Creality K1 Max vs Creality K2
Researched by Riley Hart · prices checked Nov 4, 2026
As of Nov 4, 2026, the Creality K1 Max costs $549 and the Creality K2 costs $399, so the Creality K2 is $150 cheaper. The Creality K1 Max has a published review score and ranks #16 in our 3D printers ranking; the Creality K2 is not scored yet. Pick the Creality K1 Max for large single color prints on a budget. Pick the Creality K2 for budget enclosed multi color printing. The Creality K2 wins 2 of 6 points we can measure (3 tied).
Who wins, point by point
The Creality K2 wins 2 of 6 points we can measure (3 tied). Built from today's prices, the specs and independent tests for these two robots.
| K1 Max | K2 | Winner | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Price today | $549 | $399 | K2 |
| Warranty | 12 months | 1 year | Tie |
| Build volume | 300 x 300 x 300 mm | 260 x 260 x 260 mm | K1 Max |
| Top print speed | 600 mm/s | 600 mm/s | Tie |
| Max nozzle temp | 300°C | 300°C | Tie |
| Release year | 2023 | 2025 | K2 |
- You care most about build volume (300 x 300 x 300 mm vs 260 x 260 x 260 mm)
- Best for large single color prints on a budget
- You want to spend less (saves $150)
- You want the newer model (2025 vs 2023)
- Best for budget enclosed multi color printing
- Build volume
- 300 x 300 x 300 mm
- Max speed
- Up to 600 mm/s
- Multicolor
- No
- Enclosure
- Yes
Big 300 mm enclosed speed printer with LiDAR and AI camera
Full Creality K1 Max review, pros and cons →- Build volume
- 260 x 260 x 260 mm
- Max speed
- Up to 600 mm/s
- Multicolor
- Yes
- Enclosure
- Yes
Affordable enclosed CoreXY printer with optional 4 color CFS
Full Creality K2 review, pros and cons →Side by side
| Creality K1 Max | Creality K2 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $549 | $399 |
| 3 year cost | $549 | $399 |
| Our score | 7.6/10 | Not scored yet |
| Rank in 3D printers | #16 | #38 |
| Status | on sale | on sale |
| Warranty | Up to 12 months (Creality store) | 1 year (Creality store) |
| Build volume | 300 x 300 x 300 mm (Tom's Hardware, TechRadar) | 260 x 260 x 260 mm (Creality) |
| Print speed | Up to 600 mm/s (Creality); Tom's Hardware printed a Benchy in 17 min 38 s at 300 mm/s | Up to 600 mm/s (Creality) |
| Multi color | No, single filament | Yes with the CFS (included in the Combo), 4 spools per unit and up to 16 colors with four units (Creality); CFS cannot feed TPU and has no active drying (Notebookcheck) |
| Enclosure | Yes, fully enclosed with a flat glass lid and carbon filter (Tom's Hardware) | Yes, enclosed chamber without active heating (Notebookcheck) |
| Auto leveling | Yes, automatic with LiDAR plus automatic input shaping (Tom's Hardware) | Yes, smart auto leveling of the target print area (Creality) |
| Max nozzle temp | 300 C (TechRadar) | 300 C (Notebookcheck, The Gadgeteer) |
| Heated bed | Yes, up to 100 C (TechRadar), smooth PEI steel flex plate | Yes, up to 100 C, double sided textured PEI plate (Notebookcheck) |
| Filament types | PLA, PETG, PET, TPU, ABS, ASA, PA, PC and carbon fiber variants (TechRadar) | PLA, PETG, ABS, PLA CF (The Gadgeteer); TPU only through the external feed (Notebookcheck) |
| Connectivity | Wi-Fi, LAN, USB flash drive; Creality Cloud (Tom's Hardware, TechRadar) | Wi-Fi, USB Type A; Creality Print desktop, web and phone apps (Notebookcheck) |
| Camera | Yes, AI camera for monitoring and timelapse (Tom's Hardware) | No nozzle camera, per Notebookcheck; Creality lists print failure detection |
| Noise | Not measured; Tom's Hardware called it not a quiet machine and not for a bedroom | Creality says it runs as quietly as typing on a laptop; The Gadgeteer measured about 46 dB across its K2 series test units |
| Assembly | Ships ready to print with no assembly (Creality) | Ready to print in about an hour including calibration and a software update (Notebookcheck) |
| Weight | 18 kg net; 435 x 462 x 526 mm (Tom's Hardware, TechRadar) | 18.3 kg without CFS; 404 x 436 x 545 mm (Notebookcheck, The Gadgeteer) |
| Best for | large single color prints on a budget | budget enclosed multi color printing |
| Skip if | you want multi color or a quiet printer | you need a heated chamber |
Specs are maker claims unless a reviewer is named. Prices from the stores we link, checked daily.
What reviewers found
Creality K1 Max
- Tom's Hardware: Editor's Choice. Printed a Benchy in 17 min 38 s versus about 55 min on an Ender 3 S1. ABS dog dish stand took 9 h 41 min, PETG spool holder 3 h 12 min, TPU dragon 7 h 55 min. Cons were a poor filament path, clumsy Klipper setup and a plate that needs glue. Source
- TechRadar (26.5/30): Recommended. Scored 26.5 out of 30 on its print test with 0.1 mm average dimensional error. Praised AI features and material range, but disliked having to remove the PTFE tube to load filament and the single filament limit. Source
Creality K2
- Notebookcheck: Ready to print in about an hour. A 20 mm calibration cube measured within 0.005 mm, threads worked down to M3 and overhangs to 70 degrees printed without supports. Auto filament changes were reliable; one clog cleared in minutes. Cons were no heated chamber and no CFS drying. Source
- The Gadgeteer: Tested alongside the K2 Pro. A fidget, a fine loop mesh and a PLA pirate ship (with noticeable stringing in the sail gaps) printed fine, but a chainmail style print failed twice. Called it a strong pick for buyers who want a cheaper feature rich printer. Source
Questions buyers ask
Which is better, the Creality K1 Max or the Creality K2?
The Creality K1 Max has a published review score and ranks #16 in our 3D printers ranking; the Creality K2 is not scored yet. Pick the Creality K1 Max for large single color prints on a budget. Pick the Creality K2 for budget enclosed multi color printing.
Which is cheaper?
The Creality K2 at $399, versus $549 for the Creality K1 Max, checked Nov 4, 2026.
What is the difference between the K1 Max and the K2?
Build volume: 300 x 300 x 300 mm (Tom's Hardware, TechRadar) on the K1 Max, 260 x 260 x 260 mm (Creality) on the K2. Print speed: Up to 600 mm/s (Creality); Tom's Hardware printed a Benchy in 17 min 38 s at 300 mm/s on the K1 Max, Up to 600 mm/s (Creality) on the K2. Multi color: No, single filament on the K1 Max, Yes with the CFS (included in the Combo), 4 spools per unit and up to 16 colors with… on the K2.
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