Shortlist · Mechanical upgrades

Direct drive extruder kits with a printer fit list

Two Micro Swiss NG direct drive kits whose maker names the CR-10 and Ender 3 models they fit, what changes after the swap, and which printers need another kit.

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Short answer

Both approved direct drive kits are Micro Swiss NG kits that their maker lists for the CR-10, CR-10s, CR-10-S4, CR-10-S5, Ender 3, Ender 3 Pro and Ender 3 V2.[1] Choose the NG (M3201) to keep MK8-style nozzles, or the NG REVO (M3301, 24 V) if you also want Revo nozzles. An Ender 3 V2 Neo needs Micro Swiss's separate kit instead.[2]

How we chose

A direct drive kit is on this list only if:

  1. The kit's maker names the printer models it fits, not "fits most Enders". Micro Swiss sells a separate NG kit for the Ender 3 V2 Neo (M3208), apart from its kit for the CR-10 and Ender 3 family (M3201), which shows how narrow fit lists are.[2]
  2. The maker states the gearing and the filament it takes. Micro Swiss lists the NG with a 3:1 gear ratio, a hardened steel dual-gear drive and an included LDO motor.[1] For comparison, Bondtech states a 3:1 reduction for its BMG[3] and 1.75 mm filament only for its LGX.[4]
  3. The seller is the brand or a store the brand links. Both picks are Micro Swiss listings on Amazon.

Two approved kits met this bar on 2026-10-08. We do not add others to fill the list.

Direct drive for the Ender 3, Ender 3 Pro, Ender 3 V2 and CR-10 family

Micro Swiss NG direct drive extruder for Creality CR‑10 / Ender 3 (M3201)

NG direct drive, CR-10 / Ender 3 (M3201)

Pick it if: Owners of the listed CR-10 and Ender 3 models moving from Bowden to direct drive

Why it's here
Micro Swiss lists the NG (M3201) for the CR-10, CR-10s, CR-10-S4, CR-10-S5, Ender 3, Ender 3 Pro and Ender 3 V2, with a 3:1 gear ratio, a hardened steel dual-gear drive and an included LDO motor.
Watch out
Not for the Ender 3 V2 Neo, which has its own kit (M3208). It reuses your heater cartridge and thermistor, and Micro Swiss supplies an E-steps G-code file rather than a published value, so plan to recalibrate. On Amazon, check that 'Ships from / Sold by' shows Amazon.com or Micro Swiss.
Printer model
CR-10 · CR-10s · CR-10-S4 · CR-10-S5 · Ender 3 · Ender 3 Pro · Ender 3 V2
Hardware revision
Not stated
Firmware requirement
Not stated
Current rating
Not stated

Values are the manufacturer's specs unless marked.

Direct drive with an E3D Revo hotend, 24 V version

Micro Swiss NG REVO direct drive extruder for Creality CR‑10 / Ender 3, 24 V (M3301)

NG REVO, 24 V (M3301)

Pick it if: Owners of the listed CR-10 and Ender 3 models who also want Revo nozzles

Why it's here
Micro Swiss lists the NG REVO (M3301) for the same CR-10 and Ender 3 models as the NG, built around an E3D Revo hotend whose nozzles change by hand when cold, and states that no firmware modifications are required.
Watch out
Micro Swiss sells 24 V (M3301) and 12 V versions; choose the one your printer maker states for your model, and confirm the Amazon listing sells the 24 V version, because its variant selector did not load when we checked it. Revo nozzles do not fit V6-style heater blocks, so your old nozzles will not carry over. On Amazon, check that 'Ships from / Sold by' shows Amazon.com or Micro Swiss.
Printer model
CR-10 · CR-10s · CR-10-S4 · CR-10-S5 · Ender 3 · Ender 3 Pro · Ender 3 V2
Hardware revision
24 V (M3301) and 12 V (M3301-12V) HeaterCore versions; match the printer's supply voltage
Firmware requirement
No firmware modifications required (e-steps g-code file provided)
Current rating
Not stated

Values are the manufacturer's specs unless marked.

After the swap

  • Extruder steps. Micro Swiss supplies a G-code file for E-steps rather than a published value.[1] Calibrate anyway: Klipper notes that the BMG is advertised as 3:1 but actually uses 50:17 gearing, so advertised ratios are not always the number firmware needs.[5] See E-steps and rotation distance.
  • Nozzles. The NG REVO uses E3D Revo nozzles, and E3D states that Revo nozzles are not compatible with V6-style heater blocks.[6] Plan on buying Revo nozzles.
  • Heater and thermistor. The NG reuses your printer's heater cartridge and thermistor. After any hotend change, confirm that thermal protection works; see heating, power and control.

What outside numbers show

In CNC Kitchen's 2023 load-cell test, the stock Ender-3 feeder pushed about 2.8 kg, while the other extruders tested ranged from about 4 to 10 kg at normal settings.[7] That is one setup, some results used higher-than-recommended motor currents, and pushing force is not a measure of print quality. The extruder upgrade guide covers what gearing and dual gears change.

Questions

Will these kits fit my Ender 3 V2 Neo?

No. Micro Swiss sells a separate NG direct drive kit for the Ender 3 V2 Neo (M3208), apart from its kit for the CR-10 and Ender 3 family (M3201).[2]

Do I need to change firmware after fitting an NG?

Expect to change at least the extruder steps. Micro Swiss supplies a G-code file for the NG rather than a published E-steps value, and Klipper's documentation shows that extruder gearing can differ from the advertised ratio.[1][5]

Is a 3:1 extruder stronger than the stock Ender-3 feeder?

In CNC Kitchen's 2023 load-cell test, the stock Ender-3 feeder pushed about 2.8 kg, and the other extruders tested ranged from about 4 to 10 kg at normal settings. That is one setup, and pushing force is not a print-quality score.[7]

Sources and changes

  1. Micro Swiss NG Direct Drive Extruder · Manufacturer · NG direct drive extruder for CR-10/Ender 3 family: gear ratio, drive, motor, 'Fits' list. · checked 8 Oct 2026
  2. Installation instructions — Microswiss (Micro Swiss) · Manufacturer · Index of NG extruder and FlowTech hotend installation documents by SKU and printer. · checked 8 Oct 2026
  3. Find the most Frequently Asked Questions here - Bondtech FAQ (Bondtech AB) · Manufacturer · Bondtech general FAQ: BMG gear reduction, compatibility limits, E-steps table. · checked 8 Oct 2026
  4. LGX Large Gears eXtruder (Bondtech AB) · Manufacturer · LGX product page: filament diameter, included motor, mounting. · checked 8 Oct 2026
  5. Rotation distance - Klipper documentation (Klipper project) · Official documentation · rotation_distance, extruder calibration procedure, gear_ratio. · checked 8 Oct 2026
  6. E3D Revo® Nozzles · Manufacturer · Standard brass Revo nozzle product page with FAQ; 1.75 mm; all variants sold out at retrieval. · checked 8 Oct 2026
  7. Which is the strongest 3D printing Extruder? | CNC Kitchen · Independent source · 2023 load-cell pushing-force comparison of about a dozen extruders. · checked 8 Oct 2026
  • : First published.

Next editorial review due 7 Jan 2027.