The Creality CR-5 Pro 3D Printer review provides comprehensive information on a fully or semi-enclosed FDM 3D printer designed for users seeking a large build volume and enhanced stability compared to open-frame models. It comes largely pre-assembled, offering a more direct out-of-box printing experience. The CR-5 Pro has a standard version (Max Nozzle Temp 250∘C) and a High-Temp (H) version (Max Nozzle Temp 300∘C) for printing more demanding materials.
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Key Features and Specifications
The CR-5 Pro is built with an all-metal frame and often features a semi-enclosed or fully enclosed design (especially the Pro H version) for improved temperature stability.
Core Specifications
- Technology: Fused Deposition Modeling (FDM)
- Build Volume: 300×225×380 mm (Large Volume)
- Frame: All-Metal, Enclosed/Semi-Enclosed
- Extruder System: Single Bowden-type Extruder (some sources mention direct-drive but the primary is Bowden)
- Nozzle Diameter: 0.4 mm (Standard)
- Filament Diameter: 1.75 mm
- Printing Accuracy: ±0.1 mm
- Layer Thickness: 0.1 mm−0.4 mm
- Connectivity: SD Card, USB
Notable Features
- Hotend Temperature: Up to 250∘C (CR-5 Pro) or 300∘C (CR-5 Pro H) for wider material compatibility.
- Heated Bed: Carbon Crystal Silica Glass print bed, max 100∘C. Known for strong adhesion when hot and easy removal when cool.
- Silent Operation: Equipped with a silent motherboard and TMC2208 ultra-quiet drivers.
- Quality of Life:
- Filament Runout Sensor: Pauses print when filament is depleted.
- Resume Printing Function: Allows continuation after a power outage.
- 4.3-inch Color Touchscreen for intuitive operation.
- Controllable LED Lights inside the enclosure.
Your Desktop Workhorse to Achieve Industrial Production with Ease
CR-5 PRO boosts confidence to unlock demanding applications with a wider range of materials and to deliver exacting quality results for all professionals and consumers. Turn your complicated workload into a simplified workflow.
Stability Enhanced with Firm Structure
Structural stability guaranteed by the sheet metal chamber body and the imported American Gates belt, less wobbling and higher stability during printing.
Large Print Size
Within the print volume of 300×225×380mm, more creative ideas will turn into reality and become creations.
Machine size 530×487×612mm
Print size 300×225×380mm
Performance Strengthened by Industrial-grade Components
ATMEGA2560 master chip ensures high reliability/smooth motion/precise voltage control/effective heat dissipation.
Safety Guaranteed with Branded Power Supply
The 24V/350W branded power supply supports voltage adjustment between 115V and 230V, promoting rapid heating while ensuring electric safety.
Trust in Newly Designed Nozzle
Newly designed Bowden extruder for feeding in filaments smoothly and steadily. The powerful cooling fan will significantly enhance heat dissipation, resulting in a smoother print surface.
More Material Choices
Nozzle temperature up to 250°C and hotbed temperature up to 100 °C. The enclosed chamber structure will help maintain a higher interior printing temperature for more material applications.
Exact Accuracy on Prints
Equipped with a precise transmission system, the CR-5 Pro achieves a layer resolution of 100 microns and ensures XY axis position precision of 0.012mm.
Filament runout sensor
The sensor ensures a higher printing success ratio.
Resume printing function
It allows prints to continue printing from where it stops.
Pros and Cons of Creality CR-5 Pro
Product Overview and Design Philosophy
The Creality CR-5 Pro was introduced as a “prosumer” machine, bridging the gap between hobbyist open-frame printers and expensive industrial units. Its defining characteristic is the rigid, fully or semi-enclosed structure, which significantly enhances print reliability, especially with temperature-sensitive filaments.
Core Specifications
The Creality CR-5 Pro utilizes Fused Deposition Modeling (FDM) technology to achieve a generous Build Volume of 300×225×380 mm. It is built on an all-metal, enclosed/semi-enclosed white chassis using Cartesian (Makerbot-based) kinematics with cylindrical guides for movement. The standard CR-5 Pro has a Maximum Nozzle Temperature of 250∘C, while the High-Temp (‘H’) version reaches 300∘C, with a Maximum Bed Temperature of 100∘C on its Carbon Crystal Silica Glass Platform. The internal electronics are based on an older 8-bit ATMEGA2560 Mainboard, though it features quiet TMC2208 Silent Drivers. Users interact with the machine via a 4.3-inch Color Touchscreen (Resistive). The overall machine dimensions are 530×487×612 mm.
Key Features for Reliability
- Enclosed Chamber: Provides a more stable thermal environment, crucial for minimizing warping and layer separation when printing ABS, ASA, or Nylon.
- Silent Drivers: The inclusion of TMC2208 stepper drivers makes the machine significantly quieter than many older models, suitable for office or classroom settings.
- Dual-Gear Bowden Extruder: Utilizes a dual-gear mechanism to enhance grip and ensure more consistent filament feeding compared to single-gear setups.
- Safety & Recovery: Includes a Filament Runout Sensor and Resume Printing Function to prevent print failure from material depletion or power loss.
All for Your Convenience
Improved user experience with new add-ons.
CONTROLABLE LED LIGHTS
Built-in LED light for both night illumination and print process reminder.
EASY TO USE
4.3-inch color touch screen/Simple user interface/On-screen operation guide.
Performance and Material Compatibility
The CR-5 Pro’s performance centers on stability and material versatility, particularly with the High-Temp variant.
Material Capability Matrix
The CR-5 Pro handles common filaments like PLA and PETG with Excellent results in both the standard (250∘C) and High-Temp (300∘C) versions. When printing ABS and ASA, the standard version achieves Good results but relies heavily on the enclosure, while the High-Temp version is rated Excellent due to its better thermal support. Flexible materials like TPU are rated as Fair to Poor on both versions because the Bowden extrusion system makes printing them challenging. Finally, engineering materials such as Nylon and Polycarbonate (PC) are Not Recommended for the standard version but are rated Good for the CR-5 Pro H, as they require the 300∘C hotend and stable chamber provided by the ‘H’ model.
Print Quality and Speed
- Quality: Due to its robust, high-mass frame and stabilized mechanics (Makerbot-style motion), the CR-5 Pro is capable of high-quality, dimensionally accurate parts with minimal ringing or ghosting, especially at moderate speeds.
- Speed: The 8-bit mainboard and Cartesian motion system limit its maximum functional print speed. It operates reliably at standard speeds (≈60−100 mm/s). This is significantly slower than modern CoreXY printers (often >250 mm/s), making it unsuitable for high-volume rapid production.
Intelligent Design
Current Relevance and Alternatives
The CR-5 Pro is an older model but still holds value for specific user profiles due to its inherent stability and enclosure.
Market Positioning and Value
The CR-5 Pro is best suited for Prosumers, small workshops, or educators who need reliable, large-volume prints with engineering materials. Its primary advantage is its structural stability for tall prints and thermal management for materials like ABS/Nylon. However, a key drawback is its lack of modern features, such as high-speed printing, 32-bit electronics, Klipper firmware (stock), and native Wi-Fi/Cloud connectivity, which requires the optional Creality Wi-Fi Box.
Comparison to Modern Alternatives
When compared to a modern large-volume printer, such as an Anycubic Kobra 2 Max, the differences are clear. The CR-5 Pro uses an older Cartesian motion system, while newer printers often use highly-tuned Cartesian or CoreXY. The CR-5 Pro’s maximum print speed is relatively slow at ≈100 mm/s, whereas modern alternatives can reach >250 mm/s (often 500+ mm/s). For bed leveling, the CR-5 Pro typically uses a BLTouch (on the Pro H version), which is surpassed by the Fully Automatic, High-Precision Sensing found in newer models. The CR-5 Pro’s 8-bit electronics are outdated compared to the 32-bit (High-Performance) and Klipper Ready boards in modern printers. Both types of printers offer High material strength, as modern machines often include Direct Drive and 300∘C hotends, while the CR-5 Pro’s strength comes from its excellent high-temp enclosure.
Recommended Upgrades and Modifications
For users purchasing a used or older CR-5 Pro who want to improve its performance, common upgrades focus on modernization and speed: 1. Mainboard Upgrade to a modern 32-bit board to enable Klipper for higher speed; 2. Hotend Upgrade to an all-metal, high-flow version to increase volumetric flow rate; 3. Extruder Conversion to a Direct Drive Extruder to improve flexible filament performance; and 4. Auto-Leveling by ensuring a BLTouch or CR Touch sensor is installed for consistent first layers.
Application Field
Product Parameters
| Molding tech Fused Deposition Modeling | Display screen 7-inch capacitive touch screen |
| Print size 500×500×600mm | Layer thickness 0.1mm−0.3mm |
| Machine size 905×800×1150mm | Printing filament PLA/ABS, etc. |
| Package size 1030×980×1360mm | Filament diameter 1.75mm |
| Machine weight 140kg | File transfer USB or SD card |
| Package weight 230kg | Operation interface Supports 8 languages |
| Nozzle qty. 1 | Hot bed temp. ≤110∘C |
| Nozzle temp. ≤300∘C | Power supply Input: 200−240V, Output: 24V |
| Nozzle diameter Standard 0.4mm, optional: 0.2/0.3/0.6/0.8mm | Nominal Power 900W |
FAQs
Does the CR-5 Pro support multiple filaments?
Yes. It’s compatible with PLA, ABS, PETG, and other common 1.75 mm filaments thanks to its enclosed chamber and heated bed.
Is the Creality CR-5 Pro easy to assemble?
The printer arrives mostly pre-assembled. You just need to perform minor setup steps, making it beginner-friendly for professionals.
Does it have a touchscreen interface?
Yes. It features a full-color touchscreen with an intuitive UI for easier control and monitoring.
What are the key safety features?
The enclosed chamber reduces noise and improves temperature stability. It also has filament run-out detection and power-loss recovery.
Is the CR-5 Pro suitable for small businesses?
Absolutely. Its reliability, enclosed design, and large build volume make it ideal for small businesses, prototyping, and production runs.
What software is compatible with the Creality CR-5 Pro?
It works with popular slicers like Creality Slicer, Cura, Simplify3D, and others supporting STL/OBJ files.
Does the printer include customer support or warranty?
Yes. Creality provides after-sales support, firmware updates, and a standard warranty (terms vary by region).