Mid-cycle — watch for announcements before buying
🔧 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 →First-generation product — 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 →| Prusa Research MK4S | Qidi Tech Q2C | |
|---|---|---|
| Tier | Prosumer | Entry |
| Motion | BedSlinger | CoreXY |
| Build Volume | 250 × 210 × 220 mm | 270 × 270 × 256 mm |
| Max Speed | 500 mm/s | 600 mm/s |
| Multicolor | ❌ No | ✅ 4 slots |
| Enclosure | ❌ | ✅ |
| Auto Calibration | ✅ | ✅ |
| Open Source | ✅ | ❌ |
| Upgrade Kit | 🔧 From MK4, MK3.5 | — |
| Materials | PLA, PETG, ABS, ASA, TPU, PA, PC | PLA, PETG, ASA, TPU |
| Released | Mar 20, 2024 | Aug 20, 2025 |
| Cycle length | ~730 days | — |
| Cycle advice | Caution | Buy |
| Deals advice | Caution | Caution |
| Next model | Prusa MK5 (Expected 2027) | — |
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.
270×270×256 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 — 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.