Mid-cycle — watch for announcements before buying
Best for: Makers who want CoreXY speed and precision with Prusa's open-source ethos, community support, and long-term repairability — without Bambu's closed ecosystem.
Full details →Late in cycle — a new model is likely coming soon
Best for: Makers who need enclosed CoreXY printing for PA-CF and ASA on a budget — and want a capable alternative to Bambu without the ecosystem lock-in.
Full details →| Prusa Research Core One | Creality K1C | |
|---|---|---|
| Tier | Prosumer | Prosumer |
| Motion | CoreXY | CoreXY |
| Build Volume | 250 × 220 × 270 mm | 220 × 220 × 250 mm |
| Max Speed | 600 mm/s | 600 mm/s |
| Multicolor | ❌ No | ❌ No |
| Enclosure | ❌ | ✅ |
| Auto Calibration | ✅ | ✅ |
| Open Source | ✅ | ❌ |
| Upgrade Kit | — | — |
| Materials | PLA, PETG, ABS, ASA, TPU, PA, PC | PLA, PETG, ABS, ASA, TPU, PA-CF |
| Released | Jan 14, 2025 | Jan 20, 2024 |
| Cycle length | ~730 days | ~450 days |
| Cycle advice | Caution | Wait |
| Deals advice | Caution | Buy |
| Next model | Core One S (enclosed) (Expected 2027) | K1C 2 or K2 successor (Expected mid-2026) |
The Core One matches Bambu CoreXY speed (600 mm/s) while keeping everything open source — firmware, hardware, slicing profiles.
Unlike Bambu's closed ecosystem, every component of the Core One can be modified, repaired, or community-improved.
Existing MMU3 units and the new MMU3 for Core One bring 5-color multicolor printing to the CoreXY platform.
The K1C ships with a hardened steel nozzle rated for carbon-fiber filaments — a significant cost advantage over printers that require aftermarket nozzle upgrades.
Few printers under $400 offer genuine enclosure capability. The K1C delivers ABS and ASA-capable chamber temperatures.
Competitive speed with Bambu's P-series at a fraction of the price.