Creality
Ender 5 Max
Motion System
The type of movement system used for the print head and the build platform.
Build Volume
The maximum dimensions of the build area measured in X, Y and Z axes (width, depth and height). Note that the height is often less than advertised by a few mm due to the height of the print head.
Extruder Type
Direct drive extruders sit in the print head and usually provide better control and performance with wider range of filaments (especially flexible materials). Bowden extruders usually have a motor sitting on the frame of the 3D printer and push filament through a tube. This longer journey can make it more difficult to print with advanced materials.
Number of Extruders
How many print heads a 3D printer has. Most printers have only 1 but some models have multiple, which allows you to print different types of filament and also different colours.
Build Chamber
Enclosed chambers can maintain consistent temperatures for better print quality for materials like ABS. Whereas open chambers can make it tricky to print with such filaments and lead to quality issues.
Bed Levelling
Automatic bed levelling allows the printer to use sensors to adjust for uneven print beds, so that the first layer adheres better. Manual bed levelling requires your input to adjust the bed height to even out the surface - usually takes more time.
Bed Surface
The type of material used on the print bed and this is what is the model is printed on. Spring steel plates allow you to easily remove prints through flexing. Glass beds can help with providing a smooth finish at the bottom of the model and help with bed unevenness. Flexible PEI sheets usually provide good adhesion but can be not as durable as other options.
Max Nozzle Temperature
Max theoretical nozzle temperature. Higher temps allow you to print a wider range of filaments.
Max Bed Temperature
Max theoretical heated bed/build platform temperature. A heated bed helps with adhesion and can reduce model warping.
Max Print Speed
This is the maximum, theoretical print speed that the manufacturer specifies. Note that this might be very different to the recommended speed and generally, print quality diminishes significantly at max print speeds.
Assembly Required
Describes the level of assembly needed. Fully assembled 3D printers are generally plug and play. Some assembly required models need basic assembly (perhaps putting together big parts and plugging in some cables). Kits require most amount of effort and experience to put together.
WiFi Connectivity
WiFi connection allows you to send print jobs wirelessly and also monitor print progress remotely. This feature avoids the need to use SD cards or USB drives, or using Ethernet cables to communicate between your computer and the 3D printer.
Release Year
When the model was first released to the market. Newer 3D printers generally have more features, improvements and are more beginner friendly.