TechRadar Verdict
Again Creality impresses with an outstanding machine.
This is well-built, packed with features, and ultimately produces outstanding prints.
Everything about these new printers leaps forward from the previous generation.
I think it’s one of the best-looking printers out there.
Its integration, as you’d expect with Creality, is superb.
Simply plug in the multifilament box, and you have four-filament printing.
And you have to say, it’s really easy to use.
Creality has really refined the Creality Slicer software, which is based on the superb PrusaSlicer.
However, at this speed, the quality does drop.
However, it is the multifilament printing that is really exciting, and this is where it truly excels.
Whilst the print speeds are greatly extended, they are actually faster than many other multifilament printers.
Overall, the print quality is exceptionally good, matching and slightly surpassing that of the K1 series.
The K2 Plus certainly sets a very decent precedent for the new range of printers that will inevitably follow.
There have been some major changes, such as the top of the machine being completely redesigned.
Placing the screen at eye level rather than lower down makes it easier to see in the studio.
But the biggest change is, of course, in the Combo version with the multifilament module.
This sits on top of the printer itself, and what Creality has done here is really nice.
This shows that Creality is really aiming this at higher-end design studios and education.
Then there’s the new stepper motor system, which offers fast and quiet stepper motors.
There’s also a new extruder coupled with an easy-to-swap hot end, making maintenance nice and easy.
The hardware is really quite advanced.
Hence, the ability to very quickly remove and replace a nozzle is essential.
We have dual AI cameras that can smartly adjust the flow rate and alert the machine to any failures.
When it comes to scale, this is a large-format printer.
This helps ensure longevity for the machine, especially one that prints at such high speed.
For traditional printers, this wasn’t too much of an issue.
The tool head is where much of this new technology comes into play.
First and foremost, you have the dual-gear extrusion, which gives it multifilament compatibility.
Then, a filament cutter is incorporated into the tool head.
For starters, there’s now a new thermal system with hot-end, chamber, and heat-bed temperature sensors.
Then there’s the motion system, with the stepper servo, Z-axis photoelectric levelling, and vibration sensor.
The extrusion system also has an RFID tag reader, runout sensor, filament cutter, and vibration sensor.
Two further additions to the technology include pressure advance tuning and flow rate calibration.
These can be used with a tester to optimise the printer for different materials.
Alongside the printer, there’s the workflow.
There really is nothing that significantly challenges the K2 Plus’s single-filament print function.
Otherwise, it handled bridging and overhangs exceptionally well.
Likewise, the filament runout sensor worked exceptionally well.
However, this machine is going to find wider appeal, not just because of its large print area.
Although this will appeal to enthusiasts, it is really aimed at the professional and educational markets.
Should You Buy the Creality K2 Plus?
You need up to 16 filaments.
Don’t buy it if…
You’re limited on the workspace.
You want multifilament at a speed.
Whilst the speed of multifilament printing is better than most, it is still relatively slow.
So, if you want fast multifilament printing, look for a multitool 3D printer.
For more units, I’ve also tested out thebest 3D printers for miniaturesand thebest hobby 3D printers.
