Creality have come a long way since their flagship CR-10 launch. Since then, the CR and Ender 3D printer lines have been hugely popular among makers on a budget. The company finally decided to update the CR-10, releasing their CR-10 V2 as a significant upgrade based, presumably, on what Creality learned from the CR-10’s mistakes. So, were they successful? Is the CR-10 V2 worth buying over the CR-10 or did Creality miss the mark? Find out in today’s Creality CR-10 V2 review.
Creality CR-10 V2 Review Basics
Just like its predecessor, the CR-10 V2 starts with a huge build volume measuring 11.8” x 11.8” x 15.7”. Instead of a plain glass heated print bed, however, the CR-10 V2 includes a textured, ceramic-top print surface for better adhesion and easier model removal. Print at resolutions between 100-400 microns at up to 100mm/s.
Filament compatibility also remains the same. The CR-10 V2 can use ABS, PLA, TPU or PETG filaments. Notably, this printer comes with a stock Bowden-style extruder, which isn’t great for flexible filaments. However, the new design with injection-molded casing and added cooling results in excellent finishes with ABS and PLA.
There’s not much else to the CR-10 V2. You get one full-sized SD-card slot for connectivity and the user interface is largely the same as the CR-10. There’s a separate console housing the electronics with a screen and turn-knob system for choosing settings and files.
Creality CR-10 V2 Review Pros
Sturdy All-Metal Frame
Compared to the CR-10, the CR-10 V2’s upgraded design adds a lot of stability and overall dependability to this machine. The new support rods help keep the gantry sturdy during a print, reducing vibrations and improving print quality.
Large Build Volume
The defining feature of this 3D printer is its enormous print volume. Such a large print area allows you to expand your imagination and print huge models like masks all in one piece. We especially appreciate that the large print bed is well-insulated. That means it keeps even temperature from corner to corner. helping models made from all filaments to start on a nice flat base.
Whisper-Quiet Operation
One of the most significant upgrades to the CR-10 V2 is near-silent operation. Stepper motors and upgraded mainboard mean that the only sound you’ll hear is cooling fans. You can easily have this printer running and hold a conversation or even sleep in the same room.
Creality CR-10 V2 Review Cons
User Interface
The year is 2020 and Creality are still shipping their newest CR-10 model out with a turn-knob interface with a monochrome display. While some people actually like the CR-10 V2’s separate console, no one likes the antiquated interface. Not only is it difficult to read and bothersome to control, but it’s not very intuitive and is even a bit buggy as well. Come on, Creality, we expect better.
Quality Control Issues
One of the biggest issues with the CR-10 was always quality control. Unfortunately, this is still the case with the CR-10 V2. Common problems include faulty SD and USB ports due to , uneven Y-axis rails, and misalignment along the X and Z axis rods and bars. All these imperfections are made worse by the fact that human error is so easy given the poor assembly instructions. Prepare for some tinkering to get this printer in working, optimal shape. Creality clearly still have a “ship first, replace broken parts later” attitude to their printers.
Creality CR-10 V2 Review Verdict
This is a difficult verdict because the CR-10 V2 has a lot of potential and still offers a lot of bang for your buck when it comes to print volume. The new A-frame style gives the machine better support for more dependable results and the hardware upgrades are always welcome.
That said, the CR-10 V2 still suffers the major problems with the CR-10, namely quality control issues and an ancient, unpolished user interface. These issues were at least understandable with the CR-10, however, because it’s much cheaper. The CR-10 V2, on the other hand, is almost $200 more than its predecessor. For that money, you get an upgraded build plate, a sturdier frame, and much quieter operation. Decide if those features are worth it to you before selecting the CR-10 V2 over the CR-10. If you’re on a budget, the CR-10 is a very similar machine for much less.
