Hidden Gem
At a glance
QIDI · FDM (filament)
- Score
- 8/10
- Rank
- #28/51
- Build
- 5.1 L
- Speed
- 600 mm/s
- Layer
- 0.05 mm
Buy at brand store
The store sets the current price. Check it there before you buy.
QIDI X-Smart 3
QIDI X-Smart 3
- Scores 8 out of 10, #28 of 51 current FDM printers.
- 5.1 L of build space (175×175×165 mm), 0.2× the 21.6 L average.
- Best at value: 8/10, against an average of 8.5.
- The catch: 175mm cube is the real ceiling: anything larger needs to be split and assembled.
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 X-Smart 3. 8/10, #28 of 51 FDM printers.
The right machine if space is the primary constraint and you want an enclosure. A full desk-sized printer won't fit in a dorm room; this one does. The 175mm volume is the genuine trade-off.
Why buy the X-Smart 3
- #13 of 51Top 13 FDM printers for beginner-friendliness8/10 vs 7.4/10 average
- #16 of 51Top 16 FDM printers for reliability8/10 vs 8.1/10 average
- #20 of 51Top 20 FDM printers for print quality8/10 vs 8.4/10 average
The numbers behind it
Right side is the average of the 51 current FDM printers we track. Teal wins the row.
X-Smart 3QIDI · FDM
vsAverage51 FDM printers
| X-Smart 3 | Spec | Average of 51 |
|---|---|---|
| 5.1 L | Build volume | 21.6 L (wins) |
| 600 mm/s (wins) | Top speed | 476 mm/s |
| 0.05 mm (wins) | Finest layer | 0.054 mm |
| 9.5 kg | Weight | 14.7 kg |
Scores out of 10
| X-Smart 3 | Spec | Average of 51 |
|---|---|---|
| 8 | Value | 8.5 (wins) |
| 8 (wins) | Beginner | 7.4 |
| 8 | Print quality | 8.4 (wins) |
| 8 (wins) | Speed | 7.9 |
| 8 | Reliability | 8.1 (wins) |
| 8 | Overall | 8.1 (wins) |
Build space, front view, to one scale
- 175 × 175 × 165 mmX-Smart 3
- 450 × 450 × 470 mmCR-M4, largest current FDM
What owners say
Enclosed CoreXY that fits on a small desk. QIDI nailed the compact premium market.
r/3DprintingThe X-Smart 3 is the printer I recommend when people ask for a quiet, enclosed machine that's not huge.
Edge of Tech (YouTube)
Pros & Cons
Pros
- +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
Cons
- −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
Full specs
| Build volume | 175 × 175 × 165 mm |
|---|---|
| Layer resolution | 0.05 to 0.35 mm |
| Top speed | 600 mm/s |
| Weight | 9.5 kg |
| Type | FDM (filament) |
Features
- Enclosed CoreXY
- Chamber heating (35C)
- Auto bed leveling
- WiFi
- Camera
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.
Compare the X-Smart 3 with (7)
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the build volume of the QIDI X-Smart 3?
The QIDI X-Smart 3 has a build volume of 175 x 175 x 165 mm.
Is the QIDI X-Smart 3 good for beginners?
The QIDI X-Smart 3 scores 8/10 for beginner-friendliness. It's a great choice for beginners.
What are the pros and cons of the QIDI X-Smart 3?
Pros: 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. Cons: 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.
Also worth considering
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
fdmBambu Lab A1 Mini Combo
Bambu Lab
9.2/10
Best Value
Multi-color Bambu printing on a budget. The A1 Mini with AMS Lite bundled: 4 colors, compact footprint, full Bambu software stack.
Build
180mm
Speed
500mm/s
Layer
0.05mm
