3D Printers are convenient for modeling and building finished products. The options vary depending on the user’s preferences, such as FlashForge Adventurer 4 Vs Ender 3 V2 which are easy to start with and reliable for repetitive printing. These printers have decent build volume but are also quite different in terms of use and price. If you wonder which machine will suit you best, let’s see what they can offer here.
In this comparison, we are going to talk about:
- Which 3D Printer to Purchase
- What are FlashForge Adventurer 4 and Ender 3 V2
- How are the Printers of FlashForge Adventurer 4 and Ender 3 V2
- What is the Capacity of FlashForge Adventurer 4 and Ender 3 V2
- How is the Building Bed in FlashForge Adventurer 4 and Ender 3 V2
- How is the Bed Leveling in FlashForge Adventurer 4 and Ender 3 V2
- How is the Extruder on FlashForge Adventurer 4 and Ender 3 V2
- FlashForge Adventurer 4 Vs Ender 3 V2
3D Printer Types
Technology has enabled us to do lots of the impossible such as creating complicated items in the comfort of our home. 3D printing has made the impossible relatively easy today. The machine and material to create a model or finished products are readily available and affordable for the masses. However, the process is not straightforward, and we still need to learn a lot of information to master the technique. We also have different machines or 3D printers to consider depending on your goal.
There are two common types of 3D printers, the FDM and resin-based or resin printers. They can create the same items or designs but for different types of users. FDM printers such as FlashForge Adventurer 4 Vs Creator Pro 2 are best for general printing items or general purposes. They are suitable for most users, especially beginners, because the material is easier to work with. FDM printers use thermoplastic which type can also vary. You can find colorful material, transparent material, and even flexible filaments.
On the other hand, resin printers use liquid photosensitive resin. Instead of forming an object by heating the material, the resin printers create your design by hardening or curing the liquid resin. The process requires light exposure, which may come from different sources. Liquid resin is messier to work with due to the nature of the material. The curing process produces toxic fumes; thus, the machines require a filter. We also need to wash the item and cure it under UV light for finishing.
| FlashForge Adventurer 4 | Ender 3 V2 | |
|---|---|---|
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| Product Dimensions | 26.5 x 23 x 22.5 inches | 18.5 x 18.7 x 24.41 inches |
| Shipping Weight | 44 Pounds | 17.2 Pounds |
| Shop now at Amazon | Check price | Check price |
About FlashForge Adventurer 4 and Ender 3 V2
Both machines are great, and while resin printers require more work, the finished products usually have better details, making them ideal for users who often print character models like games, animations, or accessories. But, if your primary purpose is printing general items that don’t require such high details, the FDM is easier to start with. FDM printers can print much larger items at a relatively lower price than their resin alternatives. They are suitable for home and in classes or teaching environments.
Good FDM printers start from less than $200, and many are around $300-$500, depending on the capacity. Capacity decides the price of the printers, and the bigger you want to print, the higher the cost. Some printers are also easier to use, whether it is because they don’t require much assembly or because they have many features. The FlashForge Adventurer 4 and Ender 3 V2 are some of the most popular printers for beginners, but they are not for the same users.
You must wonder what makes Adventurer 4 much better because it costs more than twice Ender 3 V2. The answer is because this printer also offers more, especially in the ease-of-use section. There are usually two types of users; the people who want to tweak the machine to their liking and those who focus on printing and want a reliable machine to do so. The Adventurer 4 cater to the latter and comes with plenty of features to improve your experience.
The Ender 3 V3 is a new version of the highly famous Ender 3 and offers the same qualities. This machine is perfect for users interested in how it works and how they can improve its performance. The original Ender 3 is the first 3D printer that comes as fully open-source in China, and the new version follows it, making it easier for the owner to tinker with their printers.
FlashForge Adventurer 4 and Ender 3 V2 Printers
The first noticeable convenience if you choose Adventurer 4 is assembly. This printer is almost ready to use with the moving parts already attached and ready to go. But, you need to remove the printer from the box, install the spool, and feed the filament into the extruder. The Adventurer 4 is a fully-enclosed machine with a transparent ceiling and front window. The filament spool is sealed inside the machine panel, making the printer’s appearance neat and clean.
On the other hand, we will need to assemble the Ender 3 V2. The printer comes in several parts, but the base is solid, so you only need to attach the top frame. Connecting the two arms and hot-end holder is not the easiest thing because this part needs to be precise yet move easily to follow the program. We recommend watching video installations widely available on the Internet to save time and help you achieve the proper assembly.
FlashForge Adventurer 4 and Ender 3 V2 Capacity
The first factor to consider before buying a 3D printer is the capacity or build volume. Regardless of the purpose, you will mostly be stuck with the same capacity until moving to a higher machine. However, the Ender 3 V2 is a little bit different. The FlashForge Adventurer 4 comes with a fixed capacity of 220 x 200 x 250 mm, which should be adequate for most people. On the other hand, Ender 3 V2 has a stock of 220 x 220 x 300 mm.
One of the most exciting parts of Ender 3 V2 is that you can extend the capacity to the size of CR10 at a much lower price point. Ender Extender kit has been around for quite some time, and you can choose a compatible model such as the Extender 400 V2 that suits the Ender 3 V2. With this kit, which costs around $170, you can increase the X and Y axes’ capacity from 250 to 400 mm.
FlashForge Adventurer 4 and Ender 3 V2 Bed Types
The FlashForge Adventurer 4 and Ender 3 V2 also have different beds. The build platform equally moves along the Y-axis, but the surface is distinct. Ender 3 V2 has a tempered glass surface that keeps your first layer sticking to the plate. The FlashForge Adventurer 4 has a removable, flexible layer that we find effective. The maximum temperature for this build plate is 110 and 100 degrees Celsius which are suitable for varying filament types.
FlashForge Adventurer 4 and Ender 3 V2 Bed Leveling
Another noticeable difference is this bed leveling mechanism. Bed leveling is crucial to your print quality because it determines the flatness of this platform and the distance from the build surface to the nozzle. The adventurer 4 has a relatively small build volume and fixed build platform that only moves on Y-axis. This printer has auto-leveling, which is not actually bed leveling but distance calibration. This feature is accessible from the setting, and the machine will take information from 9-spots across the surface.
The user adjusts the distance within a 0.1mm increment for an accurate setting. On the other hand, Ender 3 V2 still uses manual leveling, which can be intimidating, especially for new users. You can find many guides to help with leveling, and we can also download g-code to ease the leveling. In general, you will need to use a piece of paper or a similar thin sheet to measure the distance between every side of the build surface and the nozzle.
The Ender 3 V2 has four large knobs below the building bed to adjust the distance or make the bed lower and higher, depending on your needs. The process may sound complicated, but you will get used to it. Bed leveling is crucial to get a good printed result, and some machines need re-leveling since most printers can’t keep the leveling forever.
FlashForge Adventurer 4 and Ender 3 V2 Extruder
Both FlashForge Adventurer 4 and Ender 3 V2 use Bowden-style extruder, which means the extruder and hot-end are separated. We find that Ender 3 V2 has a large knob on top of the extruder housing, which is for manual filament feeding. This feature is neat because it allows you to feed the filament by hand or purge the nozzle. We also find it entertaining to see this knob move as it feeds the filament into the hot end.
The Adventurer 4 also has an interesting feature, and it is a swappable nozzle. You can remove the nozzle in a hot end by removing some parts of its housing. But, FlashForge makes it easier, like when removing a printer’s cartridge. However, Adventurer 4 can only use the nozzle from FlashForge.
FlashForge Adventurer 4 Vs Ender 3 V2
Both FlashForge Adventurer 4 and Ender 3 V2 are suitable printers, but they are for different people. The main differences between FlashForge Adventurer 4 and Ender 3 V2 are capacity and features. Ender 3 V2 has a bigger capacity than Adventurer 4, and you can expand it with the kit. But, this machine requires assembly and is not as straightforward as Adventurer 4, especially for beginners and users who want a simple 3D printer. In addition, due to the fully-enclosed system, Adventurer 4 has broader filament compatibility.
Conclusion
The decision is yours because we may have different purposes and goals. We recommend Ender 3 V2 if you are interested in exploring the machine, will make manual improvements and don’t mind putting more effort. But, if you want an easy-to-use printer for school and modeling, the Adventurer 4 is very convenient with reliable performance.