The Creality Ender 3 , 3 Pro , and 3 V2 3D printers are high-quality 3D printers in their own right, but there are a lot of goodies that you can use to improve and customize the printing to your needs. Let's look at them together.

The Creality Ender 3 series of 3D printers was launched in 2018. At that time, you got above-standard quality for its price. In its basic configuration, the Creality Ender 3 3D printer is perfectly set up for general printing. But compared to more modern machines, it is already a bit outdated. She is noisier and you are expected to be more involved when working with her.

Since then, the Ender 3 Pro and Ender 3 V2 series have been released . Each of these printers brought with them a more comfortable print quality than the basic type. But you can have even more. Not only can you upgrade the original Ender 3 to be as quiet and comfortable as the newer machines, but you can even take the 3 Pro or 3 V2 further and customize it to your preferred print.

Before we get into the list of goodies, let's get to an important point - much of what's listed below won't necessarily improve print quality. Some poorly executed interventions could make the print even worse. It must be emphasized that all three printers are suitable for general printing in their basic settings.

The upgrade will be ideal if you want to modify your print for a specific purpose (such as using a higher temperature or flexible material) or if you are using the print for your hobby, for example. Otherwise, we recommend leaving the printer in basic settings.

The list of tips below cannot be tried all at once, as they sometimes contradict each other. Take it more as a source of inspiration for what you could do. Before embarking on innovations and adjustments to improve print quality, make sure you have thoroughly calibrated your printer.

Best Upgrades and Gadgets for Creality Ender 3, 3 Pro and 3 V2 3D Printers:

Official Enhancements:

Magnetic mat

One of the main official improvements is a magnetic backing that makes it easier to take off prints. Just remove the sheet and bend it, and the product will bounce back on its own. However, the quality of the first layer is not as good as that of a glass or polypropylene substrate.

Just stick the purchased mat on the printing surface and the installation is complete.

Glass mat

The glass pad allows you to achieve a much better adhesion of the prints compared to the one supplied in the basic version. Additionally, using a glass backing leaves a smoother surface on the bottom of your prints, which can be a welcome benefit for those who value visual quality. Ender 3 V2 printers already come with a glass base.

You attach this upgrade to the original pad using the set of clamps included in the package. In our offer you will find a mat designed for Ender 3 and Ender 5: Glass mat.

Suitable for: Ender 3, Ender 3 Pro, Ender 3 V2

Tempered glass base

Creality sells a branded tempered glass pad that is compatible with all Ender 3 models. The pad is designed to sit on top of the motherboard and is secured with clips. The tempered glass pad that comes standard with the Ender 3 V2 has a much better print surface than pads made from other materials.

Suitable for: Ender 3, Ender 3 Pro, Ender 3 V2

Steel PEI pad

You can upgrade the Ender 3 with several different pads. One of these options is a flexible PEI substrate , which offers a wide range of advantages over a basic printing substrate.

This improved pad is extra sticky for materials like ABS, PLA and more. Once the print is complete and the pad has cooled, you can remove it and easily bend it in your hand, releasing the print and leaving the pad free for further printing.

Suitable for: Ender 3, Ender 3 Pro, Ender 3 V2

G10/Garolite washer

The pad under the name Garolite or G10 is enjoying a great increase in popularity. And that's because it's an incredibly versatile surface that gets along with nylon-based materials as well as common materials like PLA and PETG. Garolite is usually sold as a self-adhesive film that you can stick to a printing pad. It is suitable for hundreds, maybe even thousands of copies. As the surface degrades over time, just take a piece of medium-grained sandpaper and gently adjust the surface of the foil. Thanks to this, it will be like new again. Light weight is also an advantage, which is a useful feature for 3D printers like the Ender 3.

Box

If you're printing from materials like ABS and ASA, you're sure to face issues with print warping. Enclosing the printer in a box will help maintain a higher temperature inside and thus minimize twisting. Here, Creality comes with its own solution that is simple to install. The inner part of the box is coated with a non-flammable aluminum layer. The primary purpose of the 3D printer housing is to help maintain a constant temperature inside the print chamber while protecting against unwanted external influences. Overall, this serves to improve print quality and stability. In addition, it also reduces the noise from the printer, provides air supply to the printer and is also dustproof.

You can also find an aluminum box for a 3D printer in our offer, or you can look at a cover from the manufacturer Creality .

Suitable for: Ender 3, Ender 3 Pro, Ender 3 V2

Engraving head

With the Creality engraving head, you can turn your printer into a small engraver, but you need a 24V version of the printer. According to the manufacturer, it should be very easy to change the heads and use them.

Second Z axis

Although this upgrade is more difficult to install because you need to move the printer source, it will bring a big improvement in print quality, thanks to the reduction of vibrations caused by the movement of the X-axis. For more detailed instructions, watch the video:

Suitable for: Ender 3, Ender 3 Pro, Ender 3 V2

Hot dogs

Another of the upgrades that are already in the base for Ender 3 PRO and Ender 3 V2. The manufacturer states that they should clog less and have smoother extrusion.

  • Phaetus Dragonfly BMS

Dragonfly BMS from Phaetus one of many interchangeable hotends. It is a relative newcomer among other hotends, but has quickly gained popularity as a low-cost alternative to E3D and Slice Engineering. The Dragonfly BMS features a square shape Creality heatsink and copper alloy construction for better heat dissipation.

Suitable for: Ender 3, Ender 3 Pro, Ender 3 V2 (adapter required)

  • Micro Swiss all-metal hotend

This is an older model that was designed with precision thermal break in mind, using a titanium alloy for its thermal break. It is all-metal, meaning no PTFE tubing inside the hot end is exposed to the melt zone, risking damage and release of toxic chemicals. With the micro Swiss, a temperature of 300 degrees can be comfortably reached without risk of damage. Micro Swiss can be used as a hotend replacement for Ender 3. Using a few tools you can install Micro Swiss instead of Ender 3 hotend. A plated brass nozzle is standard. User reviews suggest that you will need to play around with the temperatures (several degrees higher than a standard brass nozzle) for reliable performance.

Suitable for: Ender 3, Ender 3 Pro

Other upgrades you can purchase:

"Silent" Creality 4.2.7 motherboard

One of the biggest changes you can make to your Ender 3 is to replace the motherboard. For the Ender 3 type you have a Creality 8-bit board with Allegro A4988 stepper motor drivers. The device is quite loud and without the option of selectively turning off functions to save memory.Ender 3 Pro and Ender 3 V2 fare a bit better with Creality 4.2.2 32-bit motherboards. The Ender 3 Pro has the same "loud" drivers as the standard Ender 3, while the Ender 3 V2 has TMC2208 stepper motor drivers. These controllers achieve almost silent operation of stepper motors through effective power adjustment. For Ender 3 and 3 Pro users, replacing the board could be a significant upgrade, making your printer not only quieter, but also capable of better, more feature-rich firmware, plus easier upgrades thanks to dedicated ports for accessories such as an automatic bed leveling probe .

Suitable for: Ender 3, Ender 3 Pro, Ender 3 V2 (but for V2 type, there is no point in upgrading the motherboard if it is not damaged in any way)

BigTreeTech SKR Mini V3.0  Motherboard

The BigTreeTech SKR Mini motherboard is often the first choice for a Creality 3D printer upgrade. They're cheap, well-updated, and feature features that surpass Creality's stock board. They include ports for Neopixel RGB lighting, sensors for automatic bed leveling, plus stepper motor drivers (TMC2209) working in UART mode (more direct control over the motors), all included in the new SKR Mini E3 V3, which has an improved design compared to its predecessor, better cooling and heat distribution.

In terms of size, it's a direct choice for the original Ender 3 and makes for a phenomenal upgrade over that machine's motherboard. Even for 32-bit Ender 3 Pro and V2 boards, the SKR Mini E3 V3 is a tempting prospect.

Suitable for: Ender 3, Ender 3 Pro, Ender 3 V2

Belt tensioners

One of the most important aspects of achieving higher print quality is belt tension at the printer. That's why we recommend adding belt tensioners for X and Y axis to your equipment. Or you can print this modified belt tensioner for both X and Y axis . You'll also need a pair of 5x25mm bolts and nuts to attach the tensioners to complete the upgrade. The Ender 3 V2 printer comes with a belt tensioner as standard.

Suitable for: Ender 3, Ender 3 Pro

Metal leveling nuts

All Ender 3 printers require manual bed leveling. You can make it more pleasant thanks to the aluminum leveling wheels .

Automatic leveling sensor

The Creality Ender 3 series offers quite a lot of music for relatively little money. But there is one thing that is missing - automatic leveling of the pad. Small bumps and depressions on the surface of the pad can make it impossible to achieve a perfect first layer. An automatic leveling sensor (such as BLTouch, MKS 3D Touch or CR-Touch) helps the printer gently smooth out these imperfections to make the first layer even. You can purchase the MKS 3D Touch sensor here .

Suitable for: Ender 3, Ender 3 Pro, Ender 3 V2

Raspberry PI 4 (for OctoPrint)

Let's face it, we can't always be around to keep an eye on our 3D printer. This is why OctoPrint has become the standard for anyone who wants to monitor and control their 3D printer remotely, but you will need to purchase a Raspberry Pi board to run this great web interface. OctoPrint allows you to control and monitor your 3D printer from a web browser and is completely open-source, which has resulted in a large number of unique plugins created by a large community of users. From your browser, you can monitor prints via the integrated webcam, control the print temperature, get feedback on the current print status, and even start and pause the printer. The setup process is pretty easy and you can find all the details you need on the websiteOctoPrint .

Suitable for: Ender 3, Ender 3 Pro, Ender 3 V2

Steel nozzle

A steel nozzle is almost essential for printing composite materials (for example, filament filled with carbon or glass fibers). When changing the nozzle, you may need to adjust the print settings to accommodate a nozzle of a different material. Keep in mind that PLA material likes to stick to steel nozzles, so expect to clean more often to prevent burnt filament build-up.

You can choose from:

  • Steel nozzle
  • Stainless steel nozzle

Suitable for: Ender 3, Ender 3 Pro, Ender 3 V2

LED lighting

There are a number of options for equipping the printer with its own illumination. There are affordable LED strips on the market that allow you to integrate light into your 3D printer. For example, a printable LED ring allows you to place a light directly above the Creality Ender 3 extruder, providing enough light to work with. This particular printhead solution is not compatible with the Ender 3 V2 (which has a different printhead cover than the Ender 3 and Pro), but there are alternative 3D printable solutions for the Ender 3 V2 LED lighting.

You can get inspired here , for example .

 

Different types of extruders

The Ender 3 is equipped with a relatively basic type of extruder. It's an old (but time-honored) style of extruder with plastic fittings that can wear out over time. The original extruder can be easily replaced with a better one:

While it may not feature fancy reduction gears to increase torque, this upgrade should bring more filament feed reliability. Aside from the obvious benefit of stronger filament push (expect less slippage and material abrasion), this upgrade to the Ender 3 extruder is all-metal. Which solves the durability issues of the Ender 3 and 3 Pro with their plastic extruder components. Some calibration may be required after the upgrade.

Suitable for: Ender 3, Ender 3 Pro. 

One of the problems that the Creality Ender 3 3D printer has is the short extruder arm. A strong spring can be surprisingly difficult to hold when inserting or removing filament. The extended extruder arm will make this process much less difficult. Mounting this 3D printed extruder arm extension to your printer gives you more leverage when opening the arm.

    Stronger springs

    Stronger heatbed springs ensure a firmer base (less vibration) and easier leveling of the bed. 

    It may seem insignificant, but the springs installed on your 3D printer can greatly affect the quality and stability of your print. Replacing the springs on the Ender 3 heatbed with these stronger springs will allow you to print at higher speeds without worrying about heatbed instability. Simply put - these springs are a cheap and easy way to upgrade your Ender 3 3D printer.

    Suitable for: Ender 3, Ender 3 Pro, Ender 3 V2

    Engine dampers

    The stepper motor damper reduces the vibrations transmitted by the motor to the structure.

    Petsfang Duct 

    If you really want to upgrade the fan duct on your extruder beyond the stock kit, the Petsfang Duct is an extremely popular option that fits the Ender 3 as well as many other 3D printers. This mod includes an extruder and requires a few screws to install. It's not the easiest gadget to print, but it's worth making if you want to improve your printer's cooling capabilities and potentially your print quality. The Petsfang Duct is designed to accommodate automatic leveling probes.

    Suitable for: Ender 3, Ender 3 Pro, Ender 3 V2

    Teflon Capricorn PTFE tubing

    It may not seem like the most important addition, but replacing the stock hoses with Capricorn Bowden PTFE tubing can provide an interesting shift in print quality. The tubing is made with an extremely accurate inner diameter, making it easy for you to print with flexible filaments. 

    Suitable for: Ender 3, Ender 3 Pro, Ender 3 V2

    Power supply Mean Well LRS 350 24 PSU

    The reputable brand of LED power supplies Mean Well is generally considered a good choice for 3D printer power supply. Depending on the model, they have a cooling solution for self-regulation of temperature and offer a stable power supply for the benefit of sensitive devices such as heating pad leveling probes.

    The Ender 3 Pro and Ender 3 V2 are equipped with Mean Well power supplies, while the Ender 3 is not. When you replace the Ender 3 power supply with a Mean Well, you may not see any tangible benefits right away, but you'll soon realize that it was a smart move.

    As with all power and electrical modifications, please pay close attention and double check that you have set the switch correctly.

    Suitable for: Ender 3

    Fan Noiseblocker BlackSilent 40mm

    Anyone familiar with the Ender 3 series of printers (regardless of whether they are "quiet" printers with advanced stepper motor drivers) knows that despite the claims of being quiet, they can be quite noisy. Fortunately, you can do something about it. But you must keep in mind that the voltage of the original fan must match the new one. NoiseBlocker fans can cool your motherboard and produce ~14dB sound, which is like a whisper. And that's not bad at all compared to the typical ~50dB of some fans on the Ender 3.

    Suitable for: Ender 3, Ender 3 Pro, Ender 3 V2

    SD card extension cable

    If you want more flexibility when it comes to inserting an SD card into your printer, check out this SD card extension cable. Easy to install and use. And it is possible to supplement it with a printable case, which makes it easier to insert a micro SD card.

    Suitable for: Ender 3, Ender 3 Pro, Ender 3 V2

    Printable Enhancements:

    Fan protective cover

    Before you print anything else, print this upgrade. The location of the motherboard fan is directly under the breadboard, which means pieces of filament could fall into it and damage the fan or board. This model is available  on Thingiverse .

    Suitable for: Ender 3

    Audio signal attenuator

    There aren't too many complaints about the Creality Ender 3, but there is one thing that quickly gets under your skin - the loud beeping that follows every click on the LCD screen. Fortunately, one Thingiverse user has designed a simple and easy-to-print audio attenuator that you can attach to a printer to reduce the volume to an acceptable level. This model can be printed in about 10 minutes and snaps directly onto the back of the LCD board.

    Suitable for: Ender 3, Ender 3 Pro

    Micro SD card holder

    If you are tired of struggling to insert the micro SD card into the base of your 3D printer, we have a tip for you. You can print your own holder . In addition to printing the holder, you also need to purchase a micro SD to SD card extension adapter. Once you have this upgrade connected to your printer, setting up your prints will be a little more convenient.

    Suitable for: Ender 3, Ender 3 Pro, Ender 3 V2

    Filament Guide

    The Creality Ender 3 is a great entry-level 3D printer, but there is one area where it falls short - it's the way it feeds filament into its extruder system. This easy 3D printing solution is designed to snap right into the side of the top support to prevent damage to the filament during printing and ensure the process is as smooth as possible.

    This filament "guide"  keeps the filament away from the feeder, allowing for a more consistent feed rate and less skipping. 

    Suitable for: Ender 3, Ender 3 Pro, Ender 3 V2

    Power/cable chain

    Nobody likes a mess of wires and cables running around their 3D printer, so why not 3D print a flexible cable chain ? This upgrade is designed to snap directly onto the rear cable, so no screws are required for attachment. It can be printed without supports, but be careful not to break the chain when bending the links. Add some color and you can beautify the printer according to your taste. This cable chain is essential to prevent dangerous cable entanglement when the bed moves along the Y-axis. Alternatively, you can purchase a mass-produced power chain .

    Not suitable for Ender 3 V2 type as it is not compatible with this printable upgrade. You can find the cable chain for this printer below.

    Suitable for: Ender 3, Ender 3 Pro

    Double cable chain

    This double cable chain is a modified version of the Ender 3 version cable chain to fit the Ender 3 V2.

    Not suitable for: Ender 3, Ender 3 Pro

    Suitable for: Ender 3 V2

    Bowden cable fixing

    If your cable has jumped out of place or you are having problems with print quality, you may need to print pressure washers to prevent the cable from shifting or jumping out during printing.

    Display ribbon cable clip

    This 3D printable clip is designed for a display ribbon cable. Just print the clip with 15% fill density and in a few minutes you will have a strong clip to hold the LCD cable in place. The Ender 3 V2 has improved cable routing as part of its extended basic equipment.

    Suitable for: Ender 3, Ender 3 Pro

    Clip for fixing cables

    This is a small clip that is used to hold the cables leading to the extruder and the X stepper motor. Addressing another minor design flaw, this clip prevents the printer cables from getting caught by the print bed. It is a small and easy print, but it avoids possible problems with the cable getting tangled in the area of ​​the print bed.

    Suitable for: Ender 3, Ender 3 Pro

    Z axis rod wire guide

    One special part of the Creality Ender 3 3D printer is that the bowden tube and extruder wiring are connected together. This may have been done to make the cables look tidy, but it causes restriction of movement and looseness of the filament tubing. To avoid this problem, a bracket was created that allows you to remove the wiring from the bowden tube and give it more freedom. There is even an option to mount LED lights on the holder.

    Suitable for: Ender 3, Ender 3 Pro, Ender 3 V2

    Knob for easy operation

    The original knob, which is mounted on the Creality Ender 3 control panel, makes it quite difficult to adjust the exact settings. And that's why a series of 3D printable knobs were created that could give you more control over your machine. One Thingiverse user found that by attaching a narrower knob, he was able to scroll through menus faster with one finger. So it's ideal for anyone who multitasks. And what's more - you can print the button easily and quickly.

    Suitable for Ender 3, Ender 3 Pro

    Spacer for Z-motor

    Another goodie you can print is a spacer for the Z-motor , which will help prevent the axis from locking up and provide smoother Z-axis movement. The designer printed this model with 50% padding to improve stability.

    Suitable for: Ender 3

    Reel holder from the side

    The location of the spool holder is not quite ideal as it is at the highest point of the printer beam. In poorly assembled systems, this unnecessary weight could contribute to poor print quality. Additionally, this placement forces the filament to enter the Ender 3 (plastic) extruder steeply, increasing wear. Fortunately, this problem is less with metal extruders like the Ender 3 Pro and Ender 3 V2, but the issue of instability still remains. So if you have the possibility of more space around the printer, placing the coil on the side of the printer will be the right choice. The side-mounted spool holder allows for smoother filament access to the extruder and reduces the weight placed on the printer frame.

    Suitable for: Ender 3, Ender 3 Pro, Ender 3 V2

    Screen stand

    The Ender 3 V2 touch screen can not only be mounted on the left or right side of the printer frame, but you can also detach it completely. With this 3D printable stand , you can place the screen almost anywhere you want without the need for additional screws or tools. However, keep in mind that the default screen cable is not the longest.

    Suitable for: Ender 3 V2

    Adjustable screen holder

    This Ender 3 V2 screen mount is adjustable and allows you to adjust the angle for better visibility. Unfortunately, the default cable of the Ender 3 V2 screen is not the longest, so according to the creator, vertical placement of the screen is not possible. However, depending on your printer's workstation, an adjustable screen may still be useful.

    Suitable for: Ender 3 V2

    LCD PCB display cover

    Another drawback of the original Creality Ender 3 design is the lack of LCD PCB display protection. The board is located directly under the display and is completely open without a protective cover. This upgrade in the form of a display cover offers some protection for the electronics.

    Suitable for: Ender 3, Ender 3 Pro

    V-Slot Covers

    Creality Ender printers are all black, which you can liven up with printable V-slot covers in a color of your choice. The covers also have a practical meaning - they prevent the slots from becoming clogged with dust.

    Suitable for: Ender 3, Ender 3 Pro, Ender 3 V2

    Cover with logo

    If you like the wild dragon logo for Ender series printers, you can print this stepper motor cover . The designer uploaded the cover with an insert that allows you to mix colors and customize the kite to your taste.

    Suitable for: Ender 3, Ender 3 Pro

    Clip for PTFE tubing

    If you've had any problems with the PTFE tubing popping out, you can print a clip to make sure everything stays exactly where it's supposed to. This easy component is designed to attach around the pressure tube to increase the seal. The designer has prepared three different sizes, so feel free to print them all and see which one works best for your printer.

    Suitable for: Ender 3, Ender 3 Pro, Ender 3 V2