The number of Ender 3s has reached a point where it now almost feels as if there are too many to figure out which one is right for you. It can get confusing. To make matters worse, Creality has now recently launched a bunch of new Ender 3 Neo printers.
The Max Neo is an updated Ender 3 Max. While it actually has a slightly smaller build volume in comparison to the original, there are some changes to its design that, in theory, could improve the overall stability of the printer and result in better prints.
It’s not without competition. The Creality Ender 3 Max Neo has the Artillery Sidewinder X2, Anycubic Kobra Plus, and Creality Ender 3 S1 Plus to worry about. There’s no shortage of choice for consumers, that’s for sure.
However, the burning question is really whether the Max Neo is a worthwhile update over the recently released Ender 3 S1 Plus or even the older Max. Read on to see if its specs suggest it is.
Features
Dual Z-axis
A significant change from the original Max is the inclusion of a dual Z-axis. The original had only one lead screw mechanism holding up the entire Z-axis. A single Z-axis can increase the chances of uneven prints due to printer sag, especially with a heavy print head. This can happen when the single lead screw can’t handle the load. In theory, the addition of a dual Z-axis will give the printer better stability and improved precision.
CR touch bed leveling
The original Max did not come with Creality’s CR Touch automatic bed leveling system as default. Instead, it was an upgrade that could be attached to the printer. However, with the Neo, the CR Touch system is standard equipment. It can measure and adjust the bed level by prodding 25 touch points. If you aren’t satisfied with the automatic leveling, you can still manually adjust the level using the screw adjustment at the bottom of the bed. This combination offers users greater freedom than other automated leveling systems.
4.3-inch color UI
The Max Neo gets a new 4.3-inch rotary knob-controlled color screen. The new screen comes with updated visuals and even auto-dims after a while to save power. The operating system also has an auto-resume function which the company claims can resume a print even after power failure.
32-bit mainboard
A 32-bit mainboard is now standard equipment for most modern 3D printers, and this Creality machine comes with one. It should be a quiet board that offers better processing bandwidth. Creality hasn’t told us explicitly which board it is just yet, but we’d have our money on something similar, if not identical to this.
Further features
- All-metal filament extrusion: The Ender 3 Max Neo uses an all-metal Bowden extruder similar to its predecessor. It also comes with a filament detector.
- Build volume: The build volume is 300 x 300 x 320 mm on the Max Neo, which is slightly lower than the original Max, by 20 mm on the Z-axis.
- Quick Assembly: The Ender 3 Max Neo comes pre-assembled and should be easy enough to put together in just a few minutes.
- Belt tensioners: Belt tension is crucial for a great print and belt tensioners have handy knobs making this an easy task.
- Nozzle, bed and filaments: The Ender 3 Max Neo has a maximum nozzle temperature of 260 ℃, the bed can go up to 110 ℃. You should be able to print the standard consumer filament selection of PLA, ABS, PETG and TPU at these temperatures.
Release Date & Availability
Considering how new it is, you probably won’t be surprised to learn there are no reviews about it yet. However, the 3D printing community has shared a couple of videos and initial test prints. These prints seem pretty good, and the sentiment seems to be positive for now. As people get familiar with the printer, we expect to see a few more reviews in the coming weeks.
Price
The original Max is still available in Creality’s store and is priced significantly cheaper. However, if you were to upgrade the Max to match the Neo, you are looking at a similar end price. The final say on its worth depends on its performance while printing, which we can only determine once we’ve gone hands on.
Tech Specs
General Specifications
- Technology: Fused deposition modeling (FDM)
- Year: 2022
- Assembly: Partially assembled
- Mechanical arrangement: Cartesian XZ-head
- Manufacturer: Creality
3D Printer Properties
- Build volume: 300 x 300 x 320 mm
- Feeder system: Bowden
- Print head: Single nozzle
- Nozzle size: 0.4 mm
- Max. hot end temperature: 260 ℃
- Max. heated bed temperature: 110 ℃
- Print bed material: Carborundum Glass
- Frame: Aluminum
- Bed leveling: Automatic
- Display: 4.3-inch color screen
- Connectivity: USB, microSD
- Print recovery: Yes
- Filament sensor: Yes
- Camera: No
Materials
- Filament diameter: 1.75 mm
- Third-party filament: Yes
- Filament materials: Consumer materials (PLA, ABS, PETG, Flexibles)
Software
- Recommended slicer: Creality Slicer, Cura, Simplify3D, Repetier-Host
- Operating system: Windows, Mac OSX, Linux
- File types: STL, OBJ, AMF
Dimensions and Weight
- Frame dimensions: 516 x 582 x 590 mm
- Weight: 10.3 kg
Similar Printers
Creality’s Ender 3 Max Neo is not the only option in medium format 3D printers. If you are interested in similar machines, we’ve listed a few below, but if you’d rather see a selection of the best 3D printers, head on over to our Best 3D Printers Guide.
Artillery Sidewinder X2
The Artillery Sidewinder X2 is a comparable option to the Creality Ender 3 Max Neo. It has all the right specs, including Dual Z-axes, automatic bed leveling, and a touchscreen at nearly the same price. Even the build volume on the Z-axis is larger. However, in our review we found it had some significant but fixable issues. This makes it a printer perhaps better suited for a skilled enthusiast rather than a novice.
Anycubic Kobra Plus
The Anycubic Kobra Plus is a great option compared to the Ender 3 Max Neo. It has a slightly larger print area at 300 x 300 x 350 mm. It also uses a carborundum glass bed like the Max Neo, which can be heated to 100 ℃. The Anycubic has a built-in auto-leveling system and a large 4.3-inch touchscreen, no knobs here. There is a delightful tool drawer as well, but at $499, it is much more expensive than the Creality machine.
Creality Ender 3 S1 Plus
Creality’s stable being as large as it is, it was inevitable that a competitor would emerge from its own ranks. The Creality Ender 3 S1 Plus was announced not too long ago and has some great features, including a PC-coated spring steel bed, a direct extruder, and a 4.3-inch touchscreen. At the same time, there are also a lot of similarities, an almost identical build volume, 300 x 300 x 300 mm, CR Touch automatic bed leveling, and dual Z-axes. The S1 Plus is much more expensive than the Max Neo, which plays well for the new Max.
Lead image source: Creality
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