The Creality K1C and Qidi Tech Plus5 are cross-brand rivals: both are prosumer-tier printers, listed $250 apart. Note that the K1C has been replaced by the K2 and is no longer sold new. Both are enclosed CoreXY printers with 4-slot multicolor, a 600 mm/s rated top speed and automatic calibration. The Plus5 costs $250 more and gets you 154% 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 It has been replaced by the Creality K2.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 →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 →| Creality K1C | Qidi Tech Plus5 | |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing | ||
| Starting Price | ★ $499 | $749 |
| Print Specs | ||
| Tier | Prosumer | Prosumer |
| Motion | CoreXY | CoreXY |
| Build Volume | 220 × 220 × 250 mm | ★ 320 × 320 × 300 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 | Aug 5, 2026 |
| Cycle length | ~450 days | ~684 days |
| Cycle advice | Superseded | Buy |
| Deals advice | Clearance | Buy |
| 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The K1C has been replaced by the K2 and is no longer sold new, so there is no release cycle left to time — any unit you find now is leftover or second-hand stock.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 Plus5 was released on Aug 5, 2026, 99 days ago. Its previous release cycle ran about 684 days, so it is 14% of the way through — roughly 585 days before a successor would be due at that pace.
On timing alone, the Plus5 is the safer buy right now — it is only 14% of the way through its expected cycle, while the K1C has already been replaced by the K2.
Cycle and deal status as of November 12, 2026. See the launch calendar →
The K1C lists at $499 and the Plus5 at $749 — $250 apart, so the Plus5 costs 50% more.
Per litre of build volume, that works out to $41 for the K1C versus $24 for the Plus5 — so the pricier Plus5 actually gives you more build space per dollar.
Buy the Plus5. The K1C has already been replaced by the K2 and is no longer sold new, so it is only worth considering at a clearance price. If the K1C appealed to you, the fair comparison today is the Plus5 against the K2.
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.
An 18% larger build volume than the Plus4's 305×305×280 mm, in the same enclosed prosumer class.
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.
Handles high-performance engineering composites including carbon- and glass-fiber reinforced filaments and PPS-CF without a separate hotend upgrade.