TLDR Review: FlashForge AD5X 3D Printer
Pros
- •Consistently delivers higuality, reliable prints with excellent color accuracy, especially when using PLA and PETG.
- •Impressively fast print speeds that rival more expensive 3D printers.
- •Very easy to set up and use right out of the box, with minimal assembly required and intuitive lick printing.
- •Features fuluto calibration and an auto-leveling system that usually only needs to be done once.
- •Supports convenient quicwap hotends for multi-material and multi-color printing.
- •Works well with the Orca Slicer, which offers better features than the included FlashPrint software.
- •Replacement parts and print heads are readily available, making maintenance simpler.
- •Functions well for both beginners and experienced users, with straightforward operation and decent firsayer adhesion when using liquid bed glue.
- •Offers excellent value for the price given its advanced multaterial and multi-color printing capabilities.
- •The official camera captures quality time lapses of prints.
Cons
- •The printer operates louder than many competitors, which may be disruptive in quiet environments.
- •Lacks an enclosure, potentially affecting print consistency in cold or drafty spaces.
- •The included print bed is considered low quality and might require replacement to ensure reliable printing.
- •Software and firmware suffer from issues: FlashPrint is basic and limited, official remote monitoring apps like FlashCloud and Polar3D are frustrating and unreliable.
- •Technical support is slow and not very helpful.
- •Promised firmware updates and new features have been delayed with no clear timeline.
- •Klipper firmware is locked down, restricting advanced user customization and tinkering.
- •Replacement hotends, while easy to swap, are expensive if replacements become frequent.
- •Remote print management and wireless print sending are not seamless, and Orca Slicer lacks wireless print support.
- •Multolor prints take significantly longer than single-color prints, reducing productivity for complex jobs.
Bottom Line
The FLASHFORGE AD5X Multi-Material 3D Printer is a solid choice if you want high-quality, fast multi-color printing without breaking the bank. It shines in ease of use for beginners combined with enough features to satisfy experienced users willing to tinker, especially if you primarily print PLA or PETG. However, if you need a quieter machine, better remote management, or more polished and customizable firmware, this might frustrate you in the long run. The hardware is excellent, but the software ecosystem and support lag behind expectations. Consider this printer if you’re OK with some quirks and want to boost productivity with multi-material capabilities, but if pristine software and peaceful operation matter most, you might want to explore other options elsewhere.
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