Creality Ender-3 S1: problems, parts and running costs
Checked: 2026-10-24
Summary
Owners most often report a very sticky PC bed, a knob-driven non-touch screen with no Wi-Fi, a front fan that blocks the first-layer view, firmware that lacks Linear Advance and causes bulging corners, and stringing on stock retraction settings. Running cost is filament plus occasional nozzles and bed sheets, with no proprietary consumables, but no source prices them, so a yearly total is unknown. It is a strong buy at or below about $200 and poor value at the $329 compare-at price.
Common problems and fixes
- Knob-driven screen and no Wi-Fi — 4.3-inch color LCD with a rotary knob, no touchscreen and no Wi-Fi; control and file transfer run over SD card or USB. [4][6]
- Front cooling fan blocks first-layer view — the front-mounted parts-cooling fan obstructs the view of the first layer. [3]
- Firmware lacks Linear Advance — bulging corners on calibration cubes unless the printer is tuned or moved to Klipper. [5]
- Stringing on stock retraction — some filaments string with the stock retraction settings. [5]
- PTFE-lined hotend temperature limit — 260 °C maximum, with sustained use above about 240 °C degrading the tube; the S1 Pro is the variant with an all-metal hotend. [3][5][4]
- Real-world print speed below spec — owners report prints running slower than the 150 mm/s manufacturer figure. [7]
- Recessed Type-C connector — the board’s Type-C port is recessed, so not every cable fits. [5]
Parts and consumables
- Tools, nozzle cleaner and SD card — all ship in the box; owners clean rather than replace. [3][6]
Yearly running cost
Not enough data. [5][6] Measured power draw is about 8 W idle, 290 W heating and 80 W printing, but no electricity rate is given, so no yearly power cost can be computed. [5]
When it is a good buy
- At or below about $200: strong value — direct drive, auto leveling, dual Z, filament sensor, power-loss resume and a flexible bed in one package. [3][4][5][6]
- Between $200 and $300: still competitive against Anycubic Vyper and Prusa Mini-class machines. [4]
- Above about $300: value weakens, because the S1 lacks a touchscreen, Wi-Fi and an all-metal hotend, and newer printers (including Creality’s own V3 series) offer more features at similar money. [4][12]
- Creality US store listed the base S1 at $175.00 (sold out) against a $329.00 compare-at price, with bundle options at $185.00 and $235.00; at $175.00 it is a good buy if in stock, and at $329.00 it is poor value. [1]
- Newegg listed $89.40 in a 2022 deal widget cited by Tom’s Hardware; that was a 2022 deal price. [3]
- Named alternatives: the Ender-3 S1 Pro if you need an all-metal hotend for sustained temperatures above about 240 °C or want a touchscreen and LED; the Ender-3 S1 Plus if you need a larger build volume; Creality’s V3 series if you want more features at similar money. [4][12]