Often imitated, but never duplicated, E3D HotEnds are the result of fine engineering. They are the envy of hot end makers everywhere because E3D has somehow found the winning design, machined to perfection. Buy an off-brand replication on eBay, and chances are good that you’ll regret it due to the seller’s inability to recreate the exact specifications that E3D has gone to such lengths to get just right.

As a result, E3D HotEnds are the preferred upgrade for the techs here at MatterHackers, and we wholeheartedly recommend them, as well as their many nozzle replacements, to our customers.

E3D HotEnds

The versatile E3D v6 All-metal HotEnd

 

E3D v6 HotEnd

The E3D v6 is the quintessential upgrade to any printer that’s hot end simply isn’t performing. If clogs are a constant problem for you, and you’ve tried everything under the sun, switch to a v6 and watch your troubles melt away.

Tech Specs: 

  • Temperature Range: <=300°C (even higher with a thermocouple)
  • Filament Size: 1.75mm or 3.00mm
  • Nozzles: 1
  • Construction: All-metal
  • Drive system: Bowden or Direct

 

E3D Lite6 HotEnd

If you’re looking for a basic hot end that will print PLA or ABS filament, the Lite6 is a cheaper alternative to the v6. It’s got PTFE parts, so it prints up to 245°C. It looks almost identical to the v6, but the heat sink has a slightly different shape and the fan shroud is a different color.

E3D Lite6 HotEnd

 

Tech Specs: 

  • Temperature Range: <=245°C (limiting factor is PTFE; PTFE degrades higher than 245°C)
  • Filament Size: 1.75mm
  • Nozzles: 1
  • Construction: Metal/PTFE
  • Drive system: Bowden or Direct

E3D Cyclops HotEnd

For dual-extrusion printing with a lighter hot end, the Cyclops is a unique setup. It features two inputs for two different colors of filament, and one output. This is useful for machines like delta printers where extra weight on the end effector platform can negatively affect prints. Temperature is shared, so only one type of filament (e.g. PLA) can print at one time.

Cyclops is the only system from E3D that uses its own type of nozzles, which are not compatible with the other hot ends.

E3D Cyclops HotEnd

 

Tech Specs: 

  • Temperature Range: <=300°C (even higher with a thermocouple)
  • Filament Size: 1.75mm only
  • Multi-extrusion: 2 filaments of the same type
  • Nozzles: 1
  • Construction: All-metal
  • Drive system: Bowden only

E3D Chimera HotEnd

For multi-extrusion printing with the ability to individually control temperatures on each of the two nozzles, the Chimera is what you want. One large heat sink cools the cold section for both extrusions, which can be used to print different colors or types of filament.

E3D Chimera HotEnd

 

Tech Specs: 

  • Temperature Range: <=300°C (even higher with a thermocouple)
  • Filament Size: 1.75mm only
  • Multi-extrusion: 2 different types or colors of filaments
  • Nozzles: 2
  • Construction: All-metal
  • Drive system: Bowden only

 

E3D Kraken HotEnd

The Kraken has four inputs and outputs for the ultimate multi-extrusion experience. It’s water-cooled, so it does not use any fans like the other hot end systems from E3D. Support for this system is still pretty limited, though, and is recommended only for advanced users.

E3D Kraken HotEnd

 

Tech Specs: 

  • Temperature Range: <=300°C (even higher with a thermocouple)
  • Filament Size: 1.75mm only
  • Multi-extrusion: 4 different types or colors of filaments
  • Nozzles: 4
  • Construction: All-metal
  • Drive system: Bowden only

E3D Volcano HotEnd Upgrade

To print more filament, faster, you want the Volcano. Not technically its own hot end system, it’s an upgrade to the v6, Chimera, or Kraken, but definitely worth mentioning. The heat block and nozzle are both bigger, so you can feed more filament through at a quicker rate.

E3D Volcano HotEnd Upgrade Kit

 

Conclusion

If you’re after high-quality prints, the E3D HotEnds are the best choice! As always, we’re happy to answer any questions you may have, and look forward to helping you with all your printing needs.