Artillery Sidewinder X4 Plus vs Creality Ender 3 V3 KE
Head-to-head 3D printer comparison, 2026
The Artillery Sidewinder X4 Plus and Creality Ender 3 V3 KE are both FDM 3D printers competing in different tiers, $349 vs $199. Both are scored across value, beginner-friendliness, quality, speed, and reliability. Here's the full breakdown.
Our Verdict
The Creality Ender 3 V3 KE takes the crown with 8.4/10 vs 7.4/10. It pulls ahead in Value, Beginner Friendliness, Print Quality, Reliability.
Score Breakdown
Specifications
| Spec | Artillery Sidewinder X4 Plus | Creality Ender 3 V3 KE |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $349 | $199 |
| Type | FDM | FDM |
| Build Volume | 300 x 300 x 400 mm | 220 x 220 x 240 mm |
| Print Speed | 500 mm/s | 500 mm/s |
| Min Resolution | 0.05 mm | 0.05 mm |
| Weight | 14.5 kg | 8 kg |
| Overall Score | 7.4/10 | 8.4/10 |
Pros & Cons
Artillery Sidewinder X4 Plus
+300x300x400mm at $349: the price-per-cubic-millimeter is absurd
+Klipper pre-installed with room to tune
+Direct drive handles TPU and flexible materials at this large scale
+Prints armor plates and large props without slicing and gluing
−QC varies batch to batch: some users get great units, some need calibration work
−Artillery's community is thin compared to Creality or Elegoo
−Gets audibly loud pushing 500mm/s; this is a workshop printer, not a bedroom one
Creality Ender 3 V3 KE
+Klipper with WiFi at $199: normally this combination costs $299+
+Direct drive comes standard, not as a $40 upgrade
+500mm/s is real and achievable with the pre-installed Klipper profiles
+Color touchscreen that actually works, unlike the Ender 3 classics
−Open frame makes ABS printing inconsistent
−220mm bed is smaller than some $199 competitors
−Community is newer than the Ender 3 classic and gaps show when troubleshooting
Who Should Buy Which?
Choose the Artillery Sidewinder X4 Plus if you want:
- A great printer for large-prints
- A great printer for budget
- A great printer for speed
- 300x300x400mm build
- Klipper
- Auto bed leveling
Choose the Creality Ender 3 V3 KE if you want:
- A great printer for budget
- A great printer for beginners
- A great printer for speed
- Klipper firmware
- Auto bed leveling
- Direct drive
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Artillery Sidewinder X4 Plus better than the Creality Ender 3 V3 KE?
By the numbers, the Creality Ender 3 V3 KE scores higher (8.4/10). But "better" depends on your use case, the Artillery Sidewinder X4 Plus may be the smarter buy if you need large-prints.
Which is better for beginners, Artillery Sidewinder X4 Plus or Creality Ender 3 V3 KE?
The Creality Ender 3 V3 KE is more beginner-friendly (8/10 vs 6/10) with easier setup and a gentler learning curve.
Is the Artillery Sidewinder X4 Plus worth $150 more than the Creality Ender 3 V3 KE?
The Creality Ender 3 V3 KE actually scores higher (8.4/10) despite costing $150 less. The Artillery Sidewinder X4 Plus only makes sense if you specifically need large-prints.
What's the main difference between Artillery Sidewinder X4 Plus and Creality Ender 3 V3 KE?
Build volume (300x300x400mm vs 220x220x240mm) and print speed (500 vs 500 mm/s). The Artillery Sidewinder X4 Plus is best for large-prints; the Creality Ender 3 V3 KE targets budget.

