The best 3D pen for most people is the MYNT3D Super, and this page compares seven picks: four pens, two refill packs and a stencil book. A 3D pen extrudes plastic filament as you draw, so the pen, the filament it takes and who will use it decide the choice.
Every rating and count below comes from the Amazon Australia listing, and each pick says what the listing does and does not tell you, including which pens suit children.
Best 3D pen overall: MYNT3D Super
Best 3D pen overall: the MYNT3D Super, because it takes 1.75 mm ABS and PLA filament and has a stepless speed slider to control flow.
The listing describes a pen that turns ordinary drawings into 3D works of art, with a stepless speed slider to regulate the flow of material and an ultrasonic sealed nozzle it calls nearly clog proof. The listing's detail table gives the connector type as USB and says batteries are not required. The pen weighs 220 g at about 10.1 by 21.1 by 5.9 cm. It holds 4.3 stars from 21,396 ratings, the most of any pen here.
It suits teens and adults, and owners of compatible 1.75 mm ABS or PLA filament, because the listing calls it great for artists and engineers of all ages. The honest catch: the listing gives no kit contents and no age guidance beyond all ages, so check the filament you already own or buy some with it.
Best for kids aged 6 and up: 3Doodler Start Essentials
Best for kids aged 6 and up: the 3Doodler Start Essentials, because the listing says it has no hot parts and the nozzle and plastic can be touched with no burn risks.
The listing describes a kit for children aged 6 and up that uses only 3Doodler Start plastic filaments, a child friendly PCL plastic made in the USA. Each box includes the 3Doodler Start 3D pen, a DoodlePad, a Doodlemat, two mixed colour packs of Start plastics (48 strands), a Micro USB charger and an activity guide. The listing points to the official 3Doodler website for more plastics and downloadable stencils and templates. It holds 4.3 stars from 11,324 ratings.
It suits a child starting out who wants everything in one box. The honest catch: it uses only 3Doodler Start plastic, so refills must be the Start type.
Best for teens and adults: 3Doodler Flow
Best for teens and adults: the 3Doodler Flow, because it takes PLA, ABS and wood filament and has an integrated LCD for real time temperature monitoring.
The listing title names it a 3D printing pen for teens, adults and creators, and the listing describes compatibility with 1.75 plastic filaments such as PLA, ABS and wood. It says to plug it in, insert the plastic, wait for the pen to heat up and start creating. The box holds eight colours of plastic spools (about 24 m in total) and an activity guide book, and the title adds free refill filaments, a stencil book and a getting started guide. The pen weighs 449 g. It holds 4.1 stars from 521 ratings.
It suits older kids and adults who want a pen with a temperature readout. The honest catch: it is one of the dearer pens here and is rated 4.1, below the 4.3 of the MYNT3D Super and the 3Doodler Start Essentials, and the count of 521 may be shared across variants.
Best for little kids: 3Doodler Build and Play
Best for little kids: the 3Doodler Build and Play, because the listing designs it for ages 4 and up and you just insert the plastic strand and turn the handle.
The listing describes a pre k toy where you insert the plastic strand, turn the handle and let the material extrude into a mould. The extras it lists are free moulds for characters, animals, weather and accessories, plus an included storybook and extra backdrops to download. The listing says it uses low heat and BPA free plastic. Its detail table says batteries are required but not included. It holds 3.9 stars from 130 ratings.
It suits children too young for the Start pen. The honest catch: it is a handle turning toy rather than a freehand pen, and 3.9 stars from 130 ratings is the lowest score and the thinnest count of the four pens here.
Best refill filament: fuentai PLA Filament Refills
Best refill filament: the fuentai PLA Filament Refills, because the pack holds 20 colours of 1.75 mm filament at 5 metres a strand.
The listing describes 20 strands of 3D pen refills in 20 different colours, each strand 5 metres long. The colours are picked at random from a pool of 40, so the mix can change between batches. The listing title gives the size as 1.75 mm and the material as PLA. It holds 4.5 stars from 520 ratings.
It suits owners of a pen whose listing says it takes 1.75 mm PLA, such as the MYNT3D Super. The honest catch: you cannot choose the colours, it is 1.75 mm PLA so it does not fit the 3Doodler Start pens, and the listing says it is suitable for children aged 14 and above.
Best low heat refills for the Start pen: Kretrum Start Pen Refills
Best low heat refills for the Start pen: the Kretrum Start Pen Refills, because they are low print temperature 2.5 mm PCL strands in 32 colours made for the 3Doodler Start pen.
The listing describes 32 mixed colours, with some that glow in the dark after absorbing light. Each strand is about 15 cm long, with five strands per colour and 160 in total. The listing says the pack has a resealable opening for the leftover filament. It holds 4.6 stars from 1,465 ratings, the highest rating of any pick here.
It suits a family that already owns a 3Doodler Start pen and wants more colours. The honest catch: the listing says these refills are only for the 3Doodler Start pen, work on the Start+ too, and cannot be used on other 3D pens.
Best stencil book for beginners: Dayker 3D Pen Drawing Book
Best stencil book for beginners: the Dayker 3D Pen Drawing Book, because it has 40 original designs on thickened paper with a reusable clear plate.
The listing describes 40 original designs, including architecture and animals, and says you trace each pattern 1:1 on a transparent plate, then remove and assemble the cooled parts. The pack holds a pink drawing book, a reusable heat resistant clear plate and two anti scald finger covers. It holds 4.5 stars from 252 ratings.
It suits a beginner who wants shapes to follow instead of a blank page. The honest catch: the listing says the 3D printing pen and filaments are not included, so it only helps if you already own a pen.
How to choose a 3D pen
Start with who will use it
The listings give different ages. The Build and Play says ages 4 and up, the Start Essentials says ages 6 and up, the Flow names teens and adults, and the MYNT3D Super says all ages without a guide. Age is the biggest difference between these pens, so decide it before anything else.
Check the filament the pen takes
Filament is not interchangeable. The MYNT3D Super is listed for 1.75 mm ABS and PLA, and the Flow for 1.75 plastic filaments such as PLA, ABS and wood. The Start pens use their own Start plastic, a 2.5 mm PCL strand in the Kretrum listing. Match the refill to the pen listing before you buy.
Heated pen or low heat toy
The MYNT3D Super and Flow work with heated plastic, and the Flow listing says to wait for the pen to heat up. The Start Essentials listing says it has no hot parts, and the Build and Play listing says it uses low heat. If you only want a hot tool for joining, our hot glue gun guide is the better place to look.
What you want to make
Freehand drawing needs practice, so many beginners trace stencils. The Dayker book has 40 designs, the Start Essentials lists downloadable stencils and the Flow lists a stencil book in its title. For colouring finished pieces, see our paint pens guide.
Power, weight and size
The MYNT3D Super and Flow list a USB connector with no batteries required, and the Start Essentials includes a Micro USB charger. The Build and Play detail table says batteries are required and not included. The MYNT3D Super weighs 220 g and the Flow 449 g. Check the listing for what plugs in before you buy.
Ratings and rating counts
The MYNT3D Super and Start Essentials both hold 4.3 stars, from 21,396 and 11,324 ratings. The Flow has 4.1 from 521 and the Build and Play 3.9 from 130, so judge those two on a smaller sample.
Refills are the running cost
Every drawing uses filament. A pack such as the fuentai 20 colour set or the Kretrum Start refills gives you more colours without buying another pen, so add one to a gift.
Frequently asked questions
What is a good 3D pen?
For most people the MYNT3D Super is a good 3D pen: the listing describes 1.75 mm ABS and PLA filament, a stepless speed slider and a nozzle it calls nearly clog proof, and it holds 4.3 stars from 21,396 ratings. For children, the 3Doodler Start Essentials is the better fit.
Is a 3D pen the same as a 3D printer?
Not quite. A 3D printer builds an object from a digital file, while a 3D pen extrudes plastic filament as you draw by hand, freehand or around a stencil. The 3Doodler Flow listing describes drawing 3D structures with heated plastic that hardens almost instantly, with no complicated software.
Are 3D art pens real?
Yes. They are handheld pens that extrude plastic filament so you can draw in three dimensions, and the pens on this page are real examples. The MYNT3D Super listing says it turns ordinary drawings into 3D works of art, and the 3Doodler Flow has an LCD that shows temperature.
What can I make with a 3D pen?
You can draw 3D shapes freehand or trace stencils, then assemble the cooled parts. The Dayker drawing book has 40 designs including architecture and animals, and the 3Doodler Flow listing mentions handmade gifts and decorations. The 3Doodler Build and Play includes free moulds for characters, animals, weather and accessories.
How do I get started with a 3D pen?
Start with a pen that suits your age, a stencil to trace and a pack of matching filament. For a child, the 3Doodler Start Essentials box includes the pen, a DoodlePad, a Doodlemat, 48 strands of plastic and an activity guide. Adults can pair the MYNT3D Super with the Dayker book.
What is a good 3D pen for kids?
The 3Doodler Start Essentials is our pick for kids aged 6 and up: the listing says it has no hot parts and the nozzle and plastic can be touched with no burn risks. For ages 4 and up, the listing describes the 3Doodler Build and Play, where you insert the plastic strand and turn a handle.
What filament does a 3D pen use?
It depends on the pen. The MYNT3D Super listing gives 1.75 mm ABS and PLA, and the 3Doodler Flow listing names 1.75 plastic filaments such as PLA, ABS and wood. The 3Doodler Start pens take their own Start plastic, and the Kretrum 2.5 mm PCL refills fit those pens only.
Where can I buy a 3D pen in Australia?
Every pen on this page is linked on Amazon Australia, where you can compare ratings and counts side by side. The MYNT3D Super has the most ratings, 21,396, and the 3Doodler Build and Play has the fewest of the pens, 130. Check the filament type on the listing before you add refills.
How do you draw on paper with a 3D pen?
Mostly you draw over a stencil. The Dayker book has 40 designs on thickened paper, and the listing says you trace each pattern 1:1 on a transparent plate, then remove and assemble the cooled parts. The pen and filament are not included, so pair it with a pen such as the MYNT3D Super.
