Comgrow Creality Ender 3 3D Printer Review

The Comgrow Creality 3D printer is an affordable device that’s very suitable for beginners who don’t want to go breaking the bank. Its features are varied and cover all of the necessary bases to ensure a smooth printing experience.

The attention to detail for keeping nozzles from clogging up was especially appreciated. The overall design is friendly and the controls are easy to use, lowering the threshold of really getting into this hobby.

With its easy set-up, you’ll find that understanding what makes a 3D printer tick isn’t all that mysterious.

While this 3D printer has various great aspects, the lack of added accessories does reveal some small flaws that could have been better solved.

If you take special care during assembly, you’ll find the leveling bed is easy to use, but, eventually, even that will need the occasional readjustment.

While these small issues can all be fixed with some creative work or the right accessory, more complicated machines often have found ways to circumvent this. Yet, when you’re comparing price and quality, it’s hard to find a 3D printer that’s managed to do it better.

So are these beauty marks a reason for us to ditch this printer and choose a pricier one, or have its many features managed to sway our hearts after all?

We have all the details right here, so let’s find out if this is the best beginner 3D printer for you!

Comgrow Creality Ender 3 3D Printer: The Details

Specs

• Weight: 64  lbs.
• Dimensions: 440 x 410 x 465mm.
• Print Dimensions: 220 x 220 x 250mm.
• Filament Types: 75mm PLA and ABS.
• Ready to Print?: Around two hours of assembly time required.

How Does it Work

The Comgrow Creality 3D printer is a cheap 3d printer that has a rather large work area, which is sure to provide enough space for all of your endeavors.

When it comes to aesthetics, it is certainly in a different ballpark compared to other 3D printers. The overall impression is that it’s very open, with the black metal components giving it a sense of grounding that would not have been possible in another color.

Of special interest is the large work area. While placing this 3D printer on a desktop is an option, provided there isn’t too much clutter, you’ll be better off placing it in a wider workspace.

Assembly is relatively easy, and spare parts are provided in case some should go missing. This includes screws, which was a welcome bonus if you’re prone to misplacing small parts.

While assembly can be done quickly, we recommend taking your time in getting everything right the first time around. Our testers mentioned that taking an extra hour during set-up ended up saving them a lot of trouble when compared to those who rushed through this process.

This 3D printer is suitable for most printing tasks, except the largest, with a quality finish that belies the price of this cheap 3D printer.

Features

Resume-Printing

Of special interest to those who have lost work or progress due to a power outage is the resume-printing mode.

As the name suggests, the Ender 3 can resume printing even after the power has been interrupted.

This doesn’t just mean in case of a power outage but also covers clumsy roommates who accidentally pull the plug during your progress.

Reduced Clogging Risk

Clogged nozzles are one of the most frequent issues in 3D printing. While they will never be a complete thing of the past, Comgrow Creality has taken steps to reduce them from occurring with their new and improved design.

The MK-10 Extruder improves the smooth extrusion of filament, while the V-slot with POM wheels ensures an even printing movement.

Quick to Heat Up

Printers that are quick to heat up are also quick to print, and this is one hobby that can get pretty time-consuming.

Within only five minutes, the Comgrow Creality Ender 3 3D printer can reach a temperature of up to 110 degrees Celsius.

Tight Filament Pathway

If you’re working with more flexible filaments, you know these can have a tendency to wiggle out of bounds when given the chance.

Thanks to the tight filament pathway, you’ll find that working with these filaments is easier to manage, leading to a better work experience and less stress.

Comgrow Creality Ender 3 3D Printer Review

The Positives

Great Price for Quality

When you’re just getting started or have a tight budget, it’s important to get the most you can for what you spend.

The Comgrow Creality Ender 3 3D Printer has one of the largest print sizes when it comes to beginner machines, and has all of the necessary components we look for when considering a 3D printer.

Often you get what you pay for, but in this case, you’re getting more than that. The Comgrow Creality is priced affordably for a printer of its quality, so those just starting out won’t be deterred by the cost.

This is great for those on a budget, or for classrooms and offices where you may need to have more than one available; purchasing a few of these won’t be a costly effort.

You’ll also receive spare parts with your printer, so you’ll have another thing you don’t have to worry about in terms of money and time.

Plenty of Accessories Available

While the box only contains the bare essentials, there are plenty of accessories available online.

Leaving out extras will help keep the cost down and does make this machine more accessible for beginners, so we understand the choice.

For those who feel like they want to spruce up their machine, it’s relatively cheap to upgrade their 3D printer without having to look for a new one right away.

Beginner Friendly

With the low price, it already makes for a good entrance-level printer, but that’s not all there is.

Speaking globally, the controls are both easy to read and navigate. Especially for those encountering a 3D printer for the first time, this is a valuable trait, though even veterans can appreciate the convenience.

This makes it easy to learn the craft without spending too much time fumbling with the controls and makes it easy for teachers to show students how to operate the machine.

Great for Starter Tinkerers

If you’re looking for a way to put your 3D printer together from scratch, but don’t want to dive into the deep end just yet, this device certainly provides a good learning opportunity.

It’s easy to assemble in one go, without needing an expert to hold your hand, and it helps you appreciate the underlying nuts and bolts of other 3D printers.

Compact Design

Whether you’re just starting out, or you’re short on space, the Comgrow Creality Ender 3 has a less intimidating design than other 3D printers on the market.

It’s compact enough to fit in a variety of spaces and light enough to move around when you need to, which is great for a classroom or office setting.

This doesn’t take away from its decent plate size either, allowing users to create a wide number of projects of varying sizes.

The Negatives

Leveling Bed Needs Readjusting

While taking care during the initial set-up can do a lot to remedy this particular problem, the Comgrow Creality Ender 3 3D Printer does require the occasional readjustment to keep things on track.

This is a minor flaw and there are accessories available for those who want to automate the task, but it’s still a good focus point for future models.

Basic Manual

A lot of customers noted that the manual included with this 3D printer is pretty basic. Thankfully, this printer is easy to set up, so it won’t take too much fumbling to figure out.

While detailed instructions are definitely beneficial, users can also find a number of YouTube videos and their website has a resource section that you can check out if you’re stuck.

Comgrow has also given customers access to unlimited technical support, which is helpful if you really need answers to pressing questions.

A Little Noisy

If you’re looking to craft in the middle of the night or in a quiet setting, the Comgrow may not be the printer for you.

Some users noted that this machine does make quite some noise when printing, while others noted that the machine made louder noises after using it for some time.

This isn’t a complaint from all customers though, but those with sensitive ears should be warned.

Here’s a video showing what the Comgrow Creality 3D printer looks like out of the box and in action.

Overall Verdict

As we’ve mentioned in this Comgrow Creality Ender 3 review, this device is very suitable for beginners, who perhaps can’t afford anything too extravagant at the moment.

The features are nicely varied to offer a good introductory experience and a finish that is still of reasonably good quality. Should you wish to improve on your printer later, you’ll find there are many accessories available that can enhance your experience.

All in all, this is a very enjoyable printer to work with, and it definitely makes the hobby more accessible to different kinds of people. Since the capacities are rather basic, it isn’t suitable for those with more experience or very high expectations.

However, if you’re only interested in testing the waters before taking a plunge into the deep end, this printer is one of the best possible candidates for the job.

Where to Buy the Comgrow Creality Ender 3 3D Printer

The Creality Ender 3 is just one item from Comgrow’s growing line of 3D printers. Using their signature design throughout their product line, they have 3D printers that fit every level and every budget.

If all of Comgrow’s 3D printers operate as easily and smoothly as the Creality Ender 3, we can expect to see this brand around for some time.

3D printers, in general, are getting more and more popular, and not just for commercial use, allowing them to become more available and accessible to a wider audience. As for the Comgrow Creality Ender 3 3D Printer, you’ll be able to find this device both in-store and online.

While it’s always best to check tech and specialty stores, you can kick-start your search with the following online retailers.

• 3D Printers Online Store (from $209)
• Comgrow 3D (from $259)

And of course, you’ll also be able to find this 3D printer on Amazon.

That’s the end of our Comgrow Creality Ender 3 review. Tempted to give it a try?