The CORE One+ and MK4S are both prosumer-tier printers from Prusa Research, so the brand and ecosystem question is already settled — this comes down to size, features and price. The CORE One+ costs $270 more and gets you an enclosed chamber and 8-slot multicolor.
Early in release cycle — no urgency to wait
🔧 Upgrade kit available — from CORE One+, MK4S
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 — 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+ | Prusa Research MK4S | |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing | ||
| Starting Price | $999 | ★ $729 |
| Print Specs | ||
| Tier | Prosumer | Prosumer |
| Motion | CoreXY | BedSlinger |
| Build Volume | ★ 250 × 220 × 270 mm | 250 × 210 × 220 mm |
| Max Speed | ★ 600 mm/s | 500 mm/s |
| Multicolor | ★ ✅ 8 slots | ❌ No |
| Enclosure | ★ ✅ | ❌ |
| Auto Calibration | ✅ | ✅ |
| Open Source | ✅ | ✅ |
| Upgrade Kit | 🔧 From CORE One+, MK4S | 🔧 From MK4, MK3.5 |
| Buy Timing | ||
| Released | Aug 13, 2026 | Aug 13, 2024 |
| Cycle length | ~209 days | ~730 days |
| Cycle advice | Buy | Upgrade Kit |
| Deals advice | Caution | Buy |
| Next model | — | — |
The CORE One+ was released on Aug 13, 2026, 91 days ago. Its previous release cycle ran about 209 days, so it is 44% of the way through — roughly 118 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+ is the safer buy right now — it is only 44% 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+ at $999 — $270 apart, so the CORE One+ costs 37% more.
Per litre of build volume, that works out to $67 for the CORE One+ versus $63 for the MK4S — the MK4S is the better value per litre as well.
Prusa Research sells a kit that converts the MK4S into the CORE One+, so MK4S owners can move up without buying a whole new printer. If you are choosing between the two from scratch, starting with the MK4S keeps that upgrade route open.
Our pick for most buyers is the CORE One+, for an enclosed chamber and 8-slot multicolor, plus better buy-now timing. Go for the MK4S instead if you want to spend less — it is $270 cheaper ($729 vs $999).
How we judge timing and deals: read our methodology →
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.
The CORE One+ (Gen 2) can be ordered with Prusa's INDX toolchanger in 4- or 8-tool versions, shipping from 15 October 2026. Each material gets its own nozzle, with about 12 seconds per material change and almost no purge waste. The MMU3 remains compatible as a 5-color add-on.
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.