Flashforge Adventurer 4 3D printer review: The perfect printer to start your adventure

Flashforge Adventurer 4 Lifestyle Source: Chris Wedel / Windows Cardinal

I've always been fascinated with 3D printing but also intimated. It has seemed almost like something out of a sci-fi picture show to the average consumer — mostly because that's where many of us have had the most exposure to it. That'due south why I was so excited to have the hazard to check out the Flashforge Adventurer 4.

In recent years, thanks to the price of these machines coming downward, the point of entry has dropped and so much that 3D press is accessible to anyone interested. While the Adventurer four isn't necessarily entry-level priced, like something similar the fantabulous Elegoo Neptune two, it has many features found on much more than expensive units at an obtainable cost.

Though the Flashforge Adventurer 4 has all the capabilities to be an excellent printer for printing professionals, educators, and experienced hobbyists, I'm none of those things. This is the first FDM filament printer I've ever used. Coming into this, I had merely used an SLA resin printer for about a month, so I am very much a beginner in the 3D printing world. Is the Adventurer 4 a daunting adventure for a beginner or a casual walk in the park? Let's become into it.

Flashforge Adventurer 4 Reco

Flashforge Charlatan iv

Lesser line: The Flashforge Adventurer iv is a big printer with the build volume to match. Its motorcar-leveling bed, swappable nozzles, easy-to-utilise interface, and more than brand this printer a keen device for beginner and seasoned vets of the hobby alike.

The Good

First-class build platform system
Uniform with a wide diverseness of filaments
Easy to employ correct out of the box
Swappable impress nozzles
The enclosure keeps the print area clean

The Bad

Doesn't autodetect the print nozzle
The built-in camera isn't great
FlashPrint software lacks some basic features

Flashforge Adventurer 4: Price and availability

Flashforge Adventurer 4 Lifestyle Source: Chris Wedel / Windows Central

The Flashforge Adventurer four is available in one color, blackness with clear panels, since launch in April 2022. The printer is found at multiple retailers, including Amazon and B&H, for $799, which includes 1kg of PLA filament. Through Flashforge's own web store, the printer is available in the standard $799 configuration too as the options to get 2kg or 4kg of PLA filament for $829 and $859, respectively.

Flashforge Adventurer four: What's good

Flashforge Adventurer 4 Lifestyle Source: Chris Wedel / Windows Central

As mentioned previously, before receiving the Flashforge Adventurer four, I had never used or been directly exposed to 3D press. From being hesitant to acquire the minutia of the engineering science to deciding which of the excellent 3D printers would be all-time for me, I never took the spring. Just all the promises of what the Charlatan 4 offered eased many of my concerns and only emboldened my mind for what's possible with a 3D printer.

I approached setting up and using the Adventurer four as a complete newbie — considering that'southward what I was.

I'll get alee and preface this review with — if you are looking for all of the nitty-gritty of what goes into 3D press and the depth of settings that can be tweaked when using a printer, you will likely be disappointed. I was and notwithstanding am a beginner in this space. So, if you are interested in 3D printing and want to get started, or experienced and want to learn nearly a new printer — I got you lot.

Let'southward go this out of the way first: This printer is not small, so you'll want to ensure y'all have ample space to set information technology upwards. Now, you lot don't need to dedicate an entire room to information technology, but it isn't dainty either. But a big printer means large print volume too, and beingness excited to print something but to find out that you don't have a platform big enough to handle information technology is a major letdown — at that place's plenty of room here. While it isn't the seemingly never-catastrophe space provided past the Creality CR 30, yous'll probable be very happy with what'southward available.

Flashforge Adventurer 4 Lifestyle Source: Chris Wedel / Windows Central

In the box, Flashforge ships two flexible build plates, the affair that the printer actually prints onto, which magnetically attach to the auto-leveling platform. Different many printers on the market, the Adventurer 4's platform is a solid-country press area that doesn't require adjustments to ensure quality prints.

Also in the box are some tools for maintaining the machine — making certain screws and components stay tight, a grease packet, a USB wink bulldoze, additional nozzles, leveling card, an extra filament guide tube joint, an unclogging pivot too, and the 1kg of PLA filament.

Specs	Flashforge Charlatan four
Dimensions	500mm x 470mm 10 550mm (xix.seven x 18.five x 21.3 inches)
Build volume	220mm x 200mm ten 250mm (8.67 10 7.87 x 9.84 inches)
Weight	26kg (57.3 pounds)
Brandish	4.iii-inch touchscreen LCD
Internal storage	8GB
Printheads	1
Travel speed	Up to 150mm/southward
Max bed temperature	110C (230F)
Max nozzle temperature	265C (509F)
Nozzle diameter	0.3mm 0.4mm (default) 0.6mm
Photographic camera	✔️
Air filtration	HEPA 13
Noise level	<50dB
Filament compatibility	PLA ABS PC PETG PLA-CF PETG-CF
Connectivity	Wi-Fi USB Ethernet

Afterwards removing all of the packing materials and the plastic, I fix the printer onto my table and powered it on. The first matter I did to the printer was connect it to my local Wi-Fi using the iv.3-inch LCD touchscreen. Tapping in my password was catchy using the tiny on-screen keyboard, just one time it was done, the motorcar checked for any software updates. While the Adventurer four did its initialization process, I began installing the FlashPrint software onto my computer.

This software is used to prepare prints for your printer. Once selecting the Flashforge Adventurer 4 equally my printer within the software, it scanned my network to find the printer. Once that was done, the software knew what the available build surface area was and all of the other parameters of the printer.

Getting started with the printer probably could have been smoother had I watched whatever videos or researched first.

Back to the bodily printer and getting it ready to get, I was now prepare to load the filament. The PLA filament in the box is a standard i.75mm material and as such is gear up for the pre-installed 0.4mm 240C nozzle. Depending on the material you lot are using and press needs, you can easily swap out the nozzle on the Charlatan 4 — but there are a couple of catches to that process I'll go over later on.

Loading the filament is a relatively elementary process on this printer. Start by pressing the Prepare button on the touchscreen, then filament, and finally load. The Adventurer 4 will then display instructions on the screen for what's to come up. Simply to become the filament prepare to load, simply open the side door, hang the filament reel on the peg, gently put the end of the material into the concur indicated by the yellowish sticker with an arrow on it.

Flashforge Adventurer 4 Lifestyle Source: Chris Wedel / Windows Cardinal

Once you've gotten to that indicate, press Next on the screen, and the machine volition starting time feeding the filament into the tube and eventually out of the heated nozzle. Press Complete on the screen, and you're done and ready to print.

Now, should you lot probably go through the scale procedure? Yes. Did I? No. Information technology wasn't because I didn't desire to. Information technology was more often than not because I didn't know about it since I wanted to outset printing as before long every bit possible. I later calibrated the machine after many successful prints mainly just to feel what it entailed. Thankfully the Adventurer 4 walks through the process on the display pretty well.

The Adventurer 4 has two modes for calibration — normal and good. I bypassed both and started printing correct away.

With a personally uncalibrated machine and the filament loaded in, I was eager and fix to print. In anticipation of the Flashforge printer arriving, I had institute a few things I wanted to print first on Thingiverse. Because when I got the Charlatan 4, Squid Games was at peak hype, and I tried to print a replica of the Front Man mask.

I downloaded the file and loaded it into FlashPrint. Once at that place, I ensured information technology fit the platform infinite and car-added supports. For those unsure, these are bits of material that are printed to openings or overhanging to ensure that they don't collapse during press. Next, it was on to click the Start Slicing push to finalize the print settings. The program uses preset temperatures, speeds, and other options by choosing the textile blazon. So, I picked PLA and sliced the file.

Flashprint Screenshot Source: Chris Wedel / Windows Primal

Once the file finished processing, I clicked on Local Relieve then Transport to Printer. And then all that was left was to select the printer showing on my network and become started. Instantly I could hear the printer fan start and begin heating both the nozzle and the print bed. The temperatures quickly reached the weather ready forth past the file I sent, so the press started.

As this was going to exist a very long print, over 12 hours, I allow this 1 get overnight. While I knew that I was likely setting unrealistic expectations for a first print with no calibration to the printer, I was going on bullheaded organized religion. When I checked the print in the morn, I was greeted with a failed spaghetti of a print. I removed the platform, put the second one on the impress bed, and picked a new projection to impress.

Flashforge Adventurer 4 Lifestyle Source: Chris Wedel / Windows Fundamental

After the failed start attempt, Adventurer 4 rattled off multiple projects for me without event. I printed everything from functional pieces like carabiners and modest desk drawers, fifty-fifty a phone case for my Pixel 6 Pro using TPU filament, to fidget spinner and collapsing swords for my kids. All of these were done without any calibration of the machine, just out of the box and go.

I did finally calibrate the machine afterward somewhere effectually 100 hours of printing. I did this because not only had I swapped nozzles for the printing of PETG filament that requires a higher print temperature, but I had likewise begun having some prints with uneven layers. The calibration was a quick and a simple process that got me back to fantabulous prints in no time.

Perhaps my favorite part most the Flashforge Adventurer four, aside from the fact that information technology was pretty much beginner proof, is that it is fully enclosed. This feature ways that not only does it help proceed any unpleasant smells from the press process down in conjunction with the HEPA thirteen filter, just information technology also keeps the edifice surface area clean.

My 3D printing takes place in my office/storage shed, and it gets dusty very easily, thanks to the fact that I live on the north side of a gravel road. The enclosure on the Adventurer iv helps keep dust from getting on the build plate, allowing for ameliorate prints. Another do good of the enclosed fashion this printer sports is that it helps maintain the nozzle's temperatures and print bed much improve than an open printer does.

Something else worth noting that has come in handy with this printer is its ability to resume a print should the Adventurer 4 lose power. I alive in rural Kansas, and sudden power losses aren't uncommon. I had on more than than i occasion a impress in process and the power to my abode become out. In one case restored and I got the printer turned on, it asked whether I wanted to resume. I tapped yes, and it back to it as though nothing had happened.

Flashforge Adventurer four: What's not good

Flashforge Adventurer 4 Lifestyle Source: Chris Wedel / Windows Central

The Flashforge Adventurer 4 has a lot of fantastic things going for information technology, particularly for beginners. The possibilities are virtually countless for more experienced folks who are great at 3D modeling and tweaking all of the bachelor settings to accept full reward of this printer. However, even for someone like myself who is a novice to this hobby, some areas could be improved.

For instance, while information technology is great that the printer nozzles can be swapped out for more press options, the steps to do so are non well explained. Nor does the printer itself describe the full process for doing this. The safest way to change out the print head is to remove the filament from the machine. Then pre-rut the nozzle that's getting removed accept it out, use the unclogging tool to clear the nozzle of any remaining filament before it cools.

No tools are technically required to change out nozzles, but the knowledge of how to do it properly isn't provided with the machine.

Clipping in the new nozzle and inbound the temperature first that is noted on the nozzle bag into the Adventurer four is easy plenty. Just be certain you don't lose the bag. All that'southward needed side by side is to load your filament back in. While this isn't a terribly difficult procedure, it isn't explained and could be fabricated more manageable. Aside from illustrating the initial steps to clear the filament, it would be wonderful if the machine could autodetect the nozzle and make temperature adjustments as needed.

This extra feature would ensure that there'due south no confusion as to what the size and temperature allowances are for the installed nozzle. When the machine has connectivity and fail-safes for other parts of the press procedure — bed and nozzle temperature, improperly loaded filament, etc. — knowing what printer nozzle is in the machine should be ane.

Flashforge Adventurer 4 Lifestyle Source: Chris Wedel / Windows Central

Speaking of recognizing things, the Flashforge Adventurer four has a built-in camera. On the one hand, it's a fun feature to offering. Only on the other, the lighting conditions inside the printing surface area and the terrible camera itself mean that the images and video captured are basically useless.

Getting photos and videos from the printer can exist washed a few different ways — manually using a flash drive, through FlashPrint, and the two uniform cloud services — Polar Cloud and FlashCloud. No, this characteristic isn't a bargain-breaker every bit it doesn't touch on the quality of the prints. But, it does limit properly monitoring things remotely using what is congenital into the Charlatan 4.

The other office of using the Flashforge Adventurer 4 is the slicing software for prepping files to print. Don't go me wrong; it does a fine task. FlashPrint is straightforward, clean-looking, and easy to learn — well, aside from understanding some of the more advanced settings. But what I'd love to see are some bones tools available — things like a ruler for measuring parts other than the entire slice or fifty-fifty elementary 3D modeling options.

There potentially could be some other downfalls of the printer from a technical standpoint, but as I mentioned at the start of this review — I'm a newbie. I've been able to navigate using it and to produce a broad diversity of prints with piddling to no bug. Even so, I would like to see the quirks mentioned above addressed.

Flashforge Charlatan iv: Competition

Monoprice Voxel Source: Monoprice

Flashforge makes a lot of different printers and is known for its enclosed printers, like the Charlatan iii and the Creator Pro ii. Only other brands are making good-quality enclosed printers that may exist of interest, particularly if yous are just getting started and would like to save some money. One such printer is the Monoprice MP Voxel.

Firstly, this is quite a bit smaller than the Adventurer 4 and so is the print area that has a flexible and removable build plate. However, it is fully enclosed with Wi-Fi connectivity. It also offers quick-change nozzles that permit you to bandy them out to accommodate different filament types. Y'all won't find an car-leveling bed, though it does take assisted leveling and a built-in camera.

Neptune 2 Hero Shot Source: Windows Central

If you are looking for a large print surface area, slap-up print quality, and saving a lot of money over the Adventurer 4, and then the Elegoo Neptune 2 may be for you. It has the aforementioned build plate size as the Flashforge option, only it isn't magnetic or car-leveling. You'll find a heated bed and nozzle temperature options that allow for multiple filament options.

At $250, the impress quality is excellent. But at that toll, in that location are concessions like no net connectivity. And so you'll be adding your impress files manually via the microSD slot. This besides ways there'southward no photographic camera for keeping an eye on your prints. The Neptune 2 offers filament detection and power loss detection to go along its identify for resuming the print when power is restored.

Flashforge Adventurer 4: Should yous buy it?

Flashforge Adventurer 4 Lifestyle Source: Chris Wedel / Windows Fundamental

You should buy this if ...

You want a high-quality, fully enclosed printer.
Y'all desire a printer that requires very few adjustments to get-go printing.
You want easy-to-employ slicing software.
You desire a printer that can handle a wide variety of filament materials.

Y'all shouldn't purchase this if ...

You desire a printer that autodetects the nozzle specs
You want to monitor your prints remotely using the born camera clearly.
You desire a printer that tin can print multiple materials at the same fourth dimension.

While the Adventurer four isn't the cheapest printer on the market, it is a very good option for beginners. Thanks to the enclosed design of the machine, the printing area stays free of dust, temperatures are better regulated, and fumes are nearly not-existent. The high build quality and self-leveled build platform make this printer ready to get out of the box, aside from potentially needing to calibrate the nozzle.

But if you bandy nozzles, you lot will need to take on a fleck of effort since the motorcar won't autodetect the temperature rating for the new nozzle. While the poor camera quality shouldn't deter someone from picking upward the Adventurer 4, it is disappointing that it can't be better utilized for remotely monitoring prints.

Is the Flashforge Adventurer 4 a great printer for the experienced? Yep, but so are many others. What the Charlatan 4 offers straight away is the ability to begin printing with well-nigh no knowledge of the necessities to get started. Now, will the prints that I know how to create and arrange with my limited noesis using this printer win any awards? No. Merely could they if I took the time to learn the minutiae of this hobby and the printer? Yes.

I couldn't be happier with this printer. I have had far more than successful prints than I have failed. I've fumbled effectually in the settings after watching some videos online and from reading some tutorials and have managed to mess some things upwards. But, I was but as chop-chop able to get the Adventurer four back to its initial settings and return to making prints.

This printer has immune me to confidently enter into the 3D printing hobby. Being able to essentially get-go press correct out of the box while also expanding my knowledge and print quality. Plus, as fourth dimension goes on, the printer will only go better in what information technology can produce as my skills improve.

Flashforge Adventurer 4 Reco

Flashforge Charlatan 4

Bottom line: Whether you are looking to aggrandize your press capacity or get started in the hobby, the Adventurer 4 is a bang-up place to start, thanks to its fantabulous build quality and feature set.

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