Best ValueCommunity Pick
At a glance
Creality · FDM (filament)
- Score
- 8/10
- Rank
- #28/51
- Build
- 12.1 L
- Speed
- 250 mm/s
- Layer
- 0.05 mm
The store sets the current price. Check it there before you buy.
Creality Ender 3 V3 SE
- Scores 8 out of 10, #28 of 51 current FDM printers.
- 12.1 L of build space (220×220×250 mm), 0.6× the 21.6 L average.
- Best at value: 10/10, against an average of 8.5.
- The catch: 250mm/s max is half what CoreXY printers do at this price in 2024.
Specs from the PrintPick catalog, checked 2026-09-29. Scores are PrintPick ratings out of 10.
By Shadman Rahman · Prices checked
The verdict
Buy the Ender 3 V3 SE. 8/10, #28 of 51 FDM printers.
Under $250, this is still the safe answer. The community alone is worth something when you're learning. Creality's newer V3 is faster but costs more; the V3 SE is the baseline you graduate from.
Why buy the Ender 3 V3 SE
- #1 of 51Joint best FDM printer for value10/10 vs 8.5/10 average
- #5 of 51Top 5 FDM printers for beginner-friendliness9/10 vs 7.4/10 average
- #16 of 51Top 16 FDM printers for reliability8/10 vs 8.1/10 average
The numbers behind it
Right side is the average of the 51 current FDM printers we track. Teal wins the row.
Ender 3 V3 SECreality · FDM
vsAverage51 FDM printers
| Ender 3 V3 SE | Spec | Average of 51 |
|---|---|---|
| 12.1 L | Build volume | 21.6 L (wins) |
| 250 mm/s | Top speed | 476 mm/s (wins) |
| 0.05 mm (wins) | Finest layer | 0.054 mm |
| 7.8 kg | Weight | 14.7 kg |
Scores out of 10
| Ender 3 V3 SE | Spec | Average of 51 |
|---|---|---|
| 10 (wins) | Value | 8.5 |
| 9 (wins) | Beginner | 7.4 |
| 7 | Print quality | 8.4 (wins) |
| 6 | Speed | 7.9 (wins) |
| 8 | Reliability | 8.1 (wins) |
| 8 | Overall | 8.1 (wins) |
Build space, front view, to one scale
- 220 × 220 × 250 mmEnder 3 V3 SE
- 450 × 450 × 470 mmCR-M4, largest current FDM
What owners say
The V3 SE sets a new baseline for cheap 3D printing.
All3DPBest [money] I ever spent on a hobby. Prints great out of the box.
r/ender3
Pros & Cons
Pros
- +Auto-leveling that works on the first try, not the fourth
- +Direct drive means you can print TPU without fighting the extruder
- +r/ender3 has 200,000 members who've fixed every problem you'll ever have
- +Spare parts are everywhere and cheap
Cons
- −250mm/s max is half what CoreXY printers do at this price in 2024
- −Open frame, no WiFi, no camera: this is a no-frills machine
- −Firmware updates require a USB stick and patience
Full specs
| Build volume | 220 × 220 × 250 mm |
|---|---|
| Layer resolution | 0.05 to 0.35 mm |
| Top speed | 250 mm/s |
| Weight | 7.8 kg |
| Type | FDM (filament) |
Features
- Auto bed leveling
- Direct drive extruder
- PEI build plate
Buy these with it
A printer does nothing without these. Grab them in the same order.
- ELEGOO PLA filament, 1kgThe easy filament to start on. Prints at low temperatures and warps less.
- ELEGOO PETG filament, 1kgTougher and more heat tolerant than PLA, for parts that get handled or sit in the sun.
- SUNLU filament dryer S1 PlusWet filament causes stringing and rough surfaces. A dryer fixes that before you blame the printer.
In our guides (9)
Where the Ender 3 V3 SE makes the cut, and what it beats.
listicleBlack Friday 3D Printer Deals 2026: What to BuyRead the guide - listicleBest 3D Printer Gifts 2026: One Pick per PersonRead the guide
listicleBest 3D Printer for Beginners (2026): 5 Easy PicksRead the guide 
listicleBest Budget 3D Printers Under $300 in 2026Read the guide - listicleBest 3D Printers for Schools & Classrooms in 2026Read the guide
- listicleBest 3D Printers for TPU & Flexible FilamentRead the guide
Compare the Ender 3 V3 SE with (16)
- Ender 3 V3 SE vs Anycubic Kobra 2 Max
- Ender 3 V3 SE vs Bambu Lab A1 Combo
- Ender 3 V3 SE vs Bambu Lab P1P
- Ender 3 V3 SE vs Bambu Lab P1S
- Ender 3 V3 SE vs Bambu Lab P2S
- Ender 3 V3 SE vs Bambu Lab X2D
- Ender 3 V3 SE vs Creality Ender 3 V3
- Ender 3 V3 SE vs Creality Ender 3 V3 KE
- Ender 3 V3 SE vs Creality K2 Plus
- Ender 3 V3 SE vs Elegoo Neptune 4
- Ender 3 V3 SE vs Flashforge Adventurer 5M
- Ender 3 V3 SE vs Flashforge Adventurer 5M Pro
- Ender 3 V3 SE vs Prusa Core One
- Ender 3 V3 SE vs Prusa MK4S
- Ender 3 V3 SE vs Sovol SV08
- Ender 3 V3 SE vs Voxelab Aquila X2
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the build volume of the Creality Ender 3 V3 SE?
The Creality Ender 3 V3 SE has a build volume of 220 x 220 x 250 mm.
Is the Creality Ender 3 V3 SE good for beginners?
The Creality Ender 3 V3 SE scores 9/10 for beginner-friendliness. It's a great choice for beginners.
What are the pros and cons of the Creality Ender 3 V3 SE?
Pros: Auto-leveling that works on the first try, not the fourth. Direct drive means you can print TPU without fighting the extruder. r/ender3 has 200,000 members who've fixed every problem you'll ever have. Spare parts are everywhere and cheap. Cons: 250mm/s max is half what CoreXY printers do at this price in 2024. Open frame, no WiFi, no camera: this is a no-frills machine. Firmware updates require a USB stick and patience.
Also worth considering
fdmBambu Lab A1 Combo
Bambu Lab
9.2/10
Reddit Favorite
Multi-color printing out of the box, reliable enough for beginners, fast enough for anyone who's tired of watching a print head crawl.
Build
256mm
Speed
500mm/s
Layer
0.05mm
fdmBambu Lab A1 Mini
Bambu Lab
9.2/10
Best Value
Bambu quality on a budget. Desk footprint small enough that it fits next to your monitor without crowding anything out.
Build
180mm
Speed
500mm/s
Layer
0.05mm
