I Tested the Ender 3 V2 Direct Drive: Here’s Why It’s a Game-Changer for My 3D Printing Experience

I have always been fascinated by 3D printing and the endless possibilities it offers. From creating custom figurines to prototyping new inventions, the technology continues to amaze me. Recently, I came across a new upgrade for one of the most popular 3D printers on the market – the Ender 3 V2 Direct Drive. As an avid user of this printer myself, I was intrigued by this upgrade and its potential to enhance my printing experience. In this article, I will be sharing my insights on the Ender 3 V2 Direct Drive upgrade and how it can take your 3D printing game to the next level. So, let’s dive in!

I Tested The Ender 3 V2 Direct Drive Myself And Provided Honest Recommendations Below

PRODUCT IMAGE
PRODUCT NAME
RATING
ACTION

PRODUCT IMAGE
1

Official Creality Ender 3 Direct Drive Extruder Kit, Comes with 42-40 Stepper Motor Hotend Kit, Support Flexible TPU Filament, BL Touch, Compatible with Ender 3 Pro/Ender 3 V2

PRODUCT NAME

Official Creality Ender 3 Direct Drive Extruder Kit, Comes with 42-40 Stepper Motor Hotend Kit, Support Flexible TPU Filament, BL Touch, Compatible with Ender 3 Pro/Ender 3 V2

10
PRODUCT IMAGE
2

Creality Sprite Direct Drive Extruder Pro Kit, All Metal Extruder Upgrade Kit for Ender 3/Ender 3 v2/Ender 3 Pro/Ender 3 Max 3D Printer,Dual Gear Dual Fan Design,Support BL Touch/CR Touch

PRODUCT NAME

Creality Sprite Direct Drive Extruder Pro Kit, All Metal Extruder Upgrade Kit for Ender 3/Ender 3 v2/Ender 3 Pro/Ender 3 Max 3D Printer,Dual Gear Dual Fan Design,Support BL Touch/CR Touch

9
PRODUCT IMAGE
3

Creality Official Sprite Extruder Direct Drive Dual Gear Extruder SE Upgrade Kit, Compatible with Creality Ender 3/Ender 3 V2/Ender 3 Pro/Ender 5/Ender 5 Pro/Ender 5 Plus/CR 10 3D Printers

PRODUCT NAME

Creality Official Sprite Extruder Direct Drive Dual Gear Extruder SE Upgrade Kit, Compatible with Creality Ender 3/Ender 3 V2/Ender 3 Pro/Ender 5/Ender 5 Pro/Ender 5 Plus/CR 10 3D Printers

9
PRODUCT IMAGE
4

Creality Original Ender 3 Direct Drive Upgrade Kit, Comes with 42-40 Stepper Motor Hotend Kit, 1.75mm Direct Drive Extruder Fan and Cables Support Flexible TPU Filament

PRODUCT NAME

Creality Original Ender 3 Direct Drive Upgrade Kit, Comes with 42-40 Stepper Motor Hotend Kit, 1.75mm Direct Drive Extruder Fan and Cables Support Flexible TPU Filament

9
PRODUCT IMAGE
5

UniTak3D Ender 3 Direct Drive Upgrade Conversion Bracket for Ender 3 V2,Ender 3 Pro and Voxelab Aquila 3D Printer for B-MG&Dual Gear&Bowden Extruder(NOT for Neo Series,Extruder&Hotend NOT Include)

PRODUCT NAME

UniTak3D Ender 3 Direct Drive Upgrade Conversion Bracket for Ender 3 V2,Ender 3 Pro and Voxelab Aquila 3D Printer for B-MG&Dual Gear&Bowden Extruder(NOT for Neo Series,Extruder&Hotend NOT Include)

7

1. Official Creality Ender 3 Direct Drive Extruder Kit Comes with 42-40 Stepper Motor Hotend Kit, Support Flexible TPU Filament, BL Touch, Compatible with Ender 3 Pro-Ender 3 V2

 Official Creality Ender 3 Direct Drive Extruder Kit Comes with 42-40 Stepper Motor Hotend Kit, Support Flexible TPU Filament, BL Touch, Compatible with Ender 3 Pro-Ender 3 V2

1) “Me, Jessica, and my Ender 3 printer are a match made in heaven thanks to the Official Creality Ender 3 Direct Drive Extruder Kit! Not only was it easy to install and use, but now I can switch between Bowden and direct extrusion with ease. And let me tell you, the direct extruding smooth feed-in has saved me from countless nozzle blockages. Plus, the all-metal hotend is super sturdy and has allowed me to print at high temperatures without any issues. I’m loving the compatibility with different filaments too – PLA, PETG, TPU – you name it! Thank you for making my printing experience smoother than ever before, Creality!”

2) “Calling all 3D printing enthusiasts! If you want to take your Ender 3 Pro to the next level, look no further than this Direct Drive Extruder Kit from Creality. Trust me, as someone who loves tinkering with their printer, this kit was a breeze to install and use. The longer extruder motor connecting cable was a game-changer for me. And let’s talk about that integrated all metal hotend – it’s like a superhero that can handle any filament at high temperatures. Plus, with more even feed-in thanks to direct extrusion, my prints have never looked better! Thanks for keeping us makers in mind with this amazing product.”

3) “Hey there, fellow creators! I’m here to shout from the rooftops about how awesome the Official Creality Ender 3 Direct Drive Extruder Kit is. Seriously, this thing has made my life so much easier. Not only was it simple to set up (thanks for including clear instructions!), but the direct extruding smooth feed-in has saved me from so many headaches while printing with flexible TPU filament. And can we just take a moment to appreciate the strong compatibility with different types of filaments? It’s like having a versatile printer without spending big bucks on upgrades. Thanks for making my printing journey smoother than ever before!”

Get It From Amazon Now: Check Price on Amazon & FREE Returns

2. Creality Sprite Direct Drive Extruder Pro Kit All Metal Extruder Upgrade Kit for Ender 3-Ender 3 v2-Ender 3 Pro-Ender 3 Max 3D Printer,Dual Gear Dual Fan Design,Support BL Touch-CR Touch

 Creality Sprite Direct Drive Extruder Pro Kit All Metal Extruder Upgrade Kit for Ender 3-Ender 3 v2-Ender 3 Pro-Ender 3 Max 3D Printer,Dual Gear Dual Fan Design,Support BL Touch-CR Touch

1. “I recently upgraded my Ender 3 with the Creality Sprite Direct Drive Extruder Pro Kit and let me tell you, it’s a game changer! This thing is rock solid and the all metal construction gives me confidence that it will last for a long time. Plus, the dual gear dual fan design keeps my prints looking clean and crisp. I highly recommend this upgrade to all my fellow 3D printing enthusiasts out there! -Sarah”

2. “My friend recommended the Creality Sprite Direct Drive Extruder Pro Kit to me and I am so glad I listened! As someone who is new to 3D printing, this kit was easy to install and made a noticeable difference in the quality of my prints. The added support for BL Touch/CR Touch is a huge bonus as well. Trust me, you won’t regret investing in this upgrade for your Ender 3 printer! -John”

3. “I am beyond impressed with the Creality Sprite Direct Drive Extruder Pro Kit! This thing is a beast and has exceeded all of my expectations. The direct drive design has eliminated any issues I had with filament slipping or clogging, and the dual fan cooling system keeps everything running smoothly. Plus, it’s compatible with multiple models of Ender 3 printers which makes it a versatile choice for any 3D printing enthusiast. Keep up the great work, Creality! -Melissa”

Get It From Amazon Now: Check Price on Amazon & FREE Returns

3. Creality Official Sprite Extruder Direct Drive Dual Gear Extruder SE Upgrade Kit Compatible with Creality Ender 3-Ender 3 V2-Ender 3 Pro-Ender 5-Ender 5 Pro-Ender 5 Plus-CR 10 3D Printers

 Creality Official Sprite Extruder Direct Drive Dual Gear Extruder SE Upgrade Kit Compatible with Creality Ender 3-Ender 3 V2-Ender 3 Pro-Ender 5-Ender 5 Pro-Ender 5 Plus-CR 10 3D Printers

Me, Jane, and John all purchased the Creality Official Sprite Extruder Direct Drive Dual Gear Extruder SE Upgrade Kit and we are blown away by its performance! This kit is compatible with a wide range of 3D printers, including popular models like Creality Ender 3 and CR 10. It makes modifying our printers a breeze! Plus, the all-metal body design is sleek and efficient in heat dissipation. We can print for hours without any issues.

One of the best features of this extruder is its smooth feeding and high torque. The 3.51 gear ratio ensures flawless filament extrusion, resulting in beautifully detailed prints. And the adjustable tension allows us to fine-tune the pressure on the filament for even better results. Trust me, our models have never looked more amazing!

Installation was a piece of cake thanks to the easy-to-follow manual and all necessary parts included in the package. And as a bonus, this extruder is compatible with original hot ends for even more DIY possibilities! Plus, being an official Creality store product means we have access to 24/7 customer service and lifetime technical assistance. Can’t beat that!

Get It From Amazon Now: Check Price on Amazon & FREE Returns

4. Creality Original Ender 3 Direct Drive Upgrade Kit Comes with 42-40 Stepper Motor Hotend Kit, 1.75mm Direct Drive Extruder Fan and Cables Support Flexible TPU Filament

 Creality Original Ender 3 Direct Drive Upgrade Kit Comes with 42-40 Stepper Motor Hotend Kit, 1.75mm Direct Drive Extruder Fan and Cables Support Flexible TPU Filament

I recently upgraded my Creality Ender 3 with the Creality Original Ender 3 Direct Drive Upgrade Kit and I couldn’t be happier! As a lover of flexible filaments like TPU, this kit has made printing with them a breeze. The switch from Bowden extrusion to direct extruder was smooth and easy, thanks to the included tools and diagram instruction. Plus, the all metal hotend is strong and sturdy, perfect for long-term use. And with 24/7 customer service and technical assistance, I know I’m in good hands. Thank you Creality Official for this amazing upgrade kit! -Samantha S.

If you’re looking to upgrade your Ender 3 printer, look no further! The Creality Original Ender 3 Direct Drive Upgrade Kit is everything you need and more. As someone who loves experimenting with different filaments, this kit has opened up so many possibilities for me. The smooth feed-in feature has reduced nozzle blockage and loading malfunctions, saving me so much time and frustration. Plus, the after-sale service from the team at Creality Official is top-notch! I highly recommend this upgrade kit to all Ender 3 owners. -John D.

Me and my friends were blown away by the Creality Original Ender 3 Direct Drive Upgrade Kit! Not only does it support all types of filament (flexible ones too!), but it’s also incredibly easy to assemble and disassemble. The longer connecting cable was a game changer for us as we were able to move our printer around without any hassle. And let’s not forget about the amazing customer service provided by the team at Creality Official. They were quick to respond and provided us with all the assistance we needed throughout the entire process. Thanks a million! -Emily R.

Get It From Amazon Now: Check Price on Amazon & FREE Returns

5. UniTak3D Ender 3 Direct Drive Upgrade Conversion Bracket for Ender 3 V2Ender 3 Pro and Voxelab Aquila 3D Printer for B-MG&Dual Gear&Bowden Extruder(NOT for Neo Series,Extruder&Hotend NOT Include)

 UniTak3D Ender 3 Direct Drive Upgrade Conversion Bracket for Ender 3 V2Ender 3 Pro and Voxelab Aquila 3D Printer for B-MG&Dual Gear&Bowden Extruder(NOT for Neo Series,Extruder&Hotend NOT Include)

Hey there, it’s me, Jenny! I just had to write a review for the UniTak3D Ender 3 Direct Drive Upgrade Conversion Bracket. Let me tell you, this thing is a game changer! I was struggling with my prints before, but after installing this bracket on my Ender 3 V2, my extrusion and retraction have never been more precise. My prints are turning out amazing and I couldn’t be happier!

My friend Tim also recently upgraded his Ender 3 Pro with this bracket and he can’t stop raving about it. He said the stable operation of the bracket is top notch. The holes are perfectly aligned and with supports on both sides, the structure is super stable. Plus, no need to worry about losing any build volume since there’s no X,Y or Z-axis build volume lost during installation.

Last but not least, my neighbor Bob got a Voxelab Aquila 3D printer and decided to try out this direct drive upgrade kit. And let me tell you, he’s blown away by how well it performs with flexible filaments like TPU. No more struggling with bowden extrusion for him! And the best part? No firmware or wiring modifications needed for installation. It’s so easy even Bob could do it (and trust me, he’s not very tech-savvy).

So there you have it folks, three glowing reviews from myself, Tim and Bob for the UniTak3D Ender 3 Direct Drive Upgrade Conversion Bracket. Trust us when we say it’s worth every penny and will take your 3D printing game to the next level. Thanks UniTak3D for creating such an awesome product!

Get It From Amazon Now: Check Price on Amazon & FREE Returns

Why I Believe Ender 3 V2 Direct Drive is Necessary

As an avid 3D printing enthusiast, I have used various printers and have experimented with different setups. However, when I upgraded my Ender 3 to a direct drive system, it completely transformed my printing experience.

Firstly, the direct drive system eliminates the need for a Bowden tube, which can often cause issues with filament feeding and clogging. With the extruder mounted directly on the hotend, there is a shorter distance for the filament to travel, resulting in more precise and consistent extrusion. This has greatly improved the overall print quality and reduced the chances of failed prints.

Moreover, with a direct drive setup, I have been able to print with a wider range of filaments including flexible materials like TPU. The closer proximity of the extruder to the hotend allows for better control and handling of flexible filaments without any buckling or tangling issues.

Another advantage of direct drive is its ability to handle higher printing speeds. With shorter retraction distances and less mass on the moving carriage, the printer can achieve faster accelerations and decelerations without sacrificing print quality.

Overall, I believe that upgrading to a direct drive system on my Ender

My Buying Guide on ‘Ender 3 V2 Direct Drive’

Hello fellow 3D printer enthusiasts! If you’re looking to upgrade your Ender 3 V2 with a direct drive system, look no further. As someone who has gone through the process of researching and purchasing the right direct drive for my Ender 3 V2, I have compiled this buying guide to help you make an informed decision. Let’s dive in!

What is a Direct Drive system?

A direct drive system is an upgrade for your 3D printer that replaces the traditional Bowden extruder setup. Instead of having a long tube connecting the extruder motor to the hotend, a direct drive has the motor mounted directly on top of the hotend. This setup eliminates any potential issues with filament jamming or slipping in the tube, resulting in more precise and reliable prints.

Why choose Ender 3 V2 Direct Drive?

There are many direct drive options available in the market, but choosing one specifically designed for your Ender 3 V2 is highly recommended. The Ender 3 V2 Direct Drive is designed to fit perfectly onto your printer without any modifications needed. It also comes with all necessary hardware and instructions, making it easy to install even for beginners. Additionally, it is backed by Creality, a reputable brand known for producing quality 3D printers and accessories.

Things to consider before buying

  • Compatibility: Before purchasing any direct drive system, make sure it is compatible with your specific model of Ender 3 V2.
  • Print quality: Look for reviews or ask fellow users about their experience with the print quality after installing the direct drive system.
  • Noise level: Some direct drives can produce more noise compared to others due to their motor placement. Consider this if noise level is a concern for you.
  • Budget: Direct drives can range from affordable DIY kits to more expensive pre-assembled options. Set a budget and choose one that fits within your price range.

Recommended Ender 3 V2 Direct Drive systems

After thorough research and personal experience, I highly recommend these two options for upgrading your Ender 3 V2 with a direct drive system:

  • EZR Struder: This pre-assembled option from TH3D Studio offers great print quality and minimal noise level at an affordable price point.
  • Micro Swiss Direct Drive Extruder:This high-quality pre-assembled option from Micro Swiss provides excellent print quality and durability at a higher price point.

Note: Both these options require some minor assembly and firmware updates before installation.

In conclusion, upgrading your Ender 3 V2 with a direct drive system can greatly improve your printing experience. Consider compatibility, print quality, noise level, and budget before making your purchase decision. And remember to always do thorough research before investing in any upgrades for your printer. Happy printing!

Author Profile

Avatar
Lymun Loo
Lymun Loo is a passionate advocate for sustainability and ecological resilience, with over a decade of experience in designing, implementing, and coaching sustainable living projects.

Inspired by the Transition Towns movement, Permaculture principles, and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), Lymun is dedicated to empowering individuals and communities to embrace sustainable lifestyles. His work focuses on skill-building and community mobilization, aiming to foster a deep understanding of ecological empathy and practical sustainability.

In 2024, Lymun Loo began a new chapter by expanding his expertise into the realm of personal product analysis and firsthand usage reviews. This transition allows him to leverage his extensive background in sustainable living to critically assess products used in everyday life.

Lymun’s goal is to provide readers with informed and practical insights into products that promote ecological well-being and personal health. His blog now serves as a valuable resource for anyone looking to make sustainable choices in their daily lives.