Creality has come out on top of the 3D printer industry by producing one awesome 3D printer after the next, targeted to hobbyists, amateurs, and consumers. Two of their most popular printers are the CR-10 and the Ender 3. In this post, let’s compare the Ender 3 vs CR 10 and see what makes each one special.
Head to Head Comparison: Creality Ender 3 vs CR 10
Let us take a closer look at both of these fine printers and see how well they perform in their respective tasks.
Assembly
Here the CR 10 is the hands-down winner. Since it already comes semi-assembled, it can be put to work much faster. On the other hand, Ender 3 definitely requires heaps of assembly work. However, the assembling tools are provided with the package and there are plenty of videos online to help you along.
Features
The original version of the CR-10 has no power recovery mode. For that, you will need to get its S version that is slightly more expensive.
Both machines have Bowden extruders. However, the CR 10 has had issues with loose couplings and the PTFE tube might slip out of place. This usually happens close to the hot end after prolonged use. It also causes extruder clogging.
Both of these printers can print TPU along with PLA and ABS. Using upgrades can get rid of a lot of faults, especially if there are any issues with the flexing of the filament near the extruder gears.
Power Supply and Bed Heating
It is important to understand that both of them are essentially open printers. This is why you will need additional adhesives if you want successful ABS prints. It is also pertinent to note that the Ender 3 Pro has a magnetic build plate and this means that it cannot be used for very high temperatures. In fact, anything above 80°C will adversely affect the plate’s magnetism.
Furthermore, the overall voltage output of the power supply is quite different as well. In fact, the CR-10 can handle 12 V only. On the other hand, the Ender 3 is rated for 24 V.
The Creality CR-10 also heats up a whole lot more slowly than its Ender 3 counterpart. While it reaches 80°C in roughly 20 minutes, the Ender 3 rockets up to 120°C in around 15 minutes. This has a lot to do with the larger print bed of the CR-10, not to mention its lower voltage rating.
Build Size
The CR10 is a much bigger printer (irrespective of variant) than the Ender 3 printers. This makes it the ideal choice for 3D printing when you want to print large objects.
The Ender 3, on the other hand, is great for mid-sized builds with its 235mm x 235mm bed size.
Creality CR-10 Mini Review
The Creality CR-10 is one of the more popular 3D printers amongst the close-knit fraternity of hobbyists as well as professional users alike. This has a lot to do with its really large build plate. Apart from that, its print quality is second to none when it comes to comparison to many other similar models in its price range.
The company has also equipped this model with what it calls the “Golden Triangle.” Unlike its Asian region counterpart, this Golden Triangle basically refers to its all-new and upgraded Z-axis brace that has been connected at the top part of the frame and links it to the unit’s base.
This design feature essentially gives the printer a very sturdy frame. One that will aid in eliminating any vibrations or wobble of this critically important. This way, you will always have uniformly smooth finishes on all of your 3D printed objects.
Overall, the printer’s design is very attractive and it can easily print various models with a resolution of up to 100 microns. Apart from that, it can also print for a straight 200 hours without overheating issues. This is only possible due to the printer’s large heated bed. In fact, it disburses all of the heat directly across the glass print surface.
The connectivity options include both an SD card and USB cords too. Apart from that, there are also other options as well that include an ergonomic control wheel, an LCD screen, along with a central control box that also ensures a really comfortable overall printing process.
One of the most endearing traits of the Creality CR-10 is the fact that it can actually be assembled even without a manual. As a matter of fact, it is pretty easy to set up this printer. This holds particularly true if you are actually looking for one of the best 3D printers out there. If you want something high end and reliable at the same time, you should definitely consider giving this machine a closer look.
Technical Specs
- Printing technology: FDM (Fused Deposition Modeling)
- Print speed: 80 to 200 mm/s
- Build volume: 300 x 300 x 400 mm
- Filament diameter: 1.75 mm
- Nozzle diameter: 0.4 mm, 0.3 mm
- Layer resolution: 0.1 to 0.4 mm
- Connectivity: USB, micro SD card
- Input rating: 110V/220V AC, 50/60 H
Upgraded Version: The CR-10S
The company has also started producing an upgraded version since releasing the CR-10. It is called the CR-10S. The overall specs are the same but there are a few significant upgrades.
The “S” version also includes its very own filament run-out detection sensor. This acts as a guide and helps to prevent the filaments on the bed from touching the z-axis lead screws. Apart from that, in case there is a power interruption the CR-10S will simply resume printing without any issues.
- SPEEDY TO REALIZE CREATIVE IDEAS: Upgraded motion system for 2000mm/s² acceleration and up to 250mm/s (5 times) printing speed*. Each X/Y/Z axis is driven by a high-precision stepper motor. A steel...
- HIGHER EFFICIENCY AND MORE ECO-FRIENDLY: It slashes printing time for all types of models. Higher efficiency and less power consumption.
- STAND FIRMLY TO PRINT QUALITY MODELS: An all-metal cube frame goes with the classic Cartesian structure. The stability is enhanced by thick linear shafts, extra gussets, two cantilevers, and silicone...
- HIGHER SUCCESS RATE: 100% success rate for 1,000-hour printing at 250mm/s high speed and 0.2mm layer height.
Creality Ender 3 Mini Review
The Creality Ender 3 is another really nifty printer that is made by the good people at Creality. This is an absolutely great budget offering for people on a really tight budget. If you want reasonably good prints at decent quality, this is the right printer for you. It has a very nice and smooth motion with minimum vibrations and it also works very efficiently with most flexible filaments.
However, Ender 3 does require full assembly before it can be put to work. This can be a long and hard process for anyone who is not particularly well versed in DIY (do it yourself) projects.
It might have been a tad bit problematic but Creality has provided a well-explained assembling and set up manual. If that is not good enough, you might consider utilizing a few really detailed audio-video guides that are currently available online on YouTube and other resources:
A really cool benefit of using the Creality Ender 3 is its near-limitless flexibility. You can hack the machine and print out various modifications as well as upgrades for the Ender 3 printer. From miniatures to serious work, this printer can do it all. In fact, once you have assembled the unit properly, you can commence your work straight away.
Here, it is pertinent to note that this printer is highly scalable. This means that you can spend hours learning the tricks of the trade and tweaking it until you get the kind of results that you want.
In case of any unexpected power outage, there is no need to worry about successfully recovering your prints thanks to its inbuilt recovery feature. In fact, this feature sets it apart from many of the conventional 3D printers that are now available in its class of lower budget 3D printers.
Technical Specs
- Net Weight: 8kg
- Modeling Technology: FDM (Fused Deposition Modeling)
- Printing Size: 220*220*250mm
- Machine Size: 440*410*465mm
- Filament: 1.75mmPLA, TPU, ABS
- Printing Speed:180mm/s
- Power Supply: 100-265V 50-60HZ
- Output:24V 15A 360W
- Printing Accuracy: ±0.1mm
- Layer Thickness: 0.1-0.4mm
- Nozzle Diameter: 0.4mm
Upgraded version: Creality Ender 3 Pro
The Creality Ender 3 Pro is an advanced version of its Creality Ender 3 baby brother. It has a whole range of features that are not available with the plain vanilla version of the Ender 3.
This is a pretty high-quality budget printer and unlike the original Ender 3, this one comes semi-assembled. You won’t need much equipment or more than an hour to assemble this machine and get it up and running.
The instruction manual has a series of 12 steps that take you through the whole assembling procedure, starting from unpacking, all the way to your very first print. All the tools required to assemble the product are already included in the package so that you won’t have to go to your neighborhood hardware store.
The machine has been equipped with a state of the art 40×40 aluminum extrusion designed for the Y-axis. If you want a really stable machine, the Ender 3 pro delivers in that quarter. Moreover, the printer’s extra-large bearings ensure that there is very little friction involved.
The navigation is fairly straightforward on this printer. Furthermore, the whole of the extruder system has been designed using the Bowden system. This makes the printer work more efficiently with flexible filaments.
Technical Specifications
- Modeling Technology: Fused Deposition Modeling (FDM)
- Total Package Weight: 8.6kg (19 lbs.)
- Printing Size: 220*220*250mm or 8.6×8.6×9.8 in inches
- Machine Size: 440*410*465mm or 17.3×16.1×18.3 in inches
- Power Supply: UL certified
- Working Mode: USB cable (not included) online compatible or micro-SD
- Nozzle diameter: 0.4mm
- Filament: 1.75mm ABS/PLA, flexible carbon, wood
- Output: DC 24V 15A 360W
- Max Nozzle Temp: 255℃
- Max Hotbed Temp: 110℃
- RESUME PRINTING FUNCTION: Creality Ender-3 3d printer equipped with super quiet printing designing, with smooth adjustable pulley, and if power is accidentally cut off during printing, accurate...
- EASY AND QUICK ASSEMBLY: Creality Ender 3 for begainers enables DIY enthusiasts to assemble the machine themselve within 2 hours and have fun. And compact size is quite convenient to carry away
- QUALITY V-PROFILE: Creality Ender 3 3d printer for homeuse adopts an innovative V-profile and pulley for stable running, featuring by low noise, wear resistance and a longer service life.
- STABLE PRINTING ADVANCED CONFIGURATION: CNC machining of the Y-rail mounting groove to make sure precise positioning and keep the solid frame with the high-precision printing quality. And big hand...
Related
- Creality Ender 3 vs Ender 5
- Creality Ender 3 Upgrades
- Ender 3 recommended print speeds and max possible
- Best 3D printer for kids
- Ender 3 bed leveling
- CR-10 Troubleshooting
Conclusion: wrapping up the Ender 3 vs CR 10 debate
The Creality CR 10 is what you should get if you want to print larger objects on a smaller budget. After all, there is no upgrade that can ever compensate for the larger build volume of this 3D printer.
The Creality Ender 3 the ideal 3D printer if you want to buy your very first printer to fire up your hobby. It offers many value-added features on a really tight budget. You can’t go far wrong with either machine for 3D printing purposes.
