Official Review Hardware Updated

Review cover KOKONI EC2 3D Printer (Hardware)
Official GBAtemp Review

Product Information:

The KOKONI EC2 3D Printer is an entry-level 3D printer aimed at beginners and even children with a few extra tech features that sets it apart from the competition. Let’s take a closer look!

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Once equipment restricted for industrial use, 3D printers have now become affordable (and compact) for personal use. If you’ve been looking to get started with 3D printing as a hobby or even to gift children, then the entry-level KOKONI EC2 might be worth considering. Its plug-and-play approach will not only ease you through the process but it also packs a dedicated internal camera that you can use to showcase your printing process on social media. We’ll take a closer look at how this 3D printer fares in practice in this review.

Contents and specs 

On the official KOKONI website, the EC2 retails for $279 and comes with the following items:

  • EC2 3D Printer
  • PLA Filament (White)
  • User Manual
  • Tweezer
  • Power Adapter

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Specs of this 3D printer are as follows:

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Hardware impressions of the KOKONI EC2

When I had my first look at the EC2, I was instantly sold on its cutesy look. The cuboidal form factor with rounded edges adds to the adorable aesthetic while still packing a classy appeal. It even has some Macintosh Classic II flair to it.

Aside from the looks, the hardware is sturdy and of quality make. The rubberised feet are a welcome addition to prevent scratches and the charging port and physical buttons are located at the rear of the printer, making for a sleek and minimal look.

The front of the printer is a transparent door that you can open/close easily. It allows you to view the printing process while protecting the internals from damage and dust. 

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One addition to the hardware I wish to have seen is a handle. There is an opening groove on the top for the PLA filament to go through but having a dedicated handle would ease carrying the device around. That said, this groove and the integrated fan provide adequate ventilation for during the printing process.

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While it’s a relatively compact 3D printer, the printing plate area is much smaller than the overall device. The maximum individual printing size is 100x100x60mm (3.94''×3.94''×2.36''), and the hardware is bulky in comparison. However, the shell adds some protection to the print and an appealing aesthetic to the product. 

KOKONI EC2: a 3D printer with a twist

To start using the KOKONI EC2, you will have to download the companion KOKONI3D app (available on both iOS and Android). Through the app, you can pair up with the printer via Bluetooth and you’re ready to start printing.

KOKONI offers a number of pre-made models that you can view and start printing from the app. The app also allows you to create some models such as 3D text and a 3D bust of someone based on a selfie. There’s also an “AI model generator” tool that allows you to hand draw an image (that fits a selection of categories) and the software will generate a 3D model based on your doodle. The result isn’t as detailed as 3D renders but it’s a fun feature to play around with. 

One more handy option is that of the 3D scanner. Within the app, you can take successive pictures of an item from various angles and the app will create a 3D model from these images. It’s similar to Epic’s RealityScan but handy to have it in one place.

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Once your chosen model has been selected, you can edit some of its parameters such as the size and orientation. The app also provides an estimate of the length of the process which is a handy feature. Once you are ready, the 3D printing process is ready to start. This can range from minutes to hours depending on the model to print. For prints that take over 30 minutes, you can take a timelapse of the process thanks to the integrated camera in the KOKONI EC2. This is quite a unique feature that allows you to showcase your creation as well as the printing process. 

You can track the printing progress via the app, and once the printing process has been completed and the printing plate has cooled, you can take the model out. With the included pair of tweezers, you can remove artefacts from the printing process but the overall output is decent. It’s not on par with higher-end 3D printers but for starting off and hobbyist use cases, the printout is serviceable.

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An interesting 3D printer premise that could be improved

With its number of app features from designing 3D texts to generating AI models based on doodles, the KOKONI EC2 offers a unique premise. This is supplemented by the integrated camera that allows you to further share your printing process in social media-ready videos. 

However, this reliance on the app is a double-edged sword. While it makes for a relatively user-friendly, plug-and-play use, the 3D printer cannot be used without the app. Having the option to use the device without the app, such as via a USB port, would make for a more enticing offering. In addition, using the app requires you to sign up for a KOKONI profile. We already have enough accounts as it stands and having to keep track of one more isn’t really a bonus.

In addition, one of the touted features of this 3D printer isn’t as convincing as the company makes it sound. The integrated camera isn’t the best there is, with grainy images comparable to VGA webcams. In a sense, such videos do have a singular look but do not exactly put the printing process in a favourable light.

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Furthermore, despite the feature-rich aspect of the app, loading your own models from is cumbersome. You will have to do so via KOKONI’s web page and then load it on the app. On top of this roundabout procedure, it only supports custom models as STL files of up to 50MB. I wouldn’t mind this restriction of file size/type if you could simply browse for a 3D model on the app itself from your phone’s storage. Your own models, whether scanned, rendered or downloaded on SketchFab are what you’d most likely use a 3D printer for,; but KOKONI does not make it easy to print such models. It reflects a tone-deaf approach to user needs which I hope the company will address in future updates.

Luckily, the company has planned updates to further support the device. KOKONI tells me that in January, they will push a new update that will allow a direct connection between the printer and your phone, without the need to be paired over WiFi or Bluetooth. The update will also bring support for importing STL files directly from the phone's storage. In addition, the camera will also be upgraded. These updates will make for a more attractive offering but I wish they were available from the get-go.

Overall, the KOKONI EC2 is a commendable attempt at offering a different type of 3D printer. It’s mostly appropriate for hobbyists looking to get started with 3D printing or even children as a Christmas or New Year's gift. However, you’ll have to bear in mind that the small printing size, finicky process to load custom 3D models and over-reliance on the companion app indicates room for improvements. 

Product links

If you’re looking to get a KOKONI EC2 3D printer for yourself or to gift a friend/family member for Christmas/New Year, you can check out the official product links below:

KOKONI with a filament

  • Product link 
  • Original Price: $279
  • Discount: 10% OFF with code LOVEKOKONI

KOKONI EC2 on Gearberry

Verdict

What We Liked ...
  • Quality build and adorable look
  • Ease of use
  • Feature-rich companion app
  • Integrated camera for timelapse video of printing process
What We Didn't Like ...
  • Relatively small maximum printing size
  • Reliant on companion app for printing
  • Finicky process to print custom 3D models
  • Poor camera quality (camera subject to upgrade soon)
6.8
out of 10

Overall

KOKONI offers an interesting premise with the KOKONI EC2 3D printer thanks to its feature rich app and integrated timelapse camera; but there is room for improvements in order for this premise to catch up.
TheStonedModder
jesterscourt said:
While it looks cool, you can get an Ender 3 Pro for 1/3 of the price.
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Even less. They go on sale regularly for $99

Hell you can even get a creality K1 for $300 on sale (I did on Black Friday) and that’s essentially a Bambu p1s clone. The thing is fast and has great quality

Also a 235x235mm build plate. This printer is borderline a scam for charging so much for such a small built plate.
 
Winduss
You can get a Bambu Lab A1 Mini for a few tenners more. This is ludicrously expensive for how small the build plate volume is and for how slow it is. Who is this even for.
 
RHOPKINS13
Garbage. Being able to make a timelapse of your build is far from a "unique" feature, and neither is being able to "3d scan" an object with an app to make a 3D model of it. Another example of a 3D printer with both of these features is the AnkerMake M5. I'm sure there are others too.

Anybody with a 3D printer wired via USB that would like to use it remotely over the network should check out OctoPrint. It's free open source that runs on a Raspberry Pi. It's also capable of making timelapse videos of your builds. But it's also nice to be able to remotely monitor your build progress.
 
TheStonedModder
RHOPKINS13 said:
Garbage. Being able to make a timelapse of your build is far from a "unique" feature, and neither is being able to "3d scan" an object with an app to make a 3D model of it. Another example of a 3D printer with both of these features is the AnkerMake M5. I'm sure there are others too.

Anybody with a 3D printer wired via USB that would like to use it remotely over the network should check out OctoPrint. It's free open source that runs on a Raspberry Pi. It's also capable of making timelapse videos of your builds. But it's also nice to be able to remotely monitor your build progress.
Click to expand...
Unless you’re running Klipper than avoid octoprint. Octoprint can’t keep up with the rate of commands that Klipper is capable of processing and will significantly hurt print speed
 
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