Whether you are thinking about buying or you are already an owner of an Ender 3 3D printer, you want to make sure that your prints come out great. In regards of 3D printing, sky is the limit. The best Ender 3 upgrades might help you reach the sky with ease.
When shopping for the best products, make sure you consider the area you need to improve in. If you feel like you don’t have enough space for your projects, for example, a bigger plate might be your choice. Also don’t forget about the compatibility, as not all upgrades are compatible with recent products in Ender series. After reviewing 17 different upgrades, we came up with a list of 8 best picks, where the Creality 3D Assembled Hotend Kit Extruder just tops them all.
More features: non-blockage, non-leakage, high-precision printing
The Creality 3D Assembled Hot End Kit Extruder is our Editor’s Choice as it provides exceptional reliability and superior precision to your printing. The size of the nozzle in this kit is 0.4mm, and the material is brass, which offers fewer blockage problems and smooth filament pushing. The aluminum and stainless-steel construction makes this kit extremely durable. Moreover, the insulation silicone case ensures stable heating temperature and prints evenly. However, the overall printing speed with this upgrade may suffer.
If you are in the market for an excellent upgrade option for Ender 3, then this is the model for you. It is extremely sturdy and offers a lot of precision on a variety of products, unlike a more expensive model like the Creality 3D BL Touch Upgrade Kit. It is also nice and has high-quality cover.
More features: imported control chip, user-friendly design, less than 50dB operating noise, special power management chip
The Creality 3D Upgrade Silent 4.2.7 Mainboard incorporates the imported control chip that provides a remarkable performance to your Ender 3, making it faster, more sensitive in terms of control, and more precise in general. Moreover, it effectively reduces the noise level, operating at less than 50dB, which is perfect for virtually any environment. Plus, the motherboard’s special power management chip optimizes performance and lowers power consumption. The addition of a high-quality MOS tube allows the motherboard to dissipate heat better. Though some of the users say it might be hard to install for beginners, and the price is a bit high.
This mainboard is an excellent option if you are going to be printing at home, especially if you have small children because it makes the process incredibly quiet. Being an upgraded model of the 8-bit 1.1.5 motherboard the Mcu was improved up to 32 bit, printing’s become more precise and fast.
More features: wear-resistant, easy to operate, easy to install
The Creality 3D Upgraded Belt Tension Kit is one of the best upgrades for your Ender 3. With its wear-resistant qualities, this aluminum belt tension kit is highly reliable and durable, offering you years of smooth operation. Moreover, it is straightforward to set up and operate, making this device perfect for people opening the world of 3D printing with their Ender 3, Ender 5, or CR-10 series printer. The only thing is that the range of printers compatible with this kit might have been more comprehensive.
This model is an excellent option if you need improve print quality. Even when compared to its predecessor, this model tighten much stronger the X-axis belt, has durable, hard-to-deformed material. Plus, it helps you to print for longer.
More features: easy to install, easy to use, multi-point detection, high precision, low power consumption
The Creality 3D CR Touch Auto Bed Leveling Sensor is the best upgrade to get your Ender 3 a precise bed leveling. Compared with traditional automatic leveling, it is compatible with more 3D printer platforms, more stable, and cost-effective. It is resistant to more wear and tear, thanks to the durable metal probes, which prolong the sensor’s service life. Take note that it only works with 32-bit 4.2.2/4.2.7 motherboard printers.
This motherboard is a great option if you want to master your skills in 3D printing. It is exceptionally easy to install, has smart compensation and stable function unlike its predecessor. Additionally, it is made of wear-resistant, durable material which greatly prolongs its service life.
More features: auto detection and leveling, compatible with ABS, PLA, glass, metal, plastic, easy to install, easy to use
The Creality 3D Upgraded BL Touch is an auto bed leveling sensor that offers a detection zone of 0-4mm with a standard deviation of 0.005mm, which makes the leveling process more precise and convenient. The BL Touch is small in size and simple in structure, which leads to easy installation and operation. Moreover, it is compatible with most filaments, like ABS, PLA, glass, metal, plastic, and many more. However, it might be a bit pricey for some users.
This auto-leveling sensor offers a lot of benefits being quite budget-friendly. It can precisely measure the tilt of the bed plate. It can operate with any kinds of materials, has improved stability and accuracy in comparison with the previous model. The intelligent sensor will do all work instead for you, so it’s great for beginners.
More features: special chemical coating
The Upgraded Silicon Carbon Build Surface Tempered Glass Plate is overall an excellent choice if you feel like your stock plate needs an upgrade. It is compatible with Ender 3, Ender 3 Pro, and Ender 3 V2. With a whopping size of 235 x 235 x 4 mm, this plate is capable of handling most of your massive projects, and its unique chemical coating will make your prints both stick firmly and release without much force. Plus, the glass itself is sturdy and firm, adding to its durability. However, it’s not compatible with CR Ender series, so you are limited by the versions of Ender 3 only.
This glass plate offers a lot of benefits in a very budget-friendly package. This makes it a great option for anyone that is looking to save a bit of money while still getting a great product and upgrade Ender 3D printer. This plate might not be able to do everything with all materials available that a more expensive model can handle, but for its more affordable price point, it certainly is a great choice for a new user.
More features: upgraded LED chip, energy and power saving, soft light, easy to install, anti-leakage coating
If you feel your eyes hurting when you are monitoring the printing process, then the Creality 3D LED Lightning Bar Kit needs your attention. It offers a warm white light, making observing the process much more comfortable. Moreover, its upgraded LED chip can save energy and power for your time-taking projects. The added anti-leakage coating is a nice bonus that eliminates the risk of damaging the circuit. Plus, the top-notch substrate shows an excellent heat dissipation performance. Note that the compatibility leaves much to be desired, as this unit fits only the Ender 3 S1.
This light bar kit offers a lot of benefits in a very budget-and-user-friendly package. This makes it a great option for anyone that is looking to save a bit of money while still getting a great product. Due to the upgraded LED chip this LED lighting bar kit has become more energy sufficient and stabilized constant current. Plus, it is easy-to-install and has more secure with locking male and female connections.
More features: high-quality material, adjustable extrusion force
The Upgraded Replacement Aluminum MK8 Extruder Drive Feed is arguably the best upgrade for the extruder drive feed of Ender 3. Its sturdiness is provided by the aluminum alloy construction, which is able to withstand the wear and tear of prolonged usage. Moreover, this extruder drive feed can be adjusted to fit a wide range of filament sizes, adding to the versatility of your projects. However, some users noticed that the drive feed might be a bit stiff.
The Upgraded Replacement Aluminum MK8 Extruder Drive Feed is a significant upgrade over its predecessor. It is made from aluminum alloy instead of plastic, which makes it much more durable. Plus, its adjustable design means that it can accommodate a wider range of filament sizes. In comparison with the previous model of a metal extrusion clamp, the new one has seamless link and can withstand more wear and tear to provide better performance.
Choosing an Ender 3 upgrade could be an arduous task, especially if you are not familiar with all the specs and features. There are many brands and models on the market, which can make it challenging to find a reliable one that will meet your expectations. However, we are here to help you out and make your task easier by composing this buying guide.
Ender 3 is a popular 3D printer for a reason. But by implementing some upgrades, it can become even better, and the prints will come out faster and cleaner.
Some of the best Ender 3 upgrades are:
1. Hot End
The printer’s hot end’s job is to melt the filament and give it out through the nozzle. So, the print quality improvement depends on a top-notch hot end.
The aftermarket offers many amazing hot ends you can buy for your Ender 3. One of them is the Creality 3D Assembled Hot End Kit Extruder. We also compiled a list of amazing hot ends in our article about the best 3D printer hot ends, make sure to check it out.
2. Larger build plate
Despite its advantages, the default build plate of Ender 3 is relatively small. So, a more extensive build plate is a noticeable upgrade if you want to print more significant objects.
You can choose from many various build plates available on the market for Ender 3. However, we think the best one is the Upgraded Silicon Carbon Build Surface Tempered Glass Plate.
3. Filament sensor
A filament sensor automatically pauses your printing process in case the filament runs out. This upgrade will drastically improve the quality of your prints by eliminating the risk of ruining them. If you’re struggling with the filament choice, we’ve got you covered. Check our guide on the best filaments for Ender 3 to make the right choice.
4. Auto-leveling sensor
An auto-leveling sensor is one of the most important upgrades for the Ender 3, as it automatically levels your bed, ensuring that your prints come out perfectly. We recommend you buy the Creality 3D CR Touch Auto Bed Leveling Sensor, which offers multi-point detection, and the Creality 3D Upgraded BL Touch Auto Bed Leveling Sensor, which works with most filaments.
5. Mainboard
The mainboard is basically the brain of every 3D printer. The whole 3D printer with its systems will also upgrade if you upgrade the brain.
The market offers many high-quality multi-functional controller motherboards for your Ender 3. One of the best models is the Creality 3D Upgrade Silent 4.2.7 Mainboard.
6. Extruder
The purpose of the extruder in a 3D printer is to deliver the filament to the hot end. Getting a better extruder improves the printing speed and, therefore, reduces the time spent producing your project. If speed is essential for your projects, make sure you check out our article about the best fastest 3D printers.
There are a lot of different top-notch extruders you can purchase for your Ender 3. In our opinion, the best one is the Creality 3D Assembled Hot End Kit Extruder.
Buying upgrades for your Ender 3 can drastically improve your prints and the overall user experience. However, there are some things you should know before you purchase an upgrade. Compatibility, print quality, budget, and utility are all vital for you to understand and consider beforehand.
Compatibility is arguably the most crucial factor to consider before buying an upgrade. It doesn’t matter how good an upgrade is; if it’s incompatible with your Ender 3 model, you won’t need it.
Make sure you check the compatibility beforehand by reading the product description or checking the manufacturer’s website.
Most of the upgrades are aimed at improving your print quality. However, the possible impact depends on the upgrade. Some upgrades will allow you to see the better result easily, while others won’t make it so apparent.
So, if you aim to upgrade the print quality significantly, you should consider the upgrades to the mainboard, extruder, auto-leveling sensor, and filament sensor.
If you’re looking for a value upgrade, go for a new motherboard or an extruder. These are the two most essential components that you can upgrade to improve your 3D printing experience. A new motherboard will bring you faster printing speeds and better overall stability, while an extruder upgrade will help with heat management.
If money is not a problem, then buy your Ender 3 model new hot end or an auto-leveling sensor. Hot end upgrades can allow for a broader range of materials to be printed, while auto-leveling sensors make the process of printing much easier and faster.
Last but not least is the utility, which means the use of any upgrade you are thinking about. While some of them are specific, others are universal, boosting your 3D printer’s general performance.
If you’re only printing small and simple things, then you might easily miss buying an auto-leveling sensor. However, this sensor, combined with a larger build plate, is required for more ambitious projects, as it can help align layers more accurately for a larger build.
Based on our conclusion, the best upgrade is the Creality 3D Assembled Hot End Kit Extruder. The high-precision printing and non-leakage design combined with the construction’s durability make this upgrade stand out. The Creality 3D Upgrade Silent 4.2.7 Mainboard takes the second place in our top. This silent mainboard made of high-quality materials is a top-notch product that provides optimal operation to your Ender 3. Those entering the world of 3D printing may consider choosing the Creality 3D Upgraded Belt Tension Kit. While being uncomplicated to set up and operate, this aluminum wear-resistant kit is highly durable and perfect for beginners. Every model from our list of the best Ender 3 upgrades is worth looking into, and we ensure that you will be content with your decision.
