The Prusa Research XL+ (professional) and Qidi Tech Plus5 (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. Both are CoreXY printers with automatic calibration. The XL+ costs $1,550 more and gets you 52% more build volume and an open-source design; the Plus5 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 →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 XL+ | Qidi Tech Plus5 | |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing | ||
| Starting Price | $2,299 | ★ $749 |
| Print Specs | ||
| Tier | Professional | Prosumer |
| Motion | CoreXY | CoreXY |
| Build Volume | ★ 360 × 360 × 360 mm | 320 × 320 × 300 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 | Aug 5, 2026 |
| Cycle length | ~997 days | ~684 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 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 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 Plus5 lists at $749 and the XL+ at $2,299 — $1,550 apart, so the XL+ costs 207% more.
Per litre of build volume, that works out to $49 for the XL+ versus $24 for the Plus5 — the Plus5 is the better value per litre as well.
If you are buying before Dec 5, 2026, the active sale tips value toward the Plus5.
This one is close on paper. If your parts fit within the Plus5's 320 × 320 × 300 mm, save the $1,550; if not, the XL+'s 52% extra build volume earns its premium. The Plus5 also brings an enclosed chamber (with PPS-CF on its materials list) and a top speed of 600 mm/s (vs 500).
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.
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.