Ugee Funbox Review: A Real 3D Printer Built for Kids

Ugee is best known for drawing tablets and monitors, not 3D printers. That makes the Funbox an unexpected entry into the space. After spending time with it, the printer feels genuinely well thought out for its target audience: children.

Who This Printer Is For

The Funbox targets ages 4 to 12. That is a wide range, and the printer adjusts accordingly. The enclosed build chamber keeps hot components out of reach. The magnetic base plate makes removing prints safe and easy for small hands.

The included app, Ugee Ufun, handles most of the complexity. Kids browse a library of pre-loaded models, tap to print, and watch the machine work. For parents who want to step in, the app exposes enough controls to adjust speeds and temperatures without diving into slicer settings.

Setup and First Prints

Out of the box, the Funbox arrives mostly assembled. Leveling the bed takes a couple of minutes. Ugee includes a calibration card so kids can participate in the process. The first print came off the bed cleanly without major stringing, which is a good sign for a machine at this price point.

Print quality on small models is respectable. Layer lines are visible at close range, as expected, but toys, figurines, and functional parts print without issue. The 250 g PLA roll included in the box is enough for several practice prints before reordering.

App Experience

The Ugee Ufun app is the real star of this setup. It opens with simple tutorials showing how to load filament, start a print, and remove finished parts. The model library includes enough variety to keep kids engaged for weeks. Parents can also sideload STL files, which opens the door to free models from sites like Printables and Thingiverse.

One nice touch: the app reports print progress and estimates completion time. That gives kids a sense of how long the process takes without requiring them to stare at the machine the entire time.

Limitations

The Funbox is not a workhorse. Build volume is small, and high-speed prints push the quality down. Do not expect to churn out large cosplay pieces or functional mechanical parts at speed. The enclosed chamber helps with temperature stability, but the machine does not reach the bed temperatures that larger printers manage.

Filament selection is also limited. The printer uses a basic 1.75 mm direct-drive system, but Ugee recommends sticking to PLA for best results. ABS and PETG are possible with careful monitoring, but this is not the use case the company designed for.

Should You Buy One

The Funbox succeeds at what it sets out to do: make 3D printing approachable for children. If you are looking for a first printer for a curious kid, this is one of the better options available. It is safe, the app lowers the barrier to entry, and the print quality is good enough that early projects feel rewarding.

At the same time, if you want a printer that grows with a teenager or adult who will eventually need advanced features, you are better off with an entry-level machine from Creality, Elegoo, or Bambu Lab. The Funbox is a stepping stone, not a long-term upgrade path.