Late in cycle โ a new model is likely coming soon
Best for: Beginners who prioritize open-source hardware, community support, and long-term reliability over speed โ and don't mind a slower, more deliberate printing experience.
Full details โFirst-generation product โ recently released, still early days
Best for: Budget makers who primarily print PLA, PETG, and TPU and want a large enclosed CoreXY at $379. Not the right choice if you regularly print ABS, ASA, PA, or PC.
Full details โ| Prusa Research Mini+ | Qidi Tech Q2C | |
|---|---|---|
| Tier | Entry | Entry |
| Motion | BedSlinger | CoreXY |
| Build Volume | 180 ร 180 ร 180 mm | 270 ร 270 ร 256 mm |
| Max Speed | 200 mm/s | 600 mm/s |
| Multicolor | โ No | โ 4 slots |
| Enclosure | โ | โ |
| Auto Calibration | โ | โ |
| Open Source | โ | โ |
| Upgrade Kit | โ | โ |
| Materials | PLA, PETG, ASA, TPU | PLA, PETG, ASA, TPU |
| Released | Apr 25, 2021 | Aug 20, 2025 |
| Cycle length | ~730 days | โ |
| Cycle advice | Wait | Buy |
| Deals advice | Buy | Caution |
| Next model | Prusa Mini 2 (Expected 2026) | โ |
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.
270ร270ร256 mm is larger than the Bambu P2S and X1C at a fraction of the cost. The passive enclosure keeps PLA and PETG prints consistent without needing active heating.
The Q2C works with the Qidi Box multi-filament system โ up to 4 units can be chained for 16-color printing, sold separately at $228 per unit.
Same rated top speed as Bambu Lab printers, placing it in the fastest tier of consumer FDM printers.