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 →Overdue for a refresh — no successor announced yet. Prices should be at their lowest
Best for: Budget-conscious makers who want a capable CoreXY with Klipper firmware for customization — without Bambu's closed ecosystem or Prusa's premium pricing.
Full details →| Prusa Research Mini+ | Elegoo Neptune 4 Pro | |
|---|---|---|
| Tier | Entry | Prosumer |
| Motion | BedSlinger | CoreXY |
| Build Volume | 180 × 180 × 180 mm | 225 × 225 × 265 mm |
| Max Speed | 200 mm/s | 500 mm/s |
| Multicolor | ❌ No | ❌ No |
| Enclosure | ❌ | ❌ |
| Auto Calibration | ✅ | ✅ |
| Open Source | ✅ | ❌ |
| Upgrade Kit | — | — |
| Materials | PLA, PETG, ASA, TPU | PLA, PETG, ABS, ASA, TPU |
| Released | Apr 25, 2021 | Jul 15, 2023 |
| Cycle length | ~730 days | ~450 days |
| Cycle advice | Wait | Wait |
| Deals advice | Buy | Buy |
| Next model | Prusa Mini 2 (Expected 2027 or later) | — |
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 Neptune 4 Pro ships with Klipper pre-installed — enabling advanced input shaping, pressure advance, and configuration flexibility without modding.
Competitive CoreXY speed at a price significantly below Bambu and Prusa alternatives.
Full automatic bed leveling reduces setup time and calibration friction.