Asking for advice on which Creality Ender 3D printer should I buy

[Cantusaurus]

Hi, I've been a reef hobbyist for a bit over 4 years now. I work for a servicing company part time, and we are starting to farm more corals. There's a good amount of 3D printed stuff I want to get, and I thought it might be better to see if getting a 3D printer would be better. I am not well versed in 3D printing, and have only done a bit of research. The creality 3D printers seem to be a good starter option. I'm not sure if one 'type' is better than the other since some say "Neo" or "KE". I'm just curious if there are any huge differences or ones that would be better. I'm fine buying a $300 model instead of a $150-$180 one if it's worth it. I'm fine if I need to put something together or do a bit of learning to figure some things out on what I end up getting if needed.
But any tips would be appreciated, thanks!

I am thinking maybe the Ender-3 S1 Plus 3D Printer might be a good option?

https://store.creality.com/products/ender-3-s1-plus-3d-printer?spm=..collection_90778a1d-d845-4ff0-a8c4-48fded4b7d74.albums_1.1&spm_prev=..product_1a3c8d07-f84e-4631-97d8-a70f3e50ee51.breadcrumbs_1.1

 

[kvansloo]

I have 3 of the ender 3 pros and have no issues with them.

 

[Cantusaurus]

I have 3 of the ender 3 pros and have no issues with them.

That's good to hear. I'm guessing the size is also fine? And I probably don't need to get the "plus" which I believe is the same as the pro but a bit larger (I could be wrong though).

 

[theatrus]

Honestly, if you're not into _printing_ and just want _prints_, pick up a Bambu (A1/P1). Its going to run a bit more but its substantially a better plug and play printer.

 

[kvansloo]

Depends on what you want to print. I sometimes wish I had a bigger bed but then just use one of the bigger ones at work.

 

[Downfall]

Ender S1 pro is a good printer.

I'd also consider some of the printers from Bambu labs. Like the Bambu Lab A1 mini if your on a tight budget.

If you can find used a Prusa printer like the MK3 on Facebook marketplace that would also be an excellent option. I have a Prusa Mini+ which I like.

Good luck.

 

[VintageReefer]

Ender 3 v3 KE

 

[PizzaIan339]

I have the ender 3 v2 and it has been great!

 

[Cantusaurus]

Ender S1 pro is a good printer.

I'd also consider some of the printers from Bambu labs. Like the Bambu Lab A1 mini if your on a tight budget.

If you can find used a Prusa printer like the MK3 on Facebook marketplace that would also be an excellent option. I have a Prusa Mini+ which I like.

Good luck.

Thanks, I found a Prusa MK3 on FB marketplace.

Does this seem good?

 

[Downfall]

Thanks, I found a Prusa MK3 on FB marketplace.

Does this seem good?

That does seem like a decent deal to me. I'd ask how many print hours are on the machine and the condition of the pei sheet.

 

[Cantusaurus]

Ender 3 v3 KE

I've been doing more research and the Ender KE does seem pretty nice. The price is pretty good too. If I were to get it are there any recommendations as far as filaments or any other things to buy that are important?

 

[Reefering1]

@Sisterlimonpot

 

[moretor1]

Anything that isn't a resin printer is fine

Huge waste of time and money

 

[Sisterlimonpot]

Thanks, I found a Prusa MK3 on FB marketplace.

Does this seem good?

I would definitely buy that mk3 for that price.

I design and print a ton of stuff on my prusa's.

 

[D3DPrintedThingz]

If you did not purchase a printer yet , I do not hear anything negative about the Prusa's , they are standard industry name at this point and very customizable once you get into it. As far as the Creality series, there is no better option than the V3 KE. Does everything a Bambu will do for a fraction of the cost . The K1 is an obvious upgrade , but I've never messed with the enclosures and feel like they would be a pain in the rear. I run three KE's and couldn't be happier with them.

 

[Mhamilton0911]

I have the ender3 v3 ke and for a absolute beginner, this turned out to be a good choice. I'm happy with mine and I've had minimal issues to work out but nothing a little Google or asking here couldn't fix.

Have also used many brands of petg, but I find the black creality brand prints very consistent for me and it's affordable.

 

[D3DPrintedThingz]

I have the ender3 v3 ke and for a absolute beginner, this turned out to be a good choice. I'm happy with mine and I've had minimal issues to work out but nothing a little Google or asking here couldn't fix.

Have also used many brands of petg, but I find the black creality brand prints very consistent for me and it's affordable.

Black PETG - best on the market is Elegoo Rapid PETG on Amazon, and it's $10/spool. Very easy to make your money back and print the rest of the spool for free.

 

[Mhamilton0911]

Black PETG - best on the market is Elegoo Rapid PETG on Amazon, and it's $10/spool. Very easy to make your money back and print the rest of the spool for free.

I'll try it next!

 

[ietsjeanders]

Just ger a bambu lab.

I had a ender 3 v2 and I threw it in the trash. I hated that thing.

Now 3d printing became fun

I upload a file to the printer and I wait until I get a message that it's done. I don't need to go looking. No tinkering whatsoever.


And it's about 4 5 times faster.

It's a dream come true.

 

[danR777]

Just ger a bambu lab.

I had a ender 3 v2 and I threw it in the trash. I hated that thing.

Now 3d printing became fun

I upload a file to the printer and I wait until I get a message that it's done. I don't need to go looking. No tinkering whatsoever.


And it's about 4 5 times faster.

It's a dream come true.

100% agree, had an ender for a few years, just way too much tinkering, Bambu P1S+AMS is amazing