The Creality K1C and Qidi Tech Plus4 are cross-brand rivals: both are prosumer-tier printers, listed $200 apart. Note that both have been replaced — the K1C by the K2 and the Plus4 by the Plus5 — and neither is sold new. Both are enclosed CoreXY printers with 4-slot multicolor, a 600 mm/s rated top speed and automatic calibration. The Plus4 costs $200 more and gets you 115% more build volume and extra engineering materials (PA, PC and PPS-CF).
This printer is no longer sold new. It has been replaced by the Creality K2.
Best for: Makers who need enclosed CoreXY printing for PA-CF and ASA on a budget — and want a capable alternative to Bambu without the ecosystem lock-in.
Full details →This printer is no longer sold new. It has been replaced by the Qidi Tech Plus5.
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. Look for clearance deals — the Plus5 is the current model.
Full details →| Creality K1C | Qidi Tech Plus4 | |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing | ||
| Starting Price | ★ $499 | $699 |
| Print Specs | ||
| Tier | Prosumer | Prosumer |
| Motion | CoreXY | CoreXY |
| Build Volume | 220 × 220 × 250 mm | ★ 305 × 305 × 280 mm |
| Max Speed | 600 mm/s | 600 mm/s |
| Multicolor | ✅ 4 slots | ✅ 4 slots |
| Enclosure | ✅ | ✅ |
| Auto Calibration | ✅ | ✅ |
| Open Source | ❌ | ❌ |
| Upgrade Kit | — | — |
| Buy Timing | ||
| Released | Jan 20, 2024 | Sep 20, 2024 |
| Cycle length | ~450 days | ~408 days |
| Cycle advice | Superseded | Superseded |
| Deals advice | Clearance | Clearance |
| Next model | — | — |
The K1C has been replaced by the K2 and is no longer sold new, so there is no release cycle left to time — any unit you find now is leftover or second-hand stock.
The Plus4 has been replaced by the Plus5 and is no longer sold new, so there is no release cycle left to time — any unit you find now is leftover or second-hand stock.
Neither printer is sold new any more: the K1C has already been replaced by the K2 and the Plus4 has already been replaced by the Plus5.
Cycle and deal status as of November 12, 2026. See the launch calendar →
The K1C lists at $499 and the Plus4 at $699 — $200 apart, so the Plus4 costs 40% more.
Per litre of build volume, that works out to $41 for the K1C versus $27 for the Plus4 — so the pricier Plus4 actually gives you more build space per dollar.
Neither is sold new any more, so we would not buy either at full price: the K1C has already been replaced by the K2 and the Plus4 has already been replaced by the Plus5. The fair comparison today is between their replacements.
Compare Creality K2 vs Qidi Tech Plus5 →
How we judge timing and deals: read our methodology →
The K1C ships with a hardened steel nozzle rated for carbon-fiber filaments — a significant cost advantage over printers that require aftermarket nozzle upgrades.
Few printers under $500 offer genuine enclosure capability. The K1C delivers ABS and ASA-capable chamber temperatures.
Matches the Bambu P2S's 600 mm/s top speed for about $50 less.
One of the largest build volumes in the prosumer enclosed category — 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.