BLV Cube 3D Printer Review

A community-built CoreXY for tinkerers

If you're the type who enjoys hands-on projects and tweaking your setup, this machine gives you room to explore.

The BLV Cube started as a community-driven project by Ben Levi (hence the name), and it quickly gathered a following among modders and tinkerers. It's not sold as a turnkey product. Instead, it's offered as a BOM (bill of materials) with different kits from various vendors, depending on how much of the work you want to do yourself.

What makes it special is the mix of premium components, a clean design, and sheer flexibility. You can build it your way, use your preferred electronics, and make upgrades over time. It supports high-temp hotends, multiple extruders, and automatic bed leveling if you're willing to add it.

Unboxing and Build Experience of BLV MGN Cube

Expect a full DIY project. You'll receive a kit with aluminum extrusions, linear rails, and bags of parts. Depending on your supplier, some kits include genuine E3D V6 hotends, Duet 2 WiFi boards, or BMG-style extruders.

Assembly can take 15 to 25 hours, depending on your experience. The good news is that the community has your back. Tons of build logs, Discord groups, and GitHub wikis exist to help guide you through.

Print Performance and Quality

Once you've got the BLV MGN Cube dialed in, print quality is excellent. The CoreXY layout gives it speed and accuracy, while the dual Z-axis and linear rails on all axes keep the movement rigid and smooth. Stringing is minimal. Layer lines are clean.

You'll be able to run prints at higher speeds (100–200 mm/s) than traditional i3-style printers, provided your cooling and hotend can keep up. The sturdy aluminum frame prevents wobble even on tall prints. Many users report that their BLV Cube performs just as well as Voron 2.4 in day-to-day use.

The machine has no enclosure by default, but it's easy to build one if you print ABS or other high-temp materials.

Design and Specifications

The BLV Cube doesn't hide its DIY nature, but that doesn't mean it lacks polish. The extrusions give it a clean, square silhouette, and the cable routing can be tidy if you plan ahead. With linear rails on all axes and a dual Z-lift system, the printer feels sturdy even during fast movements. Most builds also incorporate high-quality hotends and all-metal parts that hold up well under daily use.

Where the BLV Cube really impresses is in its adaptability. You choose what electronics to install, what hotend to run, and how to expand later. It doesn't impose limitations the way many closed-source printers do. While it doesn't come with smart features or a touchscreen by default, the framework supports them if you want to add your own.

Specs Overview

• ▪Build Volume: ~300 x 300 x 350 mm (varies by build)
• ▪Motion System: CoreXY
• ▪Frame Material: Aluminum 2040/2060 extrusions
• ▪Z-axis: Dual lead screws with linear rails
• ▪Hotend: E3D V6 (or compatible)
• ▪Mainboard: Duet 2 WiFi / SKR boards / others
• ▪Display: PanelDue / LCD / TFT
• ▪Connectivity: SD card, USB, or Wi-Fi (based on board)
• ▪Slicer Compatibility: Cura, PrusaSlicer, SuperSlicer

Possible Upgrades

This is where the BLV MGN Cube project shines. It is designed with modification in mind, giving you the flexibility to enhance performance over time. Once your base machine is up and running, you can explore a wide range of hardware and software upgrades that unlock greater speed, reliability, and ease of use.

Quick-Swap Hotend: Revo System

Upgrading to a Revo hotend allows you to change nozzles quickly without the need for tools or recalibration. This is especially convenient if you frequently alternate between printing fine details and high-flow parts. The Revo system also offers improved heating speeds and more stable temperature control.

Firmware Upgrade: Klipper

Installing Klipper firmware lets your printer offload processing to a Raspberry Pi, allowing for faster print speeds and access to advanced features like pressure advance and input shaping. This firmware is popular among CoreXY users seeking precision and performance.

CANBus Toolhead Support

For users building a more advanced setup, adopting a CANBus wiring system using boards such as the BTT EBB36 or U2C bridge can streamline your toolhead wiring. This not only reduces cable clutter but also provides access to future-proof features like sensorless homing and real-time diagnostics.

Extruder Swap: Orbiter or LGX

While the standard extruder is serviceable, upgrading to a direct drive Orbiter or Bondtech LGX improves retraction accuracy and filament handling. These extruders are particularly effective when printing with flexible filaments like TPU.

Build Plate Upgrade: PEI Flex Plate

A PEI-coated magnetic flex plate makes print removal much easier and improves bed adhesion across various materials. It also simplifies cleanup and speeds up turnaround between print jobs.

DIY Enclosure: IKEA Lack Mod

To print materials like ABS or ASA, enclosing your printer is essential. Building an enclosure using IKEA Lack tables is a popular and affordable option. It helps maintain stable print temperatures and can be customized with vents and air filters for safer indoor use.

Auto Bed Leveling: BLTouch or Klicky Probe

While manual tramming works, adding an automatic bed leveling probe like BLTouch or Klicky makes the process more consistent and efficient. These tools automate Z-offset calibration and bed mesh generation, especially useful for large-format prints.

Comparisons With Competitors

While the BLV Cube offers serious performance potential and modularity, it's helpful to see how it stacks up against other CoreXY printers that are popular in the market currently. Some are more beginner-friendly or include smart features out of the box, while others lean just as hard into the DIY approach.

Our Final Verdict

The BLV MGN Cube isn't for everyone. If you want plug-and-play, this isn't it. But if you're the kind of person who likes to learn, tinker, and eventually own a printer that feels custom-built for you, it's one of the most rewarding builds you'll take on.

That said, in 2026, you will have more choices than ever. If you want quiet, fast, and effortless prints with factory support, a Bambu Lab or Prusa Core model will save you time and frustration. But if you prefer full control, future-proof flexibility, and the satisfaction of building something powerful with your own hands, the BLV Cube is still one of the best DIY printers you can build today.