The Monoprice Voxel Vs Ender 3 are ideal printers for beginners who want to take advantage of modern additive manufacturing. These printers are easy to start with and affordable for more people to try. However, they are not for the same people, and you may have different preferences. Let’s see what you can expect from the printers before deciding on the option.
In this comparison, we are going to talk about:
- Which 3D Printer to Buy
- What are Monoprice Voxel and Ender 3
- How are the Machines of Monoprice Voxel and Ender 3
- How is the Capacity of Monoprice Voxel and Ender 3
- How is the Print Bed in Monoprice Voxel and Ender 3
- How is the Bed Leveling in Monoprice Voxel and Ender 3
- How is the Extruder in Monoprice Voxel and Ender 3
- How is the Performance of Monoprice Voxel and Ender 3
- Monoprice Voxel Vs Ender 3
Buying a 3D Printer
3D printers are available for the masses to buy, and because they are getting cheaper, more people are also interested in the manufacturing process. 3D printing is useful as a hobby and makes practical items that many people may need, such as in the medical field, where the printer can create products for patients according to their anatomy. This process is traditionally done using a mold, but 3D printers can achieve the same result using 3D design and slicer software. The material also varies depending on the purpose.
When buying a 3D printer, we must consider the purpose. Some people want a 3D printer to create models of their product or learning tools, while others are more interested in how the machine works. This consideration will help you decide which printer to buy and the budget to spend. The first user type may want to spend more because we need a reliable printer out of the box. This type of printer requires less manual tweaking and has plenty of convenience features.
This type of printer usually comes in a box style like FlashForge Adventurer 3 Vs 4, which has much automation and is almost ready to use. On the other hand, if you are more interested in the machine and how they work, we can start with entry-level printers like Voxelab Aquila. This type of printer requires manual assembly and may need upgrades before we can receive its full potential. But, they are more satisfying for makers who love to tinker with the machine.
| Monoprice Voxel | Ender 3 | |
|---|---|---|
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| Product Dimensions | 19.6 x 16.9 x 20.2 inches | 8.7 x 8.7 x 9.8 inches |
| Shipping Weight | 28.48 Pounds | 17.53 Pounds |
| Shop now at Amazon | Check price | Check price |
About Monoprice Voxel and Ender 3
The choice is yours, and rarely can a printer satisfy everyone, so it is best to go with the one you are confident with. In general, enthusiasts or makers can choose entry-level printers because they can upgrade them anytime and have the time or passion. The users who want to print and focus on their products need reliable and easy-to-use printers that, more often than not, cost more. Both machine types are good, depending on what fits you best.
For beginners, some of the best affordable 3D printers are Monoprice Voxel and Ender 3. Between the two, Ender 3 is more popular. This budget printer is so famous that it is almost synonymous with entry-level FDM printers. Ender 3 was a phenomenon no other printer has experienced this far, but it is certainly not the best printer available. The price point of Ender 3 is low, and it is open source which makes it an ideal choice for beginner makers and enthusiasts.
The Ender 3 has all the basic features of budget printers and prints well. It is upgradeable and will work better once you install the improvements. The stock parts are good for the price, and it has a decent build volume. On the other hand, Monoprice Voxel is a different approach to budget FDM printers. This printer is more expensive than the Ender 3, but it is also easier to use. The Voxel is perfect for people who only focus on results and want a ready-to-use printer.
The main difference between Monoprice Voxel and Ender 3 is their main consumers. The Ender 3’s ability to be expanded makes this printer extremely attractive for enthusiasts. At the same time, Voxel’s reliable performance and convenience are best for users whose primary purpose of the printer is producing good prints.
Monoprice Voxel and Ender 3 Designs
If this is your first 3D printer, they usually don’t come out ready to use. Printers like Ender 3 require a manual assembly, which can be time-consuming and challenging because we need to put together several parts and need to do it correctly. We recommend watching a video guide on setting the Ender 3 properly since it is easier to follow than reading the manual. The first advantage of paying more for Voxel is we don’t need to assemble the printer.
Monoprice Voxel is almost ready to use with everything already attached inside the box. This printer has an enclosed design to support better temperature management inside the printing area. Build quality is equally good with Ender 3 metal frame and Voxel plastic housing. The Ender 3 has a traditional small screen to access the printer’s menu, while Voxel has a bigger touch-screen display which is easier to read and more intuitive. The printing mechanism is the same as these printers use the CoreXY design.
Monoprice Voxel and Ender 3 Capacity
One of the first concerns with budget 3D printers is the capacity. Large machines come at a much higher price point as capacity is a deciding factor in printer cost. The Monoprice Voxel and Ender 3 have a decent build volume relative to the machine’s size. But, the Ender 3 is significantly larger at 220 x 220 x 250 mm and still expandable with the kit. Despite the printer’s footprint, the Voxel is tiny at 150 x 150 x 150 mm. Print capacity is subjective to what you want to make.
Our favorite part of Ender 3 is the possibility of increasing the building capacity. The machine is compatible with the Ender Extender kit that increases the volume depending on which kit you choose. For example, the Extender 400 will expand the build volume from 220 to 400 mm on the X and Y-axis. Some kits extend the height or Z-axis.
Monoprice Voxel and Ender 3 Print Bed
Next is for the building bed in Monoprice Voxel and Ender 3. The building bed in these printers is very similar because they use a flexible building bed that is removable. This bed is good for helping filament adhesion and is easy to change if it gets damaged later. However, we find that some materials like ABS can’t stick well into Ender 3, so you need to use glue or similar substances. The Voxel also strangely suffers from inadequate adhesion on some spots on the bed.
Monoprice Voxel and Ender 3 Bed Leveling
Because the Voxel is designed for convenience, this printer also comes with an auto-leveling. Auto leveling is bed leveling which allows the bed and nozzle to be at an ideal distance. This process is crucial to achieving a successful print because it affects the overall performance starting from the first layer. The Voxel has a single-point leveling calibration that works well for the small build plate. The process is simple but a single touch to the printer’s menu.
However, we find that Voxel cannot maintain the level for long because the bed seems to shift slightly after each print, so it is wise to re-level before printing. On the other hand, Ender 3 doesn’t have this feature that makes you have to do it manually. Plenty of tutorials to follow on the internet, but this printer tends to be challenging to level because the base is not very sturdy. This issue may be due to inadequate quality control.
Monoprice Voxel and Ender 3 Extruder
Next is the extruder type, and similar to many printers in the budget range, these two use Bowden-style extruders. The Bowden-style extruder is different from a direct drive in which the extruder and hot end are not a single system. Bowden-style has the extruder mounted at a fixed position and feeds the filament through a small tube into the hot end. This system is ideal for reducing the hot-end weight and increasing print speed. They are not extraordinary but work well and are easy to tinker with.
In addition, the Voxel has an automatic filament feed and swappable nozzle. The automatic filament feeder is very convenient and easy to use. This printer also has a filament runout sensor that tells you when the spool is empty or if the filament breaks.
Monoprice Voxel Vs Ender 3
Last is the performance of Monoprice Voxel and Ender 3. Both printers are very capable of making good quality prints. The Voxel is specifically incredible at printing miniatures, but you can print anything the machine can handle. There is no such issue, so that you will get many successful prints with no fuss. The Ender 3 is a competent printer, but you must tweak it to the ideal setting. You may not achieve the best results at first, but it is a machine we grow with experience.
Monoprice Voxel Vs Ender 3
Both Monoprice Voxel and Ender 3 are very similar in print quality. But, they are different printers for different user types. The Ender 3 has a larger build volume and is more upgradeable than Voxel. This printer requires manual effort to assemble and tweak before getting the best result. The Voxel has a smaller build volume but plenty of automation. It has a runout sensor, auto-leveling, and automatic filament feeder. Achieving good prints with Voxel is easier than Ender 3.
Conclusion
There is no bad option, but you have to choose according to your preference. We recommend Ender 3 for users who are willing to tweak the printer manually and are interested in how the printer can improve. But, if you want an easy-to-use 3D printer that takes less to perform well, the Monoprice Voxel is an incredible choice at this price point.