3d Printers are very much like self build PCs
Generic hardware and infinitely adaptable firmware and software. Also you can almost use them out of the box, but have a lot to gain by learning and experimenting. There is a huge community designing, adapting and improving every single printer on the market and scratch building too.
Don't buy the cheapest one you can find.... you'll hate it afterwards, ( size limitations, poor s/w, too slow ).
As a newbie, don't spend a lot of money on something you don't have the knowledge to exploit it's potential and price is often a poor measure of quality and features. If you have not spent a lot, then giving up is cheap too
Don't buy one that doesn't have a manufactures website. ( Look for Firmware updates. )
Very few have a manufacturer's website, virtually all are clones, or a simple variation of standard parts. Half the fun is moving on to other open source Firmwares and Software.
Don't buy one if spares are not readily available.
There is a huge market of spares available for every printer, some with the maker's trademark on them, others are just copies. Some of the "trademarked" kit and spares are clones too.
Think of it as when you first started out with boat modelling - the options, the possibilities and the learning curves are just the same.
Start simple and once you are happy with what you have achieved you can settle down at that level, or just move on to another hobby having lost very little.