Mid-cycle โ watch for announcements before buying
๐ง Upgrade kit available โ from MK4, MK3.5
Best for: Makers who value open-source hardware, community support, long-term repairability, and battle-tested reliability over raw speed or multicolor features.
Full details โOverdue for a refresh โ 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 โ particularly those printing PA-CF, ABS, and PC at scale.
Full details โ| Prusa Research MK4S | Qidi Tech Plus4 | |
|---|---|---|
| Tier | Prosumer | Prosumer |
| Motion | BedSlinger | CoreXY |
| Build Volume | 250 ร 210 ร 220 mm | 305 ร 305 ร 280 mm |
| Max Speed | 500 mm/s | 600 mm/s |
| Multicolor | โ No | โ 4 slots |
| Enclosure | โ | โ |
| Auto Calibration | โ | โ |
| Open Source | โ | โ |
| Upgrade Kit | ๐ง From MK4, MK3.5 | โ |
| Materials | PLA, PETG, ABS, ASA, TPU, PA, PC | PLA, PETG, ABS, ASA, TPU, PA, PA-CF, PC, PPS-CF |
| Released | Mar 20, 2024 | Sep 20, 2024 |
| Cycle length | ~730 days | ~408 days |
| Cycle advice | Caution | Wait |
| Deals advice | Caution | Buy |
| Next model | Prusa MK5 (Expected 2027) | โ |
MK4 and MK3.5 owners can upgrade to MK4S specs without purchasing a whole new printer. This is Prusa's commitment to owners and is unique in the industry at this level.
Firmware, PCB schematics, hardware designs, and slicing profiles are all published under open licenses. You own the printer completely.
Prusa's forum, knowledge base, and repair guides are unmatched. Parts are stocked and available for years after purchase.
One of the largest build volumes in the prosumer enclosed category โ 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.