The Bambu Lab X1C and Prusa Research CORE One L+ are both professional-tier printers, but the CORE One L+ costs 1.7× as much — so the question is what the extra money buys. Note that the X1C has been replaced by the X2D and is no longer sold new. Both are enclosed CoreXY printers with a 500 mm/s rated top speed and automatic calibration. The CORE One L+ costs $800 more and gets you 77% more build volume and an open-source design; the X1C answers with 4-slot multicolor.
This printer is no longer sold new. It has been replaced by the Bambu Lab X2D.
Best for: Professional makers seeking the X1C should now consider the X2D (its direct successor) or P2S (prosumer enclosed). Clearance X1C units offer the LiDAR and AI monitoring features at a reduced price.
Full details →Early in release cycle — no urgency to wait
🔧 Upgrade kit available — from CORE One L
Best for: Engineers and professional makers who need large-format enclosed printing with active chamber heating — and want Prusa's open-source ethos and long-term support over a closed-ecosystem competitor.
Full details →| Bambu Lab X1C | Prusa Research CORE One L+ | |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing | ||
| Starting Price | ★ $1,199 | $1,999 |
| Print Specs | ||
| Tier | Professional | Professional |
| Motion | CoreXY | CoreXY |
| Build Volume | 256 × 256 × 256 mm | ★ 300 × 300 × 330 mm |
| Max Speed | 500 mm/s | 500 mm/s |
| Multicolor | ★ ✅ 4 slots | ❌ No |
| Enclosure | ✅ | ✅ |
| Auto Calibration | ✅ | ✅ |
| Open Source | ❌ | ★ ✅ |
| Upgrade Kit | — | 🔧 From CORE One L |
| Buy Timing | ||
| Released | Jul 25, 2022 | Aug 13, 2026 |
| Cycle length | ~365 days | ~279 days |
| Cycle advice | Superseded | Buy |
| Deals advice | Clearance | Caution |
| Next model | — | — |
The X1C has been replaced by the X2D and is no longer sold new, so there is no release cycle left to time — any unit you find now is leftover or second-hand stock.
The CORE One L+ was released on Aug 13, 2026, 91 days ago. Its previous release cycle ran about 279 days, so it is 33% of the way through — roughly 188 days before a successor would be due at that pace.
On timing alone, the CORE One L+ is the safer buy right now — it is only 33% of the way through its expected cycle, while the X1C has already been replaced by the X2D.
Cycle and deal status as of November 12, 2026. See the launch calendar →
The X1C lists at $1,199 and the CORE One L+ at $1,999 — $800 apart, so the CORE One L+ costs 67% more.
Per litre of build volume, that works out to $71 for the X1C versus $67 for the CORE One L+ — so the pricier CORE One L+ actually gives you more build space per dollar.
Buy the CORE One L+. The X1C has already been replaced by the X2D and is no longer sold new, so it is only worth considering at a clearance price. If the X1C appealed to you, the fair comparison today is the CORE One L+ against the X2D.
Compare Bambu Lab X2D vs Prusa Research CORE One L+ →
How we judge timing and deals: read our methodology →
The X1C's LiDAR sensor maps bed surface deviation and adjusts in real time — the most reliable first-layer consistency in its class.
The built-in camera with spaghetti detection pauses prints automatically when failures are detected — critical for unattended production runs.
The X1C uses a die-cast metal frame and carbon-fiber-reinforced structure for rigidity at high speeds.
A large enclosed build volume with genuine active chamber heating — making the CORE One L+ reliable for ABS, ASA, PA, and PC across the full build plate.
All firmware, hardware designs, and slicing profiles are open source. Prusa backs the CORE One L+ with long-term parts availability and community support.
For institutional, government, and production customers, a dedicated Critical Infrastructure Edition is offered — Prusa's commitment to secure supply for professional users.