Creality Ender-3 V3 SE vs Elegoo Neptune 4 Pro
Technical comparison · Fused filament fabrication (FFF/FDM)
Two open-frame Cartesian FDM printers, one under €200 and the other around €300. The firmware decides: Marlin with files on an SD card on the Ender, native Klipper with a web interface on the Neptune.
| Parameter | ||
|---|---|---|
| Awards | — | |
| Identity | ||
| Launch year | 2023 | 2023 |
| Use tier | F2 — Intermediate | F2 — Intermediate |
| Price | ||
| Price (€) | ~150–200 € | 299 € |
| Price updated on | 06/2026 | — |
| Universal specs | ||
| Dimensions (W×D×H) (cm) | 42 × 36.6 × 49 cm | 47.5 × 44.5 × 51.5 cm |
| Weight (kg) | 7.34 kg | 8.9 kg |
| Work area (mm) | 220 × 220 mm | 225 × 225 mm |
| Z-axis height (mm) | 250 mm | 265 mm |
| Power (W) | 350 W | — |
| Voltage (V) | 220 V | — |
| Maximum speed | 250 mm/s | 500 mm/s |
| Declared precision | 0.1 ±mm | 0.1 mm |
| Category specs | ||
| Footprint X×Y (short side) (mm) | 220 mm | 225 mm |
| Build height Z (mm) | 250 mm | 265 mm |
| Kinematics | Cartesian | Cartesian |
| Max nozzle temperature (°C) | 260 °C | 300 °C |
| Max bed temperature (°C) | 100 °C | 110 °C |
| Max print speed (mm/s) | 250 mm/s | 500 mm/s |
| Enclosed chamber | No | No |
| Filament sensor | No | Yes |
| Auto bed leveling | Mesh | Mesh |
| Standard nozzle diameter (mm) | 0.4 mm | 0.4 mm |
| Multi-extruder | No | No |
| Native Klipper | No | Yes |
| Input shaper | No | Yes |
| Multicolor printing | No | No |
| Multicolor requires accessory | — | No |
| Max colors | 1 | 1 |
| Ecosystem | ||
| Cloud dependency | No | No |
| Software notes | The printer runs Creality's proprietary Marlin-based firmware. It is compatible with Creality Print and Cura 5.0 or later; Simplify3D support is documented by third-party resellers. Print files are transferred via SD card. Community guides exist for converting to Klipper, but this is not an officially supported configuration and requires manual hardware and firmware intervention. | 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. |
MakerSpecs Awards
Best price Intermediate
The lowest list price among intermediate Fused filament fabrication (FFF/FDM) machines: €175. The second cheapest starts at €229. (Excluding manufacturer or retailer discounts.)
How we assign awards →Nessun riconoscimento in questa fascia.
The differences that matter
- Firmware: proprietary Marlin against native Klipper with input shaper → declared speed rises from 250 to 500 mm/s and the machine can be followed remotely, with no SD card.
- Temperatures: nozzle 300 °C against 260 °C, bed 110 °C against 100 °C → filaments that need more than 260 °C only print on the Neptune.
- Filament sensor: only on the Neptune → a spool running out mid-print is detected.
- Price: €175 against €299 → about €125 less for the Ender.
Which one to choose
Choose Ender-3 V3 SE if…
The Ender-3 V3 SE is the first-printer or second-bench machine: copy the file to an SD card and print, with a nozzle up to 260 °C. You give up the filament sensor, so nothing automatically catches a spool running out mid-part, and native Klipper.
Choose Neptune 4 Pro if…
The Neptune 4 Pro is managed from the browser with Fluidd or Mainsail over the network or USB, and works with OrcaSlicer and PrusaSlicer as well as Elegoo Cura. It costs about €125 more, and like the Ender it stays open-frame.
Where to buy
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Filaments for these printers
The most chosen spools among the materials both printers can print according to their specifications.
- ELEGOO PLA PLA1.75 mm1 kg Check the price on Amazon →
- Bambu Lab PLA PLA1.75 mm1 kg Check the price on Amazon →
- SUNLU PETG (Polyethylene Terephthalate Glycol) PETG (Polyethylene Terephthalate Glycol)1.75 mm1 kg Check the price on Amazon →
- SUNLU PLA PLA1.75 mm1 kg Check the price on Amazon →
- OVERTURE PETG (Polyethylene Terephthalate Glycol) PETG (Polyethylene Terephthalate Glycol)High speed1.75 mm1 kg Check the price on Amazon →
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As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
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