Tiny props, colourful logos, and detailed figurines often look like they came straight out of a factory, but in reality, many are born right on a desk. That’s the magic of 3D printing. With the Flashforge AD5X 3D printer, you can turn an idea in your head into something you can hold in your hand. From a dual-colour Ferrari logo to a detailed anime action figure, I tested this printer to see just how easy it makes the jump from imagination to reality.
Flashforge AD5X review video
Unboxing the toolkit of creativity
Unboxing the Flashforge AD5X feels like opening a creative toolkit. Everything is neatly packed and protected, making setup straightforward even if you’re new to 3D printing. Inside, you’ll find:
- The Flashforge AD5X printer itself, with a 220 × 220 × 220 mm build volume, enough space to create medium-sized prints like bowls, figurines, or multiple smaller parts in one run.
- Four spool holders, which clip onto the side of the printer and are designed to keep your filaments organized and feeding smoothly.
- The Intelligent Filament Switcher (IFS), a compact box that automatically manages up to four filaments at once for multi-colour or multi-material prints.
- Filament guide tubes (PTFE), which connect each spool to the switcher, ensuring clean and tangle-free feeding.
- Power cable and connectivity cables, plus the printer’s built-in touchscreen interface, which is bright, responsive, and beginner-friendly.
- A starter toolkit that includes essentials like a scraper for removing prints, a spare nozzle, and a few basic tools to help with long-term maintenance.
Best Buy’s bundle also includes four spools of PLA filament in random colours. PLA (Polylactic Acid) is one of the most popular and beginner-friendly 3D printing materials. It’s plant-based, biodegradable, and melts at relatively low temperatures, making it safe and easy to work with. The random colours give you an instant opportunity to experiment with multi-colour printing right out of the box.
What’s especially nice is that the printer is nearly ready to go, you don’t need to build it from scratch. With just a few clips, connections, and filament loading, you can move from unboxing to your first test print in about 30 minutes.
From box to first print in minutes
The Flashforge AD5X is designed to feel approachable, even for someone who has never touched a 3D printer before. Once you have everything out of the box, the process is more about clipping and connecting than tinkering or calibrating. Here’s how it comes together:
- Spool holders first. Clip the four holders onto the sides of the printer, these will keep your filaments neatly stored and ready to feed.
- Install the Intelligent Filament Switcher (IFS). This small grey box is what makes four-colour printing possible. Connect it to the side, then run the PTFE guide tubes from each spool through the switcher and into the printer.
- Plug in and power up. Connect the IFS cable at the back, plug the printer into a wall outlet, and switch it on.
- Basic setup. On the responsive touchscreen, select your language and connect the printer to Wi-Fi. From there, the AD5X automatically handles calibration no manual bed-levelling, no trial and error.
Loading the filament is just as simple: feed the end of a spool into the switcher, and the printer pulls it through automatically. Then, on the touchscreen, you assign the type (PLA) and the colour for that spool. Repeat this step for all four filaments, and you’re ready to print in single or multiple colours. In total, you can move from unboxing to your first print in about 30 minutes, which is quick for a multi-material printer.
Software and controls
The AD5X uses Orca Flashforge Slicer, a streamlined version of the popular Orca Slicer, available for both Windows and macOS. The workflow is clear and beginner-friendly:
- Import a model: Download a design & drop it into the slicer.
- Adjust settings: Scale, rotate, or position the object as needed, then assign colours if you’re using multi-filament.
- Generate the print file: Click Print Plate to see an estimate of material use and print time.
- Send to printer: Either send wirelessly or copy via USB. The printer’s touchscreen will show the progress, estimated completion time, and let you pause or cancel if needed.
How fast, how sharp: putting print performance to the test
Flashforge lists the AD5X as capable of reaching 600 mm/s, which sounds lightning fast on paper. In reality, speed always depends on what you’re printing, simple shapes can finish in under an hour, while more detailed builds naturally take longer. During testing, I tried projects of all sizes:
- Batman logo: Printed cleanly in about 30 minutes, showing off crisp edges and smooth colour switching.
- Ferrari logo (blue + transparent PLA): Took 45 minutes, a great example of how the AD5X handles layering colours for a striking finish.
- Leaf bowl: This one ran for 1 hour 16 minutes. The result was especially impressive, with visible vein details and strong structural support from the brim and supports.
- Anime action figure: At around 7 hours, this was the most complex test. The printer kept up beautifully, capturing the fine lines and proportions needed for figurine-style prints.
Across the board, the AD5X produced sharp edges, clean surfaces, and reliable adhesion. Prints popped off the textured build plate with minimal effort, and the level of detail was higher than expected for a machine in this price range.
Multi-colour printing made simple
One of the biggest headaches with traditional printers is manually swapping filaments every time you want a new colour. The AD5X’s four-spool Intelligent Filament Switcher (IFS) eliminates that chore. Just load your filaments, assign colours in the slicer, and the printer does the rest. This makes it possible to:
- Create logos with layered contrasts, like my Ferrari badge.
- Print figurines with accent colours, such as eyes or clothing details.
- Experiment with dual-material parts, blending flexible and rigid filaments.
The switching process is automatic and smooth, and while there is some natural purge waste when colours change, the results are worth it objects come out looking polished and professional.
Resume function and less waste
Filament isn’t cheap, and anyone who’s had a long print fail halfway knows how frustrating it can be. The AD5X addresses this with a resume-print function. If there’s a power outage or accidental interruption, the printer simply picks up where it left off instead of forcing you to start from scratch. This not only saves time but also reduces wasted filament, especially on longer builds like the 7-hour anime figure.
Who is this printer for?
The beauty of the Flashforge AD5X is that it isn’t limited to one type of user, it’s versatile enough to serve different needs depending on where you are in your creative journey.
Beginners
If you’re just starting out, the AD5X is one of the most approachable 3D printers you’ll find. With auto-levelling, easy filament loading, and Wi-Fi connectivity, there’s no intimidating learning curve. You can start with simple projects like keychains, phone stands, or desk organizers, gaining confidence print by print. The included PLA filaments make your first few creations stress-free, with great results right out of the box.
Hobbyists and makers
Hobbyists will love how much creative freedom the AD5X offers. Want to design cosplay props for your next convention? Build miniature figurines to display on a shelf? Or experiment with custom logos for your favourite fandoms? With multi-colour support and reliable detail quality, the AD5X makes it possible to bring those personal projects to life.
Side hustles and small businesses
Perhaps the most exciting group the AD5X appeals to are those exploring entrepreneurial ideas. The ability to create custom products, like name tags, jewellery, decor, or branded logos, opens the door to platforms like Etsy or small local shops. Multi-colour printing allows you to produce items that stand out, while the resume-print function ensures your materials aren’t wasted when things don’t go as planned.
Families and classrooms
There’s also a family angle; parents and educators can use the AD5X to make learning interactive. Printing geometric shapes for math lessons, models for science projects, or even custom board game pieces can spark curiosity in younger learners and make education feel hands-on.
Final thoughts: the desk-sized factory for your ideas
From the half-hour Batman logo to the seven-hour anime figure, the Flashforge AD5X proved itself as more than just a 3D printer, it’s a bridge between imagination and reality. Every test print, whether a simple logo or a detailed figurine, showed how accessible creativity can be when the right tools are within reach. The real magic isn’t only in the speed or the multi-colour features, it’s in what this printer unlocks, the ability to make something uniquely yours, right at home.
Whether you’re starting a side hustle, creating gifts for friends, or just experimenting for fun, the AD5X makes the process feel simple and rewarding. You can bring those ideas to life too. The Flashforge AD5X 3D Printer Bundle is available online at BestBuy.ca where creativity begins with a single print.
