick, despite appearing in a roundup that includes complete pens. It has no pen, display, feed control, or drawing surface. Choose it when the hardware is already sorted and the next project needs more colors. If you need both tool and filament, SCRIB3D P1 Color Bundle or SCRIB3D Advanced Color Bundle is the more complete starting point.
10. MYNT3D Super DesignPad Kit: Best for Stencil Work
Pros
- Includes 10 PLA colors
- Double-sided silicone DesignPad has geometric channels
- FreePad supports tracing and adhesion
- Super pen includes adjustable temperature and stepless speed
Cons
- No display
- Drawing surfaces take up extra workspace
- Less precise than MYNT3D Professional
Best for: users who prefer tracing, geometric shapes, and repeatable layouts.
The MYNT3D Super DesignPad Kit is the most purpose-built option for people who do not want every project to be freehand. Its double-sided silicone DesignPad has channels for geometric shapes, while the transparent FreePad is formulated for adhesion and tracing. Those surfaces make it easier to repeat a pattern or build a clean outline before adding height.
The included Super pen has stepless speed control, adjustable temperature for ABS or PLA, and a replaceable sealed nozzle design. The refill selection includes 10 colors: blue, green, red, yellow, orange, pink, black, tan, brown, and gold. That is a more useful starting palette for decorative work than the three colors in the basic MYNT3D Super kit.
The bundle is more approachable than buying a pen and trying to invent a drawing surface from scratch. It is also more limited than SCRIB3D Advanced, which provides an LCD and eight speed options for more deliberate control. MYNT3D Professional is the better choice when temperature tuning matters, but this kit is the better choice when a physical guide matters more than exact numbers.
The weak point is workspace. The pads are useful, but they need a flat area and add another object to store. The pen itself remains a heated tool with no child-safe construction, so families with young children should look at 3Doodler Start+ instead. Choose this kit for geometric ornaments, traced designs, and learners who benefit from a visible path.
How to choose best 3d pen
The Best best 3d pen for you depends on who will use it, which filament it accepts, and how much control the projects demand.
Safety and user age
A heated 3D pen needs a clear safety plan. The 3Doodler Start+ is the unusual option here because its nozzle and plastic are designed to be touched without burn risk for children age 6 and up. SCRIB3D and MYNT3D heated pens are better suited to teens and adults, with supervision determined by the user's age and confidence.
Do not treat a child-friendly design as a sign that every other pen is interchangeable. The Start+ uses its own Start plastic, while the other models in this roundup generally work with PLA, ABS, or both.
Filament compatibility
PLA is the easiest place to begin because several pens in this list specify it as a starter material. ABS expands the material options but requires a higher temperature range on compatible models. The MYNT3D Super and Professional, SCRIB3D P1, and 3Doodler Flow all give users more than one material path.
Diameter matters too. The SCRIB3D refills are 1.75mm, and the Flow specifies compatibility with 1.75 plastic filament. Never assume a refill fits because it looks similar to the filament already in the box.
A large refill bundle is useful only when its diameter and material match the pen you already own.
Speed and temperature controls
A stepless speed slider is a strong beginner feature because it lets the hand settle into a comfortable flow. The SCRIB3D P1 and MYNT3D Super use this approach. SCRIB3D Advanced instead offers eight speed options, which makes the settings easier to repeat from one session to the next.
Temperature control becomes more important when switching between materials or trying to change how a line behaves. MYNT3D Professional has the most explicit system here, adjusting in 1-degree increments from 140 to 230°C and showing the temperature on its OLED display. SCRIB3D Advanced and 3Doodler Flow also provide display feedback, though their supplied details do not state the same adjustment granularity.
Guidance and work surfaces
Stencils, manuals, activity books, and mats can be more useful than another technical control during the first few sessions. The 3Doodler Start+ includes a DoodlePad or Doodlemat and 10 stencils. MYNT3D's DesignPad Kit is better for geometric channels and tracing, while SCRIB3D's kits include stencil or project guides.
If you are also planning larger plastic projects, how filament behaves in different maker workflows can help you decide whether a 3D pen is the right tool or whether you need a printer.
Refill supply and storage
Starter colors disappear quickly when a group is drawing. The basic pens include three colors, while the larger bundles provide 20 assorted colors or hundreds of feet of material. That makes the refill bundles practical for classrooms, families, and regular hobby use.
Storage matters because loose filament can become tangled or pick up dirt. Vacuum-packed SCRIB3D refill colors are easier to keep organized, but compatibility still comes first. A large bundle does not help if the pen uses a different plastic system or diameter.
Frequently asked questions
Are 3D pens safe for children?
The 3Doodler Start+ is specifically designed for children age 6 and up, with no hot parts and plastic that can be touched during use. The SCRIB3D and MYNT3D pens use heated plastic and require more careful handling. Choose based on the child's age, supervision, and ability to follow tool instructions.
What filament size do these 3D pens use?
The SCRIB3D refill pack uses 1.75mm PLA, and the 3Doodler Flow specifies compatibility with 1.75 plastic filament. The MYNT3D Super title also identifies 1.75mm compatibility. Always confirm the pen's stated material and diameter before buying refills.
Can these pens use both PLA and ABS?
Several can. The SCRIB3D P1 lists PLA from 160 to 210°C and ABS from 210 to 235°C, while MYNT3D Super supports PLA and ABS. The MYNT3D Professional also supports both, with temperature adjustment from 140 to 230°C. The 3Doodler Start+ uses 3Doodler Start plastic rather than this general-purpose setup.
Is an LCD or OLED display necessary?
No. A display helps users monitor temperature and repeat settings, especially on the MYNT3D Professional, SCRIB3D Advanced, and 3Doodler Flow. A beginner may find a stepless slider and simple buttons easier to understand than a display.
Which 3D pen includes the most filament?
The SCRIB3D Advanced Color Bundle lists 348 feet of 1.75mm PLA, while the SCRIB3D P1 Color Bundle includes 30 feet of starter material plus an extra 328 feet of assorted filament. The SCRIB3D PLA Refills are a separate refill pack rather than a complete pen kit.
Do 3D pens work for tracing and stencils?
Yes, but the experience varies by kit. The MYNT3D Super DesignPad Kit includes geometric channels and a transparent FreePad for tracing. The SCRIB3D and 3Doodler kits include stencil or activity guides that provide a more structured starting point.
The bottom line
The Best best 3d pen for most teens, adults, and creative projects is SCRIB3D Advanced. Its LCD, eight speed settings, comfortable body, and useful starter supply give it more room to grow than the simpler SCRIB3D P1 or MYNT3D Super. 3Doodler Start+ is the better choice when the user is a child and cool-touch safety matters more than broad filament compatibility.
Choose MYNT3D Professional when exact temperature adjustment is the main requirement, or MYNT3D Super DesignPad Kit when guided geometric and tracing work sounds more appealing than freehand experimentation. For an undecided buyer, start with SCRIB3D Advanced unless the pen is specifically for a young child.
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