If you have been trying to decide which 3D printer to purchase, the Creality 3D printers could be an excellent option to consider. Both the CR-10 Mini and Ender 3 Pro are affordable, high-quality, and easy to use; however, each model has unique features and benefits that appeal to various users. To help you make the right choice, this guide will compare the two printers and provide more information about how each one can benefit your unique printing needs.
Creality CR-10 Mini
The Creality3D CR-10 Printer features incredible ease of use as it comes preassembled. The only item that needs attachment is the Z tower to a stable base. Once it’s set up, which takes less than an hour, you can start using it right away to print out high-quality parts in ABS or PLA materials. The design printer is perfect for printing beginners looking for something affordable and capable of producing professional results without spending a ton of money on a machine.
This machine features a heated print bed with a maximum temperature of 110 degrees Celsius. It uses a Bowden extruder, so you can use more lightweight filaments without worrying about them clogging up. In addition, no drive motor pushes the material but instead it goes through a tube. This makes it easier to work with materials like flexible ones, which tend to be quite challenging to use with most machines.
It uses a standard MK8 nozzle to extrude material at a speed of 1.75 mm per second, so you can print layers as thin as 0.1 mm. The maximum resolution you can achieve with a 100-micron layer height measures 2040 x 2160 dpi.
The Differences Between the CR-10 and Ender 3
The differences may seem subtle, but they are there. Both printers are on par with each other regarding quality, efficiency, and cost. But one is more popular than another. That’s what makes it challenging to choose which one of these printers is right for you!
Both printers offer excellent features, but they also have their downsides. For example, the Ender 3 offers you a better user experience in terms of usability, while the CR-10 Mini has more potential with future upgrades. Also, depending on what you want to print, one may be more practical than another. For example, if you’re printing large pieces often or want to print multiple objects at once, an upgrade kit for large prints might be beneficial!
We’ve listed out all of our pros and cons below.
Regardless of which one you decide to go with, you’ll be making a desirable choice! Even though we couldn’t choose for you, we hope that reading about both printers helps you make an informed decision when deciding which one to purchase. Feel free to use us as a resource! Good luck with your future printing endeavors!
The PROs of Each Printer
Creality CR-10 Mini: The aluminum body provides a more durable exterior. In addition, the touch screen controls make navigating through settings simple. There are also many preinstalled features, such as an auto-leveling feature, a power box design for easy parts replacement, and a cable chain that keeps all cables from getting tangled up.
It’s also equipped with a unique Bowden extruder which offers more accurate prints, and it can use larger filaments with lower temperatures. The aluminum body makes it more durable, but it also comes at a higher price point than most printers on our list.
The Creality Ender 3 Pro also has a Bowden extruder which provides more accurate prints. In addition, it’s excellent for large-scale printing because it can use larger filaments with lower temperatures.
However, it’s not as durable or sturdy as other printers on our list. In addition, report state the Z-axis to be less accurate and not produce as precise of a print as it could. There are also reports that some machines can arrive with missing parts. However, this printer comes at a much lower price point than its counterpart, so if you don’t have much money to invest in your business, you can get more bang for your buck with this printer.
The CONs of Each Printer
If you are trying to figure out which printer to purchase, it’s helpful to look at their respective weaknesses. Keep in mind that these are just general comparisons, so nothing mentioned here necessarily applies to your case. For example, what’s terrible about one might be ideal for your project! Also, keep in mind that the wrong side of each printer may not be bad—or even relevant—for you.
The Creality Ender 3 Pro has a slight edge over the CR-10 regarding printing quality. It can achieve a resolution of 100–300 microns, while the best you can get with the CR-10 Mini is a paltry 300 micron.
The only CON of CR-10 Mini is its size and noise level. You see, it’s quite small: 12 x 12 x 15 inches (31 x 31 x 38 cm) in all dimensions. It’s also one of the cheaper 3D printers in its price range. This makes it a wonderful choice for beginners looking to print without breaking their bank account.
On top of that, you may have to deal with some noise when operating it. While there are quieter versions of printers in their price range, none can compete with more expensive models.
It’s not unusual for 3D printers to generate much heat during use, making cooling one of their biggest challenges. However, it seems like everybody has their way of dealing with overheating.
In conclusion, if you’re looking for a cheap printer for printing smaller items with high precision, then you should take a closer look at Creality3D’s offering. However, remember that it doesn’t come with any accessories out of the box.
However, they offer some bundle deals if you want to get your hands on some filament. On top of that, all their printers are compatible with third-party filaments, so you can even use particular types like wood or carbon fiber filaments.