Late in cycle — a new model is likely coming soon
Best for: Beginners who prioritize open-source hardware, community support, and long-term reliability over speed — and don't mind a slower, more deliberate printing experience.
Full details →Early in release cycle — no urgency to wait
Best for: First-time buyers and hobbyists who want the easiest path to multicolor FDM printing without breaking the bank.
Full details →| Prusa Research Mini+ | Bambu Lab A1 Mini 2 | |
|---|---|---|
| Tier | Entry | Entry |
| Motion | BedSlinger | BedSlinger |
| Build Volume | 180 × 180 × 180 mm | 180 × 180 × 180 mm |
| Max Speed | 200 mm/s | 500 mm/s |
| Multicolor | ❌ No | ✅ 4 slots |
| Enclosure | ❌ | ❌ |
| Auto Calibration | ✅ | ✅ |
| Open Source | ✅ | ❌ |
| Upgrade Kit | — | — |
| Materials | PLA, PETG, ASA, TPU | PLA, PETG, TPU |
| Released | Apr 25, 2021 | Nov 1, 2025 |
| Cycle length | ~730 days | ~365 days |
| Cycle advice | Wait | Buy |
| Deals advice | Buy | Caution |
| Next model | Prusa Mini 2 (Expected 2026) | A1 Mini 3 (Expected Q4 2026) |
The Mini+ has been on the market since 2021 and has proven its durability with thousands of community print-hours logged.
Prusa stocks replacement parts for all Mini+ components. Community guides cover every repair scenario.
The lowest-cost way to enter the Prusa ecosystem with a fully supported printer.
Automatic bed leveling, first-layer calibration, and Bambu's guided workflow mean most users are printing within 15 minutes of unboxing.
The Combo bundle includes AMS Lite for 4-color filament switching — unprecedented at this price tier.
The Mini 2 addresses the original's noise complaints with an improved motion system and better damping.