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Best Creality Ender 3D Printer 2023

We look at the best Creality Ender 3D printers for all budgets
Last Updated on September 8, 2023
Best Creality Ender 3D Printer

Creality is well-known in the 3D printer market and a popular choice for beginners and seasoned hobbyists. Creality Ender 3D printers come in a range of series and models, making choosing the right printer quite touch for many people. Creality Ender is a favored choice for many 3D printing enthusiasts and beginners alike. These models are considered some of the best 3D printers around and fit a wide range of budgets and needs. So, regardless if you are looking at picking up a new hobby or need a replacement printer for your small business, we find the best Creality Ender 3D printer for you.

Products at a Glance

Why choose a Creality Ender 3D printer?

The journey of Creality began in 2015 as a modest 3D printing company situated in China. Their breakthrough came in 2016 with the launch of the original CR-10, but it was the introduction of the Ender 3 that truly propelled them to success.

As the Ender 3 established itself as the benchmark for consumer-grade 3D printing, Creality’s momentum only grew. They actively expanded their product lineup, unveiling a range of new printers and accessories, solidifying their position as a dominant player in the industry. Currently, Creality boasts an extensive portfolio of over 50 different 3D printers, encompassing both FDM and SLA (resin) technologies.

Our Recommended

Best Creality Ender 3D Printer 2023

1
PROS
  • High-quality printing
  • New UI interaction with an LCD knob screen
CONS
  • Higher price compared to other Creality 3D printers

The Creality Ender 3 S1 is a good option for beginners looking for a Creality 3D printer. It has a build volume of 8.7 x 8.7 x 9.8 inches (220mm x 220mm x 250mm) and can print with 1.75mm PLA, ABS, and TPU materials. The printer has a “Sprite” direct extruder, CR touch automatic leveling, and dual z-axis synchronization, which ensures high-quality printing. The printer also has a silent motherboard and a new UI interaction with an LCD knob screen.

2
PROS
  • Budget-friendly
  • Ideal for beginners
  • Lightweight
  • Removable build platform
CONS
  • Smaller build volume compared to other 3D printers
  • It may require upgrades for better print quality

The Creality Ender 2 Pro is a budget 3D printer that is ideal for those seeking an affordable option. You can find this very affordable Ender 3D printer at $169. It is a compact 3D printer that is lightweight and portable, making it a good choice for classrooms or a mobile STEM lab. The printer has a build volume of 4.3 x 4.3 x 4.9 inches (110mm x 110mm x 125mm) and can print with 1.75mm PLA, ABS, and TPU materials. The printer has a removable build platform and can be connected via microSD or USB.

3
PROS
  • High-quality printing
  • Fast printing speed
  • Automatic bed leveling and filament run-out sensor
  • Touch screen interface and resume printing function
CONS
  • Expensive

The Creality K1 is a premium option for those looking for a high-quality 3D printer. According to the users, the Creality K1 is capable of outperforming many 3D printers in its price range in terms of speed and part quality. The printer has a build volume of 11.8 x 11.8 x 15.7 inches (300mm x 300mm x 400mm) and can print with 1.75mm PLA, ABS, and TPU materials. The Creality K1 has a direct drive extruder, automatic bed leveling, and a filament run-out sensor. The printer also has a touchscreen interface and a resume printing function.

4

Creality Ender 3 3D Printer

PROS
  • Budget-friendly
  • Ideal for beginners
  • Removable flexible textured sheet as a build platform
CONS
  • The assembly process may require some work
  • Lacks some advanced features

The Creality Ender 3 is widely considered to be the best Creality 3D printer under $200. It is an open-source, DIY kit 3D printer that is ideal for beginners looking to get started in 3D printing. The printer has a build volume of 8.7 x 8.7 x 9.8 inches (220mm x 220mm x 250mm) and can print with 1.75mm PLA, ABS, and PETG materials. The printer has a removable flexible textured sheet as a build platform and can be connected via microSD or USB. The assembly process is designed to be friendly to users of all skill levels and can be completed in the afternoon.

Factors to consider when buying Creality Ender 3D printer

Ender 3D series has various models, and you have to be aware of some of the significant factors before purchasing one from it. So, here are the top 5 factors of choosing Creality Ender 3D Printer. 

Price:

The Creality Ender 3 stands mainly because of the Ender 3D Printer Price. It’s priced between $200 and $300, depending on the model and where you buy it. Just remember, there could be additional costs related to 3D printing, like buying filament, making Upgrades for Ender 3D Printer, and doing maintenance.

Print quality and speed:

With the Creality Ender 3, you can expect good print quality considering its price range. It can achieve a maximum resolution of 100 microns and a layer height of 0.1-0.4mm. Keep in mind that print quality depends on factors like the type of filament, temperature settings, and printer calibration. When it comes to speed, the Ender 3 can print at speeds up to 200mm/s, although this can change based on how complex the print is.

Ease of use:

The Creality Ender 3 is fairly user-friendly but requires some assembling and calibrating before you can start printing. Don’t worry; plenty of online resources are available like tutorials, videos, and forums to guide you through this process. Plus, the Ender 3 comes with an easy-to-use interface, and you can control it using a touchscreen or your computer.

Reliability:

Most people consider the Creality Ender 3 to be a reliable Creality Ender 3D Printer. However, a few users have mentioned problems with parts breaking or not working well over time. But here’s the upside: many of these issues can be fixed with upgrades or repairs. Furthermore, the Ender 3 is renowned for its exceptional customizability, enabling you to tailor it to your specific requirements.

Upgradability:

A remarkable aspect of the Creality Ender 3 is its effortless upgradability, setting it apart from the rest. There’s a wide range of aftermarket parts and upgrades available, from new hotends and extruders to different bed surfaces. This makes the Ender 3 an excellent option if you want to personalize your printer and enhance its performance as time goes on.

What are some common upgrades for the Creality Ender 3?

The Creality Ender 3 is known for its adaptability, with various modifications and enhancements available to improve its performance and print quality. Here are some commonly recommended upgrades for the Creality Ender 3:

Metal Extruder Kit:

Upgrading to a metal extruder kit can enhance the printer’s reliability and reduce the risk of filament jams.

Glass Bed:

Replacing the stock build surface with a glass bed can improve bed adhesion and make it easier to remove prints.

Upgraded Springs:

Replacing the stock bed springs with stiffer ones can improve bed leveling and reduce the risk of the bed becoming unlevel over time.

Silent Mainboard:

Upgrading to a silent mainboard can reduce the printer’s noise level and improve its overall performance.

Direct Drive Extruder:

Upgrading to a direct drive extruder can improve the printer’s ability to print flexible filaments and improve overall print quality.

Capricorn PTFE Tube:

Upgrading to a Capricorn-branded Bowden PTFE tube can improve filament feeding and reduce the risk of clogs.

Filament Runout Sensor:

Adding a filament runout sensor can prevent failed prints due to running out of filament.

OctoPrint:

Installing OctoPrint can provide remote control and monitoring of the printer, as well as additional features such as time-lapse videos and automatic bed leveling.

What is the maximum build size of the Ender 3?

The Creality Ender 3 boasts a generous maximum build volume measuring 220 x 220 x 250 mm. Remarkably, the practical dimensions of the build volume extend to 235 x 235 mm, as indicated. Consequently, the usable build plate area also encompasses 235 x 235 mm, surpassing the initially advertised print area of 220 x 220 mm by a slight margin.

What are the features of the Creality Ender 3D printers?

The Ender 3 series of printers offer excellent print quality and a decent build volume, making them suitable for printing models and small parts. They also come with modern features such as auto bed leveling, easy assembly, and a budget-friendly price range.

What is the difference between the usable build plate size and the size of the build surface?

The usable build plate size refers to the actual area on the build plate that can be used for printing, while the size of the build surface refers to the total area of the build plate. The difference between the two values is due to the clips that attach the removable build plate to the print bed, which encroach upon the usable area of the build plate. The Creality Ender 3 has a build surface size of 235 x 235 mm, but the usable build plate size is 220 x 220 mm.

Our Verdict

Hopefully, we have made finding the best Creality Ender 3D Printer easy for you. At the end of the day, if you are looking for a 3D printer, you must be pretty passionate about your work and a quality printer is going to be an excellent investment. Creality has so many great options; all you need is to know your requirements. 

Narrow down your needs, match the product, and then purchase the best Creality Ender 3D printer that suits your business or interests.  So, keep it all in mind before spending your money. The best part is that Creality is for everyone. Be it a professional, beginner, hobbyist, or business owner, you can find a 3D printer that fits your budget and requirements efficiently.