3D printing market in the second quarter of 2025: entry-level devices on the rise, industrial equipment still under pressure

The global market for 3D printers continues to show a clearly divided picture in the second quarter of 2025. According to a recent analysis by market research company CONTEXT, demand for affordable entry-level devices is growing strongly, while sales in the industrial and professional sectors continue to stagnate. High interest rates, inflation, and cautious investment are weighing particularly heavily on the high-priced market segments.

According to CONTEXT analyst Chris Connery, the trend of differing market developments is continuing. While consumers are increasingly turning to affordable devices, manufacturers of industrial equipment are struggling with consolidation and a decline in willingness to invest. Overall, global sales of 3D printing hardware remained stable year-on-year. A 21 percent increase in the entry-level device segment—largely driven by high sales figures from manufacturers such as Bambu Lab—was unable to offset declines in other categories. Sales of professional systems fell by 29 percent, while sales in the mid-range and industrial price segments fell by 11 and 14 percent, respectively.

The downturn is particularly evident in industrial equipment. Company takeovers and bankruptcies, such as at Desktop Metal, led to further slumps. The merger of Nano Dimension, Markforged, and Desktop Metal also had no positive effect. Nevertheless, some manufacturers were able to hold their own: HP recorded strong growth thanks to targeted upgrade strategies, and Stratasys also reported rising shipments. In the metal powder bed fusion (PBF) process, Eplus3D took the lead in terms of unit sales, while EOS and Nikon remained the leaders in terms of revenue despite declining unit sales.

In the mid-price segment, delivery figures declined, particularly among Western manufacturers such as 3D Systems and Stratasys. Chinese suppliers such as UnionTech, on the other hand, benefited from strong domestic demand. Demand for professional FDM printers slumped as many users switched to powerful, low-cost entry-level models. Only Formlabs’ resin printers maintained their position.

The consumer segment remains the clear growth driver. Bambu Lab and Snapmaker achieved high sales figures, while Creality is undergoing restructuring in the wake of its planned IPO. CONTEXT expects pressure in the industrial segment to ease in 2026 at the earliest – provided that falling interest rates stimulate investment again.