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 →Just released — full support runway ahead
Best for: Budget-conscious beginners who want CoreXY speed and optional multicolor printing in the trusted Ender 3 form factor — and are comfortable with a hands-on setup experience.
Full details →| Prusa Research Mini+ | Creality Ender 3 V4 | |
|---|---|---|
| Tier | Entry | Entry |
| Motion | BedSlinger | CoreXY |
| Build Volume | 180 × 180 × 180 mm | 220 × 220 × 235 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 | Jan 15, 2026 |
| Cycle length | ~730 days | ~854 days |
| Cycle advice | Wait | Buy |
| Deals advice | Buy | Caution |
| Next model | Prusa Mini 2 (Expected 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.
The V4's rigid frame reduces vibration at high speeds, improving print quality over the V3 KE's lighter structure.
The Combo bundle includes Creality's CFS filament system for 4-color printing, expandable to 16 colors with additional CFS units — one of the most affordable multicolor setups available.
The Ender 3 family has the largest 3D printing community in the world, with extensive documentation, mods, and active Creality firmware updates.