Sidewinder X3 Plus vs Neptune 4 Pro
Technical comparison · Fused filament fabrication (FFF/FDM)
Sidewinder X3 Plus and Neptune 4 Pro are two fused filament fabrication (fff/fdm) in a similar class. Choose Sidewinder X3 Plus if work area and maximum z height matters more; choose Neptune 4 Pro if max print speed matters more.
| Parameter |
Sidewinder X3 Plus
Artillery
F2 · Intermediate
|
Neptune 4 Pro
Elegoo
F2 · Intermediate
|
|---|---|---|
| Identity | ||
| Launch year | 2023 | 2023 |
| Use tier | F2 — Intermediate | F2 — Intermediate |
| Price | ||
| Price (€) | ~280–360 € | 299 € |
| Universal specs | ||
| Dimensions (W×D×H) (cm) | 49.2 × 50.7 × 61 cm | 47.5 × 44.5 × 51.5 cm |
| Weight (kg) | 16.6 kg | 8.9 kg |
| Work area (mm) | 300 × 300 mm | 225 × 225 mm |
| Z-axis height (mm) | 400 mm | 265 mm |
| Maximum speed | 300 mm/s | 500 mm/s |
| Declared precision | — | 0.1 mm |
| Category specs | ||
| XY print surface (mm) | 300.0 mm | 225 mm |
| Maximum Z height (mm) | 400.0 mm | 265 mm |
| Kinematics | cartesian | cartesian |
| Max nozzle temperature (°C) | 300.0 °C | 300 °C |
| Max bed temperature (°C) | 100.0 °C | 110 °C |
| Max print speed (mm/s) | 300.0 mm/s | 500 mm/s |
| Closed chamber | — | False |
| Filament sensor | — | True |
| Auto 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 |
| Requires external accessory | — | False |
| Maximum 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 machine is driven by Klipper firmware pre-installed on a proprietary 64-bit motherboard, ensuring rapid processing for advanced features like input shaping and pressure advance. The manufacturer provides a customized version of Cura (Elegoo Cura), but the printer is fully compatible with major third-party slicers such as PrusaSlicer and OrcaSlicer. Connectivity includes USB ports and a LAN network port, enabling remote management and direct print file transfers via the Fluidd or Mainsail web interfaces integrated into the system. |
The differences that matter
- Work area: Sidewinder X3 Plus 300×300 mm vs Neptune 4 Pro 225×225 mm — Sidewinder X3 Plus wins (+78%)
- Max print speed: Sidewinder X3 Plus 300 mm/s vs Neptune 4 Pro 500 mm/s — Neptune 4 Pro wins (+67%)
- Maximum Z height: Sidewinder X3 Plus 400 mm vs Neptune 4 Pro 265 mm — Sidewinder X3 Plus wins (+51%)
- Price: Sidewinder X3 Plus 320 € vs Neptune 4 Pro 299 € — Neptune 4 Pro wins (+7%)
- Max bed temperature: Sidewinder X3 Plus 100 °C vs Neptune 4 Pro 110 °C — Neptune 4 Pro wins (+10%)
Which one to choose
Choose Sidewinder X3 Plus if…
you value work area and maximum z height. «The Z height determines how tall a part the machine can produce in one print. Vertical objects such as vases, load-bearing structures, or casting patterns require a high Z travel. A lower value does not affect quality but forces the user to split or reorient the model. Z height should be considered alongside the XY surface to assess total usable build volume.»
Choose Neptune 4 Pro if…
you value max print speed, price and max bed temperature. «The rated maximum speed indicates the theoretical hardware limit, not the everyday working speed. Faster machines reduce print times on simple geometries, but real-world speed depends on material, geometry, required surface finish, and slicer settings. Values above 200–300 mm/s are meaningful only on machines with CoreXY kinematics, active input shaping, and a stiffened mechanical frame.»
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