Creality 3D CR-10S Pro V2 Review

While the initial assembly and so-so customer support can be a bit off-putting for beginners, this printer is one of the most user-friendly we have seen once it is all set up, featuring things like power loss detection, filament sensors, and even an automated bed leveling process.

Print Quality

The first model we used to evaluate print quality is a common calibration/torture test known as a 3D benchy. This little tugboat has it all: text, fine details, overhangs, and bridges. The Creality CR-10S Pro V2 did a great job with the PLA version, creating a very smooth hull and handling the difficult geometry with aplomb. However, the lettering on the first layer was a bit distorted. The ABS version didn't come out as well, with enough layer separation that the roof easily detached.

Next, we printed a bridging torture test and a model of the Eiffel Tower. The Creality CR-10S Pro V2 did a fantastic job in PLA with the bridges, with only a few strings dangling on the longest spans, but failed to impress with its ABS version. Both versions of the Eiffel Tower were duds. The PLA Eiffel Tower lost a lot of detail and had tons of strings, and we never got an ABS version to print completely.

In our overhang test, we print a series of progressively steeper overhangs, and the Creality did pretty well, with the PLA version coming out essentially perfect. It had a slight defect on the largest overhang, but overall, it did an amazing job. The ABS version did come out a little deformed from where it warped, especially on overhangs steeper than 40°. Our accuracy test requires the printing of a flat rectangle with a hole cut out that should perfectly fit a nickel. The Creality CR-10S Pro V2 was less accurate here, leaving a visible gap around the nickel. The print-in-place articulated elephant came out great — at least in PLA. It moved freely and only had some slight surface finish issues on the overhanging areas. The ABS version articulated fine as well, but had some significant layer separation.

A pair of fairly difficult prints followed, but the Creality CR-10S Pro V2 handled them quite well. It made an articulated platform jack with a very smooth action, and the print-in-place mechanisms broke apart freely, but there was a small amount of Z-shift and some sloppy bridging towards the top. The hollow cube we printed didn't show much stringing or wobble, but we saw some slight sags in the bridges.

A pair of low-poly statues followed, with the Creality CR-10S Pro V2 continuing to do very well in PLA. These prints looked superb, with clean overhanging and small points that printed cleanly. The ABS version had a smooth finish as well, but we saw plenty of layer separation again.

The spiral vase made by the Creality CR-10S Pro V2 came out perfect, showing almost no separation and consistent wall thickness. The tall z-tower was just a bit behind, having a minuscule amount of wobble if you ran your fingers along the edge. In our printed capital “F”, the temporary support structure came off cleanly, leaving a fairly nice surface finish on the underside of the supported area.

Our last two test prints were a threaded jar and lid. The PLA print came out alright, with plenty of surface blemishes and cosmetic defects, but it threaded together quite easily.

Ease of Use

The Creality CR-10S Pro V2 has many features that make it easier to use, but it does take a little effort to set up the printer out of the box. You need to attach the main gantry, level the X-axis, and plug some wires in.

Once you have it built, it's very easy to get the bed leveled using the automatic assistant. The touch probe also measures the height of the bed in 25 places before each print to compensate for any minor differences.

It isn't too much work to change the filament, but the filament sensor can be a bit obnoxious to thread through. Files can be sent to the printer through a USB cable or a microSD card, and it has a touchscreen that shows you the current progress of the print.

Print Capabilities

The Creality CR-10S Pro V2 has a large build volume measuring 300mm x 300mm x 400mm — usually enough to print a full-size helmet in one go if you are interested in making replica props or cosplaying. You aren't restricted to a proprietary filament, with any 1.75mm filament that doesn't require a higher temperature than 160°C. This is the maximum temperature the extruder can reach, and the bed can reach a maximum temperature of 110°C.

It has an extruder, a layer fan, and a build plate that all seem pretty good, though we did have some persistent bed adhesion issues with ABS. 3D files can be sliced using Creality 3D's own slicer or any of the other common programs, like Simplify 3D or Cura.

Support

We have had mixed results with the support from Creality 3D, as they can be a little difficult to get in touch with through their contact form or email. They have been moderately helpful with our questions, but we wouldn't count on them too much for support. However, there are tons and tons of third-party resources on this printer available online if you get stuck. We would just suggest you get the printer through a reputable source that allows you to return it if you get a damaged model. Creality 3D also stated that this printer includes a 1-year warranty with a 30-day return at the time of writing.

Value

The Creality CR-10S Pro V2 is a fantastic value offering an excellent performance at a much more affordable price, making it one of our top recommendations for anyone looking for the most bang for the buck when it comes to 3D printers.

Conclusion