In this digital world, printers are the most useful machine to print the important project for your office work and your kid’s school project. 3D Printers are very popular in the market right now. Today, in this article, we are going to compare two affordable 3D printers Creality Ender and Anet A8 on the basis of features and specifications.
Creality Ender 3 printer
Creality Ender 3 3D printer is a great choice for beginners that comes with a DIY build kit. It takes less time to build than others. This 3d printer is easy to assemble and quick to print. Its maximum printing speed is 200mm/s and build time is 2 hours. The resolutions of this printer are down to 100 microns and it gives the choice of PLA and ABS filament to their users. The connectivity of both printers is the same.
Anet A8 printer
Anet A8 provides a 3D printer kit that comes with many pieces at a reasonable price. You have to assemble these pieces to build the printer but it takes more time to assemble. Moreover, it provides the freedom to upload files via USB or SD card with resolutions of 100 to 300 microns and print with the speed of 100mm/s. This 3D printer has an aluminum print bed that heats up to 100 degrees and also comes with an extruder that heats up to 250 degrees centigrade. It produces solid printing results with many features. It takes 8 to 10 hours to build the printers.
Anet A8 vs Creality Ender-3
| Specs | Creality 3D Ender 3 | Anet A8 |
|---|---|---|
| LCD Monitor Screen | yes | yes |
| Print Precision | 0.1mm | 0.1mm |
| Maximum Print Size | 220x220x250mm | 220x220x230mm |
| Power Supply | 100-265V 50-60Hz | DC 12V/20A (default EU plug) |
| Filament Dia. | 1.75mm | 1.75mm |
| Data Input | Online or SD offline | SD Card or USB Transfer Line |
| Nozzle Temperature | 255°C | Recommended: 210°C, Maximum 250°C |
| Frame Material | Aluminum | Acrylic + Lead Screw |
| SD-Card Slot | Yes | Yes |
| Printing Speed | 180mm/s | 100mm/s |
| Net Weight | 8.6kg | 8kg |
| Heating Plate Temperature | 110°C | 50-110°C |
| Layer Resolution | 0.1-0.4mm | 0.1-0.4mm |
| Filament Materials | PLA, ABS, HIPS, Wood, PVA, Nylon | PLA, TPU, ABS |
| Data Format | STL, OBJ, G-Code | STL, G-Code |
| Extruder Diameter | 0.4mm | 0.4mm (Custom options: 0.2/0.3/0.5mm) |
| Machine Size | 440x410x465mm | 500x400x450mm |
| Typical Price Range | $169-$229 | $109-$199 |
Build Time
This is the main difference between Creality ender 3 and Anet A8. you should know the basic technical skills to join the pieces together and it requires more time to form the printer. However ender 3 is easy and quick to install, and it takes a few hours to fix the frame together with the use of screws and the extruder.
Construction Quality
Both printers have different construction quality. Anet A8 comes with an acrylic frame while Creality ender 3 has a sturdy aluminum frame that is more stable and gives better printing results. Ender is a highly modifiable printer that needs upgrades from time to time.
Material Used
Both the printer uses different materials. Anet A8 uses line bearings while Creality ender 3 uses v-slot wheels that are fixed with aluminum cover and gives more accurate and precise results. Creality Ender 3 performs quietly compared to Anet A8.
Printing Area and Accuracy
The Creality Ender 3 has a large printing area than Anet A8. The printing area of Creality ender 3 is 220 x 220 x 250mm while the Anet a8 printing area is 220 x 220 x 240mm. Creality Ender provides ± 0.1mm X-Axis accuracy and ±0.1mm Y-Axis accuracy while Anet A8 has better results with 0.012mm X-Axis accuracy and 0.004mm Y-Axis accuracy.
Printing Materials and printer bed: The printer bed is an important factor for printers that depends on the surface and temperature. Creality Ender 3 has a magnetic sticker that is easy to peel off after printing. it heats the bed quickly up to 60 degrees within five minutes. However, Anet A8 has an MK-3 aluminum hotbed and the temperature can be varied from 50 to 100 degrees. For printing, Creality Ender 3 uses filaments like PLA, ABS, and wood while Anet A8 uses PLA, ABS, TPU, wood, Poly, PVA, Luminescent, and few other filaments.
Pros & cons
Conclusion
It is difficult to select the best among these two. both the printers have some identical specifications like aluminum print beds, maximum resolutions, large build volumes, and filament capability. But the main difference between Anet A8 and Creality Ender 3 is building time and construction quality. Anet A8 takes approximately 8 to 9 hours to build the printer while Creality takes 2 hours that is Creality Ender 3 takes less time to build than Anet A8. Ender 3 is easy and quick to install. Construction quality is also different in these printers. Ender 3 comes with a sturdy aluminum frame while Anet A8 comes with an acrylic frame.
If you are looking for a cheaper printer then Anet A8 is the great choice for you. But if you want a machine that is easy to use and build then Creality ender 3 is the best option. Overall ender 3 is a lightweight printer that gives better print quality.
FAQs
Q: Can the Creality ender 3 print metal?
A: Creality Ender 3 can print all metal but not the standard PTFE- lined hotend like polycarbonate that needs 255-300 °C.
Q: Is the Ender 3 a good printer?
A: Yes, it’s a good printer with a large printing area that is sufficient to print most things.
Q: What type of file does Ender 3 use?
A: Ender 3 uses a roll of 1.75mm filament for printing. it makes a printable gcode file from 3D objects like cura and it is accessed by using an SD card.
Q: How long will an ender 3 last?
A: It will last for 5 years If you use it carefully with proper maintenance. You can also increase its lifespan by limiting its use.
Q: What is the best filament for Ender 3?
A: the best filament for the ender 3 printer is PLA that is recommended for beginners. If you are looking for fine prints then PETG or TPU gives better results.
Q: How fast can you print on Ender 3?
A: Creality Ender 3 can print up to 200 mm/s speed.
Q: How do I connect my Anet a8 to my computer?
A: You can connect this printer to the computer using a USB cable. After connecting the USB cable, go to the device manager and find com and LPT ports then open this and connect it.
Q: Does the Ender 3 come along with software?
A: Yes, it comes with marlin firmware and you can also upgrade this.
Q: How do you connect Raspberry Pi to the Creality Ender 3?
A: By using OctoPrint, you can connect the Raspberry to Creality Ender 3
Q: What is the size of the nozzle in Anet A8?
A: It comes with a size of 0.4 mm and you can also upgrade this to a bigger size.
Q: How fast can Anet A8 print?
A: You can print at a max 200 mm/s speed through this printer.