Creality Ender 3 V2 Review

The Ender 3 V2 seems to be based on a trend that can currently be seen in many technical devices: this printer is not a completely revised version of its predecessor, but rather a new starting point for future printers from the Ender 3 series. The new equipment features, the small design upgrades and the general performance put the Ender 3 V2 on a par with its predecessor, the Ender 3 Pro. However, the new model also gives an idea of ​​where the journey with this device might go in the future. In any case, the Ender 3 V2 did not disappoint in our one-week test; his performance was absolutely convincing.

Optical Revision

With the Ender 3 V2, you will look in vain for the box-shaped metal covers that were omnipresent on previous models. Instead, we found new, neat-looking plastic covers all over the printer, giving the impression that this is more than just a hobby device.

The new look ensures that the Ender 3 V2 looks much more professional and optimized. And even if this does not exactly affect the performance, it is still nice to look at – especially when you don’t have a dedicated area for the printer in the workshop. In addition, the power supply has been moved from the side into the compartment under the printer, which also looks much tidier and more professional.

Print quality

After the manual leveling of the print bed, the Ender 3 V2 seems to cope very well with a large number of objects. And it didn’t stop at the various materials that we threw at the Ender 3 V2; none of the prints failed.

Even with different sizes and differently complex models, the printer did not reveal any weaknesses. Prints that required supports performed just as well as those that did not. The adhesion to the textured glass print bed is excellent and the prints could be removed without any problems after they had cooled down a bit.

Our only criticism is the filament feed. We have just tested the CR-6 SE , and the Ender 3 V2 cannot differ any more from this printer on this point. The community has vented its displeasure in this regard; Creality has responded and eliminated the problem with the Ender 3 Pro. Precisely because of this, we cannot in any way understand why the company has switched over to placing the opening for the filament feed directly next to the lead spool for the Ender 3 V2. That was already terrible with the Ender 3. And that’s it with the Ender 3 V2.

And while the enlarged feed wheel, with which the extruder can be rotated manually, is well suited for cleaning the hot end, it was of no help in inserting a new filament.

Further extensions

Aside from the extruder, Creality seems to have taken the community’s suggestions to heart with a few other improvements. The Ender 3 V2 has tension clamps on both axles. These tensioners allow the belts, which stretch and wear out over time, to be tightened again, which increases the longevity of the printer enormously.

What is also noticeable with the V2 is the small drawer for storing tools. Excess Allen keys and side cutters can be stored here, which is very practical as they would otherwise take up unnecessary space on the shelf next to the printer.

Another nice addition is the display, which can now be removed by simply sliding it up. To do this, two metal pins must be pulled out of the plastic holder that is attached to the frame. Even if we did not find any use for this function in our test, we can imagine that it would be very helpful for anyone who would like to set up the printer in a slightly higher place and then can no longer see the display. Such well-thought-out functions have made previous Creality devices so great, which is why we are very pleased that this tradition is being continued with new printers.