Late in cycle — a new model is likely coming soon
Best for: Makers who need enclosed CoreXY printing for PA-CF and ASA on a budget — and want a capable alternative to Bambu without the ecosystem lock-in.
Full details →Overdue for a refresh — no successor announced yet. Prices should be at their lowest
Best for: Makers and small businesses who need a large enclosed build volume for engineering materials at a prosumer price — particularly those printing PA-CF, ABS, and PC at scale.
Full details →| Creality K1C | Qidi Tech Plus4 | |
|---|---|---|
| Tier | Prosumer | Prosumer |
| Motion | CoreXY | CoreXY |
| Build Volume | 220 × 220 × 250 mm | 305 × 305 × 280 mm |
| Max Speed | 600 mm/s | 600 mm/s |
| Multicolor | ❌ No | ✅ 4 slots |
| Enclosure | ✅ | ✅ |
| Auto Calibration | ✅ | ✅ |
| Open Source | ❌ | ❌ |
| Upgrade Kit | — | — |
| Materials | PLA, PETG, ABS, ASA, TPU, PA-CF | PLA, PETG, ABS, ASA, TPU, PA, PA-CF, PC, PPS-CF |
| Released | Jan 20, 2024 | Sep 20, 2024 |
| Cycle length | ~450 days | ~408 days |
| Cycle advice | Wait | Wait |
| Deals advice | Buy | Buy |
| Next model | K1C 2 or K2 successor (Expected mid-2026) | — |
The K1C ships with a hardened steel nozzle rated for carbon-fiber filaments — a significant cost advantage over printers that require aftermarket nozzle upgrades.
Few printers under $400 offer genuine enclosure capability. The K1C delivers ABS and ASA-capable chamber temperatures.
Competitive speed with Bambu's P-series at a fraction of the price.
One of the largest build volumes in the prosumer enclosed category — 40% more printable area than the Bambu X1C at a lower price point.
The second-generation active heating delivers consistent chamber temperatures for PA, PA-CF, ABS, ASA, and PC with minimal warping across the full build plate.
Handles high-performance engineering composites including PA-CF, PET-CF, and PPS-CF without requiring a separate hotend upgrade.