The Creality K2 Plus (professional) and Qidi Tech Q1 Pro (entry) come from different brands and sit in different tiers, so this is less a head-to-head than a question of how much printer you need. Note that the Q1 Pro has been replaced by the Q2 and is no longer sold new. Both are enclosed CoreXY printers with a 600 mm/s rated top speed and automatic calibration. The K2 Plus costs $700 more and gets you 198% more build volume and 4-slot multicolor; the Q1 Pro answers with extra engineering materials (PC).
Overdue for a refresh — no successor announced yet. Prices should be at their lowest
Best for: Professionals and studios who need large-format enclosed multicolor printing without the premium price of Bambu's or Prusa's flagship offerings.
Full details →This printer is no longer sold new. It has been replaced by the Qidi Tech Q2.
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 →| Creality K2 Plus | Qidi Tech Q1 Pro | |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing | ||
| Starting Price | $1,199 | ★ $499 |
| Print Specs | ||
| Tier | Professional | Entry |
| Motion | CoreXY | CoreXY |
| Build Volume | ★ 350 × 350 × 350 mm | 245 × 245 × 240 mm |
| Max Speed | 600 mm/s | 600 mm/s |
| Multicolor | ★ ✅ 4 slots | ❌ No |
| Enclosure | ✅ | ✅ |
| Auto Calibration | ✅ | ✅ |
| Open Source | ❌ | ❌ |
| Upgrade Kit | — | — |
| Buy Timing | ||
| Released | Sep 15, 2024 | Mar 20, 2024 |
| Cycle length | ~450 days | ~518 days |
| Cycle advice | Wait | Superseded |
| Deals advice | Buy | Clearance |
| Next model | — | — |
The K2 Plus was released on Sep 15, 2024, 788 days ago. Its previous release cycle ran about 450 days; it is now 338 days past that point and no successor has been announced.
The Q1 Pro has been replaced by the Q2 and is no longer sold new, so there is no release cycle left to time — any unit you find now is leftover or second-hand stock.
On timing alone, the K2 Plus is the safer buy right now — it is 338 days past its ~450-day cycle with no successor announced, while the Q1 Pro has already been replaced by the Q2.
Cycle and deal status as of November 12, 2026. See the launch calendar →
The Q1 Pro lists at $499 and the K2 Plus at $1,199 — $700 apart, so the K2 Plus costs 140% more.
Per litre of build volume, that works out to $28 for the K2 Plus versus $35 for the Q1 Pro — so the pricier K2 Plus actually gives you more build space per dollar.
Buy the K2 Plus. The Q1 Pro has already been replaced by the Q2 and is no longer sold new, so it is only worth considering at a clearance price. If the Q1 Pro appealed to you, the fair comparison today is the K2 Plus against the Q2.
Compare Creality K2 Plus vs Qidi Tech Q2 →
How we judge timing and deals: read our methodology →
One of the largest build volumes available in an enclosed CoreXY printer, suited for large props, architectural models, and batch production.
Creality's CFS (Creative Filament System) provides 4-color filament switching comparable to Bambu's AMS at a lower price point.
The K2 Plus delivers professional-level features at a price point accessible to serious hobbyists and small studios.
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.