Anet ET5 Pro Review

Consider a high-end 3D printer for under $300—unlikely, impossible, or possibly a counterfeit are all possible responses to such an offer. However, Anet is the home of quality printers at ridiculously low prices. Of course, this is in comparison to similar models from other manufacturers.

The  Anet ET5 Pro , in particular, features impressive attributes that make it stand out from other Anet machines. For instance, it’s quieter and can print the most refined details, leaving you with flawless prints. Rest assured that the printer will surpass your expectations.

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Like with other machines, you expect a few cons. Nonetheless, the perks far outweigh the downside of this modern printer. This review will shed light on both  attributes to help you verify that the Anet ET5 Pro is undoubtedly worth it.

Anet ET5 Pro Review

The Anet ET5 Pro is excellent for 3D diehards as well as newbies. While there are other ET5 models like the ET4X and ET5X, the ET5 Pro offers a better printing experience. For instance, it has a printing speed of 150mm/s, which is quite something. Another notable feature is the 3.5-inch color touch LCD screen.

Anet ET5 Pro Overview

The  Anet ET5Pro stands out for its superior build quality. The frame is made from durable aluminum, and houses an insulated glass bed. Therefore, you can be sure of longevity, great in-print adhesion, and an enjoyable printing experience.

The reasonably priced printer has an auto-leveling feature that will save you time. Your only job is to finish up the manual setup. After that, the in-built induction sensor will do the leveling. It’ll auto verify the bed leveling setting to ensure you obtain the best 3D hard copies.

The auto leveling feature will be welcomed, especially by beginner 3D printing enthusiasts. With proper leveling of the print bed, you can be sure to get precise 3D prints effortlessly.

Power outages are printing glitches are already handled. The Anet ET5 Pro has an efficient auto-recovery and print resume feature. Thanks to it, printing resumes immediately after the machine powers on. On top of that, the automatic filament loading and unloading make your work easier.

Smooth movement and accurate printing are assured with the sturdy dual motors and dual Z-axis rods. Meanwhile, the dual Y-axis provides a stable moving stage of the printer’s build platform.

What’s in the Box?

When you buy the Anet ET5 Pro, this is what you’ll get in the package:

• 10M Filament
• Belt
• Memory Card & Card Reader
• 10A Cartridge Nuse
• Filament Holder
• Extruder Kit
• Cable Tie
• Spare Nozzle
• Power Cable
• Screw and Nut
• 2 Wrenches
• Warranty Card
• Packing List
• Setup Manual
• User Manual

A smooth buying process ensures the machine reaches you in time and with everything in place.

Inside the box are two packages containing the print bed, its pre-built assembly, and the metal head that supports the print head mechanism. There is also a matte print bed that you can stick on the printer’s bed if you want to. Finally, we have the print head.

Setup and Assembly

The Anet ET5 Pro is shipped partially pre-assembled. Therefore, setting it up is easy. However, if you choose to level it manually, the setup process will be a little longer.

The setup procedure involves attaching the X-axis to the print bed, looping in the X-axis belt, sticking in the hotend, and connecting power cables.

While the connector board connect everything the printer needs to operate, it lays bare—uncovered. You’ll want to be careful when navigating the area to avoid damaging or accidentally disconnecting the cables.

A manual is included to help with the setup. However, following the procedure can be tricky since the printing instructions are shallow. So, you’re better off relying on instructional videos on the manufacturer’s website or on YouTube, like this one below:

In about 20 to 30 minutes, the printer will be up and running. If you can’t wrap your head around any DIY step, Anet’s support team is helpful. Feel free to contact them for guidance.

Printing with the Anet ET5 Pro

While other Anet models have the touchscreen interface fixed in position with magnets, the Anet ET5 Pro has it connected to the printer’s base. If you’re familiar with the previous models, you may have noticed that the Z-axis toggle is on the print arm.

With the Pro 3D printer, the sensor is connected to the print head for quicker detection if placed too close to the print head. The sensor also comes in handy when leveling the machine.

The printer has a USB port, micro SD card, and corresponding slots. Inside the SD card are several test print models.

However, If you want something different, you can download it from a free STL file site like Thingiverse, and then use CURA software to resize the model before printing it.  Unfortunately, you’ve to fetch relevant cables to be able to connect the printer to a computer.

The printer nozzle heats up fast. In less than two minutes, it reaches temperatures of  up to 200°C. That means the filament will heat up within no time. Meanwhile, the print bed heats up to 60°C within a minute or less.

If a power outage occurs, no worries. The resume print and auto-recovery features will be your fallback plan. The printer will resume printing from where it stopped as soon as it gets reconnected to power.

The ET5 Pro Specs

Anet ET5 Pro Features

Beyond the attractive price, the Anet ET5 comprises different features that account for its hardiness and reliability. The round-up comes next.

Quiet Printing

A noisy machine is annoying, whether you’re buying a printer for industrial use or a different purpose. The Anet ET5 Pro is fitted with a quiet TMC2208 stepper driver and an equally silent MeanWell power supply. The only sound you can be worried about comes from the cooling fans. However, the sounds are negligible.

By the way, this printer is ideal for hobby crafts as well as medical use. You can use it to 3D print ental moulds. Some users have also found success with it in printing prosthetics.

The Anet ET5 Pro delivers exceptional results and can be used in various institutions like colleges, universities, and high schools. The silent operation is the reason why the unit will be a great fit for educational or medical institutions. A noisy printer in school, home, or hospital isn’t a welcome idea.

Large Build Volume

Asmall print bed can be restrictive. The Anet ET5 Pro features a generous 300 x 300 x 400mm print volume. The ultra-large 3D printing ability ensures that the machine can satisfy different printing needs.

The unit boasts of a ±0.1mm printing resolution, a printing speed of 20-150mm/s, and a layer thickness of 0.1-0.3mm. With it, models come out fine and with very little blemishes.

Excellent 25-Point Bed Leveling  Function

The machine has automatic bed leveling feature. At first, you may think that with a single tap, the device auto-adjusts the settings for the most precise 3D prints.

Unfortunately, that’s not the case.

The printer’s leveling feature is manual. Moreover, learning its mechanisms can be tricky. The auto feature becomes effective only after you’ve manually adjusted the settings. In other words, manual execution comes first then the printer auto-checks the bed leveling to ensure they are okay.

An induction sensor check the bed leveling to ensure it is fine. This saves you some time on leveling and helps you detect inaccuracies that can affect your print quality.

After assembling the printer, manually work on the bed leveling settings before printing. This will help to prevent the danger of the nozzle pressing on the glass bed when printing commences.

Filament Detection

Superior 3D prints are assured since the Anet ET5 Pro has a super-effective filament detection feature. In the event of a glitch, the printer auto stops to avoid messing up your print. Printing also stops if the machine runs out of resources. Moreover, an alert will be sounded so that you can address the issue.

However, be careful with the bed leveling step since it determines the quality of the final product. If the best is too close to the print head, pieces of plastic will be deposited during printing. On the other hand, you’ll obtain warped results if you place it too far from the nozzle.

Therefore, ensure the print bed is leveled properly and let  the printer to verify for you.

Print Resume and Recovery

The printer includes a print resume and recovery feature for uninterrupted 3D printing experience. Therefore, you don’t have to panic about failed build should there be problems with power supply or if the printer stops for other reasons. As soon as the power is reconnected, printing resumes from where it had stopped.

The Anet ET5 Pro also has an automatic filament loading function, which is quite convenient.

Excellent Control Board

A carefully constructed control board means a stable operation and precise 3D prints. The printer will automatically power off if it fails to detect the temperature. Thanks to its reliable thermal runaway protection.

Also, the printer has an over-current and bed overload protection. Coupled with its motor overload protection, longevity is assured. More convenience comes with the SD card and USB drive outputs. Plus, you can use it online or offline. You decide.

Print Quality

Here are some models printed with the Anet ET5 Pro

The spiral heart-shaped wave, Wow! An unbelievable beauty that’s just like detached from realism

Nicola Tesla head, printed on ANET ET5PRO and TESLA filament PLA white, without any support on his giant nose)

Gear parts made. Not yet cleaned or glued.

Scorpion!

Pros

• Quick setup (partially assembled by the manufacturer)
• Superior print quality
• Colorful intuitive LCD touch screen
• Overcurrent protection
• Cost-effective
• Huge build platform
• Filament detection
• Power outage recovery
• Solid wire connection
• Matrix automatic bed leveling
• Dual Z-axis and a stable Y-axis movement

Cons

• Manual bed leveling
• Below-average printing instructions
• Motor grinding issues
• Lacks a profile in CURA

Conclusions

If you are impressed by the features and performance of the Anet ET5 Pro, keep in mind that the leveling feature isn’t entirely automatic. There’s some bit of manual set-up required first before you can enjoy the automated aspect of the machine.

Also, the ET5 Pro lacks a profile in CURA. So, it might not be an ideal option if you’re looking for a printer that can be integrated with the software.

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