Your Search Come to an End
Following the success of the CR-10, Creality further established itself as a player in the world of 3D printing with its more recent Ender series. By far, the most popular model is the Ender 3, but several variations exist as well, targeting varying budgets and form factors.
All of the Ender 3D printers use FDM technology and come delivered as DIY kits, to be assembled by the buyer. The resulting low machine and material costs greatly contribute to the popularity of the Enders, but they’re also known to produce decent quality prints.
If you’re looking to buy a cheap 3D printer but don’t know which one to choose, it might be worth taking a look at the Enders. Given the variety between the models, you’re sure to find something that suits your needs.
Ender 3
Although it doesn’t come first by name, we’ll start with the Ender 3, the most popular of the Ender 3D printers.
The Ender 3 has received many awards since it was launched and is considered by the 3D printing communities to be a very solid, affordable 3D printer. Despite its low price point, the Ender 3 is capable of high-quality prints in a wide range of materials, including flexible filaments.
Approximate price: $230
Specifications:
- Printing volume: 220 x 220 x 250 mm
- Max. nozzle temp.: 255 °C
- Max. bed temp.: 110 °C
- Max. print speed: 200 mm/s
- Filament diameter: 1.75 mm
- Nozzle size: 0.4 mm (0.2 mm and 0.3 mm are supportable)
- Working mode: USB, SD card
- Layer thickness: 0.1 – 0.4 mm
Next to the Ender 3 stand the Ender 3X and the Ender 3 Pro. Both come with a number of minor upgrades over the original, but to be completely honest, we’re not convinced the increased prices are worth it.
Ender 2
Returning to the numerical order, next up is the Ender 2. This cantilever-style 3D printer shares a few things in common with the TronXY X1 and the Anet A9.
With its small build volume and footprint, the Ender 2 is meant to be a wallet-friendly alternative to the more popular Ender 3. Yet, it would seem that the laws of supply and demand had something else to say.
Approximate price: $230
Specifications:
- Printing volume: 150 x 150 x 200 mm
- Max. nozzle temp.: 255 °C
- Max. bed temp.: 90 °C
- Max. print speed: 200 mm/s
- Filament diameter: 1.75 mm
- Nozzle size: 0.4 mm (0.2 mm and 0.3 mm are supportable)
- Working mode: USB, SD card
- Layer thickness: 0.1 – 0.4 mm
Ender 4
The Ender 4 was Creality’s first Ender large-format 3D printer. While it certainly seems to have boasted some useful features, it now seems to have been by-and-large replaced by the Ender 5.
Approximate price: —
Specifications:
- Printing volume: 220 x 220 x 300 mm
- Max. nozzle temp.: 260 °C
- Max. bed temp.: 100 °C
- Max. print speed: 200 mm/s
- Filament diameter: 1.75 mm
- Nozzle size: 0.4 mm (0.2 mm and 0.3 mm are supportable)
- Working mode: USB, SD card
- Layer thickness: 0.1 – 0.4 mm
Ender 5
If you’ve got a little more money and a little more space, you might as well skip the Ender 3 and go straight for the Ender 5. Apart from a larger build volume, it also offers greater quality prints and additional features.
Approximate price: $350
Specifications:
- Printing volume: 220 x 220 x 300 mm
- Max. nozzle temp.: 260 °C
- Max. bed temp.: 110 °C
- Max. print speed: 200 mm/s
- Filament diameter: 1.75 mm
- Nozzle size: 0.4 mm (0.2 mm and 0.3 mm are supportable)
- Working mode: USB, SD card
- Layer thickness: 0.1 – 0.4 mm
Feature image source: Creality
CERTAIN CONTENT THAT APPEARS ON THIS SITE COMES FROM AMAZON. THIS CONTENT IS PROVIDED ‘AS IS’ AND IS SUBJECT TO CHANGE OR REMOVAL AT ANY TIME.