3D printers are exciting and convenient. The Voxelab Aquila C2 Vs X2 printers are perfect for users starting the hobby or enthusiasts who want a reliable and affordable machine. The close siblings share many similarities and minor differences that may affect your buying decision. Here is what you may want to know about the Voxelab entry-level printers.
In this comparison, we are going to talk about:
- What to Consider in a 3D Printer
- What are Voxelab Aquila C2 and X2
- How are the Units of Voxelab Aquila C2 and X2
- How is the Capacity of Voxelab Aquila C2 and X2
- How is the Building Bed in Voxelab Aquila C2 and X2
- How is the Extruder in Voxelab Aquila C2 and X2
- What else Voxelab Aquila C2 and X2 can offer
- How is the Performance of Voxelab Aquila C2 and X2
- Voxelab Aquila C2 Vs X2
Buying a 3D Printer
FDM printers are the maker’s favorite because they are usually easy to tweak and upgrade. The cost is another reason why many love entry-level budget printers because we can use the remaining budget to make the upgrade. FDM printers are affordable, reliable, and ideal for enthusiasts or users who focus on performance. However, there are many factors to consider before landing your option on a particular printer. Not everyone will have the same goal, so it is wise to go for the one that matches the application.
Like a paper printer, your FDM 3D printer also has a capacity. The capacity is usually fixed or non-upgradeable, so we will be stuck with the build volume until buying a new machine. Think about what you want to print and how big the item is. FDM printer’s prices vary; the bigger the machine, the bigger the build volume. If you plan on making large models or costumes, the bigger or taller machines will be ideal. They can print smaller items without any issue.
FDM printers also vary depending on who the machine is for. Consider yourself a maker or user so we can get the perfect option. A maker is an enthusiast who is also interested in improving the printer. They will spend time diagnosing the printer and tweaking it manually by adding or changing some parts until the printer achieves a certain level of performance. Users focus on the print result and want a reliable machine that works well with less effort. In general, the latter tend to be more expensive.
| Voxelab Aquila C2 | Voxelab Aquila X2 | |
|---|---|---|
  |   |
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| Product Dimensions | 22.5 x 14.9 x 8.4 inches | 22.05 x 8.27 x 14.96 inches |
| Shipping Weight | 20.2 pounds | 21.7 pounds |
| Shop now at Amazon | Check price | Check price |
About Voxelab Aquila C2 and X2
Many 3D printer manufacturers offer a wide range of products to cater to their consumers. FlashForge is one of the most popular 3D printer brands, especially for the end-users who want a reliable machine with high convenience. You can check our previous FlashForge comparisons like FlashForge Adventurer 3 Vs 4 to know how good their printers are. While FlashForge offers the best convenience, the company also has makers’ favorite brand Voxelab. Voxelab is a consumer-centric, budget printer for enthusiasts, and everyone wants to jump into the 3D printing hobby.
Voxelab is famous for its budget printers like Aquila, which somehow branched into a few different printers such as Voxelab Aquila C2 and X2. There are still the original Aquila and Aquila S2 with similar features and some differences. However, the closest variant to the original Aquila is the X2, while S2 is the higher-printer and C2 is a budget variant. The C2 is very similar to the famous original Ender 3 based on the price point and features. Both printers are good but not for the same user.
The overall abilities of Voxelab Aquila C2 and X2 are identical, and you can produce equally good prints from these machines. The main difference is that C2 is ideal for beginners and experienced makers who want to spend as little as possible and leave the budget for upgrades. The Aquila X2 is not a perfect or the best variant of Aquila, but it is slightly better with an additional feature. We think it is wise to consider the part you want to upgrade from these printers.
The main difference between Voxelab Aquila C2 and X2 is their power supply. The original Aquila and Aquila X2 use a 32-bit silent mainboard, while the C2 seems to have an H-32 board. You will want to upgrade this board later, which may cost some and be about the same as X2. If you plan on upgrading, the X2 is a more convenient and reliable printer from the beginning.
Voxelab Aquila C2 and X2 Unit
FDM printers are usually durable because they use metal components. But, most entry-level options like Voxelab Aquila C2 and X2 come as a kit that requires manual assembly. If you choose the X2, we will get the base pre-assembled, so we are left to do the upper support. The Aquila C2 is very similar to the original Ender 3 and needs more time to put together. The power supply is on the machine’s side, which obstructs the look and is also less safe than when it is below the build plate.
The Aquila and Aquila X2 look more modern and need less time to assemble. The Aquila X2 is noticeably different from the original variant, with a handle at the top and a vertical control panel. The control panel in Aquila C2 is outdated and smaller. Both printers mount the spool holder at the top, and the filament goes down to the extruder and then to the hot end. These printers have a Micro-SD slot and Mini USB port to communicate or receive files.
Voxelab Aquila C2 and X2 Capacity
Before buying one, it is wise to consider what you will want to use the printer for. The Voxelab Aquila C2 and X2 come with decent build capacity, but they are non-expandable, meaning you will need to buy a new printer in the future to access a bigger volume. They have the same 220 x 220 x 250 mm print volume, which should be adequate for most people. You can make plenty of small to medium items with this capacity, considering the printers can use typical filaments.
Voxelab Aquila C2 and X2 Building Bed
The building bed in Voxelab Aquila C2 and X2 is also the same. Voxelab chooses a carborundum glass bed with texture to help your prints stick to the plat as it is printing. The glass bed is secured using a pin, and you can replace it if damaged. A glass bed effectively maintains the adhesion and produces a smooth surface. To reach the optimum temperature, the bed is heated up to 100 degrees Celsius and will heat up in a few minutes, usually 5 minutes and slightly more.
Because these printers are budget models, you can’t expect automatic leveling in any of these. Automatic leveling is excellent for cutting the preparation process, but manual leveling is not bad either. Manual leveling requires manual effort to measure the distance from the bed to the nozzle to create a perfect gap for print deposition. The traditional method uses a piece of paper sliding through between the bed and nozzle. We find these printers hold to the level quite well, so you don’t have to re-level so often.
Voxelab Aquila C2 and X2 Extruder
Next, the extruder system in Voxelab Aquila C2 and X2 is also identical. Both printers use a Bowden-style extruder with the extruder mounted on the X-axis to reduce the weight of their hot ends. The hot end is standard and can heat up to 250 degrees Celsius, which should be adequate for most common filaments like PLA, ABS, and PETG. If you want to use exotic filaments and higher temperatures, the S2 variant has an all-metal hot end that can go up to 300 degrees.
Voxelab Aquila C2 and X2 Features
Now we want to talk about the features in Voxelab Aquila C2 and X2, which separates the two. First, the Aquila X2 comes with a filament run-out sensor that is cheap to upgrade, but it is not available on the C2 and original Aquila. You can add the sensor on these printers manually to get the same feature. Second, Aquila X2 uses a 32-bit silent mainboard, which helps reduce the printer’s noise during operation. The Aquila C2 seems to use an H32 board that is prone to issues and louder.
However, it doesn’t mean the Aquila X2 will be very quiet since it is not. This machine may have a silent mainboard, but the fan is noisy. Third, the Aquila X2 has a better control panel that is brighter, easier to understand, and larger. In addition, the X2 also has a handle that may not be that useful but can be convenient at times.
Voxelab Aquila C2 and X2 Performance
The print results with Voxelab Aquila C2 and X2 are pretty good. They are not perfect, and you may have to tweak the setting depending on the material and design. However, the test prints are nice and smooth. The stringing issues that persist in many cheap printers are not a problem in these machines. The speed is relatively quick and similar to most printers; the thin layer with a slow print speed will yield better results. None of these variants are quiet, so expect some noise when operating.
Voxelab Aquila C2 Vs X2
Notice that Voxelab Aquila C2 and X2 are very similar in core functions. The main differences are features because Aquila X2 has more capabilities such as a filament run-out sensor, intuitive control panel, and quiet mainboard. You can upgrade C2 to have similar abilities and make the printer more appealing. Depending on the concern, the Aquila X2 doesn’t need much to start with, but you can still put in some upgrades like automatic bed leveling.
Conclusion
Both Voxelab Aquila C2 and X2 are good options but for different users. We recommend the Aquila X2 because it already comes with some upgrades, so you can focus on the components that can make a significant difference. The price gap is primarily to provide better parts and install them for you.