If you make a purchase using a shopping link on our site, we may earn a commission. Learn More
Top pick
Creality Ender 3 V3 SE
Pros
- Direct drive extruder
- Auto bed leveling
- Easy to assemble
- Linear rail motion system
- Affordable
Cons
- No touch screen
- PC build surface adhesion can be too much
About the Creality Ender 3 V3 SE
The Creality Ender 3 V3 SE is an entry-level 3D printer released in 2023. It combines the best features of the Ender 3 V2 Neo and the Ender 3 S1 at a lower price point. This printer stands out for its impressive feature set, especially considering its price. It includes stability improvements such as dual Z-axis leadscrews, CR-touch auto bed leveling, and linear rails on the Y-axis. The Sprite direct drive extruder is another standout feature, making it a preferable choice for printing with flexible filaments like TPU. The printer also includes a modernized control screen that offers detailed insights, such as a graph of the hotend temperature. Overall, the Creality Ender 3 V3 SE offers a good experience for a low price point, although it may lack some premium features. One of the standout features of the Creality Ender 3 V3 SE is its direct drive extruder, which provides better filament control and compatibility with flexible materials. The printer also includes auto bed leveling, ensuring perfect first layers and reducing issues with bed adhesion. The stability improvements, such as dual Z-axis leadscrews and linear rails, contribute to higher printing speeds without sacrificing quality. However, it is worth noting that the printer does not include a touch screen interface, which may be a drawback for some users. Additionally, while the PC coated bed offers great adhesion, removing parts can be difficult, although it is easy to swap for a PEI coated bed for easier part removal. Overall, the Creality Ender 3 V3 SE offers a good entry-level 3D printing experience at an affordable price.
The Ender 3 V3 SE has a sleeker appearance than previous Ender 3 Models
Benefits of the Ender 3 V3 SE
Direct drive extruder - Direct drive extruders are mounted right above the hot end, and push the filament directly into it, as opposed to a side mounted bowden extruder setup. We prefer direct drive extruders to bowden since they are less prone to jamming and typically require less maintenance. they also are much easier to use with flexible materials
Auto bed leveling - auto bed leveling will ensure your prints have perfect first layers every time and greatly reduce issues with bed adhesion. When using an auto-leveling system, the probe allows better tolerances for slightly warped print beds by measuring and compensating for any inconsistencies. Without this feature, you'll need to adjust the bed level manually using nuts on each corner of the print bed.
Easy to assemble - This 3D printer is shipped with most of the parts pre-assembled, and you will only need to attach a few components and connect a couple cables in order to get the machine ready to print.
Linear rail motion system - Linear rails provide added stability to the moving parts of the printer, allowing higher printing speeds without sacrificing quality. Keep in mind that the most important factor to consider when optimizing for print speed is the flow rate of filament, which depends on the hot end and nozzle size moreso than the motion system.
Affordable - This printer does not include a lot of frills, but offers a good experience for a low price point. While this low price means you won't be getting the most premium features, you can still get a lot out of these machines if you are willing to put up with some missing quality of life features.
Disadvantages to consider
No touch screen - having a touch screen isn't a deal-maker or breaker, but it is a convenient feature that makes it easier to navigate the interface when you are printing files and configuring 3D printing settings.
PC build surface adhesion can be too much - The PC coated bed offers great adhesion, but removing parts, especially those with large first layers, can be difficult. Fortunately, it is very easy to swap the bed for a PEI coated bed, which offers much easier part removal. We do recommend keeping the PC bed for use with anything that has an intricate first layer and needs the extra adhesion.
Where to buy the Ender 3 V3 SE
Brand Summary: Creality
Creality is a well-known brand that offers a wide range of consumer 3D printers across all price points, from budget to higher end models. The Ender 3 is credited with originating the budget 3D printer market. While other brands now produce lower cost clones of the Ender 3, Creality remains the most established Chinese manufacturer of 3D printers. Creality uses off-the-shelf components and standardized aluminum extrusions on many of their printers to reduce costs, making their printers easy to repair and upgrade. Their official online community forums and manufacturer support are limited, but support can be found on communities on Reddit and Discord.