Purchased by me
This is the open-frame, Core XY version of Flashforge’s 5M. The 5M is quick, it has a touchscreen, and it prints over Wi-Fi, wired, or USB. After 9 months it’s been a lot of fun for me, with a real learning curve and a couple of things I’d want you to know before your first print.
Flashforge Adventurer 5M 3D Printer
The verdict
Buy it if
you want a fast, affordable Core XY printer and you don’t need the enclosure or camera.
Skip it if
you print in a cold garage in winter, or you’d rather have the enclosure and camera of the 5M Pro.
What’s good
- Very fast printer with a full touchscreen on the front. The 5M feels thoughtfully designed.
- Prints over Wi-Fi, a wired network connection, or a USB flash drive.
- Auto bed leveling at the start of every print keeps the plate in a good spot.
- Firmware updates have added features and made the network noticeably more stable.
The catch
- Real learning curve. You have to install the screen yourself and load filament before the first print.
- It struggles a bit when the room gets cold, so a garage in winter isn’t ideal.
What it is
A no-frills, Core XY 3D printer with a full touchscreen on the front. The 5M is fast, and you send models to it over Wi-Fi, a wired network connection, or a USB flash drive. You’ll need a computer running Flashforge’s Orca Slicer software. There’s a bit of assembly, including installing the screen, and it takes a few minutes to set up.
What I found using it
It prints fast and it feels designed with some thought. The firmware and slicer updates have added features and made the network more stable than ever. I’d get quality PLA to start, since the included filament isn’t enough, and I’d swap the included build plate for a Cryogrip plate right away. The 5M holds models better while printing, gives a nicer first layer, and keeps you from ending up with spaghetti messes.
The catches are mostly learning-curve stuff. You have to install the screen, you need to load filament before your first print, and it doesn’t start extruding the second you hit print. It heats the extruder and levels the corners first. The 5M also struggles a little when the room gets cold, so it won’t do as well in a garage in winter as it does the rest of the year.
Who I’d tell to buy it
I’d get the 5M if you want a fast, affordable printer and you’re fine with a learning curve. If you can stretch the budget, I’d point you to the 5M Pro for the enclosure, camera, and air filter. The standard 5M is still a great, fun printer, just not quite as nice.
How it did in testing
This is 9 months of real use, not a lab test. No scores, just what actually happened.
The main thing to expect is a bit of setup time and a couple of quirks before your first print goes smoothly.
| Test | What happened | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Print speed | Printed fast thanks to the Core XY design. | One of its strengths. |
| Network printing | Sent files over Wi-Fi, wired, and by USB drive. | More stable after updates. |
| Cold rooms | Struggled a little at lower temperatures. | Not great in a winter garage. |
| Starting a print | Heated the extruder and leveled before extruding. | Takes a moment, that’s normal. |
Living with it
After 9 months I’ve had a lot of fun with the 5M. It prints fast, the touchscreen is good, and the updates have made it more reliable over time. I made a battery tray and a little combine model with it, and it’s a solid way to get into 3D printing.
A few things to plan for though. Get quality PLA to experiment with, since the included bit isn’t much, and swap the stock plate for a Cryogrip plate to avoid spaghetti messes and get a better first layer. It also doesn’t extrude the instant you hit start, and you need to load filament before the first print. If you can stretch, the 5M Pro adds the enclosure, camera, and filter.
