Artillery Sidewinder X2 vs Creality Ender 3 V3 - Budget vs Mid-Range Comparison

The $170 price difference between these two printers creates an interesting choice: entry-level simplicity or mid-range capacity? Both are solid printers with different trade-offs.

Quick Comparison

Spec	Ender 3 V3	Sidewinder X2
Price	$229	$399
Build plate	220×220×250mm	300×300×400mm
Print volume	12L	36L
Max speed	150mm/s	200mm/s
Auto-leveling	No (manual)	Yes (basic)
Build quality	Good	Very good
Community	Enormous	Growing
First print success rate	85-90%	90-95%

The Price/Capacity Trade-Off

The Ender 3 V3 costs $170 less. In pure cost-per-liter terms:

• Ender 3 V3: $229 / 12L = $19/liter
• Sidewinder X2: $399 / 36L = $11/liter

If you print large objects or multiple small items, the Sidewinder’s efficiency is real. If you print small to medium models, the Ender’s lower upfront cost matters more.

Build Plate Size (Real Difference)

The Sidewinder’s 300×300mm plate is 11L larger than the Ender’s 220×220mm plate.

What fits:

• Ender 3 V3: Single medium object per print, or 5-6 small parts
• Sidewinder: One large object OR 15-20 small parts

Printing efficiency:

• Ender 3 V3: A project needing 200g might require 2 prints (8 hours total)
• Sidewinder: Same project prints in 1 print (4 hours total)

Over a year of frequent printing, the Sidewinder saves 50+ hours through batch printing.

Manual Leveling vs. Auto-Leveling

Ender 3 V3: Manual leveling (5 minutes per session, manual adjustment)

• Learning curve: Moderate
• Failure if done wrong: Likely
• Time investment: 30 minutes setup, 5 minutes per session ongoing

Sidewinder X2: Auto-leveling (negligible time, automatic)

• Learning curve: None
• Failure if misaligned: Rare
• Time investment: 5 minutes setup, 0 minutes per session

For a new user, the Sidewinder’s auto-leveling is worth $100+ just in reduced frustration.

Print Quality (Equivalent)

Both produce similar print quality with proper tuning. The Sidewinder prints 50mm/s faster, but at equivalent speeds, quality is indistinguishable.

First layer success:

• Ender 3 V3: 85-90% (manual leveling variability)
• Sidewinder X2: 90-95% (auto-leveling consistency)

This difference compounds. Over 100 prints, the Sidewinder saves 5-10 failed attempts.

Reliability and Longevity

Ender 3 V3:

• Design is proven (years of iterations)
• Parts are cheap and widely available
• Community troubleshooting is extensive
• Expected lifespan: 3-5 years with care

Sidewinder X2:

• Newer design, fewer iterations but solid engineering
• Parts less standardized (Artillery-specific)
• Community is growing but smaller
• Expected lifespan: 3-5 years with care

Both should last similar timeframes. The Ender has more parts availability; the Sidewinder has fewer parts to break.

Community and Support

Ender 3 V3: Massive Reddit community, YouTube tutorials, parts compatibility is the largest

• Every problem has been solved
• Parts from multiple vendors fit
• Support is community-driven

Sidewinder X2: Growing community, good forum presence, parts are more proprietary

• Problems are solvable but fewer documented solutions
• Support is more direct from Artillery
• Community is helpful but smaller

Total Cost of Ownership (3 years)

Ender 3 V3:

• Purchase: $229
• Replacement parts (nozzles, springs, fan): $150
• Filament (2kg/week at $20/kg): $3,200
• Electricity: $400
• Total: $3,979

Sidewinder X2:

• Purchase: $399
• Replacement parts: $200
• Filament (1.5kg/week due to batch efficiency): $2,340
• Electricity: $300
• Total: $3,239

The Sidewinder is cheaper over 3 years due to printing efficiency, despite higher upfront cost.

Who Should Buy Each?

Buy Ender 3 V3 if:

• Budget is your primary constraint
• You print small to medium objects
• You’re willing to learn manual leveling
• You want the largest community and parts availability
• You print occasionally (1-2 times per week)

Buy Sidewinder X2 if:

• You print frequently (3+ times per week)
• You want auto-leveling convenience
• You need to fit larger objects or print in batches
• Budget is secondary to efficiency
• You value your time enough to skip calibration sessions

The Honest Take

The Ender 3 V3 is a better entry printer. The learning curve is manageable, and you save $170.

The Sidewinder X2 is a better long-term investment if you print frequently. The larger plate and auto-leveling save time that compounds into real value over 2-3 years.

Neither is a bad choice. Pick the Ender if budget matters most; pick the Sidewinder if time and convenience matter more.