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The Ender 3 V3 SE is a solid starter 3D printer that can produce nice prints and is easy to set up, making it a practical way to learn the hobby. The refurbished listing is cushioned by eBay's one year warranty, free returns, and free shipping. The main drawback is that Creality refurb units can arrive more like open box than fully refreshed, and this model is basic compared with nearby options that add WiFi, touchscreen controls, faster printing, or cloud support for only a little more. A decent low cost entry point if the tradeoffs fit your setup.
tinkerers who are okay learning on a basic machine and potentially swapping parts because one owner said it's a great starter printer to learn on, but their unit died with a temperature-too-low nozzle error and they discussed replacing the hotend as a fix.
people who are brand-new to 3D printing and want an easy setup for simple projects because one novice said it was easy to set up and use and they were able to print random toys for the kids.
buyers who want a low-risk way to try a certified refurbished printer because eBay certified refurbished listings include a 1-year warranty plus free returns within 30 days and free shipping.
people comparing against close-priced Creality alternatives who want faster, more modern features because multiple commenters said the V3 SE is very basic (no WiFi/touchscreen/USB, slower printing) and is hard to recommend when the KE/Hi/K1 options are only a little more.
people who specifically want a "true refurb" condition because community members warned that Creality's refurbished site can arrive more like open-box than properly refurbished.
buyers who need reliable connectivity like WiFi because commenters noted the V3 SE can't connect directly to a computer and that could be a problem if you don't have WiFi (hardwired internet only).
The V3 SE is a basic printer, and several nearby options are called out as better value for only a little more money, including the V3 KE, Hi, and K1 SE. Those alternatives add features like faster printing, WiFi/networking, touchscreens, and in some cases larger build volume or a 2-year warranty.
The refurb store is described as a risk because units can arrive in less-than-refurbished condition, sometimes closer to open-box or used. The upside is that eBay certified refurbished includes a 1-year warranty and free 30-day returns with free shipping, which can reduce the downside.
No WiFi is mentioned for the V3 SE, and it cannot connect directly to a computer. Files are loaded by SD card, which can be a drawback if you do not have wireless networking available.
Yes, it is described as a good starter printer that is easy to set up and use, even for a total novice. It has been used successfully for learning 3D printing and for simple projects like toys and kids' items.
I would go with either the Hi or the KE for that little bit more that gives you cloud printing support.
I have the KE and it is honestly fantastic, but good god it's loud. Printing fast on a bed slinger comes at a noise premium. Built an enclosure and it barely helped lol. That being said I've been very impressed with its results. Web ui looks jank but works fine. I didn't bind the Creality cloud or whatever.
I had this printer and really liked it. Great starter printer and a nice way to learn. Having said that, mine died with a temperature too low error on the nozzle which I could not fix. For a $100 fun to play with.
I had this printer and really liked it. Great starter printer and a nice way to learn. Having said that, mine died with a temperature too low error on the nozzle which I could not fix. For a $100 fun to play with.
Sounds like the Thermistor either has shifted / worked loose from the heater block, possible to buy a replacement but it might be easier to just swap out the entire hotend. About a 15 to 20 dollar replacement for the entire hotend.
They're a pain to make ones that actually work, let alone work reliably. Machinists with their lathes and milling machines have an easier time with that sort of application.
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They're a pain to make ones that actually work, let alone work reliably. Machinists with their lathes and milling machines have an easier time with that sort of application.
That's what they want you to think, but it isn't true.
Don't use those ridiculous scare terms. They are "privately made firearms", and people have been privately making firearms since before this country even existed.
I agree with the risk TokenSid mentioned. A lot of people have reported getting printers in less than "refurbished" shape from Creality's refurb site. I will say my two experiences were positive but not "Apple refurb". Early last year I bought an Ender 3 S1 Pro "for parts". It was new, unopened. I recently held my breath and bought a K1 max. It was in good condition. While it was clear someone had taken the thing out, it still had most of the protective plastic in place, including on the camera. The platform didn't have it's transportation screws in place. The build plate had a few light scratch/rub marks. They don't affect function but you will see them on the bottom of the print. All the tools and the 1kg of included filament were there and unused. Unlike Apple refurb which looks basically new, this was clearly opened and used. I would have classified it as open box. Ideally I would want "refurb" to be an obviously used parts are replaced.
The V3 SE can do nice prints but it has a few strikes against it. A minor thing is the cooling fan could be better. You may see surface differences depend on if the side of the print is facing the air outlets. This is ultimately a rather small issue and most may never notice.
As for the V3 SE itself, it's a good printer but I have trouble recommending it when other better options are so close in price. At this price two years back we would be singing about how great this deal is. I would say this is a great $100 printer if it was this or others at MSRP. But, there are so many other better printers for only a bit more.
From the same Creality refurb store you have:
*V3 KE for less than $10 more. It's got a linear rail on the X axis (better long term wear vs the V wheels of the SE), prints a fair bit faster (perhaps 30% reduction in print times?), can be networked, has input shaping (but lacks an accelerometer for better tuning - can be added), comes with a PEI build plate vs the PC of the SE. It also runs Klipper vs Marlin which offers more control and can use a USB stick vs SD card for loading files... assuming you don't run over the network. The KE also supports hotter temperatures which can allow for more material types. However, being an open printer it's not the best choice for those materials. Anyway, the KE for less than $10 more would totally kill the SE for me.
*The V3 (no suffix) at $127, is even better as it's yet faster and largely the same advantages of the KE but adds an accelerometer for better input shaping (resulting in faster speeds).
The next step up is the "Hi" for $135. It's got a Bambu sized build volume (a bit more than 250x250) and fast print speeds (likely similar to the V3 (no suffix). It also supports adding a multi-material unit for color printing.
For just a bit more than that you have the K1SE ($148). It's a Core XY printer and one of the fastest consumer 3D printers. It's build volume is the same as the SE (220x220) but the footprint is likely smaller. While early K1 family printers had some issues, those appear to have been addressed in the later models that you are likely to get here.
If more aggressive filaments (hotter print temps) are in your future then we have the K1 for $167. It's the SE + enclosure and additional cooling fan.
There is also the Flashforge 5M form AliExpress for $167. I think several people have had trouble getting the purchase to go through but if they deliver, the 5M is a great printer for that price and you would be talking about a new printer, not used. My 5M is great. Core XY, not enclosed but a DIY enclosure kit could be done for under $30 (if you deal hunt).
So I went from a $95 printer to ~$170. That's not a insignificant price jump, especially if you are on a tight budget. If this were tight budget me and you are willing to risk the refurb, I would probably got for the Hi. If the budget is super tight, go for the KE. I feel like the PEI build plate alone (an upgrade I felt was all but mandatory) was $15 thus the full price difference.
It is but I don't recommend it given other options that are close in price. I would suggest the KE for less than $10 more or the Hi for about $40 more or the Flashfordge 5M for about $70 more. See my post above.
got one of these last year to try out 3d printing as a total novice. it was easy to set up and use! ive used it for random toys and stuff for the kids
I made a video of setup and first print here: https://youtu.be/-h5UwDoz8h4
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Don't buy from their refurbished site. You are taking a risk
eBay gives you a 1 year warranty for all certified refurbished products. That's more then the 90 day warranty that many new products have. Plus eBay gives you free returns with free shipping within 30 days. In other words, it doesn't seem very risky to buy this.
Last edited by SkillfulPiranha7944 November 25, 2025 at 08:11 AM.
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Community Reviews
The Ender 3 V3 SE is a solid starter 3D printer that can produce nice prints and is easy to set up, making it a practical way to learn the hobby. The refurbished listing is cushioned by eBay's one year warranty, free returns, and free shipping. The main drawback is that Creality refurb units can arrive more like open box than fully refreshed, and this model is basic compared with nearby options that add WiFi, touchscreen controls, faster printing, or cloud support for only a little more. A decent low cost entry point if the tradeoffs fit your setup.
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The V3 SE can do nice prints but it has a few strikes against it. A minor thing is the cooling fan could be better. You may see surface differences depend on if the side of the print is facing the air outlets. This is ultimately a rather small issue and most may never notice.
As for the V3 SE itself, it's a good printer but I have trouble recommending it when other better options are so close in price. At this price two years back we would be singing about how great this deal is. I would say this is a great $100 printer if it was this or others at MSRP. But, there are so many other better printers for only a bit more.
From the same Creality refurb store you have:
*V3 KE for less than $10 more. It's got a linear rail on the X axis (better long term wear vs the V wheels of the SE), prints a fair bit faster (perhaps 30% reduction in print times?), can be networked, has input shaping (but lacks an accelerometer for better tuning - can be added), comes with a PEI build plate vs the PC of the SE. It also runs Klipper vs Marlin which offers more control and can use a USB stick vs SD card for loading files... assuming you don't run over the network. The KE also supports hotter temperatures which can allow for more material types. However, being an open printer it's not the best choice for those materials. Anyway, the KE for less than $10 more would totally kill the SE for me.
*The V3 (no suffix) at $127, is even better as it's yet faster and largely the same advantages of the KE but adds an accelerometer for better input shaping (resulting in faster speeds).
The next step up is the "Hi" for $135. It's got a Bambu sized build volume (a bit more than 250x250) and fast print speeds (likely similar to the V3 (no suffix). It also supports adding a multi-material unit for color printing.
For just a bit more than that you have the K1SE ($148). It's a Core XY printer and one of the fastest consumer 3D printers. It's build volume is the same as the SE (220x220) but the footprint is likely smaller. While early K1 family printers had some issues, those appear to have been addressed in the later models that you are likely to get here.
If more aggressive filaments (hotter print temps) are in your future then we have the K1 for $167. It's the SE + enclosure and additional cooling fan.
There is also the Flashforge 5M form AliExpress for $167. I think several people have had trouble getting the purchase to go through but if they deliver, the 5M is a great printer for that price and you would be talking about a new printer, not used. My 5M is great. Core XY, not enclosed but a DIY enclosure kit could be done for under $30 (if you deal hunt).
So I went from a $95 printer to ~$170. That's not a insignificant price jump, especially if you are on a tight budget. If this were tight budget me and you are willing to risk the refurb, I would probably got for the Hi. If the budget is super tight, go for the KE. I feel like the PEI build plate alone (an upgrade I felt was all but mandatory) was $15 thus the full price difference.
I made a video of setup and first print here:
https://youtu.be/-h5UwDoz8h4
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