Ender-3 V3 SE 3D Printer vs Qidi Q2
Buy the Ender-3 V3 SE if you print PLA, PETG and TPU and want to spend the least. Buy the Qidi Q2 if you need an enclosed, heated chamber for ABS, ASA, nylon or PC. The Ender-3 V3 SE was $179.00 at MakerParts 3D as of October 30, 2026; the Qidi Q2 was $464.07 as of November 1, 2026, down from $519.00 on October 31.
Ask our shopping agent
Ender-3 V3 SE 3D Printer
4.8Choose the Ender-3 V3 SE if you are starting out or print mostly PLA, PETG and TPU and want a partly assembled machine running in about 20 minutes for under $200.
Pros
- Cheapest way into printing: $179.00 as of October 30, 2026
- Auto leveling and auto Z offset remove the paper test
- Sprite direct extruder handles PLA, PETG and TPU 95A
- Dual Z lead screws and 8 mm steel Y shafts for steady motion
- Partly assembled, printing in about 20 minutes
Cons
- Open frame: no chamber, so ABS and nylon warp and smell
- Lower speed and acceleration than the Qidi
What separates them
| Ender-3 V3 SE 3D Printer | Qidi Q2 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $179.00 at MakerParts 3D as of October 30, 2026 | $464.07 as of November 1, 2026 (was $519.00 on October 31) |
| Build volume | 220 × 220 × 250 mm | 270 × 270 × 256 mm |
| Enclosure and chamber heat | Open frame, no chamber | Fully enclosed, chamber up to 65 °C |
| Max nozzle and bed temperature | Standard hotend, PLA/PETG/TPU focus | Nozzle up to 370 °C, bed up to 120 °C |
| Speed and acceleration | 250 mm/s, 2,500 mm/s² | 600 mm/s, up to 20,000 mm/s² |
| Leveling | CR Touch plus strain-sensor auto Z offset, no paper test | Auto leveling on a touchscreen-driven machine |
| Connectivity and screen | No Wi-Fi or Ethernet listed; no touchscreen listed | 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi, Ethernet, USB, 4.3-inch touchscreen |
Price history
$519.00$179.00
- Ender-3 V3 SE 3D Printer: lowest $179.00 on Oct 30 at Creality USA; $179.00 on Nov 1.
- Qidi Q2: lowest $464.07 on Nov 1 at 3D Printers Online Store.
Prices at every store
Ender-3 V3 SE 3D Printer
- AdoramaCheck price at Adorama
- eBayCheck price at eBay
- WalmartCheck price at Walmart
Qidi Q2
- 3D Printers Online StoreCheck price at 3D Printers Online Store
- AmazonCheck price at Amazon
- eBayCheck price at eBay
Specs compared
| Spec | Ender-3 V3 SE 3D Printer | Qidi Q2 |
|---|---|---|
| Color | — | Black |
| Build volume | — | 270*270*256 mm |
| Printer dimensions | — | 402*438*494 mm |
| Net weight | — | 18.1kg |
| Max nozzle temperature | — | ≤ 370℃ |
| Max bed temperature | — | ≤ 120℃ |
| Max tool head speed | — | 600mm/s |
| Max acceleration | — | ≤20000mm/s^2 |
| Nozzle diameter | — | 0.4mm （0.2/0.6/0.8mm Optional） |
| Chamber heating | — | Up to 65° C |
| Rated power |
Questions and answers
- Which is better for a beginner?
- The Ender-3 V3 SE. It arrives partly assembled, levels itself and prints in about 20 minutes for $179.00 as of October 30, 2026. The Qidi Q2 is a bigger, heavier enclosed machine aimed past entry level.
- Which handles ABS and nylon?
- The Qidi Q2. Its 65 °C chamber, 370 °C nozzle and 120 °C bed are built for engineering filaments. The open-frame Ender-3 V3 SE is best kept to PLA, PETG and TPU.
- Is the Qidi Q2 worth the extra money?
- Only if you print high-temperature materials or need the larger 270 × 270 × 256 mm volume. For PLA and PETG, the Ender-3 V3 SE does the job for $179.00 versus $464.07 for the Qidi as of November 1, 2026.
- Which prints faster?
- The Qidi Q2 on paper: 600 mm/s and up to 20,000 mm/s² versus 250 mm/s and 2,500 mm/s² on the Ender-3 V3 SE. Real print time depends on the part and material.
- Which is easier to level?
- The Ender-3 V3 SE uses CR Touch plus a strain sensor to set Z offset automatically, with no paper test. The Qidi Q2 levels automatically through its touchscreen.
- Which takes less space?
- The Ender-3 V3 SE. The Qidi Q2 measures 402 × 438 × 494 mm and weighs 18.1 kg, so it needs a sturdy, deep desk.