Skip to main content

MakerBot pulls out the big (and small) guns with three new Replicator 3D printers

MakerBot further solidified its place as the leader in consumer 3D printing during its big CES 2014 press conference on Monday afternoon in Las Vegas with the debut of three new Replicator 3D printers, apps, and more. “We innovate so that others can innovate,” said Bre Prettis, co-founder and CEO of MakerBot, which has been showing off its additive printing technology at CES for the past five years. This year, however, the company appears to have earned its place in the spotlight. Here are all the big new offerings from MakerBot in 2014.

MakerBot Replicator Mini

 Replicator-Mini

Recommended Videos

The first new machine unveiled today was the Makerbot Replicator Mini, a compact, consumer-level printer designed for maximum ease of use. In terms of size, it’s roughly the same as the company’s original Cupcake printer, but much more powerful and far more user-friendly. MakerBot designed the machine so that it can quite literally be operated with just a single button. “If I was announcing cameras today,” Pettis noted, “this would be the point-and-shoot.” 

In developing the Mini to be the smallest, most simple-to-use printer on the market, MakerBot redesigned the extruder head and made what it calls the “Smart Extruder.” Unlike earlier extruders, this one connects/disconnects via magnets, and – since Mini is also Wi-Fi enabled – will send you an alert to your MakerBot smartphone or desktop app (see below) when you’re running low on PLA filament.

MakerBot Mini will sell for $1,375 when it starts shipping in spring of this year.

MakerBot Repilicator (2014)

IMG_9595
Image used with permission by copyright holder

The second new printer unveiled during the presentation was the new and improved MakerBot Replicator. It prints the same size and dimensions as the Replicator 2, but packs more powerful, more intuitive features. 

First and foremost, the new replicator is equipped with the same Smart Extruder and Wi-Fi connectivity as the mini, meaning it’s super simple to work with and maintain. Second of all, this one sports a 3.5-inch LCD display and a selector wheel that vastly improves usability. You can literally just scroll around until you land on the function you want.

New Replicator is available today for $2,899. It starts shipping in a couple weeks. 

MakerBot Z18

Replicator-Z18
Image used with permission by copyright holder

In addition to the pint-sized Mini and the new-and-improved standard sized Replicator, Pettis also pulled the curtain back on the Z18 – MakerBot’s hulking behemoth designed for industrial applications. This one can print things up to 12x12x18 inches. 

As with the previous two models, the z18 also comes equipped with a Smart Extruder, LCD control panel, and Wi-Fi connectivity, so that it can easily interface with MakerBot’s swath of new apps.

This big, bad box will start shipping in the spring of 2014, and will go for a cool $6,499.

MakerBot desktop and mobile apps

IMG_9584
Image used with permission by copyright holder

The MakerBot desktop app is more than just MakerWare with a new finish. In addition to the MakerWare functionality (which, as Replicator users know, parses 3D models into a printable format), the MakerBot desktop app also includes full access to the Thingiverse archives of more than 218,000 3D designs, allowing you to easily download pre-made 3D models.

Another welcome feature is the MakerBot Cloud Library. As the name suggest, this allows you to store your 3D models in the cloud, so you can access them from any computer anywhere in the world.

Finally, the desktop app gives you direct access to your MakerBot 3D printer, delivering useful information, like how long your projects have been printing, and how much time is left in the process.

On top of the desktop app is a mobile app that allows you to receive alerts when your Replicator runs out of printing filament, and when your project is done printing.

Both the desktop and mobile versions are free. The mobile app will be available for iOS devices in spring 2014, while the Android version will launch sometime later this year.

MakerBot Printshop and Digital Store

IMG_9588
Image used with permission by copyright holder

For MakerBot users who are looking for fun 3D-printed projects that are relatively easy to design, MakerBot has created the Printshop, which includes a number of new features. The Type Maker, for example, lets you type in anything and then print it out in 3D. (Pettis used movie quotes as an example, but we can imagine a variety of hilarious uses for this feature.) Next up is the Bracelet Maker – which, of course, makes 3D printing custom bracelets a breeze, according to Pettis.

Last in the MakerBot lineup is Digital Store, an online shop where you can buy pre-designed 3D models. So far, it seems as though this is mostly geared toward the kids in your life, with a variety of different 3D-printed “action figures” – townsfolk, dump trucks, airplanes, spaceships, animals, etc – that you can download and print with your new Replicator, Replicator Mini, or Replicator 2 3D printer.

Digital Store figures start at $0.99 for individual pieces, and $9.99 for a full set. Customers can start downloading plans for those now from here.

Drew Prindle contributed to this report.

Andrew Couts
Former Digital Trends Contributor
Features Editor for Digital Trends, Andrew Couts covers a wide swath of consumer technology topics, with particular focus on…
Buick, Audi, and Nissan score top marks in latest IIHS safety ratings
2025 Audi Q6 e-tron front quarter view.

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) has added four more vehicles to its coveted 2025 Top Safety Pick and Top Safety Pick+ lists. If you appreciate knowing your vehicle is built with safety in mind, this update is worth noting.

Among the standout performers: the Audi Q6 e-tron, Buick Enclave, and Nissan Armada—each earning the institute’s highest honor, the Top Safety Pick+ award. The GMC Acadia also made the grade, picking up a Top Safety Pick award. For Buick and GMC, these honors mark a significant return to form, as neither brand had received IIHS awards in several years. In fact, it’s the first time since 2013 that the Enclave has been recognized.
So, how does IIHS hand out these awards? Picture a battery of tests that simulate real-world crashes—everything from small overlap front impacts to updated side crashes. To make the list, vehicles must ace (i.e., earn a “good” rating in) key crashworthiness tests, show competence in pedestrian crash prevention, and offer headlights that don’t blind oncoming drivers. For the higher-tier Top Safety Pick+, there's an extra hurdle: a “good” rating in the updated moderate front overlap test, which now factors in rear-seat passenger protection.
Improvements to the Enclave and Acadia’s headlights, introduced after January 2025, helped push them over the finish line. Unfortunately, not all models in this testing round were so lucky. The Cadillac Lyriq, Audi Q6 Sportback e-tron, Kia K4, and several Nissan models—including the Kicks, Rogue, and Sentra—fell short. Common issues? Poor headlight performance or incomplete testing.
The IIHS notes that these evaluations are ongoing. Not every vehicle released for 2025 has been fully assessed, and late-year updates can still improve a model’s score. For the full list of safety awards, you can check out the IIHS website.

Read more
New Garmin Instinct 3 Tactical is the wild watch that was worth the wait
Garmin Instinct 3 Tactical

If you want a watch that will still be going even after your puny human body is done and dusted, then the Garmin Instinct 3 Tactical is the watch to outlast you.

Garmin has just unveiled the latest in its Tactical line-up of Instinct wearables as its toughest and most feature rich yet.

Read more
Slate Unveils $20K Electric Truck That Transforms Into an SUV
slate 20k ev blank  roller 1 web

Slate Automotive, a new American EV startup, has just unveiled its first vehicle: a radically minimalist electric truck that can convert into a five-seat SUV. Dubbed the “Blank Slate,” the EV made its debut this week, instantly turning heads not just for its versatility but for its incredibly low price—starting under $20,000 after federal tax incentives.

Unlike Tesla and Lucid, which launched with high-priced luxury models, Slate wants to flip the model: start cheap, scale up.
At its core, the Slate Truck is a utilitarian, two-seat electric pickup designed for simplicity and affordability. But what sets it apart is its transformative potential. Thanks to a modular accessory system, the truck can be upgraded over time—including a kit that adds a rear seat, roll cage, airbags, and SUV body panels. This means buyers can start with a minimalist pickup and evolve it into a family-friendly SUV—either themselves or through Slate’s growing network of service partners.
Customization is central to Slate’s vision. Owners will be able to choose from over 100 accessories at launch, ranging from vinyl wraps and Bluetooth-ready audio systems to larger battery packs and off-road upgrades. The company encourages a DIY approach, offering tools and tutorials through “Slate University” to empower users to modify and maintain their own vehicles.
Powering the truck is a 52.7-kWh battery for up to 150 miles of range, or an optional 84.3-kWh pack targeting 240 miles. Fast-charging capabilities and Tesla’s NACS port come standard. The vehicle is rear-wheel-drive and delivers around 200 horsepower—enough for urban commuting and light-duty hauling.
What enables the low price is Slate’s stripped-down approach to manufacturing. There’s no paint shop, no stamping, and only one trim level—everything else is modular. The vehicle features steel wheels, crank windows, and a rugged plastic body designed to take a beating and still look good. It’s a rejection of the tech-saturated, high-cost vehicles dominating today’s market.
Despite the minimalist specs, Slate isn’t skimping on safety. The truck is engineered to meet top crash test ratings and comes equipped with up to eight airbags, active emergency braking, and forward collision warning.
Backing this ambitious approach is significant investor support—including Amazon founder and CEO Jeff Bezos. That backing, combined with a simplified production model, positions Slate to scale quickly once production begins in 2026.
Reservations are now open for $50 at slate.auto, with deliveries expected in late 2026. Whether Americans are ready for a stripped-down, shape-shifting EV remains to be seen, but Slate’s bet on affordability and customization could make it one of the most disruptive entries in the EV market to date.

Read more