We're pleasantly surprised to find that the FoKoos Odin-5 F3 provides a gentle and affordable entry into 3D printing. It may be modeled after printers like the Ender 3, but the Odin-5 F3 requires almost no assembly and works great right out of the box. Easy operation, large build volume, and a great price make this a solid choice.
In-Depth Fokoos Odin-5 F3 3D Printer Review
The FoKoos Odin-5 F3 is an interesting 3D printer. Cheap and beginner friendly, the Odin-5 F3 is marketed as a worry-free first printer as well as a dependable workhorse for experienced users. Does it live up to these claims? Find out in today’s FoKoos Odin-5 F3 review.
Fokoos Odin-5 F3 Specs
This 3D printer comes with an all-aluminum frame pre-assembled in the box. Easily the Odin-5 F3’s most unique feature is that it folds in half for better storage. That means it can ship in the same sized package as DIY printer kits, but pops up ready to use right out of the box.
The Odin-5 F3 offers a spacious 9.2” x 9.2” x 9.8” over a textured heated glass print bed. This print bed allows for better adhesion and smoother removal of prints and is great to see in a budget printer. From there, the Odin-5 F3 uses a direct drive extruder with dual Z-axis supports for added stability during prints. The Odin-5 F3 achieves layers as small ass 100-microns with this setup.
Capable of printing in ABS, PLA, PETG, and TPU, this printer gives you an average range of filament compatibility. New users will have plenty of options to experiment with while experienced makers will be impressed with how the Odin-5 F3 handles flexible filaments.
Finally, you have a couple options for connectivity. Use a tethered USB connection or a microSD card to upload model files and begin printing. The Odin-5 F3 features large color touchscreen, too, for easy navigation during the printing and leveling processes.
FoKoos Odin-5 F3 Pros
Extremely Beginner-Friendly
Usually, cheap, bare-framed 3D printers like this come in various states of unassembled. The Odin-5 F3, on the other hand, takes less than 5-minutes to unfold, screw into place and insert the ribbon cables. From there you just level the print bed and you’re ready to go.
FoKoos goes the extra mile by adding a ton of projects for you to print, as well as some printable upgrades for the printer itself, on the included microSD card. This is the perfect introduction for people to experiment with what is possible with their new printer. They also include basic tools like a scraper and clippers that many beginners may not think to buy.
The “Little” Things
Considering its price, we’re impressed with some of the Odin-5 F3’s hardware. We especially appreciate the textured glass build plate. This is an upgrade many people have to make out-of-pocket after buying other cheap starter printers. The Odin-5 F3 is also equipped with a 32-bit motherboard and silent stepper motors, which are good specs to note when purchasing budget printers.
FoKoos Odin-5 F3 Cons
Loud Extruder Fan
The Odin-5 F3’s silent stepper motors do a lot to reduce the noise of this 3D printer. Unfortunately, the extruder fan is so loud that we can’t recommend you use this printer in the bedroom or the office. Luckily, you can replace this with a better fan setup but the whole point of the Odin-5 F3 is to be ready out-of-the-box. It’s not a huge issue but do be aware that this printer does not have silent operation.
New Brand
FoKoos is new to 3D printing and they don’t have a big community built around their printer or a track record of service to look toward. While the Odin-5 F3 appears to be a sturdy machine with some great features, we can’t speak for the after-sale support or brand reputation.
FoKoos Odin-5 F3 Verdict
We’ve seen a lot of fly-by-night 3D printer companies, but FoKoos seems a bit different. The tidy packaging, thoughtful construction, attention to detail, and overall print quality set this 3Dapart from the rest and prove that FoKoos is around for more than a quick buck. This is a great alternative to the Ender 3 series, specifically the Ender 3 V2. While it’s a bit more expensive, it also has some beginner-friendly features like super easy assembly, a nice glass print bed, and neater cable management.
We find this printer to be a fine competitor in its space and even consider it to be a good value for beginners who want a large print volume.
