The 3D Printing market has quickly grown to engulf the entire product development industry, having found appeal among professionals, enthusiasts, and R&D experts. Its widespread, and still largely unexplored, applications truly make it a technology of the future.
Voxelab (Voxelab3dp.com) aims to make this technology accessible to non-professionals like DIY enthusiasts, prototyping, starters, etc. The product line includes beginner-level 3D printers, both filament-based and resin-based, as well as a ton of helpful accessories and resources that help customers get started on their creative life journey.
In this blog, we present a comparison between two popular FDM 3D printer, the Voxelab Aquila, and the Creality Ender-3 Pro, which competes for the same market segment.
Figure: Aquila
Voxelab Aquila and Creality Ender-3 Pro: What’s Similar?
Both Aquila and Ender-3 Pro are meant for users opting for the low-price bracket 3D FDM printers. Their base specifications are somewhat similar, both of them featuring the same build volume (220 x 220 x 250 mm), an interchangeable extruder assembly and nozzle diameter, and power supply. In addition to this, the heated glass bed and silent motion drivers are also quality accessories shared by these two competitors. More thorough reviews of the Voxelab Aquila could be easily found online.
The basic infrastructure, to be exact, is quite the same for both of these. The differences lie in the price, deeper tiers of application, utility, and user experience, which we will be discussing next.
Ease-of-Use
Products that are specifically designed for beginners and non-technical users are often less judged for their performance characteristics than for their usability. A person who is new to 3D printers does not know much about the technology and hardware and needs to get a grip on its function first.
This is the reason most 3D Printing experts start off with a cheaper, low-spec 3D printer and then move up the ladder as they gain experience and confidence in their skills.
Aquila and Ender-3 Pro have some clear differences when it comes to ease of use, which is a valuable feature to have in the market class being targeted.
First of all, users have noticed during unboxing and assembly that Voxelab’s instruction manuals are a bit more detailed and expressive than Creality’s. This is a major difference since both products need DIY-assembly by the users (Aquila only needs three steps to well assemble it) themselves and a new person can easily break or damage components. There are, however, some instances of missing or damaged hardware in Voxelab boxes, a bit more than Creality ender 3.
Filling up the filament in the nozzle and getting the extruder started is another aspect that beginners find challenging. The filament tends to bend or break sometimes during the process, leading to a wastage of time and effort. Ender-3 Pro users need to learn this with hands-on experience, however, Voxelab has included a helpful filament-filling program in their package that makes the job manageable.
User Interface
One of the biggest metrics to discuss the quality of tech products is the user interface. Users cannot directly communicate with their 3D printers, they just provide the input. Hence, a solid machine-user interface adds a lot to the product’s value.
While both 3D printers support commonly used slicing software and file formats, there is a difference observed in their screens. Aquila and Ender-3 Pro both incorporate screen panels to allow users to pass commands to the machine, keep a check on the printing process, adjust parameters, and get the machine started. Interestingly, both products have a rotary knob for navigating the menus on the screens as well, so the interface design is pretty much similar.
Ender-3 Pro’s screen has an old-style menu with a monotonic display, quite a reminder of the 2000s. Aquila, on the other hand, takes the edge in this case. The screen has a vibrant color display (reviewers often praise the reddish tone of the menu, which has an exciting 3D printing vibe to it). It is also said to have less glare and a better viewing angle, translating to better ergonomics.
The functions, nonetheless, are all complete and the same in both display panels so there is no major difference in utility.
Price
Here comes the main part! If you are buying your first 3D printer, you are definitely cautious about overspending. Voxelab and Creality are both top brands to consider for the price-conscious user.
There is a stark difference between the prices of Aquila and Ender-3 Pro, an astonishing $100! The Aquila is priced at $179 while Creality sells its Ender-3 Pro at around $280, which is a huge price difference, especially for the beginner.
With both of these 3D printers in the market, a buyer is most likely to go for the Aquila if the price tag is a big factor to consider.
Conclusion
We hope we provided a sound comparison of the two 3D printers and that our readers are well-informed of the differences between them. If you are a beginner or love to create 3D designs, you need to keep these things in mind as they are a big part of your overall experience.
Voxelab, as the subsidiary brand of Flashforge an industry-leading 3D Printing company, Voxelab is devoted to providing such consumer-level 3D printers. Aquila is exactly such an entry-level 3D printer for beginning users to practice 3D printing skills. 3D printing is not a lab device that is only available for professionals and industry. Every individual makers could own their own 3D printers. Voxelab specializes in consumer-level 3D printing products that are affordable and high quality. You can look at our online store if you decide to settle with Aquila or other ones. Feel free to contact us for any queries or requests.
