Filament 3D printers are getting more common with the increasing amount of affordable alternatives but, not all of them will be identical to each other even among popular choices such as Flashforge Adventurer 3 Vs Ender 3. These budget choices are simple to use, working really well for smaller print volume, as well as coming with all the basics you need. For those currently confused about which to choose between the two, here are some differences you may want to notice before deciding the option.
In this comparison, we are going to talk about:
- What are FDM 3D Printer Machines
- What are Flashforge Adventurer 3 and Ender 3
- How are the Design of Flashforge Adventurer 3 and Ender 3
- How are the Capacity of Flashforge Adventurer 3 and Ender 3
- How are the Build Plate in Flashforge Adventurer 3 and Ender 3
- How are the Performance of Flashforge Adventurer 3 and Ender 3
- Flashforge Adventurer 3 Vs Ender 3
Fused Deposition Modeling Machines
3D printers may not be that mainstream yet in the market since there are still many people not familiar or even ever heard about the machine before but, for those who have known or at least heard what the machine can offer, we are sure many will take an interest to know more about the full potential in 3D printing. The technology was once only used by corporations or in professional settings but now hobbyists are the one who dominate the market with the entry-level options.
When talking about 3D printers, people are probably talking about FDM printers instead of the resin type such as ELEGOO Saturn Vs ANYCUBIC Photon S. This is because FDM is natively friendlier for a wider range of users due to the simpler mechanism and price point. In the past machines can cost thousands but now you can get a petite machine at sub $100, making the technology available for a wider range of users including those who are only curious about the machine.
The machine itself can be a great tool for learning even for young students who are interested in what our tech can offer today. In comparison to SLA/MSLA printers, FDM is easier to understand because the process itself is transparent. It doesn’t mean you can’t see the printing process of resin 3D printers but since the model will be submerged where the layer is cured, it becomes difficult to observe closely, moreover with the resin odor that makes this type of machine needs proper filtration.
In an FDM, you can clearly see the printing process. The focus is on heated extruder, filament string, and depositing process itself which happens layer by layer. The filament is typically thermoplastic that melts when reaching a certain temperature so then the extruder can deposit it in a small, thin layer over and over again. It is like stacking a melted material from the base to finish and since the material will retain the rigidity once cool down, there is no other process needed, unless it is for refining the print result.
Even among FDM printers, there are two types of machines differentiated by the design or mechanism and you can set them apart by being Cartesian or Delta style. The difference is in how the extruder is moved across the axis and if you ever see machines with a boxy form, this is a Cartesian which in most cases the extruder is moving along Z and X axis while the bed moves in Y axis. In the Delta machine the extruder moves in all directions.
| Flashforge Adventurer 3 | Ender 3 | |
|---|---|---|
  |   |
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| Product Dimensions | 15.28 x 14.96 x 15.94 inches | 8.7 x 8.7 x 9.8 inches |
| Shipping Weight | 22.05 Pounds | 17.64 Pounds |
| Best offer | Check price | Check price |
About Flashforge Adventurer 3 and Ender 3
If you need an easy to use machine or if this is your first machine, we do recommend to go for an FDM Cartesian type because they have the simplest mechanism, the most affordable, and easy to troubleshoot when needed. It is also wise to shop based on the machine’s capacity because this will be fixed to the machine’s dimension hence we can’t bump them up in most cases. Price wise there are also plenty to choose from even on the entry-level.
Some of the most reliable brands if you are in the market for a good but budget-friendly machine are those from Flashforge and Creality. Chances are you have heard these names before when browsing around or strolling around the FDM machine section of the internet but, in terms of popularity, we do think Creality is still one of the most, if not the most mainstream choice. What’s a bit confusing is Flashforge is more known for their rich-featured options, pretty opposite of what Creality users are familiar with.
But, worry not since in most cases their machines are going to perform really well too based on what you will be working on them. Among their many collections, Flashforge Adventurer 3 and Ender 3 will be two on the budget-friendly section. They are not the same however because simplicity wise Ender usually wins along with how much you need to spend. Essentially many Flashforge machines are designed more on the educational setup while the latter are usually popular among enthusiasts or hobbyists.
The two are separated by a pretty huge price point considering the Ender 3 is about half cheaper than Adventurer 3 but the machine is also very bare in comparison. If you are concerned about how the machine will look like or prefer one that can be displayed as well, the option will be the Adventurer 3 but if this machine’s most important point is just being affordable and making a decent print, then Ender 3 is the answer. The Flashforge Adventurer 3 and Ender 3 are equally good but probably for different users.
Flashforge Adventurer 3 and Ender 3 Design
As you can see from the sample picture above, these two are nowhere identical in design. They are the same Cartesian machine with different aesthetic and in comparison, we have to tell you that Ender 3 comes in a kit made of several parts thus, we will need to put them together before being able to fine tune the machine. On the other hand the Adventurer 3 is more forgiving if you prefer convenience like us because it comes already assembled.
This machine is fully enclosed which means it can work on ABS material too along with the high temperature setting. Side by side, the control mechanism of Ender 3 is a bit confusing, if you are used to simpler machines. In Adventurer 3 there is a touch-screen and larger menu to navigate the machine while in Ender 3 we have to be satisfied with a much smaller display that is operated using the one rotating and press knob.
Flashforge Adventurer 3 and Ender 3 Capacity
Before moving further, we want to mention the capacity first because this is one of the most important parts of a printer and depending on the machine, we are limited to this build volume as long as we don’t get another machine. There are plenty larger printers out there but we do think as a first machine or beginner choice the Flashforge Adventurer 3 and Ender 3 should be enough with the latter at 220 x 220 x 250mm while the former is much smaller at 150 x 150 x 150mm in all directions.
Flashforge Adventurer 3 and Ender 3 Build Plate
Next we want to talk about their built plate and bed which is very interesting especially on the Adventurer 3. In this machine there is a claimed no-levelling mechanism which means it does need leveling but only once during printer setup prior to initial printing because the machine will keep this setting across printing tasks. On Ender 3 the process is manual too but what we love the most here is their extra-large knobs below the bed because it helps a lot with fine tuning by being easier to access.
On top of these building plates, there is a layer of material in which we are not very sure the type being used in Ender 3. It is somehow similar to Buildtak while the Flashforge calls theirs as “shape-memory material” which are pretty similar. The claim is that these materials will help with adhesion of various filaments being used on the machine while also promoting an ease of removal since they are flexible too. As for the highest temperature, these beds can get to 100 and 110 degree Celsius respectively.
Flashforge Adventurer 3 and Ender 3 Performance
Lastly we want to talk about the performance of Flashforge Adventurer 3 and Ender 3. What’s impressive about Adventurer 3 is the menu itself, the machine can do various tasks on its own, removing the need to actually figuring it out by yourself which is probably the main goal here; a simple and beginner friendly machine. With Ender, we have to learn manually, trial and errors are done step by step but it is not an impossible process and more of an educating side.
On the overall print quality, the two are comparable to each other. Once we get the configuration right, we can get pretty nice results too from the two. There are some adhesion issues on Ender and overall the machine will probably need fine tuning to work best but in general besides the fine tuning, we also need to do trial and error with different materials for any of the two.
Flashforge Adventurer 3 vs Ender 3
The machines are great choices for beginners but probably for different users. What Adventurer is trying to work on is simplifying the process while we have to do lots of manual settings on the Ender 3. From the experience, we do think Adventurer 3 is better if you prefer a machine that is more automated and if you like a more user-friendly interface but for those who want to learn step by step manually and grow their knowledge, the Ender 3 is a kit to help you get there.
Conclusion
There is no bad machine but more of a personal preference so if what you look for is a 3D printer kit the Ender 3 is the choice but if you want to have a machine that is more automated and beginner-friendly, the Adventurer 3 is the ideal option.