The Prusa MK3S provides a hassle-free experience for beginners but at a higher price tag.
One cheaper alternative is the Artillery Sidewinder, which is the largest of the Artillery FDM printers.
The Sidewinder is cheaper than the Prusa MK3S and sports a significantly larger build volume but at the sacrifice of higher-temperature printing and quality of life features. Between the Sidewinders, the X2 brings auto-leveling and safety improvements that the X1 was missing.
The Sovol SV03 is another large build volume FDM printer available for $400. It is a good alternative to the Sidewinder.
The Sidewinder X1 is discontinued and only available secondhand.
Artillery Sidewinder X1
$400 Kit
(Discontinued)
Assembly: Partial
Extruder: Direct Drive
Auto-Leveling: No
Max Nozzle Temp: 230°C (240°C)
Max Bed Temp: 130°C
Print Volume: 300mm (L) 300mm (W) 400mm (H)
Artillery Sidewinder X2
$420
Assembly: Partial
Extruder: Direct Drive
Auto-Leveling: Yes
Max Nozzle Temp: 230°C (240°C)
Max Bed Temp: 130°C
Print Volume: 300mm (L) 300mm (W) 400mm (H)
Prusa MK3S+
$649/899
Assembly: Kit or Fully
Extruder: Direct Drive
Auto-Leveling: Yes
Max Nozzle Temp: 300°C
Max Bed Temp: 120°C
Print Volume: 210mm (L) 250mm (W) 210mm (H)
Prusa Mini vs MK3S vs XL
Photo credits: (c) Prusa Research - prusa3d.com
Artillery Sidewinder and Prusa MK3S+
- Both printers have a direct drive extruder.
- Both printers have a filament runout sensor.
- Both printers have a power outage print recovery.
- Both printers can be connected locally and networked. The Artillery Sidewinder has a micro-SD and USB A - the Prusa MK3S has a USB B and SD card.
Prusa MK3S+
- What filaments can it print? Anything under 300°C including nylons, flexibles, polycarbonate, and carbon fiber blends.
- The MK3S sports more build area in addition to extra build height, 210x250x210 mm.
- The printer comes with automatic mesh bed leveling.
- The Mini has a magnetic PEI steel sheet for the print surface.
- The MK3S kit comes with a permanent 5% discount on filament, whereas the assembled variant has a 10% discount on filament and future printers.
- The Prusa MK3S is the printer for you if: you have an expanded budget, are wanting to use engineering filaments, or are a business or institution desiring to implement a single FDM printer as a workhorse for prototyping etc.
Prusa MK3S+ Specifications
- Release Year: 2020
- Assembly: Kit or Assembled
- Build Volume: 250 x 210 x 210 mm
- Extruder: Direct
- PTFE-Lined: No
- Max Nozzle Temp: 300°C
- Max Bed Temp: 120°C
- Bed Material: PEI Spring Steel Sheet
- Auto-Leveling: Yes - Induction
- Z-Axis: Dual
- Connections: SD & USB Type B
Artillery Sidewinder X1
- The Artillery Sidewinder X1 comes with a build volume of 300x300x400 mm.
- There is not an all-metal hotend, which means that the PTFE tube will begin to off-gas above 230°C. It is recommended to replace the heatbreak or hotend if you want to print at higher temperatures.
- The direct drive extruder makes printing flexible filaments a breeze and increases print quality with more reliable retractions.
- What filaments can it print at 240°C? PLA, PETG, ABS/ASA (low temps), and flexibles.
- The printer comes with a non-removeable, tempered glass bed attached to an aluminum plate.
- The bed's cables have a tendency to snap, so it is recommended to print or purchase a strain relief.
- Avoid buying this printer on Amazon as the majority of the listings are resellers not Artillery. One of the official channels for purchasing is AliExpress.
Sidewinder X1 Specifications
- Release Year: 2019
- Assembly: Partial
- Build Volume: 300 x 300 x 400 mm
- Extruder: Direct
- PTFE-Lined: Yes
- Max Nozzle Temp: 230°C (260°C)1
- Max Bed Temp: 130°C
- Bed Material: Glass
- Auto-Leveling: No
- Z-Axis: Dual
- Connections: microSD & USB Type B
Artillery Sidewinder X2
- The Artillery Sidewinder X2 comes with a few improvements over the X1.
- The X2 version comes with automatic bed leveling.
- The cables come with strain relief pre-installed.
- Avoid buying this printer on Amazon as the majority of the listings are resellers not Artillery. One of the official channels for purchasing is AliExpress.
Sidewinder X2 Specifications
- Release Year: 2021
- Assembly: Partial
- Build Volume: 300 x 300 x 400 mm
- Extruder: Direct
- PTFE-Lined: Yes
- Max Nozzle Temp: 230°C (260°C)1
- Max Bed Temp: 130°C
- Bed Material: Glass
- Auto-Leveling: Yes - Touch Probe
- Z-Axis: Dual
- Connections: microSD & USB Type B
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