Creality Ender 3 V2 review: The best 3D printer under 7,000 CZK
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Since the original Ender 3 looks like it's been a while since it was invented these days, it's time to replace it. Creality's Ender 3 V2 3D printer has taken it upon itself, taking the core experience of the Ender 3 (a solid entry-level platform for little money) and improving it all: upgrading some old features, adding some new ones, and avoiding earlier mistakes in other areas. Without a doubt, Ender 3 V2 is the prettiest version of Ender yet. And it has a drawer for snacks (or if you're more practical, tools). |
Creality Ender 3 V2 review verdict: a practical 3D printer
Pros
- decent print quality
- easy to use
- lots of goodies
Cons
- bad filament load
- nonsensically removable display
- this new "base" model costs more than the old "Pro" model
Creality kept the base from Ender 3, but improved it with up-to-date hardware that includes a 32-bit motherboard, quiet stepper motor drivers, a much cleaner look and design, and lots of other niceties.
Some problems could not be avoided even with the new type of printer, such as the hole for feeding the filament in a difficult to reach place, but let's leave this aside. Ender 3 V2 has a lot going for it that makes it worth talking about.
Same, but different, but actually still the same
For the Ender 3 V2 version, we've said goodbye to the boxy metal covers that were on the previous Ender 3 models. On the Ender 3 V2 we find sorted new molded plastic panels that run across the printer, but of course at the expense of being made of plastic . Still, every part of the Ender 3 V2 remains modifiable like its predecessors - you just need to unscrew more plastic parts first.
With this new design, Ender 3 V2 looks much more, you could say, professional. Not in terms of printer performance, rather it looks better especially for those who don't have a dedicated workshop where it is expected that you don't mind looking at screws, rods, stampings and all the other things that are visible. As is becoming more common, the power supply has been moved to the base of the printer, again providing a sleeker look.
Despite numerous new changes to the printer, the Ender 3 V2 is at its core very similar to the Ender 3. It has the same mat size - 220 x 220 x 250 mm with a single hotend powered by a Bowden extruder, offline printing via micro SD card and manual mat leveling. In fact, if you look at the printer features written on paper, you'd hardly be able to tell them apart.
These same features are reflected in the print quality, which is really quite good for a printer at this price. For most printing on the Ender 3 V2, the basic Ender 3 Pro profile in Cura 4.6.1 can be used, which runs as intended. Only retracting the filament feed when changing layers requires fine tuning, but otherwise you can take the basic settings as a working starting point. A textured glass pad is one of the best printing pads you can get right now, and the Ender 3 V2 is no exception to that claim. The filament sticks when hot and loosens when cold.
While using the Ender 3 V2 you may encounter one frustrating thing - the filament feeding. Compared to the CR-6 SE printer, which feeds the filament correctly, the Ender 3 V2 couldn't be more different and unpleasant. It's hard to understand why Creality decided to change the location of the filament insertion hole right next to the lead screw. The opening is small and without a bevel to help guide the filament, making an already awkward placement even more complicated. This problem originated with Ender 3 and continues with Ender 3 V2.
Different, but the same, but still different
Ender 3 V2 introduced quite a lot of minor and harmless features. Some are the result of popular mods, others based on suggestions from the incredibly large user base that Creality has acquired. Others appear to be a figment of the imagination.
For example, the addition of a drawer, which is useful for storing router bits, hex keys, a micro SD card and all other small things. A drawer probably wasn't on anyone's top wish list, but here we have it. And Ender 3 V2 is quite unique in this.
Other new gadgets are less practical or prone to misuse.
Belt tensioners are a sensible and easy-to-use accessory that will help with long-term printer operation. It doesn't eliminate the need to replace the belts, but for the occasional slight spin, it can help keep the printer in tip-top shape.
The Creality Ender 3 V2 has a screen that can be detached by sliding up to release two metal pins from a plastic bracket that is screwed to the frame. But given how short the display cable is, it's hard to find any use for disconnecting it. Perhaps only if the screen glare bothers you, you can detach the screen and rotate it. The display looks like it's touch-sensitive, but it's not. You have a button for navigation in the user interface. The knob is quite sensitive to be operated completely smoothly. So it may happen that you miss the option you want to choose.
It's great that Creality has added a silicone sleeve over the heater to the basic equipment, which will protect the nozzle from stray filament and loose prints. It's a small thing, but this is exactly what could ensure that you don't have to bother with its tedious cleaning. It may sound silly to praise such a small thing. But it's exactly these extras that elevate Ender 3 V2. And yes, you could buy a protective case separately for most other printers, but it doesn't come as standard equipment. Creality, you have a point!
The Ender 3 V2 also benefits from the fact that it ships with a 32-bit Creality 4.2.2 board as the motherboard, which comes with the TMC2208 stepper motor drivers installed. These small chips adjust the performance of the stepper motors that drive the printer's movement, making the motors move smoother and smoother. These ensure, in addition to smoother prints, silence down to a barely audible level. All you'll hear are the cooling fans and faint thuds as the bed and printhead change direction. While this is not new for other Creality printer types, it is a first for the Ender 3 series.
While using Ender 3 V2, you will find few things that will surprise you. The prints are good, as good as its predecessors, and in some ways better. And that's thanks to updated hardware, such as new stepper motor drivers.
Creality is relatively good at releasing firmware updates for some of its more popular printers. And just do a bit of research on the company's website and you'll find updates for both the Ender 3 V2 motherboard and the LCD screen. This motherboard is Marlin 2.0 compatible, which means that the base Ender 3 V2 hardware can continue to be updated with new features and improvements depending on how Creality releases them and your desire to upgrade.
On a side note, Creality has updated the Ender 3 and Ender 3 Pro printers to include the Creality 4.2.2 32-bit board as well. Which is sometimes complicated for owners of newer versions of these older printers when they want to follow the advice for the old 8-bit boards.
Is the printer worth it?
The Ender 3 V2 has a great foundation for cheap 3D printing, just like the previous Ender 3 models. It would probably be too easy to have high expectations. Let's be realistic - the Ender 3 V2 3D printer is one of the cheapest printers offered by Creality. The truth is that Ender 3 V2 is a workhorse with minor flaws. You probably won't be blown away by its ambitions and ground-breaking features (it looks like it might happen with the CR-6 SE printer), and it's not perfect. Which is really only a few printers. However, the Ender 3 V2 benefits from a number of small, useful improvements that make it a worthwhile upgrade.
Function
While the dimensions are almost identical to the Ender 3 and Ender 3 Pro, the Ender 3 V2 differs in its features.
Tempered glass printing pad
The most notable innovation is the hardened "Carborundum" (silicon carbide) glass printing pad. It's a welcome change from the removable magnetic heated pad on the Ender 3 Pro, which was prone to lint build-up over time, often leading to ugly first layers. The glass printing pad is mounted on an aluminum plate, which should improve the overall adhesion of the material, flatten the surface and make it much easier to remove prints.
Quieter printing
Creality boasts a new feature: a self-developed "quiet" 32-bit motherboard with the 2560 chipset, which reduces the printer's noise level to an amazing 50 decibels, which is comparable to a standard household conversation. Motor noise is confirmed to be much quieter, but the power supply fan and fans in general remained quite loud.
Color screen
Most cheap printers come with a cheap LCD display, but Creality offers a newly developed color display, where you will also find a new user interface. Screen options are still limited by using the wheel, which can sometimes cause confusion when we forget about it and try to use the screen as a touch screen.
other functions
XY axis tensioner : new to the Ender series are two knobs that allow you to tighten the printer's belts. This is a useful feature in the long run, allowing you to adjust the belt tension as you need.
Mean Well power supply : like the Ender 3 Pro 3D printer, the Ender 3 V2 is equipped with a Mean Well power supply.
Manual Filament Feed : Creality has added a rotary knob on the bowden feed mechanism so you can more easily manually feed the filament, clean the nozzle, or watch it spin during printing.
Accessory/tool drawer: in the base you will find a small compartment for storing nozzles, needles, pliers and other tools.
Power failure recovery : this benefit became popular with the Prusa i3 MK3 3D printer . Outages or disconnections shouldn't be a problem for the Ender 3 V2 as it can fully recover and resume printing if backed up.
Technical Specifications
General specifications:
Technology: FDM
Year: 2020
Assembly: semi-assembled
Mechanical arrangement: Cartesian system
Manufacturer: Creality
Material:
Filament diameter: 1.75 mm
Third party filaments: yes
Compatible materials: PLA, ABS, PETG, TPU
Features of 3D printing:
Accuracy: 0.1 mm
Layer height: 0.1 mm
Feeder system: bowden
Extruder type: single nozzle
Nozzle size: 0.4 mm
Max. construction volume: 220 x 220 x 250 mm
Max. extruder temperature: 255 °C
Max. temperature of the heated pad: 100 °C
Max. print speed: 180 mm/s
Closed press chamber: no
Pad leveling: manual
Printing pad: heated
Display: color LCD display
Connection: micro SD card, USB
Built-in camera: no
Option to continue printing: yes
Software:
Recommended slicer: Cura, Simplify3D
Operating system: Windows, Mac
File types: STL, OBJ
Size and weight:
Frame dimensions: 475 x 470 x 620 mm
Weight: 7.8 kg
For comparison, you might also be interested in the following printers, here is a short summary:
Creality Ender 3 Pro
It is the direct predecessor of Ender 3 V2. The Ender 3 Pro is just as capable of high-quality prints, but lacks some of the practical features found in the V2 series.
Artillery Genius
The Artillery Genius is slightly more expensive than the Ender 3 V2, but fundamentally better in terms of a direct drive extruder and touch interface.
Creality CR-6 SE
The CR-6 SE is a surprising printer. It is Creality's first Kickstarter-funded project. The Creality CR-6 SE is very similar to the V2 type, but offers a slightly larger build volume, better extruder placement and thus better automatic mat leveling, which Creality considers a revolutionary system. And on top of that plus other small differences.
