Artillery Sidewinder X4 Plus vs Voxelab Aquila X2
Head-to-head 3D printer comparison, 2026
The Artillery Sidewinder X4 Plus and Voxelab Aquila X2 are both FDM 3D printers competing in different tiers, $349 vs $179. Both are scored across value, beginner-friendliness, quality, speed, and reliability. Here's the full breakdown.
Our Verdict
The Artillery Sidewinder X4 Plus takes the crown with 7.4/10 vs 6.6/10. It pulls ahead in Print Quality, Speed. That said, the Voxelab Aquila X2 saves you $170 and wins on Beginner Friendliness.
Score Breakdown
Specifications
| Spec | Artillery Sidewinder X4 Plus | Voxelab Aquila X2 |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $349 | $179 |
| Type | FDM | FDM |
| Build Volume | 300 x 300 x 400 mm | 220 x 220 x 250 mm |
| Print Speed | 500 mm/s | 180 mm/s |
| Min Resolution | 0.05 mm | 0.05 mm |
| Weight | 14.5 kg | 7.8 kg |
| Overall Score | 7.4/10 | 6.6/10 |
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
Voxelab Aquila X2
+Silent stepper drivers mean it runs without disturbing the room
+Manual leveling teaches you what auto-leveling actually does
+Ender 3-compatible mods are everywhere and cheap
−Manual bed leveling is a chore you'll do every few prints until you upgrade it
−Bowden extruder makes TPU printing a frustrating exercise
−180mm/s is slow in a world where budget printers hit 500mm/s
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 Voxelab Aquila X2 if you want:
- A great printer for budget
- A great printer for beginners
- Resume printing
- Filament runout sensor
- Glass build plate
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Artillery Sidewinder X4 Plus better than the Voxelab Aquila X2?
By the numbers, the Artillery Sidewinder X4 Plus scores higher (7.4/10). But "better" depends on your use case, the Voxelab Aquila X2 may be the smarter buy if you need budget.
Which is better for beginners, Artillery Sidewinder X4 Plus or Voxelab Aquila X2?
The Voxelab Aquila X2 is more beginner-friendly (7/10 vs 6/10) with easier setup and a gentler learning curve.
Is the Artillery Sidewinder X4 Plus worth $170 more than the Voxelab Aquila X2?
The Artillery Sidewinder X4 Plus scores higher overall (7.4/10 vs 6.6/10). The extra $170 gets you 300x300x400mm at $349: the price-per-cubic-millimeter is absurd.
What's the main difference between Artillery Sidewinder X4 Plus and Voxelab Aquila X2?
Build volume (300x300x400mm vs 220x220x250mm) and print speed (500 vs 180 mm/s). The Artillery Sidewinder X4 Plus is best for large-prints; the Voxelab Aquila X2 targets budget.