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3DP Talks | Xiaomi's Short-Lived 3D Printer Experiment

October 11, 2025 Services 3D Printing Leo 1244

Contact: 3D Printing Leo
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Have you ever thought about how a highly anticipated new tech product could come and go like a fleeting gust of wind?

Recently, something quite interesting happened: Xiaomi's Mi Home 3D Printer has "evaporated" from all official channels. It’s not out of stock—it’s been completely delisted. Now, trying to buy a new one through legitimate channels is nearly impossible.

When this machine made its debut last year, it was actually quite low-key. There were no grand announcements or fanfare; it quietly launched through a crowdfunding campaign and eventually raised over 5.5 million RMB. To be honest, that’s not a bad start.

So why was its lifecycle so short? In my view, Xiaomi might have planted the seeds of trouble from the very moment it chose its path.

What did we expect "the first 3D printer for young people" to look like? At the very least, it shouldn’t have turned out the way it did—a resin-based (SLA) device.

Here lies a fundamental contradiction: resin-based 3D printing technology is almost inherently at odds with the concept of being "family-friendly." The resin materials emit strong, irritating odors and contain chemicals that are harmful to human health. This means that every time you use it, you have to suit up as if you’re conducting a chemistry experiment.

So, even though Xiaomi made the device extremely user-friendly—featuring one-click printing and automatic material feeding and retraction, aiming to lower the barrier to 3D printing—it couldn’t solve the most fundamental issue: safety concerns. When it comes to the non-negotiable priority of "health," all the added convenience becomes secondary.

Does this mean Xiaomi has completely "pulled the plug" on its 3D printing ambitions?

On the contrary, we might see this as a strategic retreat.

Globally, 3D printing is a trillion-dollar industry racing forward at full speed. And what is Xiaomi’s core strength? It’s taking once expensive and complex technologies and turning them into consumer products that everyday people can easily own.

This initial foray was more like a market reconnaissance mission. It allowed Xiaomi to identify a core pain point in consumer-grade 3D printing: the choice of technological path is more critical than optimizing the product itself.

So now, the real question is for Xiaomi: in this enticing new battlefield, are you content with a shallow attempt, or are you ready to roll up your sleeves and truly go all in?

Keep in mind, market opportunities won’t last forever. While brands like Bambu Lab and Creality are accelerating their efforts in deep-water territories, a player that keeps hesitating on the sidelines may eventually miss its chance to even enter the game.

The first chapter of Xiaomi’s 3D printing story has come to a close.

Watch 3D Printing Leo's latest videos on his YouTube channel: @officialginamedia.