Budget printers emerged after Ender could offer a good one at a very affordable price, but today you have many to choose from. The Elegoo Neptune 2S Vs Ender 3 Pro are some of the cheapest printer kits you can buy and get to know the concept better. These machines can print with high quality, but there are also some factors to consider, so let’s see which you may like best here.
In this comparison, we will talk about the following:
- What are the Elegoo Neptune 2S and Ender 3 Pro?
- How is the Design of Elegoo Neptune 2S and Ender 3 Pro?
- How is the Build Volume of Elegoo Neptune 2S and Ender 3 Pro?
- How is the Building Bed in Elegoo Neptune 2S and Ender 3 Pro?
- How is the Performance of Elegoo Neptune 2S and Ender 3 Pro?
- Elegoo Neptune 2S Vs Ender 3 Pro
- Which Budget 3D Printer to Buy?
| Elegoo Neptune 2S | Ender 3 Pro | |
|---|---|---|
  |   |
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| Product Dimensions | 21.65 x 14.57 x 8.27 inches | 17.32 x 16.54 x 18.31 inches |
| Shipping Weight | 17.6 pounds | 15.39 Pounds |
| Shop now at Amazon | Check price | Check price |
About the Elegoo Neptune 2S and Ender 3 Pro
3D printers are convenient for creating something from thermoplastic and liquid resin. While the best printers are never cheap, many affordable FDM printers are designed for beginners and new users interested in the concept. Some of them are the Elegoo Neptune 2S and Ender 3 Pro, two of the best printers under $300; you can even get them at discounted prices occasionally. Offering the same features, these printers are equally an exciting option for many users. Read also: Elegoo Neptune 2S Vs Ender 3 V2.
Most enthusiasts must be familiar with Ender 3 because this was almost like a breakthrough when it was launched, a printer kit at a low price for many to try. But, this model is far from perfect, and thus, Creality released the Ender 3 Pro, a similar printer with a few improvements like a new printing surface and a better Y-axis for a stable printing performance. The Neptune 2S is also the update of Neptune 2 and, in a sense, almost like a copy of the Ender 3 with identical features.
Still, Neptune 2S is a newer printer, and some advantages make it a more exciting option, such as the interface. There is nothing wrong with the Ender 3 and 3 Pro’s interface, but they seem outdated nowadays when most of us use devices with a touch-screen. Other similar features include the build volume and the extrusion system.
Elegoo Neptune 2S and Ender 3 Pro Design
Because the Elegoo Neptune 2S and Ender 3 Pro are printer kits, you must assemble the unit before testing the performance. They include a manual so you can follow the guide, but we suggest looking for an instruction video because it is faster and more helpful. These printers require quite some time to assemble, especially connecting the cables and small components. Build quality is good as they are made of steel, and the size is manageable for the print volume.
Elegoo Neptune 2S and Ender 3 Pro Build Volume
One of the most important aspects of a 3D printer is the printing capacity because it decides what you can make on the machine. These printers are very similar in build volume as they can only print at a maximum of 220 x 220 x 250 mm, which is enough for the price and size. Most 3D printers in this price range have the same print capacity, so we can’t say that these two are good or bad, depending on what you want to print. Most people are satisfied with the capacity, especially beginners and new users.
However, if you want to increase the build volume, there is a way to achieve this with Ender 3 Pro. There is a collection of extensions for Ender 3 machines to increase the capacity using the extension kit. You can increase the height or build size of the machine using the available kit, and the cost is still manageable, even though it is usually almost at the same price as the printer itself. This ability is rarely available on other printers, so Ender 3 Pro can be an excellent alternative if you want a big printer without buying another one.
Elegoo Neptune 2S and Ender 3 Pro Building Bed
The next part is the building bed, where the printer builds your object. A printing surface must provide an adhesive feature so the first few layers can stick properly and won’t move around, as the nozzle works on the upper layers. These printers have a magnetic bed that is better than the previous sticker and more challenging to maintain. The performance is also good as the filament sticks well to the surface, and you don’t need much effort to remove the printed object.
As for the bed leveling, neither of these printers has an auto-leveling which is understandable for a model in this price range. But you can manually upgrade and add the touch sensor to make these printers more convenient. Overall, auto-leveling can be helpful to cut the process before printing, especially when the printer can’t hold the level for a long time. Read also: Anycubic Kobra Vs Elegoo Neptune 2S.
Elegoo Neptune 2S and Ender 3 Pro Performance
Lastly, we want to talk about the performance. While the Elegoo Neptune 2S and Ender 3 Pro are far from perfect, these printers produce beautiful prints with the correct settings. But, to get the proper settings, you may have to do some trials to see which combination works best. The level of detail and finish are similar, and we believe most people will like the results. The tricky part is getting the machine ready to print because they may need some tweaks.
Elegoo Neptune 2S Vs Ender 3 Pro
The Elegoo Neptune 2S and Ender 3 Pro are good printers for the price. Ender 3 used to be the best budget printer, but the Pro version improved some of its hardware to be more reliable. These printers are beginner friendly but not the most intuitive you can find, so they are perfect for hobbyists who are interested in the printing process. Build quality, assembly, capacity, and features are similar, but Ender 3 may win on the upgradeability, especially if you want to increase the build volume. Performance is similar, but we like the Neptune 2S’s interface better.
Conclusion
The decision is yours because we may have different applications. Depending on your preference, we love both machines for what they can offer. We recommend the Neptune 2S for the user interface and ease of use, while the Ender 3 Pro is better for those who want to upgrade the machine to have a larger build volume.