Flashforge Adventurer 5M Vs. 5M Pro: Which 3D Printer Should You Choose?

I’ve spent countless hours tinkering with 3D printers, from budget models to high-end beasts, and I’m thrilled to share my take on two of Flashforge’s latest offerings: the Adventurer 5M and the 5M Pro.

My goal is to break down their features, weigh their pros and cons, and help you decide which printer fits your needs—whether you’re a hobbyist, educator, or small business owner.

With a conversational vibe and real-world insights, this article will guide you through every key difference and similarity, ensuring you make an informed choice.

A Brief Comparison Table

My Journey With 3D Printing

As a 3D printing enthusiast, I’ve seen the tech evolve from clunky, slow machines to sleek, high-speed marvels. When Flashforge dropped the Adventurer 5M and 5M Pro in late 2023, I was eager to get my hands on them.

Both printers promise blazing-fast speeds and user-friendly designs, but they cater to slightly different crowds. The 5M is a budget-friendly option for beginners and hobbyists, while the 5M Pro targets advanced users needing extra features like an enclosure and air filtration.

Let’s explore what makes each printer tick.

First Impressions of Flashforge Adventurer 5M And 5M Pro 3D Printers

Setting up the Adventurer 5M was a breeze.

It arrived nearly fully assembled, and I had it running in about 12 minutes.

All I needed to do was attach the filament holder, install the touchscreen, and remove a couple of safety screws.

The self-leveling bed feature guided me through calibration via clear on-screen prompts, making it ideal for newcomers.

The 5M Pro followed a similar process, though it took slightly longer—about 15 minutes—due to its enclosed design and additional components like the spool holder.

Both printers felt sturdy, but the 5M Pro’s heftier 14.6 kg frame gave it a premium, professional vibe.

The 5M’s open-frame design is sleek but exposes moving parts, which might concern parents or classroom users. The 5M Pro’s fully enclosed chamber, complete with a transparent door, not only looks polished but also adds safety and temperature control—crucial for printing finicky materials like ABS.

Both printers use a CoreXY motion system, which ensures stable, precise movements even at high speeds. My first impression? The 5M is a no-frills workhorse, while the 5M Pro feels like a refined, pro-grade machine.

Key Features of The Adventurer 5M

The Adventurer 5M is Flashforge’s answer to affordable, high-speed 3D printing. Here’s what stood out during my testing:

• Blazing Speed: With a max print speed of 600 mm/s and acceleration up to 20,000 mm/s², this printer churns out models in record time. I printed a standard Benchy (a 3D printing benchmark) in just 20 minutes, compared to 45–50 minutes on older models.
• Auto-Leveling: The automatic bed leveling saved me from manual tweaking, ensuring a flawless first layer every time.
• Flexible Build Plate: The PEI-coated steel plate is removable and grips prints well, making removal a snap without damaging the model.
• Filament Compatibility: It handles PLA, PETG, and TPU with ease, though its open-frame design isn’t ideal for high-temperature filaments like ABS or ASA.
• Vibration Compensation: This feature reduces ghosting (artifacts from rapid movements), delivering cleaner prints at high speeds.
• Connectivity: Wi-Fi, Ethernet, and USB options make it versatile for home or workshop use.

I loved how intuitive the 5M was. The touchscreen interface is responsive, and the FlashPrint 5 software, while basic, gets the job done. For advanced users, Orca Slicer offers more control, which I leaned on for tweaking print profiles. However, the lack of an enclosure limits its versatility, and the 55 dB noise level was noticeable during long prints.

Key Features of The Adventurer 5M Pro

The 5M Pro builds on the 5M’s foundation with upgrades that justify its $599 price tag. Here’s what I found:

• Fully Enclosed Design: The sealed chamber maintains stable temperatures, making it perfect for ABS, ASA, and carbon-fiber-reinforced filaments. It also adds safety for classroom or home use.
• Dual Air Filtration: The HEPA13 and activated carbon filters block 99% of particles and VOCs, reducing fumes when printing materials like ABS. This was a game-changer in my small workspace.
• HD Camera: The built-in camera lets you monitor prints remotely via FlashPrint or the FlashMaker app. I checked on a 6-hour print from my phone while grabbing coffee—pretty slick.
• Auto-Shutdown: The printer powers off 30 minutes after a print finishes, saving energy and adding convenience.
• Quieter Operation: At under 50 dB, it’s noticeably quieter than the 5M, ideal for shared spaces.
• Quick-Detach Nozzles: Swapping between 0.4 mm and 0.6 mm nozzles took me under a minute, streamlining projects requiring different layer heights.

The 5M Pro’s premium features shone during testing. I printed a large ABS model with zero warping, thanks to the enclosed chamber. The air filtration kept my workspace odor-free, and the camera’s time-lapse videos were a fun bonus. However, its larger footprint (380 x 400 x 453 mm) might be a squeeze in tight spaces.

Pros And Cons: Adventurer 5M

Pros

• Affordable Price: At $399 (often discounted to $349), it’s a steal for a high-speed CoreXY printer.
• Fast Setup: Ready to print in under 15 minutes, perfect for beginners.
• High-Speed Printing: 600 mm/s speeds rival pricier competitors like Bambu Lab’s P1P.
• User-Friendly: Auto-leveling and a clear touchscreen make it accessible to newbies.
• Reliable for PLA/PETG: Prints PLA and PETG with excellent quality and minimal tweaking.

Cons

• Open-Frame Design: Not suitable for ABS or ASA due to poor temperature control.
• Noisy Operation: The 55 dB noise level can be distracting in quiet environments.
• Limited Filament Options: Stick to low-temperature filaments to avoid issues.
• No Camera: Lacks remote monitoring, a bummer for long prints.
• Basic Software: FlashPrint 5 feels outdated compared to Orca Slicer or Cura.

Pros And Cons: Adventurer 5M Pro

Pros

• Versatile Filament Support: Handles PLA, PETG, ABS, ASA, TPU, and carbon-fiber variants with ease.
• Enclosed Chamber: Ensures safety and temperature stability for advanced materials.
• Air Filtration: Dual HEPA and carbon filters make it safe for home or classroom use.
• Quiet Performance: Under 50 dB, it’s unobtrusive in shared spaces.
• Remote Monitoring: The HD camera and app integration are fantastic for tracking prints.

Cons

• Higher Price: $599 is steep compared to the 5M, especially for casual users.
• Larger Footprint: Takes up more space, which might be an issue in small workshops.
• TPU Challenges: Struggles with TPU at high speeds, requiring slower settings (30–40 mm/s).
• Learning Curve: Advanced features may overwhelm beginners.
• Filament Holder Placement: The rear-mounted spool holder is awkward in tight setups.

Performance In Real-World Projects

To put these printers through their paces, I ran a series of tests. First, I printed a 250% scaled frog model (designed by Harald Andersson) on both. The 5M, using a 0.4 mm nozzle and Orca Slicer’s 0.2 mm profile, finished in 6 hours and 52 minutes with crisp details.

The 5M Pro, with a 0.6 mm nozzle and 0.3 mm profile, shaved it down to just over 4 hours, though the larger layer height slightly reduced detail on curved surfaces. For speed-focused projects, the 5M Pro’s 0.6 mm nozzle is a clear winner, but the 5M holds its own for detailed PLA prints.

Next, I tackled an ABS functional part—a firetruck model—on the 5M Pro. The enclosed chamber and air filtration made this a breeze, with no warping and minimal fumes. The 5M couldn’t handle ABS reliably due to its open design, so I stuck to PLA for a similar test.

The 5M’s print was flawless for PLA, but I missed the 5M Pro’s quiet operation and monitoring features during the 8-hour run.

For TPU, both printers struggled at high speeds. I had to dial the 5M Pro down to 30 mm/s to avoid stringing, and the 5M wasn’t much better. If TPU is your main material, you might need to look elsewhere or be patient with slow settings.

Software And Slicing: A Mixed Bag

Both printers support FlashPrint 5 and Orca Slicer, with the latter being my go-to for its advanced features.

FlashPrint 5 is functional but feels clunky, with limited preset profiles.

For the 5M, I relied on Orca Slicer to unlock faster speeds, as FlashPrint’s defaults were conservative.

The 5M Pro’s Orca profiles were better optimized, especially for ABS and ASA, but I still tweaked settings for optimal results.

One gripe: FlashPrint occasionally lost Wi-Fi connection with both printers, forcing me to switch to USB.

Orca Slicer was more reliable, and its Klipper-flavored G-code support opens the door to other slicers like Cura (with some setup). If you’re new to 3D printing, stick with Orca Slicer—it’s a game-changer for both models.

Who Are These Printers For?

The Adventurer 5M is a fantastic pick for beginners, hobbyists, or anyone on a budget who primarily prints PLA or PETG. Its speed, ease of use, and low price make it a no-brainer for schools, makerspaces, or casual creators.

If you’re just starting out or want a reliable workhorse for simple projects, the 5M delivers.

The 5M Pro, on the other hand, is built for advanced users, educators, or small businesses needing versatility. Its enclosed design, air filtration, and camera make it ideal for printing engineering-grade materials in professional or classroom settings.

If you work with ABS, ASA, or carbon-fiber filaments, or need a safer, quieter printer, the 5M Pro is worth the extra $200.

Cost As. Value: Is the Pro Worth It?

At $399, the 5M is a bargain, competing with the likes of Bambu Lab’s P1P and Creality’s K1.

Its performance-to-price ratio is hard to beat, especially with deals dropping it to $349.

The 5M Pro’s $599 price (sometimes $499 on sale) is steeper, but the enclosure, filtration, and camera justify the cost for users needing those features.

For casual PLA printing, the 5M is plenty; for advanced materials or professional use, the 5M Pro’s upgrades are a smart investment.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Final Thoughts

You’re now armed with everything you need to choose between the Flashforge Adventurer 5M and 5M Pro. I’ve loved testing these printers, and both impressed me with their speed and reliability.

If you’re a beginner or budget-conscious maker, the 5M’s affordability and ease of use will serve you well. If you’re tackling advanced materials or need a safer, quieter machine, the 5M Pro’s premium features are worth the splurge. Whichever you pick, you’re getting a solid 3D printer that punches above its weight.

Happy printing!