Sublimation printing is widely used all over the world to print on t-shirts, mugs, baseball caps, etc. If you like to gift your loved ones with specially designed t-shirts, mouse pads, etc. then you should consider investing in a good sublimation printer. In fact, to help you navigate the murky waters of online shopping, we have come up with a guide to buying the best affordable sublimation printer. We have included product reviews, a buying guide, and FAQs to help you find the best product that suits your unique needs.
Top Pick
VIVOHOME 8-in-1 Combo
- 12” x 15” Teflon heating plate
- Temp. range of 32℉ to 480℉
- Timer range of 0-999 seconds
- Dual LED display with controller
- 360°-rotation & pressure for even heat transfer
List Of Best Affordable Sublimation Printer
- VIVOHOME 8-in-1 Combo Multifunctional Swing-away Sublimation Printer
- VIVOHOME Upgraded 8-in-1 Clamshell Heat Transfer Printer
- Dollate Heat Press and Digital Sublimation Printer
- SURPCOS 5-in-1 Heat Press T-Shirt Printer
- CO-Z 5-in-1 Heat Press Sublimation Printer
- Weanas Heat Press Swing-Away Sublimation Printer
- VEVOR 6-in-1 Multifunction Heat Transfer Printer
- CriCut EasyPress 2 Mint Heat Press Printer
- PowerPress Portable Mini Heat Press Machine
- F2C Pro Heat Press & Digital Sublimation Printer
The Best Affordable Sublimation Printer for 2022 Review: Key Features, Pros, and Cons
Here are 10 of the best sublimation/heat transfer printers that you can find on the internet today. If you want more detailed information about the individual models, scroll down below to find our product reviews and detailed pros & cons. These will help you to understand what you need to look out for if you want the best sublimation printer.
| IMAGE | NAME & Details | DETAILS | |
|---|---|---|---|
| VIVOHOME 8-in-1 Combo Multifunctional Swing Away Sublimation Printer |
| Check The Price |
| VIVOHOME Upgraded 8-in-1 Clamshell Heat Transfer Sublimation Printer |
| Check The Price |
| Dollate 12” x 10” Digital Heat Press and Sublimation Printer |
| Check The Price |
| SURPCOS 12” x 15” 5-in-1 Heat Transfer T-Shirt Printer |
| Check The Price |
| CO-Z 15” x 15” 5-in-1 Heat Press and Sublimation Printer |
| Check The Price |
| Weanas 12” x 15” Heat Press and Sublimation Printer |
| Check The Price |
| VEVOR 6-in-1 Multifunction Swing-Away Heat Transfer Sublimation Printer |
| Check The Price |
| CriCut EasyPress 2 Mint Heat Press Transfer Sublimation Printer |
| Check The Price |
| PowerPress Portable Mini Heat Press Machine & Sublimation Printer |
| Check The Price |
| F2C Pro Heat Press Machine and Sublimation Printer |
| Check The Price |
1. VIVOHOME 8-in-1 Combo Multifunctional Swing-away Sublimation Printer
Highlighted features
- 12” x 15” Teflon heating plate
- Temp. range of 32℉ to 480℉
- Timer range of 0-999 seconds
- Dual LED display with controller
- 360°-rotation & pressure for even heat transfer
The Vivohome 8-in-1 model is the best affordable sublimation printer that you can buy online. It has a ton of amazing features. Firstly, it’s a versatile machine that can work with t-shirts, mugs, ceramics, baseball caps, mouse pads, and more. Next, it has temp. range of 32℉ to 480℉, as well as a timer range of 0-999 seconds. The 360° swing-away design produces the best results every single time.
Pros
- The swing-away design and pressure controllers ensure even heat transfer.
- This printer has a powerful temperature range of 32°F to 480°F.
- The 12” x 15” working area is perfect for all kinds of projects.
- Dual integrated LED displays are easy-to-use.
Cons
- The smell of the heat press isn’t very pleasant.
2. VIVOHOME Upgraded 8-in-1 Clamshell Heat Transfer Printer
Highlighted features
- 12” x 15” Teflon heating plate
- Temp. range of 32℉ to 410℉
- Timer range of 0-999 seconds
- Double heating tube for better design
- Handrail design for no scalding
The upgraded heat press sublimation printer is one of the best products that you can buy. This is a 360° swing-away heat press printer that can be used to print on t-shirts, mugs, and more. It has a handrail anti-scalding design and a large heating area of 15” x 12”. This upgraded printer has a double heating tube which imparts the designs onto the surface with better accuracy and quality.
Pros
- It has a double heating tube for better design accuracy.
- It has a versatile automatic timer range between 0 to 999 seconds.
- VIVOHOME’s 360° swing-away design is perfect for versatile projects.
- The heating plate is large and coated with Teflon.
Cons
- This printer can be difficult to set up.
3. Dollate Heat Press and Digital Sublimation Printer
Highlighted features
- 12” x 10” silicon & thermal cotton plate
- Temp. range of 32℉ to 482℉
- Timer range of 0-999 seconds
- LCD timer and temp. control box
- 360° swing-away printer design
If you’re looking for the best affordable sublimation printer, then the Dollate heat press is one of the best products. This is a versatile machine that can be used to work with all kinds of products. It is very easy to use, and has a great temp. range of 32°F to 480°F. The 360° swing-away design of the printer is made more user-friendly with height adjustments and a rubber handle.
Pros
- Dollate heat press has a temp. range of 32°F to 480°F.
- The LCD control box is simple and easy to use.
- The 360° swing-away design is great for versatile projects.
- It has a very thoughtful and user-friendly design.
Cons
- The user manual for this machine is not very informative.
4. SURPCOS 5-in-1 Heat Press T-Shirt Printer
Highlighted features
- 12” x 15” Teflon coated heating pad
- Temp. range of 32℉ to 450℉
- Timer range of 0-999 seconds
- Multi-spring balancer and pressure knob
- LED temp. & timer control box
We were looking for a sublimation printer best suited for t-shirts and we came across the SURPCOS 5-in-1. This amazing device is chock-full of features such as a large teflon coated heating area, silicon anti-skid pads, included safety features, etc. It has a pretty good temp. range of 32℉ to 480℉ as well. The pressure knobs and multi-spring balancer make sure that the heat is applied evenly to the t-shirt.
Pros
- SURPCOS heat press has a temp. range of 32°F to 450°F.
- The teflon heating area comes with silicone anti-skid pads as well.
- The pressure and balance of the printer can be adjusted easily.
- It is very easy to control and use.
Cons
- The 360° swing-away function is somewhat unpredictable.
5. CO-Z 5-in-1 Heat Press Sublimation Printer
Highlighted features
- 15” x 15” Teflon coated heating pad
- Temp. range of 32℉ to 500℉
- Timer range of 0-999 seconds
- Dual LED display with anti-skid handle
- Works with 5 elements
This CO-Z heat press printer is a versatile machine that has the largest and best printing area. It has a 15” x 15” Teflon coated metal heating pad with single tube heating elements. It also has a very impressive temp. range of 32°F to 500°F. The design of the printer also includes a spring press plate, which ensures that the heat and pressure are evenly distributed on the 5 products.
Pros
- This has an amazing temp. range of 32°F to 500°F.
- It has an ergonomic and comfortable anti-skid yellow handle.
- CO-Z has an amazing heating/printing area that’s 225 sq. inches.
- The spring press plate evenly distributes the heat and pressure on the products.
Cons
- The construction is somewhat flimsy.
6. Weanas Heat Press Swing-Away Sublimation Printer
Highlighted features
- 12” x 15” Teflon heating plate
- Temp. range of 32℉ to 500℉
- Timer range of 0-999 seconds
- Comes with mug and plate presses
- LED dial with pressure control
The Weanas sublimation printer is one of the best starter models that you can find right now. We like it for its impressive temperature range of 32°F to 500°F. It’s a 360° swing-away device that can work with 5 different kinds of media. The printer comes with mugs and plate presses that you can use right out of the box. It is equipped with a LED dial for simplified control.
Pros
- It has a great timer range of 0-999 seconds.
- The Weanas has a versatile temperature range of 32°F to 500°F.
- It comes with 5 different kinds of heat presses for versatility.
- The 360° swing-away provides the most effective heat transfer.
Cons
- The pressure knob is tight and rather volatile.
7. VEVOR 6-in-1 Multifunction Heat Transfer Printer
Highlighted features
- 15” x 15” Teflon heating plate
- Temp. range of 200℉ to 450℉
- Timer range of 0-999 seconds
- Composite base with height adjustment
- Comes with good quality insulation materials
This is the best affordable sublimation printer for pro designers who want to quickly whip up some merch with their designs. It has some fantastic user-friendly design elements – such as the composite base height adjuster and the portable ergonomic rubber handle. This is a very efficient heat press sublimation printer with a temp. range of 200°F and 450°F. It also has a timer that can go up to 999 seconds.
Pros
- The VEVOR comes with 4 mm aluminium silicate insulator pads.
- This printer has a temperature range of 200°F to 500°F.
- The base of the printer is stable and durable.
- It has a digital LED controller which makes operation simple.
Cons
- The provided insulation pads tend to slip a lot.
8. CriCut EasyPress 2 Mint Heat Press Printer
Highlighted features
- 9” x 9” ceramic heating plate
- Temp. range of 32℉ to 400℉
- Heats up in 2 minutes
- Best for t-shirts, pillows, bags, etc.
- Has an auto shut-off feature
We immediately fell in love with this heat press printer, which has the best design that we have ever seen. First of all, this 9×9 heat press has an impressive temp. range of 32°F to 400°F. Next, the EasyPress 2 has a ceramic heating plate that heats up in 2 minutes. This cute little heat press printer is best for vinyl printing and can be used with lots of materials.
Pros
- CriCut EasyPress 2 heats up in under 2 minutes.
- This printer has a temperature range of 32°F to 400°F.
- It can easily be carried around and used very safely.
- This is the best choice for DIY designers and gift-givers.
Cons
- The EasyPress’ included instruction booklet is not very informational.
9. PowerPress Portable Mini Heat Press Machine
Highlighted features
- 1.9” x 3.3” Teflon heating plate
- 3 discrete temp. settings
- Works with all kinds of media
- Ergonomic handle with thermal protection
- Comes with a safety base
If you want something inexpensive and cute for any DIY projects, then the PowerPress mini is the best affordable sublimation printer. Despite the tiny Teflon heating plate, this is a powerful machine that can work with all kinds of media. It has stunning safety features such as a thermal protected body and handle, a safety base, an auto shut-off, and a fuse. This is the best portable sublimation printer available.
Pros
- The PowerPress Mini works with all kinds of materials.
- This printer has a temperature range of 32°F to 400°F.
- The safety base and thermally protected body are very safe.
- It will shut down after 15 minutes of inactivity.
Cons
- The 1.9” x 3.3” isn’t enough for everybody.
10. F2C Pro Heat Press & Digital Sublimation Printer
Highlighted features
- 12” x 15” Teflon aluminium heating plate
- Temp. range of 32℉ to 500℉
- Timer range of 0-999 seconds
- Structural support for best print quality
- LED dial and controller
The F2C sublimation printer is the best quality essential heat transfer device you can find. It has an impressive temp. range of 32°F to 480°F, which will let you work with all kinds of media. It also has an automatic timer with a full range of 0-999 seconds. It comes with a ton of safety features to make your experience fun. The Teflon-coated heating area is great for large designs.
Pros
- This printer has built-in structural support to ensure the best print quality.
- It has a ton of safety features built into the system.
- The LED dial comes with temp. and timer control as well.
- It has a great temp. range as well.
Cons
- The manual is difficult to read.
Buying Guide
Here are some of the pointers that you need to keep in mind while you’re shopping for the best affordable sublimation printer. We have prepared a thorough buying guide to help you pick the best available products in the market.
Heating Pad Size and Material
First off, you need to think about the material and size of the heating area. Most heating areas are made of Teflon coated material, which are non-stick and easy to clean. Brands like CO-Z and VEVOR have pretty large (15” x 15”) areas as well.
Temp. Range and Timer Settings
The best printers have a large temp. range, that starts at 32°F and goes all the way until 400°F or 500°F. In fact, the Vivohome 8-in-1 models have a dynamic temp. setting that allows users to choose the temp. that works best for their needs.
Design of the Printer
When working with sublimation printers, it’s a good idea to go with the device with the best design features. For example, the CriCut EasyPress 2 and the upgraded VIVOHOME 8-in-1 have designs that are unique & user-friendly.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: How long does sublimation ink last?
Good quality sublimation ink has a minimum lifetime of 10 years. Source your inks from a good company, and your designs will stay fresh and new for at least a decade and maybe more!
Q: Is a sublimation printer worth it?
Yes, a sublimation printer is 100% worth the expense. It is one of the fastest and most effective ways to print designs on t-shirts, mouse pads, shoes, hats, etc.
Conclusion
This has been a complete and enumerative guide that will help you to track down and purchase the best affordable sublimation printer for your needs. Use our product recommendations, reviews, and buying guide to make an informed and fantastic choice!
