Build Volume

The build volume remains unchanged from the previous Neptune 2 at 220 x 220 x 250 mm. No surprises there, as, just like other 3D printer manufacturers have, Elegoo has copied the design of the Creality Ender 3.

It’s an average amount of room with which to create within, and certainly if this is to be your first 3D printer, you’re unlikely to complain about a lack of space. If you’ve been down this road before though, this amount of space is run of the mill stuff in budget 3D printers. Basically, because they’re all copies of one another.

Dual-geared Bowden Extruder

This extruder is different to that found on the original Neptune 2, and is claimed to offer smoother operation by preventing clogging of the nozzle. Elegoo is actually going big on the claims for this thing, saying users should see a more uniform output, more stable printing, and even better print quality.

It’s a dual-geared setup, so should be better at gripping the filament and a bit more consistent at pushing it through in comparison to the previous extruder. Elegoo also says it has a titanium alloy throat pipe that should provide better heat dissipation and from the images, it looks as if the spring has been upgraded as well. Overall, it’s got the look of a stronger unit and we would hope that it delivers greater consistency in printing. We won’t know until we get hands on, however.

Upgraded Blue PTFE Tube

The Neptune 2S supposedly comes with an upgraded Bowden tube that looks a bit Capricorn-y. An upgraded PTFE tube should be more resistant to high temperatures, and according to Elegoo, the tube enables sustainable and long-term printing at temperatures up to 260 degrees.

High heat resistance might cater to specific users who wish to fully exploit the printer’s heat capabilities and who print with filaments that withstand high temperatures such as ABS, PETG and nylon.

It probably isn’t official Capricorn tubing, and is likely to be a dyed generic PTFE tube to piggyback on the popularity of the famously-blue Capricorn. Elegoo’s material states that “The blue PTFE tube is more resistant to high temperature than the white PTFE tube.” So, there you go. blue is better than white.

PEI Spring Steel Magnetic build plate

The Neptune 2S gets a new build plate, a PEI spring steel sheet which should be a step up from the Neptune 2’s build plate, which was a poor effort.

In theory, the PEI spring steel platform should bring two major benefits – enhanced adhesion and easily removal prints. The PEI spring steel platform is advertised to be more heat-resistant and to have a longer lifespan, and, as the website suggests, has material compatibility across the consumer-grade filament spectrum (PLA, ABS, PETG, TPU).

We’ve seen a few of this style of sheet on recent printers and, as long as it’s been executed well, prints should be easily removed, either coming off the bed once it’s cooled or by flexing it.

Manual Bed leveling

It would have been good to see automatic bed leveling make an appearance here, but there is an upgrade of sorts with the manual leveling system. The Neptune 2S has replaced the old plastic leveling nuts with two sizable aluminum wheels and upgraded springs. That could make manual bed leveling a little easier, but the change is probably more for design than functionality. Manually leveling a bed isn’t difficult and doesn’t take that long, after all.

If you do want to go down the auto route, you can. Elegoo provides downloadable files for automatic leveling and a port on the mainboard for a BL Touch upgrade.

Mainboard

The Neptune 2S looks to have the same mainboard as that of the Neptune 2, which makes a lot of sense. It’s a 32-bit and quite probably off-brand Robin Nano V1.2 with TMC 2225 silent stepper drivers that are soldered to the board and therefore not modular. The drivers in place here allow for silent operation but miss out on many useful and advanced features that similar drivers with firmware-configurable variable voltages allow.

On the board we can see there’s room to install a BL Touch sensor, as mentioned above. There’s also the potential for another extruder to be installed, should you wish.

3.5-inch Touchscreen UI

The 2S’ UI looks to be unchanged from the Neptune 2’s. The characteristic red-and-black look and simple layout looks to once again be present, but we’ll be hoping the touchscreen itself is of a higher quality. The Neptune 2’s original UI was laggy and featured confusing iconography which led to much frustration.

Further Features

Apart from the above-mentioned features, the Neptune 2S also has:

• Filament sensor: With a filament sensor, you should be able to leave your printer and go about your other business without worrying about your filament running out and your print remaining incomplete.
• Resume print function: Should a power cut occur, the Neptune 2S should have your back, and resuming printing your print when the juice is flowing again.
• Semi-assembled: This 3D printer is semi-assembled, but there’s more work to put this together than there is with, say, a new Anycubic Kobra. It should be doable in under an hour.