Artillery Sidewinder X4 Plus vs QIDI X-Smart 3
Head-to-head 3D printer comparison, 2026
The Artillery Sidewinder X4 Plus and QIDI X-Smart 3 are both FDM 3D printers competing in the same price bracket, $349 vs $349. Both are scored across value, beginner-friendliness, quality, speed, and reliability. Here's the full breakdown.
Our Verdict
The QIDI X-Smart 3 takes the crown with 8/10 vs 7.4/10. It pulls ahead in Beginner Friendliness, Print Quality, Reliability. The Artillery Sidewinder X4 Plus still puts up a fight in Value.
Score Breakdown
Specifications
| Spec | Artillery Sidewinder X4 Plus | QIDI X-Smart 3 |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $349 | $349 |
| Type | FDM | FDM |
| Build Volume | 300 x 300 x 400 mm | 175 x 175 x 165 mm |
| Print Speed | 500 mm/s | 600 mm/s |
| Min Resolution | 0.05 mm | 0.05 mm |
| Weight | 14.5 kg | 9.5 kg |
| Overall Score | 7.4/10 | 8/10 |
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
QIDI X-Smart 3
+Fully enclosed CoreXY in a footprint smaller than most open-frame printers
+35C chamber heating helps layer adhesion on ABS and PETG without a full 60C setup
+QIDI's slicer is better than Creality's for enclosed use cases
+600mm/s speed in a machine this small is impressive
−175mm cube is the real ceiling: anything larger needs to be split and assembled
−QIDI's community is a fraction of Bambu's or Creality's size
−35C chamber heating is modest: the X-Plus 3's 60C chamber is meaningfully better for engineering materials
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 QIDI X-Smart 3 if you want:
- A great printer for compact
- A great printer for enclosed
- A great printer for beginners
- Enclosed CoreXY
- Chamber heating (35C)
- Auto bed leveling
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Artillery Sidewinder X4 Plus better than the QIDI X-Smart 3?
By the numbers, the QIDI X-Smart 3 scores higher (8/10). 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 QIDI X-Smart 3?
The QIDI X-Smart 3 is more beginner-friendly (8/10 vs 6/10) with easier setup and a gentler learning curve.
Which is the better value, Artillery Sidewinder X4 Plus or QIDI X-Smart 3?
Same price ($349), so it comes down to features. The Artillery Sidewinder X4 Plus edges ahead on value score.
What's the main difference between Artillery Sidewinder X4 Plus and QIDI X-Smart 3?
Build volume (300x300x400mm vs 175x175x165mm) and print speed (500 vs 600 mm/s). The Artillery Sidewinder X4 Plus is best for large-prints; the QIDI X-Smart 3 targets compact.