Prusa Research MK4SvsQidi Tech Plus5

📐Qidi Tech Plus5 has 166% more build volume

⚡Qidi Tech Plus5 tops out at 600 mm/s vs 500 mm/s

🏠Only Qidi Tech Plus5 has an enclosure — required for ABS, ASA, PA engineering filaments

🎨Only Qidi Tech Plus5 supports multicolor printing (4 slots)

Cross-ecosystem comparison: These printers use different software ecosystems. Accessories, filament profiles, and community support are not interchangeable between brands. Consider the total ecosystem cost, not just the printer price.

Prusa Research MK4S

Buy/Wait:Upgrade Kit

Late in cycle — but an upgrade kit is available. Existing owners can upgrade without buying new

🔧 Upgrade kit available — 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 →

Qidi Tech Plus5

Buy/Wait:Buy

Just released — full support runway ahead

Best for: Makers and small businesses who need a large enclosed build volume for engineering materials at a prosumer price — particularly those printing PA-CF, ABS, and PC at scale.

Full details →

	Prusa Research MK4S	Qidi Tech Plus5
Pricing
Starting Price	★ $729	$749
Print Specs
Tier	Prosumer	Prosumer
Motion	BedSlinger	CoreXY
Build Volume	250 × 210 × 220 mm	★ 320 × 320 × 300 mm
Max Speed	500 mm/s	★ 600 mm/s
Multicolor	❌ No	★ ✅ 4 slots
Enclosure	❌	★ ✅
Auto Calibration	✅	✅
Open Source	★ ✅	❌
Upgrade Kit	🔧 From MK4, MK3.5	—
Buy Timing
Released	Mar 20, 2024	Aug 5, 2026
Cycle length	~730 days	~684 days
Cycle advice	Upgrade Kit	Buy
Deals advice	Buy	Caution
Next model	Prusa MK5 (Expected 2027)	—

Quick Winner

Bottom Line

🏠Qidi Tech Plus5 is the only choice if you print ABS, ASA, PA, or PC — those materials require an enclosure

🎨Qidi Tech Plus5 is the pick if multicolor printing is important to you

🔓Prusa Research MK4S is the pick for open firmware, community mods, and long-term repairability

Materials

Prusa Research MK4S only

—

Both

PLAEasy to print, no enclosure needed — everyday parts

PETGTougher, slightly flexible, moisture-resistant

ABSHeat and impact resistant — needs enclosure

ASAUV-stable ABS alternative — outdoor parts, needs enclosure

TPUFlexible rubber-like — phone cases, gaskets, wheels

PANylon — strong and wear-resistant, needs dry storage

PCPolycarbonate — extremely tough, challenging to print

Qidi Tech Plus5 only

PA-CFCarbon-fibre nylon — very stiff, abrasive to standard nozzles

PPS-CFExtreme temperature and chemical resistance

Why buy each?

Prusa Research MK4S

Upgrade kit available — no need to buy new

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.

Fully open source

Firmware, PCB schematics, hardware designs, and slicing profiles are all published under open licenses. You own the printer completely.

Best community and documentation

Prusa's forum, knowledge base, and repair guides are unmatched. Parts are stocked and available for years after purchase.

Qidi Tech Plus5

320×320×300 mm build volume

An 18% larger build volume than the Plus4's 305×305×280 mm, in the same enclosed prosumer class.

Active 65°C chamber heating

A 550 W third-generation chamber heater holds 65°C for PA, PA-CF, ABS, ASA, and PC with minimal warping across the build plate.

370°C bimetal hotend

Handles high-performance engineering composites including carbon- and glass-fiber reinforced filaments and PPS-CF without a separate hotend upgrade.