Mid-cycle — watch for announcements before buying
🔧 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 →Late in cycle — a new model is likely coming soon
Best for: Professional makers and small businesses who need the highest level of print monitoring, reliability, and material compatibility in a production-ready package.
Full details →| Prusa Research MK4S | Bambu Lab X1C | |
|---|---|---|
| Tier | Prosumer | Professional |
| Motion | BedSlinger | CoreXY |
| Build Volume | 250 × 210 × 220 mm | 256 × 256 × 256 mm |
| Max Speed | 500 mm/s | 500 mm/s |
| Multicolor | ❌ No | ✅ 4 slots |
| Enclosure | ❌ | ✅ |
| Auto Calibration | ✅ | ✅ |
| Open Source | ✅ | ❌ |
| Upgrade Kit | 🔧 From MK4, MK3.5 | — |
| Materials | PLA, PETG, ABS, ASA, TPU, PA, PC | PLA, PETG, ABS, ASA, TPU, PA, PA-CF, PC |
| Released | Mar 20, 2024 | Jul 25, 2022 |
| Cycle length | ~730 days | ~365 days |
| Cycle advice | Caution | Wait |
| Deals advice | Caution | Buy |
| Next model | Prusa MK5 (Expected 2027) | X2C or next flagship (Expected mid-2026) |
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.
The X1C's LiDAR sensor maps bed surface deviation and adjusts in real time — the most reliable first-layer consistency in its class.
The built-in camera with spaghetti detection pauses prints automatically when failures are detected — critical for unattended production runs.
The X1C uses a die-cast metal frame and carbon-fiber-reinforced structure for rigidity at high speeds.