We have all been there. You open a drawer to find a fresh pair of batteries, but all you hear is the rattle of loose cells rolling around. You dig through a pile of dead AAs mixed with live ones. It is messy. It is frustrating. Worst of all, it can be dangerous if the terminals touch metal and short out.
Organization is the foundation of any good workshop or home. If you own a 3D printer, you have the power to solve this problem permanently. A custom 3D-printed battery holder lets you manage your inventory, keep batteries safe, and keep your workspace professional.
In this guide, we are not just giving you a list of files. We are looking at this from an engineering perspective. We will cover the best designs for specific needs, the right materials to handle the weight, and the print settings that ensure your holder doesn't crack after a week.
Whether you use standard FDM filaments or high-precision resins like our Siraya Tech Fast, we have a solution for you.
Key Takeaways
- Match Material to Use: Use Siraya Tech Fast for precise desktop organizers, and Blu for rugged travel cases that may be dropped.
- Batteries are not all the same size. A good design has 0.2mm to 0.5mm of "wiggle room" to prevent batteries from getting stuck.
- A high-quality 3D-printed battery holder protects the positive and negative terminals from touching each other or other metal objects.
- Consider using a system like Gridfinity to keep your battery holders compatible with your other tool storage.
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“If you are looking for more ideas on how to use your printer for practical items, check out our guide on useful things to 3d print.”
Choosing the Right Material for Your Battery Holder
Before you download a file and hit print, you need to choose the right material. Batteries are deceptively heavy.
A small box holding 20 AA batteries can weigh over a pound. If you print this on a brittle material, the bottom will collapse when you pick it up.
Here is a breakdown of the best materials for the job:
|
Material Type |
Best Application |
Why It Works |
Recommended Product |
|
Standard Resin |
Desktop Organizers, Gridfinity bins |
It offers high precision. This is crucial for stacking mechanisms or lids that slide on rails. |
|
|
Tough Resin |
Travel Cases, Field Gear |
It has high impact resistance. If you drop your battery case on concrete, this resin absorbs the shock without shattering. |
|
|
PLA Filament |
Large Gravity Dispensers |
It is rigid and easy to print for massive objects. However, do not leave it in a hot car as it will melt. |
|
|
PETG Filament |
Mechanical Parts, Springs |
It has a slight flex that is great for "snap-fit" latches that need to bend without breaking. |
If you are printing large dispensers on a filament printer, moisture control is vital for strength. Read our guide on filament storage ideas to ensure your material is ready for the job.
The 15 Best Battery Holders to 3D Print
We have categorized these designs into three groups: Workshop Organization, Portable Travel Cases, and Specialty Dispensers. This helps you find exactly what fits your lifestyle.
Category A: Workshop & Drawer Organization
These designs are meant to stay in one place. They focus on easy access and maximizing space in your drawers or on your workbench.
1. The Gridfinity AA/AAA Block
The Concept: Gridfinity is an open-source modular storage system created by Zack Freedman. It uses a grid of baseplates and bins. This battery holder is a block that snaps right into that grid.
Why We Love It: It stops your battery holder from sliding around when you open the drawer. The modular nature means you can place your AA batteries right next to your multimeter.
Printing Tip: Print the bin in Siraya Tech Fast Grey. The high resolution makes the stacking lip fit perfectly with other Gridfinity bins.
2. The "Beer Crate" Style Holder
The Concept: This is a fun, aesthetic design that looks like a miniature beverage crate. It typically holds 12 to 24 batteries in a grid.
Why We Love It: It is stackable and extremely rugged. The thick walls make it durable, and the open design lets you see exactly how many batteries you have left at a glance.
Best Material: Any standard resin or filament works here. If you want a cool industrial look, print it in a matte grey.
3. Honeycomb Wall Storage
The Concept: If you are running out of desk space, look to the walls. This design uses a hexagonal honeycomb pattern mounted vertically. You slide batteries into the holes.
Why We Love It: It is incredibly material-efficient. The hexagon is one of nature's strongest shapes, so you use less plastic for more strength. Plus, it looks very sci-fi.
Printing Tip: Ensure your "bridging" settings are tuned perfectly if you are using an FDM printer, as the top of the hexes can sag.
4. The FIFO (First-In, First-Out) Dispenser
The Concept: Batteries have a shelf life. If you just throw them in a box, you might keep using the new ones and let the old ones rot at the bottom. A FIFO dispenser loads from the top and dispenses from the bottom.
Why We Love It: It guarantees you are always using your oldest stock first. This saves you money by preventing batteries from expiring before you use them.
Printing Tip: This is usually a tall print. Use a "brim" on your build plate to keep it stable during the long print time.
5. Drawer Divider Inserts
The Concept: Instead of a standalone box, these are rails or grids sized specifically to fit the dimensions of common tool chest drawers (like IKEA Alex drawers).
Why We Love It: It utilizes every square inch of space. There are no gaps between the holder and the drawer wall.
Best Material: Since these are long and thin, they can warp. Use a material with low shrinkage like PLA or a well-calibrated resin print.
Category B: Portable & Travel Cases Battery Holders
If you are a photographer, a drone pilot, or a camper, you need to carry power with you. These designs focus on protection, security, and compactness.
6. The Rugged "Ammo Box" Case
The Concept: Modeled after military ammunition crates, these cases feature heavy-duty hinges and a clamp-down latch mechanism.
Why We Love It: It offers the ultimate physical protection. You could throw this into a backpack full of heavy gear and your batteries will be safe.
Printing Tip: The latch is the stress point. We highly recommend printing the latch mechanism in Siraya Tech Blu. Its toughness allows it to flex slightly under tension without snapping.
7. Waterproof 18650 Silo
The Concept: This is a simple cylinder with a screw-on cap. The key feature is a groove for a rubber O-ring.
Why We Love It: Lithium-ion batteries (like 18650s) can be dangerous if they get wet and short out. This case is essential for camping or boating.
Best Material: Resin printing is ideal here because it produces a watertight, non-porous surface that seals more effectively than FDM layers.
8. Slimline Pocket Case
The Concept: A flat, thin case that holds 4 AA or AAA batteries side-by-side. It is designed to slide into a pocket or a camera bag side pouch.
Why We Love It: It is not bulky. Many battery holders are boxes, but this is more like a wallet. It is perfect for event photographers who need a quick change.
9. The Magnetic Snap Case
The Concept: Instead of a mechanical plastic latch that might wear out, this case uses small neodymium magnets (usually 6x3mm) glued into holes in the lid and base.
Why We Love It: The "snap" feel is very satisfying and premium. It feels like a store-bought product. We discuss magnets further in our article on accessories for resin bottles.
10. Photographer’s Lens Cap Holder
The Concept: This is a clever dual-purpose design. It attaches to your camera strap and has a slot for your lens cap and two slots for spare batteries.
Why We Love It: It keeps your essentials right on your body. You do not have to dig into your bag while trying to capture a fleeting moment.
Category C: Specialty & Mechanical
These are for the makers who want something unique, fun, or highly specific to a technical hobby.
11. The "Robot" Battery Dispenser
The Concept: A desktop toy that looks like a retro robot. When you pull a lever or push a button, a battery drops out of the "mouth."
Why We Love It: It makes a boring task fun. If you have kids (or are a kid at heart), this makes grabbing a battery an interaction rather than a chore. It fits right in with other 3d print fidget toys.
12. Wall-Mounted Gravity Rack (Multi-Size)
The Concept: A massive "master station" that holds 9V, C, D, AA, and AAA batteries all in one unit, usually mounted to a workshop wall.
Why We Love It: It is the ultimate inventory management system. You can see instantly which sizes you are running low on.
Printing Tip: This uses a lot of filament. Increase your wall count to 3 or 4 perimeters so the weight of the D-cells doesn't delaminate the plastic.
13. PCB-Integrated 18650 Sled
The Concept: This is for electronics projects. It is a holder that includes slots for you to insert metal battery contacts and solder wires. It turns raw cells into a functional power pack.
Why We Love It: It allows you to build custom battery packs for your Arduino or Raspberry Pi projects without using tape or glue.
Safety Note: Use a high-temperature material like ABS or Siraya Tech Sculpt if the batteries will be under high load, as they can get hot.
Technical Guide: How to Print for Strength and Fit
Downloading the file is only step one. To get a 3d printed battery holder that works well, you need to adjust your slicer settings. Here is the expert advice on how to do it.
1. Managing Tolerances
Batteries are not perfect cylinders. A rechargeable Eneloop AA is often slightly thicker than a disposable alkaline AA. If you print your holes at exactly 14.5mm, your rechargeable batteries might get stuck.
🛠️ The Fix: Always look for designs with a clearance gap of 0.3mm to 0.5mm. If you are designing your own, measure the diameter of your thickest battery and add 0.5mm.
2. Wall Thickness and Infill
For a battery holder, the walls are more important than the infill. The stress is caused by the heavy batteries pushing outward on the walls.
- Perimeters (Walls): Set this to at least 3 walls (or 1.2mm thickness). This prevents the holder from cracking under the weight.
- Infill: You do not need 100% infill. 15% to 20% "Gyroid" or "Grid" infill is usually sufficient if your walls are thick enough.
3. Orientation Matters
3D prints are weakest between layers (along the Z-axis). If you print a tall tower standing up, it might snap in half if you knock it over. Whenever possible, print long holders lying flat on their backs. This makes the "grain" of the print run the length of the holder, making it much stronger.
4. Post-Processing for Smooth Action
If you are printing a gravity-fed dispenser, the inside surfaces need to be smooth so the batteries slide down easily. If you use supports inside the tube, they can leave rough marks.
🛠️ The Fix: Use a rounded file or sandpaper wrapped around a dowel to smooth out the inside of the channels. If you are using resin, a quick coat of clear coat can make the surface slippery and smooth.
Conclusion
Taking control of your workspace starts with the small things. A custom 3d printed battery holder is more than just a plastic box. It is a commitment to safety, efficiency, and taking care of your tools. Whether you need a simple grid for your AA drawer or a waterproof bunker for your 18650s, the designs on this list cover every possible need.
Remember that the quality of your organizer depends on the quality of your materials. For intricate desktop organizers, nothing beats the clean look of Siraya Tech Fast. For rugged outdoor gear, Siraya Tech Blu is the professional's choice. Don't settle for clutter. Fire up your printer, choose the right material, and get organized today.
Ready to start printing high-quality organizers?
Now that you have your power sorted, what else can you make? Check out our recommendations for the best filaments for your other printers, including the best for Bambu A1 users.
FAQs About 3d Printed Battery Holder
Is PLA safe for battery holders?
Generally, yes, PLA is safe because it is non-conductive. It will not cause a short circuit. However, PLA has a low melting point. If you plan to keep your battery holder in a hot car or a garage that gets very hot in the summer, the PLA might warp and deform. For those environments, we recommend using PETG, ABS, or a high-temp resin like Siraya Tech Sculpt.
Can I 3D print a battery holder with metal contacts?
Absolutely. This is a common practice for electronics hobbyists. Many designs on sites like Printables or Thingiverse are designed to accept standard "leaf spring" battery contacts or nickel strips. You simply slide the metal contacts into the printed slots. Just ensure you wire positive to positive and negative to negative correctly to avoid shorts.
Why don't my batteries fit in the 3D print?
If your batteries are too tight, it is usually due to one of two things. First, it could be "elephant's foot," which is when the first layer of the print squishes out slightly, making the hole smaller at the bottom. Use a deburring tool to trim the opening. Second, your printer might be slightly over-extruding. Try increasing the "Hole Horizontal Expansion" setting in your slicer by -0.1mm.
What is the best resin for mechanical latches?
Standard resin is very hard but also brittle. If you try to bend a latch made of standard resin, it will likely snap. For parts that need to snap, bend, or latch, you need flexibility. We recommend mixing Siraya Tech Tenacious (a flexible resin) with Siraya Tech Fast, or using Siraya Tech Blu, which is formulated specifically to handle stress and impact without breaking.
How do I stop batteries from rattling inside the case?
If the design is loose and the batteries rattle, you can add a small piece of foam or felt to the inside of the lid. This acts as a shock absorber and keeps the batteries pressed firmly in place, which also helps prevent the terminals from rubbing against the plastic.