The Prusa Research XL+ (professional) and Qidi Tech Plus4 (prosumer) come from different brands and sit in different tiers, so this is less a head-to-head than a question of how much printer you need. Note that the Plus4 has been replaced by the Plus5 and is no longer sold new. Both are CoreXY printers with automatic calibration. The XL+ costs $1,600 more and gets you 79% more build volume and an open-source design; the Plus4 answers with an enclosed chamber (with PPS-CF on its materials list) and a top speed of 600 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 →This printer is no longer sold new. It has been replaced by the Qidi Tech Plus5.
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. Look for clearance deals — the Plus5 is the current model.
Full details →| Prusa Research XL+ | Qidi Tech Plus4 | |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing | ||
| Starting Price | $2,299 | ★ $699 |
| Print Specs | ||
| Tier | Professional | Prosumer |
| Motion | CoreXY | CoreXY |
| Build Volume | ★ 360 × 360 × 360 mm | 305 × 305 × 280 mm |
| Max Speed | 500 mm/s | ★ 600 mm/s |
| Multicolor | ★ ✅ 5 slots | ✅ 4 slots |
| Enclosure | ❌ | ★ ✅ |
| Auto Calibration | ✅ | ✅ |
| Open Source | ★ ✅ | ❌ |
| Upgrade Kit | 🔧 From XL | — |
| Buy Timing | ||
| Released | Aug 13, 2026 | Sep 20, 2024 |
| Cycle length | ~997 days | ~408 days |
| Cycle advice | Upgrade Kit | Superseded |
| Deals advice | Buy | Clearance |
| 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The Plus4 has been replaced by the Plus5 and is no longer sold new, so there is no release cycle left to time — any unit you find now is leftover or second-hand stock.
On timing alone, the XL+ is the safer buy right now — it has its next step announced (XL Pick & Place Toolhead, Late 2026), with upgrade kits for existing owners, while the Plus4 has already been replaced by the Plus5.
Cycle and deal status as of November 12, 2026. See the launch calendar →
The Plus4 lists at $699 and the XL+ at $2,299 — $1,600 apart, so the XL+ costs 229% more.
Per litre of build volume, that works out to $49 for the XL+ versus $27 for the Plus4 — the Plus4 is the better value per litre as well.
Buy the XL+. The Plus4 has already been replaced by the Plus5 and is no longer sold new, so it is only worth considering at a clearance price. If the Plus4 appealed to you, the fair comparison today is the XL+ against the Plus5.
Compare Prusa Research XL+ vs Qidi Tech Plus5 →
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.
One of the largest build volumes in the prosumer enclosed category — 40% more printable area than the Bambu X1C at a lower price point.
The second-generation active heating delivers consistent chamber temperatures for PA, PA-CF, ABS, ASA, and PC with minimal warping across the full build plate.
Handles high-performance engineering composites including PA-CF, PET-CF, and PPS-CF without requiring a separate hotend upgrade.