Ender 3 Pro Vs Ender 3
Ender 3 stands out from other 3D printers for its unique blend of quality and affordability. It can produce as good a print quality as printers 3-4 times its price if it is set to the right settings and patient. This makes it a good choice for tinkerers and beginners. A low-cost 3D printer that everyone can afford, it’s an excellent introduction to 3D printing. Those who are looking for a plug and play solution (and who are willing to spend more) should look elsewhere.
It’s worth $30-40 more to upgrade to the Pro with all the upgrades. This printer has a more stable printing surface than the Ender 3, so it produces a better quality print. In addition, it has a thin, quieter and more efficient power supply. These three upgrades, along with the new magnetic printing bed, make this upgrade far superior to the sum of its parts. Ender 3 vs. Reality has addressed all the bugs, glitches, and inconsistencies that existed in the original game.
Pros
- The price was extremely reasonable
- An online community of thousands
- When power is restored, printing can resume
Cons
- Y-axis base now made from stronger aluminum
- A flexible build plate prevents stuck prints
- The price is still good
- Quiet
- It must be assembled
- It needs some tweaking and dialing in
- Plugins are not available
Ender 3 Pro and Ender 3 are pretty much the same printer with minor tweaks, but if you don’t have either, you may want to opt for the Ender 3 Pro due to its stronger Y-axis and relatively quiet power supply. Those who own the Ender 3 can purchase the parts separately.
Main Differences Between The Ender 3 Pro Vs Ender 3
The main difference between Ender 3 Pro Vs Ender 3 is given in detail below:
- Ender 3 Pro has a flexible and magnetic build plate so your prints won’t stick to it and removal is easier.
- Power supply improvements make Ender 3 Pro printing operations quieter.
- Compared to the Ender 3, which is sometimes subject to printing defects due to its smaller base, the Ender 3 Pro has a more sturdy and stable Y-axis base
As a result, I’ll dive deeper into the matter to see which is the best choice.
Reality has proven its ability to develop reliable, inexpensive, and easy-to-use 3D printers in the last two years, carving out a niche in the 3D printing market.
The Ender printer line is the greatest example of this. These printers are among the least expensive currently available on the market.
As I discussed each printer separately, I will now discuss the differences between them. It is my goal to determine whether the extra “Pro” makes a difference and whether it is worth it.
Creality Ender 3
Even though this should not be a major concern for a new user, an unsuspecting newbie might find this to be an issue when they open their box.
I assembled and adjusted everything in about 45 minutes, and it only took me that long to get everything up and running.
Despite having prior experience, I spent much of my time learning the settings by trial and error.
The real fun began once I got started.
The Ender 3 3D printer is one of the most affordable 3D printers on the market, but it offers plenty of features you won’t find in the budget segment. One of its most useful features is for resuming prints.
To print 3D objects, especially if your aim is ambitious, you will need a lot of time and patience.
If you’re working on a 12-hour printing batch, you’re at constant risk of power outages, unplugging accidents, and interruptions.
Resuming printing is as simple as clicking the button.
I definitely gave this printer extra points for the continuation feature, which is typically only found on printers over $500.
The Ender 3’s print plate is brass-coated, which offers plenty of advantages, but it can also cause some warping.
Glass is my preferred material, as is most everyone else I’ve spoken with – and replacing the old build plate with a new one was simple and relatively inexpensive.
While Ender 3’s build volume isn’t as big as their CR printers (particularly compared to the Ender CR series), it’s sufficient to tackle some cool projects.
The printing speed of 180mm/s is also excellent, much faster than the majority of other printers in this range.
Moreover, it has a precision of 1 micron, which is much higher than any printer on this price range (and that prints at a similar speed) can achieve.
My Final Impression – Creality Ender 3
There were a number of aspects of Ender 3 that were enjoyable throughout. We recommended this 3D printer as our #1 under $200 pick.
It combines quality and affordability, as well as hackability (which you should do).
Although it has a lower build volume than some printers above its pay grade, it still competes with devices that are much more expensive.
In addition to warping out of shape, the building plate has the same problem.In addition to warping out of shape, the building plate has the same problem.
During my testing, this did not occur, but I thought I should mention it here since it came up in enough online reviews.
Some other printers using the same build plate have also had problems, including the Creality Ender 3.
You will have to adjust it manually, which can be annoying when you’re ready to start working, and constant changes can lead to shaky prints. Although the adjustment process is relatively straightforward, it isn’t a major issue.
Pros – Creality Ender 3
- This was a very good price
- Help and ideas can be found in a large online community
Cons – Creality Ender 3
- Warping of the building plate is possible
- Manual adjustment is required frequently
3D Printer Specs – Creality Ender 3
- The speed of the print is 180mm/s
- 220x220x250 mm
- Polycarbonate, TPU, PLA 1.75mm
- The following modes of operation are supported: online and offline
- Machine Dimensions: 440 x 440 x 465mm
- Approximately 8KG in net weight
- The voltage range is 100-265 volts and the frequency is 50-60 Hz
- A 24V 15A 270W output
- Layer Thickness: 0.1-0.4mm
- NOSE DIMENSION: 0.4mm
- Precision: 0.1 millimeters
- 110°C for the hotbed
Creality Ender 3 Pro
The Ender 3 Pro and the Ender 3 aren’t too different at first glance.
Frequently, by adding a “Pro” to the model, Creality added a specific feature or upgrade to the printer.
The new Ender 3 includes some new material while maintaining most of the key features of the original.
My first observation was that the Ender 3 Pro and the Ender 3 were similar once I took them both out of the box.
Similar to the Ender, it is a DIY project to set it up.
My process for the Ender 3 was almost the same.
Its increased stability distinguishes it from the Ender 3.
During printing, the Pro features an improved Y axis with improved mounts for improved stability.
The upgraded power supply was another positive change I noticed instantly when printing.
Its sleek and quiet PSU makes a major difference over its predecessor.
A major disadvantage of the Ender 3 is its noisy printing, as I mentioned in the previous section.
This has been fixed by the Pro – thank you so much!
Other printing materials can also be used with the power supply.
The Ender 3 Pro also accepts wood, TPU, Gradient color, and carbon fiber.
In addition, the baseplate for the Ender 3 Pro has been improved.
Additionally, they have added a flexible magnetic sheet to reduce the physical effort required to pull off the finished product from the base plate, compared to the solid base plate in Ender 3.
The Pro baseplate’s structural stability also potentially reduces the need to adjust your printer’s setup during printing.
Apart from that, you’ll be getting the exact same printer; except for the small differences, everything else is identical.
My Final Impression – Creality Ender 3 Pro
Ender 3 Pro brought many new and positive changes.
It was incredibly helpful having a quieter power unit since printing with the Ender 3 led to less ambient noise.
If you’re doing a project over several days and plan to sleep anywhere near your office, a disruptively loud printer is the last thing you need.
The Y-axis reinforcement is another huge plus.
The Ender 3 is an excellent printer and can handle most of your projects right out of the box, but you may have to make readjustments after printing.
As a result, you will spend more time printing rather than adjusting.
Last but not least, the baseplate.
In some cases, the new plate was better than the old one – and it is in most cases – but in general it was the least impressive of the three.
There were some issues with the magnetic base, including how it would not align properly and didn’t justify its inclusion.
Based on the enhanced stability of the base plate, the upgrades to the magnetic plate were a waste of money.
Even so, we still recommend the Ender 3 Pro as our best 3D printer under $300.
In what way are the prices different?
Regardless of whether you have a Prime discount or not, you’re looking at around $30-$40 in difference. It would be best if you purchased it directly from the manufacturer.
Pros – Creality Ender 3 Pro
- Stability on the y-axis is improved
- The printing process is quieter
- Improved stability for base plates
Cons – Creality Ender 3 Pro
- Magnetic stripe problems
- Pricing at a higher level
- The same requirements apply to assembly
3D Printer Specs – Creality Ender 3 Pro
- Size: 210x210x250mm
- There are several different materials such as PLA, ABS, wood, TPU, gradient colors, carbon fiber, and others.
- The following modes of operation are supported: online and offline
- G-code, STL, OBJ, CAD
- Machine Dimensions: 440 x 440 x 465mm
- 6.9KG is the net weight
- Current: AC100-120V/6.6A/DC240V/3.4A/50/60Hz
- 270W DC output
- NOSE DIMENSION: 0.4mm
- Precision: 0.1 millimeters
- Temperature of the hotbed: 110°C
Understanding The Differences: Things To Consider
Creality made many changes to the Pro, but some people won’t benefit from them while others don’t want to spend the extra money.
For making an informed decision, you need to know which camp you belong to.
- What is your budget?
No matter which features a 3D printer has, this is probably the most straightforward method for determining which one is best for you. However, your decision may not be aided by the budget here.
Are you new to 3D printing/has it been a while since you have used one?
Due to their lower prices, you may choose to buy your first printer (or perhaps one of your first printers) with the Ender 3 or Ender 3 Pro.
Additionally, it’s possible you want to try out something new, or you have been disappointed with an expensive printer and need something simpler and cheaper.
This might be a better option if this is your first printer.
Furthermore, it is still a fully functional 3D printer, and is a bit cheaper.
Some upgrades tend to affect your quality of life rather than your print quality, volume, or speed, so you can save some money by excluding them.
It is possible, however, that these upgrades are worth the extra money if you have any printing experience. In this case, you are most likely going to be working on larger projects, so the increased stability and noise reduction will help out greatly.
- What Are You Hoping To Print?
In my last question, I touched a bit on this, but this might be the most important question for you to ask.
Often, people have elaborate ideas in mind when they purchase a new printer.
While others purchase printers purely to learn more about the subject and perhaps create some cool objects in the process.
The Ender 3 Pro is your top choice if you are planning a big project and you know it will take you a long time to complete, or if you feel you will benefit from enhanced stability.
But if you want to work on smaller, more immediate projects or if you’re brand new to 3d printing, the original Ender 3 is an excellent choice.
- What importance do you place on improvements in quality of life?
Improving quality of life often falls between fixing necessary problems and making cosmetic changes.
A total of three design changes were made to the Ender 3 Pro, none of which have dramatically altered the original design, but all of which are improvement over the original design in some way.
If you are considering buying this printer, you should consider how the noise reduction, reinforced Y-axis, and increased stability of the base plate will influence your experience.
The Ender 3 Pro is entirely unnecessary if you do not need that additional feature, even if it is only marginally more expensive.
My Verdict – Ender 3 Vs. Ender 3 Pro
The entire discussion regarding Ender 3 vs. Ender 3 Pro is here.
Does the Ender 3 Pro upgrade justify the additional cost, or are the improvements not worth the higher price tag?
Even so, I believe you shouldn’t spend more on something than you should (generic cereal bags are the way to go!). Despite the prices of both products being similar, I sought to decide whether the improvements are enough to warrant a price increase, no matter how small.
- Reinforced Y-Axis
The Ender 3’s constant readjustment between projects was a major complaint of mine. In light of this, the upgraded 40x40mm stainless steel mounts have been a huge advantage in compensating for the design shortcomings of the original.
For a small price increase, you cannot expect much improvement.
There still may be some Y-axis shifting between printings even with the new mounts, so you need to check it between prints.
The Ender 3 Pro was clearly a better all-around device after this change, providing an edge over the Ender 3.
- Improved Power Supply
Almost all of the improvements to the power supply are positive.
First…
As opposed to the Ender 3, it’s a huge improvement.
The quietest, quickest, and highest-quality printing, at a bargain price, seemed impossible when I was looking at these printers.
The same holds true for Ender 3.
It is not shockingly loud, but it is noticeable, especially for those who are easily distracted.
Nevertheless, the improved power supply unit really reduces the background noise, so that the printer can be run in the background much more easily.
Even more importantly…
With this new power supply, users can print with wood composites and carbon fiber, among many other materials.
There are only a few changes but the changes are significant enough to improve your printing experience with Ender 3 Pro as compared to Ender 3.
- Changes to the base plate
There were far fewer changes made here.
Only the end plate warped badly under high temperatures in the original design.
I continued to dislike magnetic base plates even after using the Ender 3 Pro.
I found that their stick-on plates did not align correctly after the first printing (like those of others I have tested) and often caused more problems than they solved.
The Ender 3 Pro doesn’t have the same issues with warping as the Ender 3, and other users have complained about similar issues with the Ender 3 Pro’s improved base plate.
I found the improvements to the base plate to be fairly insignificant, and I was not convinced that the higher price would be justified.
Let’s summarize what we’ve learned so far.
Generally speaking, the changes made align with the additional cost of the Pro. I believe, however, that the Ender 3 Pro offers better value for money than its original counterpart – and is even better than it.
With a wide range of filaments available, this is a huge advantage. It also surprised me how much noise the Ender 3 Pro reduced.
My choice ultimately came down to these two factors, which led me to choose the Ender 3 Pro.
Winner – Ender 3 Pro Vs Ender 3: Ender 3 Pro!
Creality Ender 3
Creality Ender 3 Pro
VS
Both the Ender 3 and MakerBot i3 were close competitors, and there are plenty of good things about the 3D printer. In fact, I recommend the Ender 3 original as an excellent first printer for a good portion of people, as it handles the basics of 3D printing well at an excellent price.
However, for its price, the Creality Ender 3 Pro is the clear winner, as it offers enough improvements on the original Creality Ender 3 without sacrificing its speed, quality, or cost advantages.
Regardless of what you choose, I would like to reinforce the incredible work Creality has done in this field.
For any company, it is challenging to produce a device at such an affordable price, and Creality was able to improve their design without compromising the original fair price.
My sincerest thanks go out to everyone who has stuck with me all these years.
