FDM printers like Voxelab Aquila Vs Aquila X2 are ideal for beginners and enthusiasts who want an easy-to-use and reliable machine. These printers can produce good quality results and work well for most people. They share many similarities with some differences and if you wonder which Voxelab printer to invest in, let’s see what they can offer below.
In this comparison, we are going to talk about:
- Why Choosing an FDM Printer
- What are Voxelab Aquila and Aquila X2
- How are the Printers of Voxelab Aquila and Aquila X2
- How is the Capacity of Voxelab Aquila and Aquila X2
- How is the Building Bed in Voxelab Aquila and Aquila X2
- How is the Extruder in Voxelab Aquila and Aquila X2
- What else Voxelab Aquila and Aquila X2 can offer
- How is the Performance of Voxelab Aquila and Aquila X2
- Voxelab Aquila Vs Aquila X2
FDM 3D Printers
The 3D printer is convenient, and almost everyone can use the machine to produce something. As long as the item is possible to make with plastic, a 3D printer can replicate the design and transform your material into a prototype, a part, or a fully functional product. FDM printers are the most popular type of 3D printer, and they have been around for quite some time. While the idea of 3D printing is still not mainstream, the method is getting recognition across different types of users.
FDM printers such as Voxelab Aries Vs FlashForge Adventurer 3 are suitable for most people. FDM or Fused Deposition Modeling is usually more convenient to work with because the machine uses a solid filament instead of a resin printer that requires liquid resin. The printers are also affordable relative to the capacity depending on which seem to fit in your application. Some people may want to buy a larger machine because they want to make a fully functioning product or a more significant part of an even larger product.
FDM printers work by depositing molten filament on the building plate. The machine is doing it layer by layer and relatively slow, especially if this is your first time seeing a 3D printer work. Depending on the item’s size, some projects can take hours to finish, so “fast” 3D printers are almost always a favorite by the users. The material an FDM printer can use varies, but usually, they can print PLA, ABS, and PETG. Some machines can work with a wider range of filaments due to the mechanism such as higher temperature and enclosed design.
| Voxelab Aquila | Voxelab Aquila X2 | |
|---|---|---|
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| Product Dimensions | 18.9 x 20.47 x 24.41 inches | 22.05 x 8.27 x 14.96 inches |
| Shipping Weight | 22.05 Pounds | 21.7 pounds |
| Shop now at Amazon | Check price | Check price |
About Voxelab Aquila and Aquila X2
FDM printers are great for new and experienced users because they are typically easy to use and modify. Many companies offer superb 3D printers so that you can find one quickly, depending on the budget. One of the cheapest and good 3D printers is Ender 3, which is an excellent choice if you are interested in modifying the machine later. But, this printer is also basic and not very exciting for experienced users who are preparing to spend more.
Another good company other than Creality that offers nice printers is Voxelab, and you can find a similarly wide range of models from their collection. We love that the budget machines from this company sometimes offer more than other models in the same price range from different manufacturers. The Voxelab Aquila and Aquila X2 are perfect options for budget shoppers and everyone who wants a reliable FDM printer. The latter is an upgrade over the original printer for users who plan to make manual improvements in the future.
The Aquila X2 is an improvement from the original model, which is already working well. But, one of the charms of buying an affordable 3D printer is that you can tweak and add or change the component to improve the performance. The Aquila takes the hassle and gives you some features. Most specs in Voxelab Aquila and Aquila X2 are identical, so if your goal is to upgrade from Aquila, we think the offer is not very exciting.
However, if you don’t have any of these printers yet, the Aquila X2 can be a great choice as it comes with more to offer. But, the original Aquila is more than a decent printer for casual users who want to start a hobby, and it is cheaper, so we feel good about making the decision.
Voxelab Aquila and Aquila X2 Printers
One of the things you have to prepare when ordering a 3D printer is time and patience. This is because most printers in this price range come in parts requiring assembly. The Voxelab Aquila and Aquila X2 are no different as you have to put the frame up and secure them to the base. The printers use steel frames which seem rigid to support the repetitive printing process. The styling is also similar, but X2 has some unique features.
Not every FDM printer has a handle, so we appreciate the X2 as it includes this feature on its frame. These printers are decent in size and not exceptionally huge. The steel construction does make them heavy. Another noticeable difference is that X2 changes the screen’s orientation vertically while the older one is horizontal. These printers also have small stands or feet that keep the bottom from directly touching your table and promote better air circulation. The printers communicate through a micro-SD slot and micro-USB port.
Voxelab Aquila and Aquila X2 Capacity
Like a paper printer, a 3D printer also has the capacity or the largest item they can print. Before buying any machine, make sure that your choice is adequate for the type of project you will make because we have different preferences and purposes. The Voxelab Aquila and Aquila X2 have a fixed capacity of 220 x 220 x 250 mm, similar to the Ender 3. But, unlike Ender 3, we don’t have an extender kit to expand the capacity. This print volume may look small, but many people still find it useful.
Voxelab Aquila and Aquila X2 Print Bed
Next, we want to peek at the print surface, which is identical. The Voxelab Aquila and Aquila X2 use a carborundum glass bed, and you can replace it if somehow it breaks during printing or maintenance. The glass is lying on top of a heated surface and works well to keep your print stable. The carborundum glass bed is not entirely smooth but has texture to help adhesion. We find the bed easy to use as you can remove the item effortlessly as they cool down, no need to use a scraper.
The print bed arrangement is the same, and they will heat up to 100 degrees, supposedly within 5 minutes. In practice, the printers need more than 5 minutes to reach this temperature, but it is still fast if you are not in a hurry. Because Voxelab Aquila and Aquila X2 are budget printers, we don’t have many features to talk about. Bed-leveling is manual, so you have to manually measure and adjust the bed level across the print surface. It is a tedious task, and better left automatic.
Voxelab Aquila and Aquila X2 Extruder
Moving on, let’s see the extruder, a Bowden-style mounted on the Z-axis to reduce the weight that the print head must carry. The filament spool holder is coming from the top of the machine as this is where the spool holder is. The setup effectively reduces weight and footprint, but you will need an extra clearance at the top. The hot end maximum temperature is up to 250 degrees Celsius which is relatively low than many similar printers.
Low hot end temperature will affect the material you can print with Voxelab Aquila and Aquila X2. You can only print typical filaments such as PLA, ABS, and PETG, while exotic materials are out of the question.
Voxelab Aquila and Aquila X2 Features
While Voxelab Aquila and Aquila X2 are affordable printers, they also have exciting features. First is the color screen, which looks much better than what similar printers like Ender 3 can offer. Second, they have a resume print function to ensure the machine will resume the printing process once it gets the power supply back. Third, the Aquila X2 adds a filament sensor to the system to let you know when there is breakage or when you need to load another spool.
Voxelab Aquila and Aquila X2 Performance
Lastly is for the performance, which is also identical. The Voxelab Aquila and Aquila X2 can print good quality items and is decent in speed. You can adjust the print speed from 30mm/s to 180mm/s, but the slower and thinner layer height will give the best result. In general, FDM printers and 3D printers usually don’t work well at the highest speed if your main goal is to get the best-looking prints. Both printers now use a 32-bit mainboard for a better experience.
The print tests come out beautifully, and we are satisfied that they work similarly with different materials. However, PLA usually looks better than ABS, and our favorite part is the cooling system because there is no visible stringing at the test prints, and they look very smooth.
Voxelab Aquila Vs Aquila X2
Both Voxelab Aquila and Aquila X2 are very similar and work equally reliable. These printers are perfect for new users and enthusiasts on a budget looking for an easy-to-use 3D printer with decent build volume. The main differences between Voxelab Aquila and Aquila X2 are price, new screen orientation, and filament run-out sensor. The handle in Aquila X2 may be useful for users who sometimes move their machines around the house. The capacity and print results are the same, including the filament compatibility and temperature.
Conclusion
The decision is yours because we may have different preferences. We recommend the Aquila because it is cheaper and has every core functionality running well. The features in X2 are not very exciting to upgrade, and you can still tweak this printer to produce a better experience.