Snapmaker U1 Top Cover User Test - Feedback & Next Steps
Hi Snapmaker Community,
About two months ago, we launched our top cover beta test, and the response was incredible. Today, we’re looking back at the valuable feedback we received and sharing what we learned.
Why We Asked Real Users to Break It First
The Top Cover is essential for long-hour printing, high-temperature materials, air filtration and noise reduction. Many of you print overnight or need stable chamber temperatures; the Top Cover was designed for those real needs.Before mass production, we invited real users – not just internal testers – to put it through daily use. Why? Because lab conditions never fully match your workshop, desktop, or garage. Your honest feedback helps us build better.
What We Tested & What You Told Us
Note: Test results may vary depending on individual testing environments and methodologies. The data presented in this report reflects tests conducted by users under various measurement methods, environmental conditions, and other variables. As such, these results may differ from those obtained under controlled conditions at the Snapmaker Testing Lab.
Verified Product Claims
High/low-temp filament print success
The Top Cover unlocks high‑temp engineering filament printing, while keeps low‑temp print quality and multi‑color performance intact.
Quoted from users and their successful high/low-temp filament prints:
| @竹子 |
"No filament incompatibility found." "After almost a full kg of ABS down, I'm more than happy, especially room temp is now in the lower range(60s) for the past 2 days." "Better with the Original cover. Faster heating, better sealing." – supports a wider range of materials. |
| @fatboy1271 | "I just uploaded a video of me removing an ASA print from Support for ABS. Really happy with the results." |
Chamber heating efficiency
At room temperatures of 22–28°C, the chamber reaches its plateau relatively quickly, in approximately 26–35 minutes; heating is slower in cooler environments.
Quoted from users
| @Rüdiger Neuweg | "Time to steady state: how long before chamber plateaus? Best 26 min. in average 35 to 40 min." |
| @Cheeky_b52 |  |
| @Alan5596 |
"Time to start temp of 45°C - 24 Mins" "Time to start temp - 35 mins with recirculation fan at 60%" "Time to start temp - 37 mins. Temperature rose steadily to 57°C" |
| @竹子 |
"At low room temperature (16°C): '75 minutes' to reach 55°C (Cavity sensor reading). At high room temperature (22°C): '35 minutes' to reach 60°C (Cavity sensor reading). During preheating with a 45°C target (Cavity reading): top area at 39.7°C, toolhead area at 37.4°C, mid-chamber area at 33.4°C. During preheating with a 60°C target (Cavity reading) at 20.5°C room temperature: approximately 40–50 minutes." |
| @Dylan | "It took 38 minutes to rise from room temperature to 52°C (ambient temperature: 19.5–21.5°C)." |
| @fatboy1271 | "Typical heat soak duration was 30-60 minutes" |
| @LixNix | "it will take multiple hours to get to 50°C while it is at the bottom" |
| @Argo |
"After 45 min heat soaking chamber sensor reached 61°C" (PAHT-CF) "After 45 min heat soaking chamber sensor reached 59°C" (ABS) |
The noise reduction target was largely achieved
Most testers recorded 55–62 dB before installing the top cover, yet 49–53 dB after installation. According to tester Rüdiger, he can work and take calls in the same room without feeling disturbed.
Noise Performance measured by Dmitrii Savin:Before vs After installing the top cover(Printing PLA, Infill, Top Hat not powered when installed. Tested via Decibel X Pro& PhyPhox at 1m.)
Quoted from users
| @Rüdiger Neuweg | "50-51 db(A) (measured with a professional class2 noise meter) With 25 cm thick concrete walls and closed doors, not noticeable. (basement) even with 12.5 cm brick walls at the first floor only noticeable when doors are open. Subjectively I am able to work in the same room for hours and even able to make phone calls and don't feel disturbed." |
| @Cheeky_b52 |
"Noise floor in my room is 53db (Decibel X) so cannot validate claim" "Large Y axis movements show similar loudness with/without lid" "Subjectively: with the lid, the machines overall much quieter, but there is certain sounds that are same or even worse with the lid like fast Y axis moves and the motor sound resonates through the lid" |
| @Alan5596 |
"Actions to perform: 1. Measure A-weighted dB at 1 m during (a) cover on, infill printing, (b) cover on, same print infill printing. Ambient noise reading in room before test – 34dB. Top of iphone was level with and pointing at the bottom of the Top Cover from 1 metre distance Cover off – Gyroid Infill – 54dB Average Cover On – Gyroid Infill – 49dB Average 2. Decibel X set at A Weighting. Wall between rooms is drywall (not solid brick). Sound in next room is very acceptable and not intrusive. There is also a subjective reduction (to my ears) in the overall sound in the printer room, with the cover on." |
| @LixNix | "Noise while printing seems to be in line with expected results. For me, I get approximately 51 dB while printing high-speed PETG and less when printing slower." |
| @Eran Binyamin Zeitoun | "Based on my own measurements (using a non-professional measuring device), the actual reduction appears to be closer to approximately -4 dB." |
| @Dylan |
"Using a UNI-T UT353, we took 5 averaged samples at a distance of 1 m from the front of the printer (background noise: 43 dB) With the top cover service window closed and only the side auxiliary fan running: 50 dB; with all fans running: 60 dB. With the top cover service window open and only the side auxiliary fan running: 53 dB; with all fans running: 67 dB." |
| @SimonZhi | "With the fan off, the noise is comparable to my DIY top cover; with the fan on, at 30 cm distance, the phone app measurement peaked at no more than 53 dB." |
| @竹子 |
|
HEPA12 + carbon filtration delivers effective odor control
The HEPA12 + activated carbon filtration was widely recognized as effective. Odor control during ABS/ASA printing was good.
PM2.5 / VOC readings shared by Dmitrii Savin(The used air sensor: AIR-1 Air Quality Sensor)
- PM 0.3-1.0 µm readings are in the screenshot below
- PM 1.0-2.5 µm readings are in the screenshot below
- PM 2.5-4.0 µm readings are in the screenshot below
- PM 4.0-10.AIR-1 Air Quality Sensor0 µm readings are in the screenshot below
Quoted from users
| @Marlowe | "Because the internal recirculation filtration was kept running continuously, the odor outside the printer during printing was noticeably less than that of other enclosed printers." |
| @LixNix |
"For ABS/ASA reduction of perceived fumes can be noticeable." "I could notice a noticeable reduction in smell when printing ASA/ABS with a top cover compared to non" |
| @Argo |
"Room clearly stank though both fans were working as expected because of the new start gcode" "The exhaust fan should have a filter as well. At stock filtration and exhaust fan settings, the room smelled heavily" |
| @Cheeky_b52 |
"5 days straight of ABS printing, in my closed printer room, no noticeable smells" "Only notable smells, was within 1-2' proximity of lid sealing area/door/base of machine. Very minor amount though. PM2.5 reading on purifier never went above baseline 2-4ppm across 5 days continuous ABS printing" |
| @fatboy1271 |
"Smell during ASA printing was not immediately noticeable outside the enclosure. However: if I placed my head inside the enclosure for more than approximately one minute the ASA smell became noticeable" "I did not perform: VOC measurements PM2.5 testing tissue seam testing" |
| @Alan5596 |
"10 min-0, 30 min-1, 60 min-2, 120-2. No visible pulls, though a sniff test at the PSU exhaust and the sides of the cover seal (bottom seal) detected fumes smell." "Improved Sealing - the seal on the Top cover does not effectively seal the printer due to the misalignment of the front, back and side panels. I estimate a 1mm gap at the sides of the printer which the cover cannot seal properly and results in leakage of chamber air, VOC's etc." |
Other Claims (Clear Visibility with Top Cover & Great Magnetic Door Reliability）
Quoted from users
| Clear Visibility with Top Cover |
"I thought I'd want a completely clear cover for maximum visibility. The more I look at this, the more I appreciate the design with this slight tinting. It somehow matches the look and sense of light from the glass door. And it doesn't really hurt visibility much. So now I don't know! Either one might be nice." "I use two LEDs inside my enclosure and lighting visibility was not negatively impacted by the Top Cover." "The smoky grey finish was a far better choice than fully clear panels and visually matches the U1 glass door extremely well." "Both with normal and room dimmed there appeared to be no real issues. A little more difficult to view from the LH side of the printer due to glare from LED's. Score - 5" |
| Magnetic Door Reliability |
"Opened and closed lid 80 times plus usages for 7 days, no magnet loss or malfunction. Magnet Reliability: 5" "Magnet reliability score: 5 = consistently strong and reliable" "I repeatedly removed and reinstalled the Top Cover window and never experienced: latch failures, weak magnetic retention, alignment problems." "No issues during print testing nor during the 20 time test. Score - 5" |
Concerns, Issues, and Improvements
At the same time, the beta test has revealed a set of common issues that need to be addressed before the mass production. The following sections summarize the key findings and subsequent improvement directions from this beta test across five core testing dimensions.
Seal and connector installation pose main challenges
Installation was generally smooth, with total time ranging from 4 to 35 minutes. The door seal and electric connector installations were common pain points, including but not limited to:
- Door seal installation instructions were unclear.
- Adhesive backing paper was difficult to remove / adhesive came off the foam with the film removal.
- Electrical connector orientation was unclear / retaining clip was broken.
- Filter module orientation was not marked.
Improvement Status (Done)
- Add close-up diagrams to the instruction manual.
- Print orientation marks on the filter module.
- Add instructions on installation sequence and alignment reference to the manual.
Magnets on the magnetic door might detach under certain cases
Improvement Status (Done): Optimize the magnet / metal plate adhesive bonding process (improve glue application/ spot welding to prevent magnets from falling out).
Preheating critical for ABS printing in cool environments
First‑layer adhesion and print failure of ABS/high‑temperature materials under ambient temperature below approximately 20°C without sufficient preheating.
Improvement Status (Doing)：Forced preheat wait / Preheat logic optimization.
PTFE tubes collide with fan housings or the top cover
Improvement Status (Done)：To help mitigate this effect, we will release 3D printable models of relevant modification accessories on our model library, enabling users to print custom parts as needed.
The XY driver temperature is higher than expected
Improvement Status (Done): A Wiki has been released to explain design headroom and thermal safety margins to address user concerns about chamber temperature and driver overheating.
Surface marks and reduced optical clarity under reflection
Improvement Status (Done): The beta test top covers didn't include a protective film, but it has been added to the mass production version.
The exhaust fan should have a filter as well
Improvement Status (Done): Add a φ10 circular hole on the top cover to provide a non-destructive installation option for users who may need to add a 90–100mm exhaust hose adapter in the future.
Sealing deficiencies
- Top Cover exhaust vent gas leakage;
- sealing foam thickness is insufficient, resulting in persistent large gaps that vent to the outside.
Improvement Status:
- (Keep)Top Cover Exhaust Vent Leakage:We evaluated an enhanced damper seal design to address exhaust vent leakage. Testing showed only marginal sealing improvement while noticeably increasing exhaust fan noise. Since the primary leakage paths at the front door and chassis interfaces have already been sealed with added strips, overall machine sealing is now significantly better. We have decided not to adopt this damper enhancement for the current version.
- (Done)Adjust the sealing foam thickness to 2mm and remove the PET reinforcement layer.
Fan control logic needs optimization
The touchscreen interface provides only coarse fan speed adjustment steps.
Improvement Status:
- (Done)reduce the fan control granularity step size from 25% to 10% per step.
Comparison to other enclosures
Provided by-Eran Binyamin Zeitoun
| Aspect | Snapmaker U1 Top Cover | BIQU PopCap |
|---|---|---|
| PTFE tube impact noise | "certain printer movements can cause PTFE Tube 1 to make contact with the filter box, and PTFE Tube 4 to touch the exhaust assembly. The impact noise is not particularly loud, but it is noticeable" | "with the BIQU PopCap enclosure, the impact noise is significantly louder and occurs much more frequently." |
| Value for money | "$149 (currently). The Snapmaker U1 cover is the winner (even if the price will go to $249)" | "$129 (includes 4 kg of PLA). Adding the Breath system for VOC concerns brings the total to about $228." |
| VOC / filtration | "comes with built-in exhaust and filtration, fully integrated with the printer. However, it may lack sufficient exhaust filtration for PLA VOCs" | "Optional 'Breath system' (extra cost)" |
Provided by 竹子
| Aspect | Snapmaker U1 Top Cover | DIY Top Cover |
|---|---|---|
| Chamber & other temperatures | When printing ABS, chamber temperature is similar to the DIY cover. For heat-dissipating materials, the official cover offers active cooling and lowers XY driver temperatures. XY driver temps only get high when printing high-temperature filaments. | When printing ABS, chamber temperature shows almost no difference compared to the DIY cover. For PLA/PETG (materials requiring cooling), you can only open the front grille for passive cooling. XY driver temperatures "remain consistently high" during high-temp material printing. |
| Filament compatibility | No filament incompatibility found aside from the gear biting issue. | Similar to official. Very soft TPU may soften due to heat dissipation issues. No incompatibility found so far except for the basic gear not gripping certain filaments (unrelated to the cover). |
| Noise | Integrated fans (both recirculation and exhaust) are quieter than the hotend fan, so the official cover is noticeably quieter. | When printing PLA/PETG (needing cooling), opening the grille lets noise escape, so it is louder than the official cover for those materials. |
| Filtration performance | After filtration, basically no smell – you can even print with doors/windows open. | DIY cover has no filtration – when printing ABS you have to force exhaust, which is very annoying. |
| Serviceability | The official cover requires unplugging the cable to fully remove for major maintenance. For simple tasks (e.g., changing filament), you only need to open the magnetic door – no need to remove the cover if you're skilled. | The DIY cover has no latches; it stays in place by its own weight and a thick foam seal. To open or maintain, just lift it off entirely – even for simple tasks you need to remove the whole cover. |
| Fit & extra features | After adding foam seals, the fit is also very tight. An added inductive light has its USB cable "pinched very tightly." Suggestion: official cover should include accessory mounting points or at least USB power / data hub for user add-ons. | After adding ~5mm thick foam seals on front/back and contact surfaces, the fit is very tight. Neither cover has built-in lighting or a camera. |
| Value for money | At ~$200, the official cover is quite high for the Chinese market. At ~$120, I would buy it immediately without considering other DIY options. | Cost ~$30 total (including ~2kg eSUN PLA+ and a ~$10 fruit basket). |
| Strengths to borrow (take & learn) |
More customisable colours, better sealing and fit. | Filtration fan, exhaust fan, smoother contour lines. |
Provided by Rüdiger Neuweg
| Aspect | Snapmaker U1 Top Cover | Printed Top Cover with Acrylic Window |
|---|---|---|
| Chamber temperature | Achieves "5 to 8 °C" higher temperatures (passive) | "5 to 8 °C less" – runs cooler |
| Noise | "1–2 dB difference" – almost the same (not specified which is quieter) | Similar, within 1–2 dB |
| Filtration & odour | "Original wins by far!" – built-in filter works excellently | "No" filtration – smell is noticeable |
| Build quality & finish | "Feels high-quality" – good fit, panel thickness, hinge mechanism | — |
| Access & maintenance | Could be improved – "A flap with hinges would be nicer." | Has a hinged flap |
| External connectivity | "There is no cable pass-through for outdoor use to accommodate additional add-ons." | Has that feature |
| Value for money |
"At $149 an absolute yes! For $199 – must think about it. $249 – only if active heating is included." |
— |
Built With You, Thanks to You
A huge thank you to all testers who put the pilot units through real print after real print:Alan5596, Argo, 竹子、大胖肥猫、Cheeky_b52, Dmitrii Savin, Dylan, Eran Binyamin Zeitoun, fatboy1271, LixNix, Marlowe, Rüdiger Neuweg, SimonZhi, Wombley, unlucio, wildtang3nt, Eric Nelson, 沈浩然. You caught the blind spots we missed – from seal strips to chamber control – and shared honest feedback, good and bad. Every data point, photo, and late-night note helped shape the improvements you'll see in the final version.Because the best products are made with you, not just for you. Thank you for building with us.
