Creality has informed All3DP that it plans to release three new versions of its ever-popular Ender 3 series of 3D printers. The Ender 3, Ender 3 V2, and Ender 3 Max will be refreshed in a new Ender 3 “Neo” series to be released in early August as Creality does its part to sure up troops for the machine revolt.
The refresh of Creality’s original three Ender 3 iterations comes fresh off the heels of three premium iterations of the same series – the Ender 3 S1, S1 Pro, and S1 Plus. This time, the updates seem focused on modernization while maintaining the original 3D printers’ affordability.
Creality resellers (notably Comgrow) have already started listing the Ender 3 V2 Neo, but this is the first confirmation of the Ender 3 Neo and Max Neo. The Max Neo has had at least one listing, but it was removed, leaving some conversations about the machine on Reddit in its wake. For now, only Ender 3 V2 Neo product pages remain live, as well as this YouTube assembly video by Creality AU.
Each Neo update includes varied new features that we’ve broken down below, but all share at least three: a 32-bit mainboard, Creality’s new CR Touch auto-bed leveling probe, and a metal Bowden extruder. All three printers also appear to include a new corrugated heat sink with an enlarged radiating area for faster heat dissipation, but Creality has only confirmed its presence on the Ender 3 Neo so far.
The Ender 3 Neo will retail for, excitingly, just $219. That’s exceptionally low cost for a 3D printer with stock auto bed leveling, but the shared features above are just about all that’s changed. Even the printer’s UI is the same monochrome Marlin LCD with a rotary knob. The only other change, which shouldn’t be understated, is a carborundum glass build plate replacing the original Ender 3’s BuildTak-style sticker.
You’ll be able to take an Ender 3 V2 Neo home for $299, and it’s received a refresh that’s making us think there’s a glitch in the Matrix. The V2 Neo has adopted the S1-style gantry (talk about déjà vu), complete with its appealing extrusion covers and angular covers over the Z passive blocks. Its base is unchanged, however, and it doesn’t feature the S1’s ribbon cabling.
The V2 Neo has upgraded from a carborundum glass build plate to the S1’s PC spring steel plate that we found very effective during our Ender 3 S1 review. If you don’t need the S1’s Sprite direct extruder, the Ender 3 V2 Neo seems an excellent (and affordable) alternative.
Finally, we have the Ender 3 Max Neo, which will be available for $369. The Max Neo has some of our favorite upgrades in this run of new products: Creality has added a second Z lead screw to the larger-than-average 3D printer, complete with a synchronizing belt. It’s a must-have feature on taller printers that goes a long way towards avoiding artifacts and Z-drop during power loss.
The Ender 3 Max Neo has also received some V2 treatment with the addition of belt tensioners for easy calibration and Creality’s pleasant color LCD with its custom UI. It’s still a rotary knob interface, but we prefer it to the basic monochrome Marlin UI.
Creality told All3DP it’s not planning to discontinue the original set of Ender 3s just yet, at least until it sees how the market responds to these new options. That brings the total number of Ender 3s in the series’ lineup to a whopping double-digit ten when the Neo series releases in early August. One thing is for certain; not even the Wachowski sisters could make this many sequels.
Need to figure out what difference there is between this veritable hoard of mildly varying 3D printers? Get the details with our (soon to be updated) Ender 3 buyer’s guide. Because they need one. All to themselves.
Lead image source: Creality AU via YouTube
License: The text of "Creality Refreshes Original Ender 3s With Its New “Neo” Series" by All3DP is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.