Creality Ender 3 V3 vs Ender 3 V3 SE vs Ender 3 V3 KE: A Detailed Comparison

Creality has been a prominent name in the 3D printing industry, known for producing reliable and affordable printers. With the release of the Ender 3 V3 series, they have further solidified their position in the market. In this article, we'll compare three versions of their popular Ender 3 V3 model: the Ender 3 V3, Ender 3 V3 SE, and Ender 3 V3 KE, highlighting their differences and similarities to help you make an informed decision.

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Catalog

1. Features and Upgrades
2. Structural Designs
3. Print Speed
4. Build Volume
5. Extruder
6. Hot End
7. Controls and Firmware
8. Price
9. Specifications
10. Conclusion

 

1. Features and Upgrades

The Ender 3 V3 has been upgraded with several upgrades, CoreXZ, print speeds up to 600mm/s, a new high speed twin gear proximal extruder and an upgraded touch screen interface. These features enhance the user experience and simplify the printing process.

The Ender 3 V3 SE comes with basic features including automatic bed leveling, a Sprite extruder and a standard screen. While it lacks some advanced features, it provides a solid foundation for users to customize and upgrade to their needs.

The Ender 3 V3 KE upgrades the firmware system, print speeds, and screen from the SE and offers little difference in price.

 

2. Structural Designs

The Ender 3 V3 utilizes the new Core XZ architecture, which is a new take. You'll benefit from this design in that the motors for both the X- and Z-axis are now located on the bottom, which means less weight moving on the X-axis, meaning less vibration and faster acceleration.The SE and KE continue the classic design of their predecessors, featuring sturdy frames that are more mature and stable in terms of printing.

 

3. Print Speed

The Ender 3 V3 and Ender 3 V3 KE have a clear advantage in terms of maximum print speed, with the Ender 3 V3 having a maximum print speed of 600 mm/s , which is similar to the Crealit K1.and the KE having a maximum print speed of 500 mm/s. This is almost twice the speed of the Ender 3 V3 SE.

The V3 and KE versions are capable of higher print speeds through a combination of firmware and hardware upgrades in the Functions to reduce print defects at high print speeds. If you want the fastest print speeds, the Ender 3 V3 and Ender 3 V3 KE are the better choice.

 

4. Build Volume

The three Ender 3 V3 series printers have very similar print volumes, the data given by Creality shows that the V3 has the same dimensions as the SE and is slightly larger than the KE.

Ender 3 V3 : 220 x 220 x 250 mm

Ender 3 V3 SE: 220 x 220 x 250 mm

Ender 3 V3 KE: 220 x 220 x 240 mm

5. Extruder

The extruder on the Ender 3 V3 has also been upgraded and remains a direct drive extruder with twin gears (cogwheels) and an upgraded 60W ceramic heater on the hot end, perfect for fast printing!

Both the SE and KE are equipped with Creality's Sprite direct drive extruder, which is a significant upgrade from the previous entry-level Creality 3D printers. In my experience, the Sprite extruder is very reliable and far less likely to jam than the Bowden extruder.

6. Hot End

The Ender 3 V3 is equipped with a 60W hot end heater providing full power with a powerful ceramic heater around the heated end. It fully melts ABS, PETG and other high temperature filaments on the fly. Heats up to 300°C in just 75s. Tri-metal "unicorn" nozzles are quick to change. Durable steel-tipped copper nozzles are integrated with titanium insulation, which stops thermal creep and can be replaced very easily.

The Ender 3 V3 KE features an upgraded Sprite heated end capable of heating to higher temperatures up to 300°C. The Ender 3 V3 KE is also equipped with a new Sprite heated end, which is capable of heating to higher temperatures up to 300°C. It has a more powerful 60W heater and is designed to have a larger heating zone than the regular hot end.

The hot end on the Ender 3 V3 SE is an updated version of the Creality Sprite extruder and hot end system, capable of heating up to 260° C. The SE is capable of printing on all standard consumable types including PLA, ABS, PETG and thermoplastic polyurethane.

Maybe you won't feel the difference when you use regular filaments, but the Ender 3 V3 and KE give you more possibilities when you want to try out more supplies made of different materials.

7. Controls and Firmware

The Ender 3 V3 and Ender 3 V3 KE contain more advanced firmware than the Ender 3 V3 SE. Called "Creality OS" by Creality, the firmware is based on the Klipper open-source project and supports a number of key features that improve usability and print quality on both the V3 and KE.

In terms of the printers themselves, all three have clean user interfaces; the Ender 3 V3 includes a 4.3-inch IPS touchscreen, the KE includes a 4.3-inch touchscreen controller, and the smaller 3.2-inch screen and knob controller on the Ender 3 V3 SE. I don't think the screen is a big deal and can be chosen based on your preference, if you have larger fingers then I would recommend the larger 4.3-inch touchscreen.

8. Price

The Ender 3 V3 while it may be slightly more expensive than the other two models, given its advanced features and upgrades, it offers excellent value for users looking for improved performance and convenience.

The Ender 3 V3 SE is the most economical option of the three. It offers value for money and does not compromise on performance or build quality.

The Ender 3 V3 KE, with its enhanced features and build quality, justifies the higher cost for users looking for a more reliable and user-friendly experience.

The Ender 3 V3 retails for $350, which is a perfectly acceptable price to pay for this latest CoreXZ 3D printer for 2024 at 3DUncle. Both the Ender 3 V3 KE and SE are currently priced under $300, making them a good price if you're on a budget.

9. Specifications

	Ender 3 V3	Ender 3 V3 KE	Ender 3 V3 SE
Build Volume	220*220*250 mm	220 x 220 x 240mm	220*220*250 mm
Speed	max.600mm/s	max.500mm/s	max.250mm/s
Extruder	New high-speed direct drive extruder	Upgraded “Sprite” direct drive	Sprite direct drive
Print Bed	PEI flexible build plate	PEI Spring Steel Bed	PEI Spring Steel Bed
Leveling Mode	Auto Leveling	Hands-free auto leveling	Auto Leveling
Firmware	Creality OS	Creality OS	Marlin
Max. Extruder Temperature	≤300°C	≤300°C	≤260°C
Heatbed Temperature	≤110°C	≤100°C	≤100°C

10. Conclusion

The choice between the Creality Ender 3 V3, Ender 3 V3 SE, and Ender 3 V3 KE ultimately depends on your specific needs and budget. If you're on a tight budget and don't require advanced features, the SE is a solid choice. However, if you're willing to invest a bit more for enhanced performance and convenience, the V3 or KE models offer compelling upgrades that are worth considering. Regardless of your choice, all three models provide excellent value for money and are capable of delivering high-quality prints for various applications.