Creality Ender 3 S1 3D Printer - Direct Drive & Auto Bed Leveling

Category: Hobbyists and Makers

Key Features

High-Speed Printing: Equipped with a printing speed of 200mm/s, which is four times faster than standard 3D printers, making it ideal for quick prototyping and small batch production.
Dual-Gear Direct Extruder: Features two chrome steel gears at a 1:3.5 gear ratio, providing smooth feeding and discharging of filaments, especially beneficial for printing flexible materials like TPU.
CR Touch Auto Leveling Technology: Offers automatic bed leveling with 16 points to ensure consistent print quality without manual adjustments.
Removable Spring Steel Print Sheet: Combines PC coating, spring steel sheet, and magnetic sticker for easy removal of printed models.
Z-Axis Dual-Screw Design: Ensures smoother and more synchronized printing, reducing the likelihood of lines and ridges.

Overview and First Impressions

The Creality Ender 3 S1 is a high-performance desktop 3D printer designed for both beginners and hobbyists. With its impressive features and easy-to-use interface, it offers an excellent printing experience at a beginner-friendly price point. The printer's dual-gear direct extruder and CR Touch auto leveling technology make it suitable for those looking to achieve professional-grade prints without extensive setup.

Technical Specification

The Ender 3 S1 boasts a build volume of 8.6 x 8.6 x 10.6 inches (220 x 220 x 270 mm), making it ideal for a variety of projects. It weighs in at approximately 18.92 pounds, which is relatively lightweight for a desktop printer, ensuring easy mobility and setup on any surface. The machine supports multiple filaments including PLA, TPU, PETG, and ABS, offering flexibility in material selection.

Print Quality and Performance

The Ender 3 S1 delivers excellent print quality with its dual-gear direct extruder and Z-axis dual-screw design. The CR Touch auto leveling technology ensures accurate bed leveling, reducing the need for manual adjustments during setup. However, while the printer is fast, it may not be suitable for very fine details or extremely small features. Additionally, the printing speed of 200mm/s can lead to some issues with larger objects, where layer adhesion might become an issue.

Ease of Use

The Ender 3 S1 is designed to be user-friendly, with a simple and intuitive interface. The printer comes pre-assembled in 96% of the body, requiring only six steps for setup, which makes it accessible even for beginners. However, the lack of an auto-sense bed level feature might require some manual intervention during the first use.

Features and Functionality

The printer includes several useful features such as power loss recovery, filament sensor, and a built-in cooling fan to help maintain print quality during pauses. The removable spring steel print sheet is a standout feature that simplifies model removal without damaging the bed or printed pieces.

Use Cases

The Creality Ender 3 S1 excels in various use cases, including prototyping, hobby projects, and educational purposes. It's well-suited for small to medium-sized projects such as custom parts, replacement components, and intricate designs. The printer's high print speed makes it ideal for rapid prototyping and batch production of small objects.

Pros and Cons Summary

Pros: High-speed printing, dual-gear direct extruder, CR Touch auto leveling, removable spring steel print sheet, easy setup, multiple filament compatibility.
Cons: May not be ideal for very fine details or large objects, occasional layer adhesion issues with faster speeds.

Final Verdict and Recommendation

The Creality Ender 3 S1 is an excellent choice for hobbyists and makers looking for a powerful and user-friendly 3D printer. Its high print speed, dual-gear direct extruder, and CR Touch auto leveling technology make it a standout option in the market. While it may not be the best choice for extremely fine details or very large projects, its ease of use and versatility make it highly recommended for those seeking a reliable and efficient 3D printing solution.

Overall Rating

4.5

Buy on Amazon