ELEGOO Neptune 4 Pro: A Speedy and Affordable 3D Printer

1. Overview of the ELEGOO Neptune 4 Pro 3D Printer

Many 3D printing enthusiasts are looking for a new 3D printer that can offer high-quality results at a reasonable price. They also want a printer that can print fast without sacrificing accuracy. If these are your criteria, then you might be interested in the Elegoo Neptune 4 Pro.

The Neptune 4 Pro Pro is a UV photocuring 3D printer that offers high precision and detailed prints. It comes with a 6.08-inch monochrome LCD screen with 2K resolution, allowing for clear and accurate previews of your models. The printer’s compact design and dual Z-axis ensure stability during printing, resulting in consistent and high-quality prints.

The Neptune 4 Pro is the upgraded version of the Neptune 4, which was a popular and reliable printer. The Neptune 4 Pro has some new features and improvements, such as a dual-gear direct drive extruder, a segmented heat bed, a four-fan cooling system, and a Klipper firmware that enhances the printer’s performance. In this article, we will provide a comprehensive review of the Elegoo Neptune 4 Pro and answer all the questions about the 3D printer that match your needs.

2. Key Features and Specifications

Let’s delve into the key features and specifications that make the Neptune 4 Pro stand out in the 3D printing market:

• Printing Technology: Utilizes UV photocuring technology for precise and detailed prints.
• Printing Volume: Offers a printing volume of 5.08 x 3.15 x 5.9 inches (129 x 80 x 150 mm).
• Layer Resolution: Provides a layer resolution ranging from 0.01mm to 0.2mm for smooth and detailed prints.
• Printing Speed: Offers efficient printing speeds, ensuring timely completion of your projects.
• Screen Type: Features a 6.08-inch monochrome LCD with 2K resolution for clear and detailed previews.
• Light Source: Uses a UV integrated light with a wavelength of 405nm for effective resin curing.
• Connectivity Options: Supports USB connectivity for seamless transfer of print files.
• Resin Compatibility: Compatible with a wide range of 405nm wavelength resin materials.
• Software Compatibility: Works with ChiTuBox slicing software for efficient slicing and customization of prints.
• Additional Features: Includes a dual Z-axis design for stability, an air filtration system for safety, and an easy-to-use interface.

The Elegoo Neptune 4 Pro has many specs and features that make it a versatile and powerful 3D printer. It has a decent build volume, a flexible print bed, a robust extruder and nozzle, a large cooling system, a Klipper firmware, a touchscreen, and multiple connectivity options. It also has some unique features, such as a segmented heat bed, a four-fan cooling system, and a very high print speed. The print quality and performance are also impressive, as the printer can print with various materials and handle complex geometries with minimal errors.

Specification	Detail
Print Volume	225 x 225 x 265 mm³
Max Printing Speed	500 mm/s
Heatbed	Intelligent Segmented Heatbed
Auto Bed Leveling	121 (11 x 11) Points
High-Temp Nozzle	Up To 300 °C
Supported Filaments	PLA/TPU/PETG/ABS/ASA/Nylon
Transfer Methods	USB/LAN
Extruder	Dual-Gear Direct Drive
Firmware	Pre-installed Klipper Firmware
Product Dimensions	17.5″D x 18.7″W x 20.3″H
Item Weight	19.6 Pounds
Price	$359.99
Processor	ARM 64-bit 1.5G main frequency quad-core
Cooling System	2 thickened double-sided 4015 ball bearing cooling fans and 4×4020 ball bearing blower fans
Guide Rails	Robust all-metal guide rails with U-shaped steel wheels

As you can see, the Elegoo Neptune 4 Pro has a lot to offer for its price. It has a decent build volume of 225 x 225 x 265 mm, which is slightly smaller than the Neptune 4, but still sufficient for most projects. The print bed is made of a flexible spring steel sheet with a PEI coating, which means you can easily remove your prints without using any tools or glue. The print bed also has two heating zones, which means you can heat only the center area for smaller prints and save energy. The print bed can reach a maximum temperature of 110 °C, which is suitable for printing materials like ABS and PETG.

The extruder is one of its best features. It is a dual-gear direct drive extruder, which means it has two gears that grip the filament and push it directly into the hotend. This reduces the risk of clogging, jamming, and filament slipping and allows better control of retraction and extrusion. The extruder can handle a wide range of filaments, including PLA, ABS, PETG, TPU, and Nylon. The extruder can also reach a maximum temperature of 300 °C, which is higher than most FDM 3D printers and enables printing with more exotic materials.

The hotend of the Neptune 4 Pro is equipped with a new design of nozzles, which have a higher flow rate and better heat dissipation. These nozzles are different from the standard V6 or MK8 nozzles, so you’ll need to buy compatible ones from Elegoo or other sellers. The Neptune 4 Pro comes with two spare 0.4 mm brass nozzles, but you can also get hardened steel nozzles for printing abrasive materials like carbon fiber.

The cooling system of the Neptune 4 Pro is one of its most distinctive features. It has a large fan system on the x-axis, which has four fans that blow air directly onto the printed layer. This helps to cool down the filament quickly and prevent warping, sagging, and stringing. The cooling system also has an on/off switch, so you can adjust it according to your needs. The cooling system is quite loud, though, so you might want to turn it off if you are printing in a quiet environment.

The firmware is another major improvement over the Neptune 4. It uses Klipper, which is an open-source firmware that runs on a Raspberry Pi-like board and communicates with the printer via USB. Klipper has many advantages over the traditional Marlin firmware, such as faster and smoother printing, better accuracy, more customization, and easier updates. Klipper also has some advanced features, such as input shaping and pressure advance, which compensate for the vibrations and pressure changes in the extruder and improve the print quality at high speeds.

The touchscreen of the Neptune 4 Pro is a 4.3-inch color LCD that is responsive and easy to use. It has a magnetic holder, so you can detach it and move it around. The touchscreen has a simple and intuitive menu that lets you control the printer settings, start, and pause prints, and monitor the printing progress. The touchscreen also shows the IP address of the printer, which you can use to connect to the Klipper web interface on your computer. The web interface allows you to access more settings, upload and manage files, and send commands to the printer.

The connectivity is quite versatile. It has a USB port, a micro-SD card slot, a USB type-C port, and an RJ45 ethernet port. You can use any of these methods to transfer files to the printer and start printing. The ethernet port also lets you connect the printer to your network and access the Klipper web interface. Unfortunately, there is no Wi-Fi option, but you can use a USB Wi-Fi dongle to add wireless connectivity.

3. Setup and Calibration of the Elegoo Neptune 4 Pro

The Elegoo Neptune 4 Pro is easy to set up and calibrate. It comes partially pre-assembled, and you only need to attach the gantry to the base, mount the extruder and the fan system to the x-axis, screw on the touchscreen, and connect all the cables. The setup process takes about 15 to 20 minutes, and you can follow the instructions in the user guide or the official video. The user guide and other files are included on the USB stick, but you can also download them from the Elegoo website.

The calibration of the Neptune 4 Pro is also straightforward. It involves manual rough leveling and fine automatic leveling. The manual leveling is done by adjusting the four screws under the print bed, while the automatic leveling is done by using the sensor on the print head, which measures the distance to the print bed at several points. The automatic leveling data is used to compensate for the tilt of the print bed during printing. You can access the leveling options from the touchscreen menu.

Another calibration that you might want to do is the PID tuning, which optimizes the temperature control of the extruder. This can improve the print quality and prevent temperature fluctuations. You can do the PID tuning by using the Klipper web interface and sending some commands to the printer. You can find the instructions for the PID tuning in the user guide or online.

4. Print Quality and Performance of the Elegoo Neptune 4 Pro

The Elegoo Neptune 4 Pro delivers excellent print quality and performance. It can print at very high speeds of up to 500 mm/s, but the recommended speed is 250 mm/s, which is still much faster than most FDM 3D printers. The print quality is also very good, as the printer can handle complex geometries, fine details, overhangs, bridges, and supports with minimal errors. The printer can also print with various materials, including flexible and abrasive ones, thanks to the dual-gear extruder and the high-temperature nozzle.

We tested the Elegoo Neptune 4 Pro with several models, using the Elegoo Cura slicer software and the default settings. The results were impressive, as the printer produced smooth and accurate prints with good layer adhesion, sharp corners, and clean edges. The printer also handled the supports well, as they were easy to remove and left minimal marks on the surface. The printer also printed well with different colors and types of PLA, such as marble and wood.

Here are some examples of the models we printed with the Elegoo Neptune 4 Pro:

• A rapid 3DBenchy test print, which took only 18 minutes and came out with good details and no major flaws. This is a great way to test the printer’s speed and quality, and the Neptune 4 Pro passed with flying colors.
• The Kickstarter/Autodesk test model, which tested the printer’s ability to print bridges, overhangs, tolerances, and more. The printer completed the test in 2 hours and produced a decent print with some minor stringing. This is a good way to test the printer’s accuracy and cooling, and the Neptune 4 Pro did a good job.
• Fin Vases Square, which we printed with dual-color PLA and spiralize mode. The printer finished the print in 1 hour and 20 minutes and created a beautiful and smooth vase. This is a good way to test the printer’s dual-color printing and vase mode, and the Neptune 4 Pro nailed it.
• We also tested Safe from the rain artwork, which had a lot of strings and bridges. The printer printed the model in 3 hours and achieved an astonishing result, despite some strings being very fragile. This is a good way to test the printer’s stringing and bridging, and the Neptune 4 Pro impressed us.
• The string biplane is an another challenging model with a lot of strings and curves. The printer printed the model in 2 hours and 40 minutes and produced a good print with some minor stringing and cooling issues. This is a good way to test the printer’s curves and angles, and the Neptune 4 Pro did well.
• Our final test was the print-in-place phoenix, we printed this model with a raft for better adhesion. The printer printed the model in 4 hours and 40 minutes and created a flexible and articulated bird. This is a good way to test the printer’s print-in-place and raft printing, and the Neptune 4 Pro amazed us.

Overall, we were very satisfied with the print quality and performance of the Elegoo Neptune 4 Pro. It can print fast and well, and it can handle a variety of models and materials. Of course, there is always room for improvement, and you can fine-tune the slicer settings and the Klipper firmware to get even better results. You can also try different slicers, such as Simplify3D or PrusaSlicer, to see if they work better for your needs.

5. Pros and Cons

6. Conclusion: Enhance Your 3D Printing Journey

The Elegoo Neptune 4 Pro is a great FDM 3D printer that offers a lot of value for its price. It has many features that make it easy to use and versatile, such as a flexible print bed, a touchscreen, a filament sensor, a dual-gear extruder, and a Klipper firmware. It also has some features that make it stand out from the crowd, such as a segmented heat bed, a four-fan cooling system, and a very high print speed. The print quality and performance are also impressive, as the printer can print with various materials and handle complex geometries with minimal errors.

However, the Elegoo Neptune 4 Pro also has some minor limitations that you should be aware of. The main one is that the printer is very loud when the layer cooling is on, which can be annoying if you are printing in a quiet environment. Another one is that the printer uses custom nozzles, which are not compatible with the standard V6 or MK8 nozzles, and are not widely available yet. You might also need to do some maintenance on the metal rails and wheels, as they can wear out over time. Finally, the printer does not have Wi-Fi connectivity, which would be more convenient than using an ethernet cable.

To sum up, the Elegoo Neptune 4 Pro is a fast and affordable FDM 3D printer that can print well with various materials and models. It has some minor flaws, but they can be overlooked or fixed with some tweaks. If you are looking for a budget-friendly 3D printer that can print at very high speeds without compromising quality, you might want to check out the Elegoo Neptune 4 Pro. We hope you enjoyed this review and found it helpful. Happy printing!

7. FAQ: Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Is the ELEGOO Neptune 4 Pro suitable for beginners?

A: Yes, the Neptune 4 Pro’s user-friendly interface and easy setup make it an excellent choice for beginners entering the world of 3D printing.

Q: What makes the Neptune 4 Pro different from the Neptune 4?

A: The Neptune 4 Pro is the upgraded version of the Neptune 4, which was already a great 3D printer. The Neptune 4 Pro has some new features and improvements that make it even better, such as:

• A dual-gear direct drive extruder that provides more precise and stable extrusion, and allows you to print with a wider range of materials, including flexible filaments.
• A segmented heat bed that heats up faster and more evenly, and can be easily replaced if damaged.
• A four-fan cooling system that ensures optimal cooling for the hotend, the extruder, and the printed model, and reduces the risk of clogging and overheating.
• A Klipper firmware that enhances the printer’s performance by offloading the complex calculations to a computer, and allows you to customize the printer’s settings via a web interface.

Q: How do I install and update the Klipper firmware on the Neptune 4 Pro?

A: The Klipper firmware is pre-installed on the printer, and you can access it from the touchscreen or the web interface. To update the firmware, you need to connect the printer to your computer via USB and follow the instructions in the user guide or online. Updating the firmware will improve the printer’s stability and functionality, and fix any bugs or issues.

Q: Where can I buy the custom nozzles for the Neptune 4 Pro?

A: The custom nozzles are different from the standard V6 or MK8 nozzles, and they are not widely available yet. You can buy them from Elegoo’s official website or other sellers. The printer comes with two spare 0.4 mm brass nozzles, but you can also get hardened steel nozzles for printing abrasive materials. The custom nozzles are easy to install and change, and they will improve the print quality and durability.

Q: How do I reduce the noise of the cooling fans on the Neptune 4 Pro?

A: The cooling fans on the x-axis of the printer are very loud when they are on, which can be annoying if you are printing in a quiet environment. You can turn them off or lower their speed from the touchscreen menu, but this might affect the print quality and cooling. You can also try to replace them with quieter fans or use a silencer board. Alternatively, you can wear earplugs or headphones to block out the noise.

Q: How do I add Wi-Fi connectivity to the Neptune 4 Pro?

A: The printer does not have Wi-Fi connectivity, which would be more convenient than using an ethernet cable. You can use a USB Wi-Fi dongle to add wireless connectivity, but you might need to adjust some settings in the Klipper firmware. You can find the instructions for this online or contact Elegoo’s customer service. Once you have Wi-Fi connectivity, you can control the printer from your smartphone or tablet, and monitor the printing process remotely.

Q: How do I clean and maintain the Neptune 4 Pro?

A: The printer is easy to clean and maintain, and it will last longer if you take good care of it. Here are some tips for keeping your printer in good shape:

• Clean the nozzle regularly with a needle or a wire brush, and use the cold pull method to remove any clogs or residues.
• Clean the bed with alcohol or acetone after each print, and remove any stuck filament or glue with a scraper or a spatula.
• Lubricate the rods and the bearings with a few drops of oil every month, and check the belt tension and the screws for any looseness or wear.
• Store the filament in a dry and cool place, and use a desiccant or a dryer to remove any moisture.
• Keep the printer away from direct sunlight, dust, and humidity, and cover it with a cloth or a cover when not in use.