The Prusa Research XL+ and Qidi Tech Max4 are both professional-tier printers, but the XL+ costs 2.2× as much — so the question is what the extra money buys. Both are CoreXY printers with automatic calibration. The XL+ costs $1,250 more and gets you an open-source design and 5 multicolor slots to the Max4's 4; the Max4 answers with an enclosed chamber (with PPS-CF on its materials list) and a top speed of 800 mm/s (vs 500).
Next model announced — but an upgrade kit is available for existing owners
🔧 Upgrade kit available — from XL
Best for: Professional makers, studios, and engineers who need large-format printing with genuine multi-material capability, open-source hardware, and Prusa's long-term support.
Full details →First-generation product — recently released, still early days
Best for: Professional makers and small studios who need the maximum enclosed build volume in Qidi's lineup for large engineering parts, architectural models, or batch production — at a price point below the Bambu H2S.
Full details →| Prusa Research XL+ | Qidi Tech Max4 | |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing | ||
| Starting Price | $2,299 | ★ $1,049 |
| Print Specs | ||
| Tier | Professional | Professional |
| Motion | CoreXY | CoreXY |
| Build Volume | 360 × 360 × 360 mm | ★ 390 × 390 × 340 mm |
| Max Speed | 500 mm/s | ★ 800 mm/s |
| Multicolor | ★ ✅ 5 slots | ✅ 4 slots |
| Enclosure | ❌ | ★ ✅ |
| Auto Calibration | ✅ | ✅ |
| Open Source | ★ ✅ | ❌ |
| Upgrade Kit | 🔧 From XL | — |
| Buy Timing | ||
| Released | Aug 13, 2026 | Dec 1, 2025 |
| Cycle length | ~997 days | — |
| Cycle advice | Upgrade Kit | Buy |
| Deals advice | Buy | Buy |
| Next model | XL Pick & Place Toolhead (Late 2026) | — |
The XL+ was released on Aug 13, 2026, 91 days ago. Prusa Research has already announced what comes next: XL Pick & Place Toolhead (Late 2026). Because Prusa Research sells upgrade kits for this line, owners can move up without replacing the whole printer.
The Max4 was released on Dec 1, 2025, 346 days ago. It is a first-generation product, so there is no earlier cycle to predict its successor from.
On timing alone, the Max4 is the safer buy right now — it launched only 346 days ago, while the XL+ has its next step announced (XL Pick & Place Toolhead, Late 2026), with upgrade kits for existing owners.
Cycle and deal status as of November 12, 2026. See the launch calendar →
The Max4 lists at $1,049 and the XL+ at $2,299 — $1,250 apart, so the XL+ costs 119% more.
Per litre of build volume, that works out to $49 for the XL+ versus $20 for the Max4 — the Max4 is both cheaper and roomier, so it wins on value outright.
If you are buying before Dec 5, 2026, the active sale tips value toward the Max4.
Our pick for most buyers is the Max4, for a lower price ($1,250 less) and an enclosed chamber (with PPS-CF on its materials list), plus better buy-now timing. Go for the XL+ instead if you want an open-source printer you can modify and repair yourself — the Max4 is not open source. The Max4 is also in a sale window right now (Black Friday 2026, until Dec 5, 2026).
How we judge timing and deals: read our methodology →
Unlike filament-switching AMS/MMU systems, the XL physically swaps print heads. Each material has its own nozzle, eliminating purge towers entirely and enabling true multi-material prints.
One of the largest build volumes available in a CoreXY printer at this price point — suited for large props, architectural models, and batch production.
Every component is documented, parts are stocked for years, and the community has developed hundreds of modifications and improvements.
The Max4 offers the largest build volume in Qidi's lineup — enabling large functional parts, architectural models, and production batch runs that exceed Plus5 capacity.
The Max4's closed-loop XY adds positional feedback for improved accuracy at high speeds — a differentiating feature at this price tier that reduces dimensional errors on large prints.
Qidi's proven active chamber heating technology scaled to a 390×390 mm bed — critical for consistent ABS, ASA, PA-CF, and PPS-CF results across the full build plate.