Creality Ender 3 vs Creality Ender 3 V2: print cost head-to-head
Side-by-side specs, energy and amortization numbers for the Creality Ender 3 and the Creality Ender 3 V2, plus a quick verdict on the dimensions that move per-part cost.
Specs side by side
Creality · 2018
- Average power
- 150 W
- Useful life
- 15,000 h
- Build volume
- 220 × 220 × 250 mm
- Best for
- Beginners
Creality · 2020
- Average power
- 150 W
- Useful life
- 18,000 h
- Build volume
- 220 × 220 × 250 mm
- Best for
- Beginners
Sample calculation
Same input on both columns: 50 g PLA part, 6 h print time, 8% failure rate. Energy cost held at $0.18/kWh so the only thing changing is the printer.
Creality Ender 3
- Energy$0.16
- Amortization$0.20
- Unit Cost$1.58
- Final Consumer Price$6.87
Creality Ender 3 V2
- Energy$0.16
- Amortization$0.17
- Unit Cost$1.54
- Final Consumer Price$6.71
Verdict by dimension
Cheaper to run
TieBoth printers land within the noise threshold for this dimension.
Longer useful life
Creality Ender 3 V2Creality Ender 3 V2 is rated at 18,000 h vs 15,000 h for the Creality Ender 3, so amortization spreads over more printing hours.
Larger build volume
TieBoth printers land within the noise threshold for this dimension.
More recent release
Creality Ender 3 V2Creality Ender 3 V2 is from 2020 while the Creality Ender 3 is from 2018 — more recent firmware, motion-system and ecosystem updates.
Both target Beginners buyers, so the decision usually comes down to brand ecosystem and after-sale service.
Over a 5-year horizon, the Creality Ender 3 V2 amortizes 1.2× more print-hours than the Creality Ender 3.