Artillery Sidewinder X3 Plus vs Elegoo Neptune 4 Max

Technical comparison · Fused filament fabrication (FFF/FDM)

In brief

Sidewinder X3 Plus and Neptune 4 Max are two fused filament fabrication (fff/fdm) in a similar class. Choose Sidewinder X3 Plus if price matters more; choose Neptune 4 Max if work area and max print speed matters more.

Parameter
Elegoo Neptune 4 Max Neptune 4 Max Elegoo F2 · Intermediate
Identity
Launch year 2023 2023
Use tier F2 — Intermediate F2 — Intermediate
Price
Price (€) ~280–360 € 549 €
Universal specs
Dimensions (W×D×H) (cm) 49.2 × 50.7 × 61 cm 65.8 × 63.2 × 74 cm
Weight (kg) 16.6 kg 18.1 kg
Work area (mm) 300 × 300 mm 420 × 420 mm
Z-axis height (mm) 400 mm 480 mm
Maximum speed 300 mm/s 500 mm/s
Declared precision 0.1 mm
Category specs
Footprint X×Y (short side) (mm) 300.0 mm 420 mm
Build height Z (mm) 400.0 mm 480 mm
Kinematics Cartesian Cartesian
Max nozzle temperature (°C) 300.0 °C 300 °C
Max bed temperature (°C) 100.0 °C 85 °C
Max print speed (mm/s) 300.0 mm/s 500 mm/s
Enclosed chamber False
Filament sensor True
Auto bed leveling Mesh Mesh
Standard nozzle diameter (mm) 0.4 mm 0.4 mm
Multi-extruder False
Native Klipper True
Input shaper True
Multicolor printing False
Multicolor requires accessory False
Max colors 1
Ecosystem
Cloud dependency No No
Software notes The STM32 board runs Marlin and communicates via USB Type-C or TF card; it works with any standard slicer (Cura, PrusaSlicer, Simplify3D) without proprietary restrictions. Lack of Wi-Fi requires physical transfer of G-code files, but ensures full offline control. The system relies on an open ecosystem thanks to the motherboard with pre-installed Klipper. Users can manage the machine both through the 4.3-inch capacitive touchscreen interface and via local network using the integrated web interface (Fluidd). Elegoo provides its own customized version of the Cura slicer, but the printer remains fully compatible with most third-party slicers such as PrusaSlicer, OrcaSlicer, and Simplify3D. Native support for Wi-Fi and LAN connectivity facilitates sending and monitoring G-code files without the need for physical media.

The differences that matter

  • Price: Sidewinder X3 Plus 320 € vs Neptune 4 Max 549 € — Sidewinder X3 Plus wins (+72%)
  • Work area: Sidewinder X3 Plus 300×300 mm vs Neptune 4 Max 420×420 mm — Neptune 4 Max wins (+96%)
  • Max print speed: Sidewinder X3 Plus 300 mm/s vs Neptune 4 Max 500 mm/s — Neptune 4 Max wins (+67%)
  • Build height Z: Sidewinder X3 Plus 400 mm vs Neptune 4 Max 480 mm — Neptune 4 Max wins (+20%)
  • Max bed temperature: Sidewinder X3 Plus 100 °C vs Neptune 4 Max 85 °C — Sidewinder X3 Plus wins (+18%)

Which one to choose

Choose Sidewinder X3 Plus if…

you value price and max bed temperature.

See the Sidewinder X3 Plus sheet →

Choose Neptune 4 Max if…

you value work area, max print speed and build height z.

See the Neptune 4 Max sheet →

MakerSpecs is an independent atlas. We don't sell products: this comparison links to both sheets, where you'll find complete data and official links.