If we simply compare bed dimensions and build volume, the Ender 5 Plus is towards the large end of the spectrum for entry- to mid-level consumer printing. It’s also much larger than its Ender siblings.

The original Ender 3 has a respectable build volume of 220 x 220 x 250 mm. The new Ender 3 Max Neo, on the other hand, sizes up at 300 x 300 x 320 mm – large but still not as large as the Ender 5 Plus. In fact, the 5 Plus even tops the Creality CR-10 Smart, which comes in at 300 x 300 x 400 mm.

Well what about other brands? The Ender 5 Plus stacks up pretty well against similarly sized offerings:

• Tronxy X5SA-500 Pro: This printer has a slight edge in build volume at 500 x 500 x 600 mm. It does have many of the same features as the Ender 5 Plus including a similar-looking design and auto bed leveling. Its hot end even goes a few degrees higher. However, the Tronxy is a bit more like the Ender 3 series in that it’s really for the tinkerer or DIYer. Beginners would be hard-pressed to get good-looking prints from the start without a bit of tweaking.
•  Vivedino Troodon: If you want a large format printer based on an open-source Voron CoreXY 3D printer design without having to build one yourself, the Troodon  may be what you are seeking. While the part quality of this printer isn’t known for being the highest, the machine is generally ready to use without much fuss and can deliver some solid results. It comes with many of the expected features for this kind of design, including a BLTouch.
• Modix Big60 V3: If you’re feeling more like a prosumer who can assemble a machine and has the space for it, the Big60 V3 is your big-ticket item to get. The Big60 has an E3D Volcano extruder, BLTouch, and a huge 600 x 600 x 660 mm build volume. Add-ons even give this giant printer a full enclosure setup.

Now you’re probably wondering if these big printers will cost the big bucks. While prices vary, you’ll generally pay slightly more for the Tronxy than the Ender 5 Plus, and for the Troodon, you’ll have to shell out nearly double. The Big60 is typically available from Modix for around $4000 and up.

As a budget-friendly yet capable large-format machine, the Ender 5 Plus is difficult to beat. If you want to explore these printers and other options in more detail, check out our article on the best large 3D printers.

So you want a larger print bed. What is the difference? Bigger is always better, right? As with most sophisticated designs, there are always advantages and disadvantages to consider.

Size

This one is pretty obvious, but with a larger print bed, you’ll have more build space for objects. Items that you may have had to shrink before can now be printed full size if they fall within the dimensions of your larger bed.

Of course, with a big bed size comes a larger machine, as well as more workspace needed to put this machine. Keep in mind that not only the dimensions but also the weight will be more than a “standard” sized printer. Make sure to consider your workspace before you unpack your new large-bed printer and find that it doesn’t quite fit.

Print Quality

Simply put, the larger real estate dedicated to a large print bed allows for more error. This can happen for a variety of reasons. For example, you may have to pay closer attention to temperature variations in larger printing environments, which are more difficult to control compared to compact printers.

Depending on the manufacturer and the tuning of the particular machine, prints may also suffer at the edges or center of the bed due to build quality or adjustments that would otherwise not be as noticeable over a much smaller surface area.

Bed Leveling

Just a slightly unlevel bed in one region may result in a print failure when printing over the huge 300-mm area. Luckily, automatic bed leveling tends to come standard for large format printers, rather than as an add-on. Properly leveling a bed can be tricky on some machines. The added bed real estate makes ABL practically a requirement.

Warping & Adhesion

Warping and adhesion problems can plague any printer setup. Scale up the bed size, and you scale up these issues as well. While temperature variations can be somewhat managed by using enclosures, the increased workspace required still presents a challenge for some designs.

Weight & Vibration

A larger print bed will have more weight. Printers with bed slinger designs (where the print surface moves on the Y-axis) do okay earlier on in the printing job near the base but tend to struggle as the object gets larger in the Z-axis due to vibration and sway. For most printers with a bed size smaller than 300 mm, this is an acceptable tradeoff.

With its larger bed, the Ender 5 Plus prevents this with a gantry design rather than a bed slinger. In a gantry design, the print head is located at the top of the printer, and the entire print bed lowers on the Z-axis. While this certainly negates some of the vibrations and inertia from the mass of the bed moving back and forth, it comes at the cost of a more complicated design and tighter tolerance needs.

Batch Printing

While most any printer is capable of batch printing, a large print surface really allows this feature to shine. Typically many “batch” printing approaches on smaller print beds cram as many parts onto the bed as possible and print them all at once. A mid-print failure usually means the loss of every part.

This is where the sequential printing feature in most slicers comes into play. This “print one at a time” approach is possible on any size print bed but is most practical with a large print surface. Printing several or even dozens of objects sequentially is possible on a larger print surface and if one fails, the rest are not lost.

Creating an enclosure for your prints is a very popular add-on for just about any printer. Entire model lines from various manufacturers come fully enclosed, while other popular models are not. For the latter printers, an entire DIY community dedicated to 3D printer enclosures has cropped up.

One of the most popular options utilizes the low cost Ikea Lack furniture to create a very professional-looking enclosures. Endless variations of this theme exist, so makers can modify the design to fit their personal style, taste, and needs. Unfortunately for those who own an Ender 5 Plus, the Ikea Lack solution is simply too small to be an option. While a few other Ikea furniture-based pieces have started to come out, most are still not as cost-effective or simple as the Lack option.

So if the Ender 5 Plus is too big for the Ikea solution, what options do you have to keep the heat, smell, and noise in, while keeping drafts out? Surprisingly more than you might think! Below we highlight some of the most straightforward methods, but you can also check out our article on enclosures for the Ender 5 to get more inspiration.

Self-Enclosed

With a few well-placed printed parts, a few sheets of plexiglass, and an eye for exacting measurements, you can essentially turn the frame of the Ender 5 Plus into its own enclosure.

Pitch A Tent

Want fast, cheap, and easy? Then opt for a pop-up enclosure that fits. For less than $100, you can have folding storage, ease of carry, multiple windows, and a reserved pocket for tools. These enclosures use aluminum film and flame-retardant material on the interior surfaces for safety and can be setup in minutes.

High-End Custom

Many of the most popular DIY methods will work but may leave a little to be desired. If your budget allows, you can go with a fully acrylic enclosure with all the bells and whistles. While this might be one of the more expensive options, vendors who specialize in these kits use exacting measurements and printer-specific designs to ensure the best results. Add-ons such as fire-suppressing systems, temperature control, and HEPA filtration are all possible.

No set of examples would be complete without this Mandalorian Helmet. Printing an adult-sized single-print helmet is certainty one reason to opt for a larger print bed. This fantastic helmet by Rob Pauza comes in several versions, including a one-piece design.

Want more Mando?

Mandalorian Helmet 3D Print: The Best STL Files of 2023

If you ever wanted to feel a bit like you were in the Legend of Zelda, this print might just do it. The Traveler’s Bow is an item from the Breath of the Wild used by adventurers for protection and is one that Link can use too. While not the most damaging weapon, it can strike from a distance. Plus, it looks so cool!

This design is broken down into several parts that can be printed on a large bed very easily. But why stop there? Check out 25 Epic Legend of Zelda 3D Prints & Props.

Who doesn’t want NPCs for their tabletop games? But do you have an army of printers to make each one? Probably not. Why not fill the print bed of your Ender 5 Plus and print each one sequentially This collection has 85 detailed figures to work with.

Need More Options?

Free DnD 3D Print Files: 40 Best D&D STL Files

Perhaps your goal is to individually print every part needed to assemble a scale model of your favorite prop to accompany your cosplay. If so, then the Guardians of the Galaxy would be proud to see this blaster assembled. But why think small by printing it in parts?

The creator has added a single-print STL. And it fits beautifully on the Ender 5 Plus. So print it out in one go, and you can have a pair just like Starlord.