🖨 3D Printer Radar

Prusa Research CORE One LvsQidi Tech Q1 Pro

💰Qidi Tech Q1 Pro is $1300 cheaper (261% less)
📐Prusa Research CORE One L has 106% more build volume
Qidi Tech Q1 Pro tops out at 600 mm/s vs 500 mm/s
Cross-ecosystem comparison: These printers use different software ecosystems. Accessories, filament profiles, and community support are not interchangeable between brands. Consider the total ecosystem cost, not just the printer price.
Prusa Research CORE One L
Buy/Wait:Buy

First-generation product — recently released, still early days

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.

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Qidi Tech Q1 Pro
Buy/Wait:Superseded

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 It has been replaced by the Qidi Tech Q2.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.

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Prusa Research CORE One LQidi Tech Q1 Pro
Pricing
Starting Price$1,799$499
Print Specs
TierProfessionalEntry
MotionCoreXYCoreXY
Build Volume300 × 300 × 330 mm245 × 245 × 240 mm
Max Speed500 mm/s600 mm/s
Multicolor❌ No❌ No
Enclosure
Auto Calibration
Open Source
Upgrade Kit
Buy Timing
ReleasedNov 7, 2025Mar 20, 2024
Cycle length~518 days
Cycle adviceBuySuperseded
Deals adviceCautionClearance
Next model

Quick Winner

💰
Budget pick
Qidi Tech Q1 Pro
$499 starting
📐
Large prints
Prusa Research CORE One L
300×300×330 mm
Fastest prints
Qidi Tech Q1 Pro
600 mm/s
🔓
Open ecosystem
Prusa Research CORE One L
Open source

Bottom Line

💰Qidi Tech Q1 Pro saves you $1300 — choose it if budget is your primary constraint
🔓Prusa Research CORE One L is the pick for open firmware, community mods, and long-term repairability

Materials

Prusa Research CORE One L only
Both
PLAEasy to print, no enclosure needed — everyday parts
PETGTougher, slightly flexible, moisture-resistant
ABSHeat and impact resistant — needs enclosure
ASAUV-stable ABS alternative — outdoor parts, needs enclosure
TPUFlexible rubber-like — phone cases, gaskets, wheels
PANylon — strong and wear-resistant, needs dry storage
PA-CFCarbon-fibre nylon — very stiff, abrasive to standard nozzles
PCPolycarbonate — extremely tough, challenging to print
Qidi Tech Q1 Pro only

Why buy each?

Prusa Research CORE One L

300×300×330 mm with active 60°C chamber heating

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.

Fully open source

All firmware, hardware designs, and slicing profiles are open source. Prusa backs the CORE One L with long-term parts availability and community support.

Critical Infrastructure Edition available

For institutional, government, and production customers, a dedicated Critical Infrastructure Edition is offered — Prusa's commitment to secure supply for professional users.

Qidi Tech Q1 Pro

Active 60°C chamber heating

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.

600 mm/s CoreXY speed

Same speed class as Bambu Lab printers at a fraction of the price for enclosed printing.