Overdue for a refresh — no successor announced yet. Prices should be at their lowest
Best for: Budget-conscious makers who need active chamber heating for ABS, ASA, and PA printing. Look for clearance deals — the Q2 is the better long-term buy if available.
Full details →Late in cycle — a new model is likely coming soon
Best for: Professional makers, studios, and engineers who need large-format printing with genuine multi-material capability, open-source hardware, and Prusa's long-term support.
Full details →| Qidi Tech Q1 Pro | Prusa Research XL | |
|---|---|---|
| Tier | Entry | Professional |
| Motion | CoreXY | CoreXY |
| Build Volume | 245 × 245 × 240 mm | 360 × 360 × 360 mm |
| Max Speed | 600 mm/s | 500 mm/s |
| Multicolor | ❌ No | ✅ 5 slots |
| Enclosure | ✅ | ❌ |
| Auto Calibration | ✅ | ✅ |
| Open Source | ❌ | ✅ |
| Upgrade Kit | — | — |
| Materials | PLA, PETG, ABS, ASA, TPU, PA, PA-CF, PC | PLA, PETG, ABS, ASA, TPU, PA, PA-CF, PC |
| Released | Mar 20, 2024 | Nov 20, 2023 |
| Cycle length | ~518 days | ~730 days |
| Cycle advice | Wait | Wait |
| Deals advice | Buy | Buy |
| Next model | — | Prusa XL 2 (Expected late 2026) |
The Q1 Pro's heated chamber was groundbreaking at its price point. ABS, ASA, and PA prints come out without warping that plagues open-frame printers.
Same speed class as Bambu Lab printers at a fraction of the price for enclosed printing.
Unlike filament-switching AMS/MMU systems, the XL physically swaps print heads. Each material has its own nozzle, eliminating purge towers entirely and enabling true multi-material prints.
One of the largest build volumes available in a CoreXY printer at this price point — suited for large props, architectural models, and batch production.
Every component is documented, parts are stocked for years, and the community has developed hundreds of modifications and improvements.