The Elegoo Neptune 4 Pro (prosumer) and Prusa Research XL+ (professional) 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. Both are open-frame printers with a 500 mm/s rated top speed and automatic calibration. The XL+ costs $2,039 more and gets you 248% more build volume and extra engineering materials (PA, PA-CF and PC).
Overdue for a refresh — no successor announced yet. Prices should be at their lowest
Best for: Budget-conscious makers who want a capable bed-slinger with Klipper firmware for customization — without Bambu's closed ecosystem or Prusa's premium pricing.
Full details →Next model announced — but an upgrade kit is available for existing owners
🔧 Upgrade kit available — from XL
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 →| Elegoo Neptune 4 Pro | Prusa Research XL+ | |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing | ||
| Starting Price | ★ $260 | $2,299 |
| Print Specs | ||
| Tier | Prosumer | Professional |
| Motion | BedSlinger | CoreXY |
| Build Volume | 225 × 225 × 265 mm | ★ 360 × 360 × 360 mm |
| Max Speed | 500 mm/s | 500 mm/s |
| Multicolor | ❌ No | ★ ✅ 5 slots |
| Enclosure | ❌ | ❌ |
| Auto Calibration | ✅ | ✅ |
| Open Source | ❌ | ★ ✅ |
| Upgrade Kit | — | 🔧 From XL |
| Buy Timing | ||
| Released | Jul 15, 2023 | Aug 13, 2026 |
| Cycle length | ~450 days | ~997 days |
| Cycle advice | Wait | Upgrade Kit |
| Deals advice | Buy | Buy |
| Next model | — | XL Pick & Place Toolhead (Late 2026) |
The Neptune 4 Pro was released on Jul 15, 2023, 1,216 days ago. Its previous release cycle ran about 450 days; it is now 766 days past that point and no successor has been announced.
The XL+ was released on Aug 13, 2026, 91 days ago. Prusa Research has already announced what comes next: XL Pick & Place Toolhead (Late 2026). Because Prusa Research sells upgrade kits for this line, owners can move up without replacing the whole printer.
On timing alone, the XL+ is the safer buy right now — it has its next step announced (XL Pick & Place Toolhead, Late 2026), with upgrade kits for existing owners, while the Neptune 4 Pro is 766 days past its ~450-day cycle with no successor announced.
Cycle and deal status as of November 12, 2026. See the launch calendar →
The Neptune 4 Pro lists at $260 and the XL+ at $2,299 — $2,039 apart, so the XL+ costs 784% more.
Per litre of build volume, that works out to $19 for the Neptune 4 Pro versus $49 for the XL+ — the Neptune 4 Pro is the better value per litre as well.
If you are buying before Dec 5, 2026, the active sale tips value toward the Neptune 4 Pro.
Our pick for most buyers is the XL+, for 248% more build volume and extra engineering materials (PA, PA-CF and PC), plus a higher editor score (8.7 vs 7.7) and better buy-now timing. Go for the Neptune 4 Pro instead if you want to spend less — it is $2,039 cheaper ($260 vs $2,299).
How we judge timing and deals: read our methodology →
The Neptune 4 Pro ships with Klipper pre-installed — enabling advanced input shaping, pressure advance, and configuration flexibility without modding.
A 500 mm/s rated speed at a price significantly below Bambu and Prusa alternatives.
Full automatic bed leveling reduces setup time and calibration friction.
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.