Elegoo Neptune 4 Max vs QIDI X-Smart 3
Head-to-head 3D printer comparison, 2026
The Elegoo Neptune 4 Max and QIDI X-Smart 3 are both FDM 3D printers competing in different tiers, $469 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 7/10. It pulls ahead in Beginner Friendliness, Print Quality, Speed, Reliability. The Elegoo Neptune 4 Max still puts up a fight in Value.
Score Breakdown
Specifications
| Spec | Elegoo Neptune 4 Max | QIDI X-Smart 3 |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $469 | $349 |
| Type | FDM | FDM |
| Build Volume | 420 x 420 x 480 mm | 175 x 175 x 165 mm |
| Print Speed | 500 mm/s | 600 mm/s |
| Min Resolution | 0.05 mm | 0.05 mm |
| Weight | 22 kg | 9.5 kg |
| Overall Score | 7/10 | 8/10 |
Pros & Cons
Elegoo Neptune 4 Max
+420x420x480mm with Klipper for $469: the price-to-volume ratio is hard to beat
+Direct drive on a bed this large is unusual and useful for flexible materials
+Klipper gives you full control to tune speed and acceleration for the mass of this bed
+Prints full armor breastplates in a single run
−Open frame at this scale means ABS warping will ruin prints without serious prep
−The sheer footprint means a dedicated table minimum; don't try to share desk space
−Slower effective speeds on a 420mm heated bed: physics wins eventually
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 Elegoo Neptune 4 Max if you want:
- A great printer for large-prints
- A great printer for budget
- A great printer for cosplay
- Klipper firmware
- Auto bed leveling
- Direct drive
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 Elegoo Neptune 4 Max 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 Elegoo Neptune 4 Max may be the smarter buy if you need large-prints.
Which is better for beginners, Elegoo Neptune 4 Max or QIDI X-Smart 3?
The QIDI X-Smart 3 is more beginner-friendly (8/10 vs 5/10) with easier setup and a gentler learning curve.
Is the Elegoo Neptune 4 Max worth $120 more than the QIDI X-Smart 3?
The QIDI X-Smart 3 actually scores higher (8/10) despite costing $120 less. The Elegoo Neptune 4 Max only makes sense if you specifically need large-prints.
What's the main difference between Elegoo Neptune 4 Max and QIDI X-Smart 3?
Build volume (420x420x480mm vs 175x175x165mm) and print speed (500 vs 600 mm/s). The Elegoo Neptune 4 Max is best for large-prints; the QIDI X-Smart 3 targets compact.