The Prusa Research CORE One L+ (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 Note that the Q1 Pro has been replaced by the Q2 and is no longer sold new.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 automatic calibration. The CORE One L+ costs $1,500 more and gets you 106% more build volume and an open-source design; the Q1 Pro answers with a top speed of 600 mm/s (vs 500).
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 →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 It has been replaced by the Qidi Tech Q2.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 →| Prusa Research CORE One L+ | Qidi Tech Q1 Pro | |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing | ||
| Starting Price | $1,999 | ★ $499 |
| Print Specs | ||
| Tier | Professional | Entry |
| Motion | CoreXY | CoreXY |
| Build Volume | ★ 300 × 300 × 330 mm | 245 × 245 × 240 mm |
| Max Speed | 500 mm/s | ★ 600 mm/s |
| Multicolor | ❌ No | ❌ No |
| Enclosure | ✅ | ✅ |
| Auto Calibration | ✅ | ✅ |
| Open Source | ★ ✅ | ❌ |
| Upgrade Kit | 🔧 From CORE One L | — |
| Buy Timing | ||
| Released | Aug 13, 2026 | Mar 20, 2024 |
| Cycle length | ~279 days | ~518 days |
| Cycle advice | Buy | Superseded |
| Deals advice | Caution | Clearance |
| 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The Q1 Pro has been replaced by the Q2 and is no longer sold new, so there is no release cycle left to time — any unit you find now is leftover or second-hand stock.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 CORE One L+ is the safer buy right now — it is only 33% of the way through its expected cycle, while the Q1 Pro has already been replaced by the Q2.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 CORE One L+ at $1,999 — $1,500 apart, so the CORE One L+ costs 301% more.
Per litre of build volume, that works out to $67 for the CORE One L+ versus $35 for the Q1 Pro — the Q1 Pro is the better value per litre as well.
Buy the CORE One L+. 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 CORE One L+ against the Q2.
Compare Prusa Research CORE One L+ vs Qidi Tech Q2 →
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.
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.