The Creality Ender-3 series has been a benchmark for affordable, mod-friendly 3D printers for years. With the release of the Ender-3 V4, Creality promises a more refined experience—better hardware, upgraded electronics, and higher reliability straight out of the box.
But with so many Ender-3 models available, you might wonder: Is the Ender-3 V4 truly worth upgrading to?
In this review, we’ll cover its features, improvements over previous versions, real-world performance, and whether it’s the right move for current or new users.
Ender-3 V4: At a Glance
| Specification | Details |
|---|---|
| Build Volume | 220 × 220 × 250 mm |
| Extruder Type | Direct Drive |
| Nozzle Max Temp | 300°C |
| Bed Surface | Magnetic PEI Spring Steel Sheet |
| Frame Material | Full Metal |
| Motion System | Dual Z-Axis, Linear Shafts |
| Motherboard | 32-bit Silent Board |
| Bed Leveling | Assisted Mesh Bed Leveling |
| Display | 4.3” Touchscreen |
| Connectivity | SD Card, USB-C |
| Enclosure Support | Optional (open design by default) |
What’s New Compared to Previous Ender-3 Models?
1. Factory-Installed Direct Drive Extruder
One of the biggest upgrades is the move to direct drive, rather than the traditional Bowden tube setup.
Benefits include:
- Better performance with flexible filaments like TPU
- More consistent extrusion
- Reduced retraction tuning issues
✅ Direct drive is a major quality-of-life improvement for flexible and detailed prints.
2. Upgraded Motion System
The Ender-3 V4 features:
- Dual Z-axis motors for improved gantry stability
- Linear shafts (instead of V-slot rollers) on the Y-axis for smoother bed motion
✅ These enhancements lead to smoother surfaces and better dimensional accuracy, especially at higher speeds.
3. All-Metal Frame and Hotend
The V4 comes with:
- A full-metal frame for added rigidity
- An all-metal hotend, capable of reaching 300°C
✅ This enables reliable printing with higher-temperature filaments like PETG, ABS, ASA, and Nylon blends.
4. PEI-Coated Flexible Bed
No more scraping prints off a glass plate. The flexible spring steel PEI sheet provides:
- Excellent adhesion for PLA, PETG, and ABS
- Easy part removal by flexing the sheet
- Better long-term durability compared to standard magnetic surfaces
5. Touchscreen Interface and Firmware Improvements
A bright 4.3” touchscreen with an improved user interface offers:
- Faster access to print settings
- Assisted bed leveling with detailed mesh display
- Easy temperature and motion controls
✅ Far more intuitive than the older rotary knob UIs on previous Ender models.
6. Silent Printing
Thanks to the 32-bit motherboard and silent stepper drivers, the Ender-3 V4 is very quiet.
Only cooling fans produce noticeable noise, making it suitable for home or office environments.
Real-World Printing Performance
PLA Printing
- Excellent surface quality right out of the box
- Reliable bed adhesion without the need for glue or hairspray
- Print speeds up to 100–120 mm/s are achievable with tuning
PETG and TPU
- PETG adhesion is strong, especially with moderate bed temps
- TPU prints easily thanks to the direct drive system (with slow speeds around 30 mm/s)
ABS/ASA
- Possible with an external enclosure
- Stock open-air design makes ABS challenging without added temperature control
Pros and Cons of the Ender-3 V4
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Direct drive standard | No fully automatic bed leveling (still assisted) |
| Dual Z-axis and linear shafts | Enclosure recommended for engineering materials |
| All-metal hotend supports more filaments | Slightly higher price than older Ender-3s |
| PEI flexible bed included | No WiFi or cloud printing natively |
| Quieter, faster, and smoother than older Enders | Slight learning curve for firmware updates |
Is It Worth Upgrading from an Older Ender-3?
Upgrade if:
- You want out-of-the-box performance without heavy modding
- You plan to print flexible or engineering-grade filaments
- You value quieter, smoother, faster printing
- You want modern features like direct drive and mesh bed leveling
Hold Off if:
- Your Ender-3 (V2 or S1) is heavily modded and performs well
- You only print simple PLA models and are happy with your current setup
- You are willing to mod an older Ender-3 to match the V4 at lower cost
FAQs
Q1: Can the Ender-3 V4 print flexible TPU out of the box?
Yes, the direct drive extruder handles TPU very well with minimal tuning required.
Q2: Does it come with automatic bed leveling?
It features assisted mesh bed leveling (manual Z-point adjustments), not full ABL with a probe sensor. However, it is very effective once dialed in.
Q3: Is it easy to upgrade further?
Yes, it’s compatible with popular upgrades like Sprite Pro extruders, Klipper firmware, Octoprint, and enclosures.
Q4: How does it compare to the Ender-3 S1?
The V4 offers similar (and sometimes better) hardware at a lower price point compared to the original S1 at launch.
Conclusion
The Ender-3 V4 is a serious leap forward for anyone looking for a more professional, reliable, and capable 3D printer without spending a fortune.
With direct drive extrusion, dual Z-axis support, an all-metal hotend, and quality-of-life improvements, it brings modern printing features to the beloved Ender-3 platform.
If you want a printer that handles more materials, prints faster and cleaner, and needs less manual tweaking, the Ender-3 V4 is absolutely worth upgrading to in 2025.