The Creality Ender 3 V4 (entry) and Qidi Tech Q2 (prosumer) come from different brands and sit in different tiers, so this is less a head-to-head than a question of how much printer you need. The Q2 costs $100 more and gets you an enclosed chamber (with ABS, ASA, PA, PA-CF and PC on its materials list) and 64% more build volume.
Early in release cycle — no urgency to wait
Best for: Budget-conscious beginners who want optional multicolor printing in the trusted Ender 3 form factor at an accessible price — and are comfortable with a hands-on setup experience.
Full details →Overdue for a refresh — no successor announced yet. Prices should be at their lowest
Best for: Makers and engineers who need reliable printing in ABS, ASA, PA, or carbon-fiber composites and want the best-value enclosed printer under $500.
Full details →| Creality Ender 3 V4 | Qidi Tech Q2 | |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing | ||
| Starting Price | ★ $399 | $499 |
| Print Specs | ||
| Tier | Entry | Prosumer |
| Motion | BedSlinger | CoreXY |
| Build Volume | 220 × 220 × 235 mm | ★ 270 × 270 × 256 mm |
| Max Speed | 500 mm/s | ★ 600 mm/s |
| Multicolor | ✅ 4 slots | ✅ 4 slots |
| Enclosure | ❌ | ★ ✅ |
| Auto Calibration | ✅ | ✅ |
| Open Source | ❌ | ❌ |
| Upgrade Kit | — | — |
| Buy Timing | ||
| Released | Jan 15, 2026 | Aug 20, 2025 |
| Cycle length | ~854 days | ~518 days |
| Cycle advice | Buy | Wait |
| Deals advice | Buy | Buy |
| Next model | — | — |
The Ender 3 V4 was released on Jan 15, 2026, 301 days ago. Its previous release cycle ran about 854 days, so it is 35% of the way through — roughly 553 days before a successor would be due at that pace.
The Q2 was released on Aug 20, 2025, 449 days ago. Its previous release cycle ran about 518 days, so it is 87% of the way through — roughly 69 days before a successor would be due at that pace.
On timing alone, the Ender 3 V4 is the safer buy right now — it is only 35% of the way through its expected cycle, while the Q2 is late in its cycle (87% through).
Cycle and deal status as of November 12, 2026. See the launch calendar →
The Ender 3 V4 lists at $399 and the Q2 at $499 — $100 apart, so the Q2 costs 25% more.
Per litre of build volume, that works out to $35 for the Ender 3 V4 versus $27 for the Q2 — so the pricier Q2 actually gives you more build space per dollar.
Our pick for most buyers is the Q2, for an enclosed chamber (with ABS, ASA, PA, PA-CF and PC on its materials list) and 64% more build volume. Go for the Ender 3 V4 instead if you want to spend less — it is $100 cheaper ($399 vs $499). One caveat: the Q2 is late in its cycle (87% through), so check the launch calendar before you buy.
How we judge timing and deals: read our methodology →
The V4's rigid frame reduces vibration at high speeds, improving print quality over the V3 KE's lighter structure.
The Combo bundle includes Creality's CFS filament system for 4-color printing, expandable to 16 colors with additional CFS units — one of the most affordable multicolor setups available.
The Ender 3 family has the largest 3D printing community in the world, with extensive documentation, mods, and active Creality firmware updates.
The Q2 actively heats the print chamber — not just passively traps heat. This is the key differentiator for reliable ABS, ASA, PA-CF, and PC printing without warping.
Triple-stage filtration removes 99.5% of particulates and VOCs — essential for printing ABS and ASA in a home or office environment.
Handles the full spectrum of engineering filaments including carbon and glass fiber composites without a hotend upgrade.