The Creality Hi Combo stands out as an entry-level FDM 3D printer that brings versatility and ease of use to the forefront. Designed for users who want to explore multi-material printing without the typical complications, it strikes a balance between functionality and user-friendliness. Its sleek appearance and straightforward setup make it a welcoming choice for both newcomers and more seasoned enthusiasts.
One of the key strengths of this printer lies in its semi-assembled delivery. With most of the hardware pre-installed, the initial setup process is quick and mostly intuitive, allowing you to start printing in a matter of minutes. This streamlined approach makes it much more accessible than many other models in the same category.
Another notable aspect is its ability to manage multiple filaments simultaneously. With support for up to sixteen different colours, the Hi Combo caters to more complex projects without sacrificing reliability. This review will delve into the printer’s build quality, smart features, and printing performance to see how well it delivers on its promise.
Design and Functionality
The Creality Hi Combo sports a refined, industrial design with a focus on durability and precision. Its frame is predominantly metal, offering a solid base that helps reduce vibrations and enhances overall stability during high-speed prints. This gives the machine a premium feel while contributing to consistent print quality.
Its compact footprint houses an impressive build volume, making it suitable for a wide range of prints without taking up too much space on a desk or workbench. Despite its relatively light weight, the printer feels robust and well-balanced, which is ideal for frequent use. The gantry design is cleverly engineered, allowing for easy alignment and fast installation.
Setting up the printer is largely hassle-free, with clearly marked mounting points and intuitive assembly steps. Components like the spool holder and buffer system attach neatly to the frame, reducing clutter and keeping the setup organised. A flip-out touchscreen is already installed and ready for use, requiring no additional wiring or mounting.
The 3.2-inch display is mounted on a swivel mechanism, allowing users to angle it for optimal visibility while navigating menus. This thoughtful feature improves day-to-day interaction with the printer and contributes to a better user experience. While delicate, the touchscreen mechanism feels smooth and well integrated.
All cables and patch cords fit securely into their respective ports, and the cable management is well thought out to avoid tangles. Once powered on, the touchscreen leads users through a series of simple setup steps, including Wi-Fi connection, time zone selection, and a visual inspection prompt. Even users unfamiliar with 3D printing can easily follow the guided instructions.
The print bed is heated and attaches securely to the base, remaining stable during motion. Full automatic bed levelling eliminates guesswork and manual adjustments, allowing the printer to calibrate itself before each job. These design considerations collectively make the Hi Combo both beginner-friendly and functionally advanced.
Key Features
One of the standout features of the Hi Combo is its support for up to sixteen filament inputs, offering broad creative possibilities. This multi-colour capability is managed through the CFS (Creality Filament System), which enables seamless switching between materials during a single print job. It’s an impressive offering for a machine at this level.
The printer uses a tri-metal nozzle with a hardened steel tip, allowing it to handle a variety of filament types, including abrasive materials. This nozzle is designed for easy replacement, making it practical for users who wish to experiment with different materials. It also supports higher printing temperatures for added versatility.
A dual-motor Z-axis ensures stable vertical movement, which is crucial for maintaining layer alignment and print accuracy. The independent motors actively balance the gantry, keeping the X-axis perfectly level throughout the print. Combined with strain gauge-based probing, it contributes to a highly precise automatic levelling system.
The X and Y-axis movement benefits from a linear rail and dual rods respectively, providing smooth and controlled motion. These hardware upgrades help minimise wobble and shift during high-speed printing, delivering cleaner results even at faster rates. The use of step-servo motors adds further refinement with quiet, efficient operation.
Creality’s input shaping algorithm actively reduces print vibrations by analysing movement and applying counteractive signals. This technology helps reduce surface imperfections like ringing and ghosting, which are common issues in fast prints. The result is visibly improved surface quality on completed models.
To protect users’ privacy, the Hi Combo features an integrated camera with a physical cap. The camera is used to monitor prints remotely and provides visual feedback through CrealityCloud. This adds convenience, especially when printing long-duration projects that require minimal supervision.
Filament management is handled through an RFID system that automatically detects the type and status of the filament in use. It works with both single-feed and multi-feed setups, displaying filament data directly on the touchscreen. This makes tracking and managing materials effortless.
The all-metal extruder includes a filament runout sensor and automatic cutter. This means fewer interruptions during prints and a smoother experience overall. The printer is built with a focus on reliability, minimising jams and ensuring consistent output across a wide range of prints.
Experience Using the Product and Performance
Setting up the Hi Combo was straightforward, thanks to its partially pre-assembled components and clear instructions. Within minutes of unboxing, it was ready for calibration and material loading, which made the process feel almost plug-and-play.
The touchscreen interface was responsive and easy to navigate, displaying helpful animations and setup prompts. Connecting to Wi-Fi and completing the self-check routine took only a few minutes, and the visual cues helped ensure each step was completed correctly.
Initial prints demonstrated excellent layer consistency and surface quality, even at higher speeds. The automatic bed levelling system worked flawlessly, detecting slight irregularities and compensating without user intervention. This ensured smooth first layers every time.
Print speeds reached up to 300 mm/s in regular use, with bursts up to 500 mm/s performing remarkably well. The printer maintained strong layer adhesion and dimensional accuracy, even with complex geometries. There was minimal ringing or ghosting visible on prints.
Multi-colour printing through the CFS was one of the most enjoyable features. Switching between filaments was fluid, with little delay or waste, and the RFID system reliably tracked which filament was in use. This added creative flexibility without complicating the workflow.
Noise levels were impressively low, even when printing at higher speeds. The step-servo motors and input shaping algorithm helped reduce both sound and vibration, making the machine suitable for home or shared workspaces. It never felt intrusive during operation.
The integrated camera was a useful tool for checking progress remotely. Through the CrealityCloud platform, I could monitor prints in real-time, pause or cancel jobs if needed, and review footage. This gave peace of mind, especially for overnight or unattended prints.
The extruder handled various materials well, including PLA, PETG, and flexible filaments. It maintained consistent flow without clogging, and the filament cutter operated cleanly at each transition. This level of reliability meant fewer interruptions and smoother workflows.
Print removal from the bed was easy, with parts releasing cleanly once cooled. The build surface provided good adhesion without warping, even on larger models. This contributed to a higher success rate for longer and more detailed prints.
Throughout extended use, the Hi Combo remained reliable, with no mechanical issues or software glitches. Its combination of speed, accuracy, and intelligent features made it a genuinely enjoyable printer to work with. It delivered consistent performance across a wide range of print types.
Conclusion
The Creality Hi Combo makes a strong impression as a feature-rich printer that’s also easy to use. It successfully combines advanced capabilities with user-friendly design, making it accessible to both beginners and experienced users. From unboxing to final prints, the experience is smooth and well thought out.
Its ability to manage multi-filament projects without compromising reliability is a major highlight. The CFS system, RFID tracking, and automatic cutter all work in unison to streamline the printing process. This integration brings a level of convenience that’s rare in this price range.
Print performance is equally impressive, with speed and precision maintained across a variety of materials and print sizes. The automatic levelling, input shaping, and quiet operation only add to the printer’s overall appeal. These features contribute to a hassle-free printing environment.
The Hi Combo is a capable and refined 3D printer that delivers consistent results and creative flexibility. It’s a great choice for anyone looking to expand their printing potential without a steep learning curve. Whether you’re creating detailed prototypes or colourful models, this printer is ready to handle it.
