At DIYElectronics it is no secret that we are a big fan of Creality 3D Printers. Offering a wide range of amazing printers ranging from the beginner Ender 3 to the large format CR-10 MAX and nearly everything in-between. With so many options to choose from, as a beginner in the maker community, how do you know what 3D Printer is right for you? Luckily we have come up with a list of 3D Printers for beginners to help you out.
Creality has been producing high-quality and affordable 3D Printers since 2014 with a goal to help make 3D Printing more accessible to makers all over the world. They have 2 distinct product ranges, the Ender Series and the CR Series, with the Ender Series being considered by many as the entry-level range. In this blog post we will be looking at what we consider to be the best Creality 3D Printers for beginners.
So what makes a 3D Printer beginner friendly?
That is a good question. We consider a 3D Printer beginner friendly when it is easy to assemble, affordable, high-quality and user-friendly. So with that out of the way let’s dive into our list of Creality 3D Printers for beginners.
Ender 3
We consider the Ender 3 to be one of the best beginner 3D Printers, despite being released in 2018. At the time of writing there are many versions of the Ender 3 available to purchase. The Ender 3 has become a well known name in the maker world and its success has lead to a bunch of benchmarks for various 3D Printers. The 220 x 220 x 250mm build volume and compact frame have become symbolic of the Ender series. The lack of bells and whistles out of the box helps keep the Ender 3 affordable for beginners. The wide range of modifications and upgrades means the Ender 3 can be kept updated making it very popular with makers of all skill levels. We think this means the Ender 3 is truly deserving of its position on our list.
Ender 3 V2
The Ender 3 V2 is the result of years of feedback from Ender 3 users. Released in 2020 the Ender 3 V2 offers many of the great features of the Ender 3 as well as a host of improvements and quality of life updates. The frame is very similar to the Ender 3, offering the same 220 x 220 x 250mm build volume, but with a more robust 40 x 40mm bed carriage extrusion. The screen and user-interface have received a much needed update making it easier for first time users. We also noted the addition of various large knobs to assist in adjusting the extruder, Z and Y-Axis belts and bed levelling. However the biggest update is the addition of the V4.2.2 32bit motherboard with integrated TMC2208 stepper drivers for a much smoother and quieter operating experience.
Ender 3 MAX
The Ender 3 Max is the latest addition to the Ender series. We have found that as the print volume increases so does the price, this is why we were so excited about the release of the Ender 3 Max. Instead of sharing the same build volume as the Ender 3 and Ender 3 V2 the Max offers an impressive 300 x 300 x 340mm build volume. This is similar build volume that can be found on some of the CR series 3D Printers. The Max is powered by the V4.2.2 motherboard with integrated Trinamic drivers for smoother and quieter operation. The addition of a filament runout sensor offers peace of mind during those big prints. We feel the Max is a great purchase for beginners looking for bigger build volume at a very affordable price.
Honourable Mentions
We know we have just scratched the surface of the Ender range and therefore we have these honourable mentions of 3D printers that didn’t make the cut.
Ender 5 Series
The Ender 5 series breaks from the design of the Ender 3 series. The CoreXY frame and decent build volume makes the Ender 5 series a solid addition to the Ender range albeit at a slightly higher price. We feel that the Ender 3 series are better 3D Printers for beginners with the Ender 5 series being a strong alternative if you are willing to spend a bit more.
Ender 6
The Ender 6 is an interesting addition to the Ender range and share many similarities to the Ender 5 series. Released in 2020 the Ender 6 is a partially self-enclosed CoreXY 3D Printer with a very sturdy frame and decent build volume. It also offers all-metal extruder body and filament runout sensor. The price of the Ender 6, similar to the Ender 5 Plus, puts it firmly amongst the CR range. We feel this makes it less suited to beginners.
Conclusion
With such a wide range of 3D Printers available we understand that choosing the right one, especially for a beginner, can be difficult. We hope this post helped highlight some of the 3D Printers we find to be suited towards beginners and the pros and cons of each. If you are looking for advice on more advanced 3D Printers check out this post. If you did find this post beneficial please consider sharing it on social media. Find out more about new 3D Printers and products that we stock as well as sales check out our social media pages. Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and Store.
(Updated on 03/03/2022 – Adjusted the Ender 3 V2 image as more mods and upgrades have become available)
Graphic Designer | Photographer | Gamer and Twitch streamer.
I have a passion for design and a love of art. I am always eager to learn new things, be it 3D modeling/3D printing, copywriting or even cooking. Pretty chill guy who is always down for a braai with family and friends.