3Doodler creates some of the most popular and best-selling 3D pens on the market. The 3Doodler Create+ is their midrange offering, designed with serious beginners in mind. Does it meet expectations as a premium 3D pen? Find out in today's 3Doodler Create+ 3D pen review.
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Design
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Value
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User Experience
3Doodler Create+ Review
3Doodler Create+ 3D Pen Review Basics
Opting for a square design over a rounded one, the 3Doodler Create+ is one of the thinnest 3D pens at just 0.7” wide and fits comfortably in your hand with easy access to the two speed buttons. Most functions, including controlling speed, removing filament, and waking the pen up from Standby are all carried out through these two buttons.
Choose from ABS, PLA, or Flexi material with this pen, so long as you choose 3Doodler’s 3mm filament. Use of 3rd party filament is not recommended as there isn’t precise temperature control with this 3D pen. Instead, you choose the filament you’re using and the pen decides the proper temperature.
Key features include a dual drive filament feeder and retracting filament. The retracting filament keeps your nozzle clear by pulling the filament back a bit when you stop extruding. This prevents clogs and leakage. The dual drive filament feeder ensures smooth performance with even, consistent extrusion. These features combined make this 3D pen much more dependable than the competition.
3Doodler Create+ 3D Pen Review Pros
Heavy Duty Construction
It’s clear when holding the 3Doodler Create+ that this 3D pen is different than the cheap, mass-produced models currently flooding the market. With a healthy, well-balanced heft that lesser pens lack, the 3Doodler Create+ also features a robust metal nozzle and a dual-drive filament feeder for more consistent extrusion with fewer clogs. Make no mistake, however, this pen is still light enough to use for hours at a time. The 3Doodler Create+ may be a bit pricier than other 3D pens on the market, but the difference in quality is found clearly in the craftsmanship and ultimately, the results.
Simple 2-Button Operation
It’s easy to over-complicate a 3D pen’s interface. That’s because there are both speed and temperature settings to control, which means that some 3D pens use four or more buttons. The 3Doodler Create+ simplifies operation with just two buttons to control speed. Additionally, the 3Doodler Create+ has just two speeds, Fast and Slow, which make it even easier to use for beginners. Press up for Fast and down for Slow.
To set the temperature, turn the switch at the bottom of the pen to the correct filament type and wait for the pen to heat up. It’s really that simple. The filament toggle is another great feature for beginners so they don’t need worry about setting exact temperatures.
3Doodler Create+ 3D Pen Review Cons
3mm Filament
There are two standard filament sizes in 3D printing: 1.75mm and 3mm. Most 3D pens and 3D printers use 1.75mm filament. The 3Doodler Create+, however, uses 3mm filament. Because this is so rare, it’s much more difficult to find 3rd party replacement plastic for this pen. Moreover, using 3rd party filament voids the warranty and can cause performance issues, mainly because the 3Doodler Create+ lacks fine temperature settings. Basically, when you buy this pen, you’re stuck buying 3Doodler’s overpriced plastic refills.
Short, Thin Powercord
Many 3D pens these days use a miniUSB-to-USB connections for power. That means you can technically plug it into any USB compatible device, namely power banks, for portable and extendable power. The Doodler Create+, on the other hand, uses an adapter which only fits the 3D pen and plugs directly into the wall. This wouldn’t be as big an issue, but the adapter cord is only about 3ft in length and quite thin. We really hope 3Doodler invests more into their adapters in the future.
3Doodler Create+ 3D Pen Review Verdict
The 3Doodler Create+ has a lot going for it, including a durable construction, simple operation, and both PLA and ABS compatibility. Despite locking customers into buying their filament, 3Doodler did an excellent job making the Create+ solid, reliable 3D pen in a world of cheap imitations. In addition to being well-built, the 3Doodler’s fool-proof operation makes it perfect for kids and beginners. We might recommend a different pen for advanced users and serious artists, but the 3Doodler Create+ fits the bill for curious hobbyists. Don’t waste your money on cheap plastic toys – the 3Doodler Create+ is worth the extra investment for beginners and artists.
