The MK4S (prosumer) and CORE One L+ (professional) are a step-up decision within Prusa Research's lineup: same ecosystem, different class of machine. The CORE One L+ costs $1,270 more and gets you 157% more build volume and an enclosed chamber (with PA-CF on its materials list).
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 →Late in cycle — but an upgrade kit is available. Existing owners can upgrade without buying new
🔧 Upgrade kit available — from MK4, MK3.5
Best for: Makers who value open-source hardware, community support, long-term repairability, and battle-tested reliability over raw speed or multicolor features.
Full details →| Prusa Research CORE One L+ | Prusa Research MK4S | |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing | ||
| Starting Price | $1,999 | ★ $729 |
| Print Specs | ||
| Tier | Professional | Prosumer |
| Motion | CoreXY | BedSlinger |
| Build Volume | ★ 300 × 300 × 330 mm | 250 × 210 × 220 mm |
| Max Speed | 500 mm/s | 500 mm/s |
| Multicolor | ❌ No | ❌ No |
| Enclosure | ★ ✅ | ❌ |
| Auto Calibration | ✅ | ✅ |
| Open Source | ✅ | ✅ |
| Upgrade Kit | 🔧 From CORE One L | 🔧 From MK4, MK3.5 |
| Buy Timing | ||
| Released | Aug 13, 2026 | Aug 13, 2024 |
| Cycle length | ~279 days | ~730 days |
| Cycle advice | Buy | Upgrade Kit |
| Deals advice | Caution | Buy |
| Next model | — | — |
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.
The MK4S was released on Aug 13, 2024, 821 days ago. Its previous release cycle ran about 730 days; it is now 91 days past that point and no successor has been announced.
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 MK4S is 91 days past its ~730-day cycle with no successor announced.
Cycle and deal status as of November 12, 2026. See the launch calendar →
The MK4S lists at $729 and the CORE One L+ at $1,999 — $1,270 apart, so the CORE One L+ costs 174% more.
Per litre of build volume, that works out to $67 for the CORE One L+ versus $63 for the MK4S — the MK4S is the better value per litre as well.
Our pick for most buyers is the MK4S, for a lower price ($1,270 less), plus a higher editor score (8.9 vs 8.6). Go for the CORE One L+ instead if you print large parts — its 300 × 300 × 330 mm build volume holds 157% more than the MK4S's 250 × 210 × 220 mm.
How we judge timing and deals: read our methodology →
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.
MK4 and MK3.5 owners can upgrade to MK4S specs without purchasing a whole new printer. This is Prusa's commitment to owners and is unique in the industry at this level.
Firmware, PCB schematics, hardware designs, and slicing profiles are all published under open licenses. You own the printer completely.
Prusa's forum, knowledge base, and repair guides are unmatched. Parts are stocked and available for years after purchase.