Creality K1 Max vs Prusa Research Original Prusa MINI+
Researched by Riley Hart · prices checked Nov 4, 2026
As of Nov 4, 2026, the Creality K1 Max costs $549 and the Prusa Research Original Prusa MINI+ costs $549. The Creality K1 Max has a published review score and ranks #16 in our 3D printers ranking; the Prusa Research Original Prusa MINI+ is not scored yet. Pick the Creality K1 Max for large single color prints on a budget. Pick the Prusa Research Original Prusa MINI+ for beginners who want small, clean prints and Prusa support. The Creality K1 Max wins 3 of 5 points we can measure (2 tied).
Who wins, point by point
The Creality K1 Max wins 3 of 5 points we can measure (2 tied). Built from today's prices, the specs and independent tests for these two robots.
| K1 Max | Original Prusa MINI+ | Winner | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Price today | $549 | $549 | Tie |
| Warranty | 12 months | 1 year | Tie |
| Build volume | 300 x 300 x 300 mm | 180 x 180 x 180 mm | K1 Max |
| Max nozzle temp | 300°C | 280°C | K1 Max |
| Release year | 2023 | 2020 | K1 Max |
- You care most about build volume (300 x 300 x 300 mm vs 180 x 180 x 180 mm)
- You care most about max nozzle temp (300°C vs 280°C)
- You want the newer model (2023 vs 2020)
- Best for large single color prints on a budget
- Best for beginners who want small, clean prints and Prusa support
- 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
- 180 x 180 x 180 mm
- Max speed
- No max speed published
- Multicolor
- No
- Enclosure
- No
Compact semi assembled Prusa for small, high quality prints
Full Prusa Research Original Prusa MINI+ review, pros and cons →Side by side
| Creality K1 Max | Prusa Research Original Prusa MINI+ | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $549 | $549 |
| 3 year cost | $549 | $549 |
| Our score | 7.6/10 | Not scored yet |
| Rank in 3D printers | #16 | #43 |
| Status | on sale | on sale |
| Warranty | Up to 12 months (Creality store) | 1 year for buyers outside the EU, including the US (Prusa knowledge base) |
| Build volume | 300 x 300 x 300 mm (Tom's Hardware, TechRadar) | 180 x 180 x 180 mm |
| Print speed | Up to 600 mm/s (Creality); Tom's Hardware printed a Benchy in 17 min 38 s at 300 mm/s | No max speed published; Prusa says Input Shaper and Pressure Advance make it faster than before |
| Multi color | No, single filament | No |
| Enclosure | Yes, fully enclosed with a flat glass lid and carbon filter (Tom's Hardware) | No, open frame; the store listing is named Enclosure Bundle |
| Auto leveling | Yes, automatic with LiDAR plus automatic input shaping (Tom's Hardware) | Yes, automatic mesh bed leveling with the SuperPINDA probe |
| Max nozzle temp | 300 C (TechRadar) | 280 C |
| Heated bed | Yes, up to 100 C (TechRadar), smooth PEI steel flex plate | Yes, up to 100 C |
| Filament types | PLA, PETG, PET, TPU, ABS, ASA, PA, PC and carbon fiber variants (TechRadar) | PLA, PETG, ASA, ABS, PC, CPE, PVA, PVB, HIPS, PP, Flex, nylon and filled materials (Prusa) |
| Connectivity | Wi-Fi, LAN, USB flash drive; Creality Cloud (Tom's Hardware, TechRadar) | USB port, RJ-45 Ethernet, optional Wi-Fi module; Prusa Connect |
| Camera | Yes, AI camera for monitoring and timelapse (Tom's Hardware) | n/a |
| Noise | Not measured; Tom's Hardware called it not a quiet machine and not for a bedroom | n/a |
| Assembly | Ships ready to print with no assembly (Creality) | Semi assembled; includes a free beginner 3D printing course |
| Weight | 18 kg net; 435 x 462 x 526 mm (Tom's Hardware, TechRadar) | 4.5 kg; 380 x 330 x 380 mm without spool holder and external PSU |
| Best for | large single color prints on a budget | beginners who want small, clean prints and Prusa support |
| Skip if | you want multi color or a quiet printer | you want a bigger build or multi color for less |
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
Prusa Research Original Prusa MINI+
- Tom's Hardware: Called it professional quality on a small scale and good for newcomers. A torture test model ran over 20 hours without problems; print issues traced back to damp filament. Source
- All3DP: Called it an easy recommendation with exceptional print quality and a great interface. Cons were Bowden extruder problems, no carry handle and Wi-Fi not yet available at review time. Source
Questions buyers ask
Which is better, the Creality K1 Max or the Prusa Research Original Prusa MINI+?
The Creality K1 Max has a published review score and ranks #16 in our 3D printers ranking; the Prusa Research Original Prusa MINI+ is not scored yet. Pick the Creality K1 Max for large single color prints on a budget. Pick the Prusa Research Original Prusa MINI+ for beginners who want small, clean prints and Prusa support.
What is the difference between the K1 Max and the Original Prusa MINI+?
Build volume: 300 x 300 x 300 mm (Tom's Hardware, TechRadar) on the K1 Max, 180 x 180 x 180 mm on the Original Prusa MINI+. 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, No max speed published; Prusa says Input Shaper and Pressure Advance make it faster than… on the Original Prusa MINI+. Multi color: No, single filament on the K1 Max, No on the Original Prusa MINI+.
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