Artillery Sidewinder X4 Plus vs Elegoo Neptune 4
Head-to-head 3D printer comparison — 2026
The Artillery Sidewinder X4 Plus and Elegoo Neptune 4 are both FDM 3D printers competing in different tiers — $349 vs $199. We scored both across value, beginner-friendliness, quality, speed, and reliability. Here's the full breakdown.
Our Verdict
The Elegoo Neptune 4 takes the crown with 8.2/10 vs 7.4/10. It pulls ahead in Value, Beginner Friendliness, Print Quality.
Score Breakdown
Specifications
| Spec | Artillery Sidewinder X4 Plus | Elegoo Neptune 4 |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $349 | $199 |
| Type | FDM | FDM |
| Build Volume | 300 x 300 x 400 mm | 225 x 225 x 265 mm |
| Print Speed | 500 mm/s | 500 mm/s |
| Min Resolution | 0.05 mm | 0.05 mm |
| Weight | 14.5 kg | 9.5 kg |
| Overall Score | 7.4/10 | 8.2/10 |
Pros & Cons
Artillery Sidewinder X4 Plus
+Massive build volume at $349
+Klipper pre-installed
+Direct drive
+Great for cosplay
−Mixed QC reviews
−Smaller community
−Can be loud
−No enclosure
Elegoo Neptune 4
+Klipper at $199
+500mm/s capable
+Direct drive handles TPU
+Great value vs Ender 3
−No WiFi on base model
−Smaller community than Bambu/Creality
−Firmware can need tweaking
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 Elegoo Neptune 4 if you want:
- A great printer for budget
- A great printer for speed
- A great printer for beginners
- Klipper firmware
- Auto bed leveling
- Direct drive
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Artillery Sidewinder X4 Plus better than the Elegoo Neptune 4?
By the numbers, the Elegoo Neptune 4 scores higher (8.2/10). 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 Elegoo Neptune 4?
The Elegoo Neptune 4 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 Elegoo Neptune 4?
The Elegoo Neptune 4 actually scores higher (8.2/10) 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 Elegoo Neptune 4?
Build volume (300x300x400mm vs 225x225x265mm) and print speed (500 vs 500 mm/s). The Artillery Sidewinder X4 Plus is best for large-prints; the Elegoo Neptune 4 targets budget.