The Prusa Research MK4S and Qidi Tech Plus5 are cross-brand rivals: both are prosumer-tier printers, listed $20 apart. The Plus5 costs $20 more and gets you an enclosed chamber (with PA-CF and PPS-CF on its materials list) and 166% more build volume; the MK4S answers with an open-source design.
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 →Just released — full support runway ahead
Best for: Makers and small businesses who need a large enclosed build volume for engineering materials at a prosumer price — particularly those printing PA-CF, ABS, and PC at scale.
Full details →| Prusa Research MK4S | Qidi Tech Plus5 | |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing | ||
| Starting Price | ★ $729 | $749 |
| Print Specs | ||
| Tier | Prosumer | Prosumer |
| Motion | BedSlinger | CoreXY |
| Build Volume | 250 × 210 × 220 mm | ★ 320 × 320 × 300 mm |
| Max Speed | 500 mm/s | ★ 600 mm/s |
| Multicolor | ❌ No | ★ ✅ 4 slots |
| Enclosure | ❌ | ★ ✅ |
| Auto Calibration | ✅ | ✅ |
| Open Source | ★ ✅ | ❌ |
| Upgrade Kit | 🔧 From MK4, MK3.5 | — |
| Buy Timing | ||
| Released | Aug 13, 2024 | Aug 5, 2026 |
| Cycle length | ~730 days | ~684 days |
| Cycle advice | Upgrade Kit | Buy |
| Deals advice | Buy | Buy |
| Next model | — | — |
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.
The Plus5 was released on Aug 5, 2026, 99 days ago. Its previous release cycle ran about 684 days, so it is 14% of the way through — roughly 585 days before a successor would be due at that pace.
On timing alone, the Plus5 is the safer buy right now — it is only 14% 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 Plus5 at $749 — $20 apart, so the Plus5 costs 3% more.
Per litre of build volume, that works out to $63 for the MK4S versus $24 for the Plus5 — so the pricier Plus5 actually gives you more build space per dollar.
If you are buying before Dec 5, 2026, the active sale tips value toward the Plus5.
Our pick for most buyers is the Plus5, for an enclosed chamber (with PA-CF and PPS-CF on its materials list) and 166% more build volume, plus better buy-now timing. Go for the MK4S instead if you want an open-source printer you can modify and repair yourself — the Plus5 is not open source. The Plus5 is also in a sale window right now (Black Friday 2026, until Dec 5, 2026).
How we judge timing and deals: read our methodology →
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.
An 18% larger build volume than the Plus4's 305×305×280 mm, in the same enclosed prosumer class.
A 550 W third-generation chamber heater holds 65°C for PA, PA-CF, ABS, ASA, and PC with minimal warping across the build plate.
Handles high-performance engineering composites including carbon- and glass-fiber reinforced filaments and PPS-CF without a separate hotend upgrade.