Prusa Research Original Prusa MK4S vs Qidi Max4
Researched by Riley Hart · prices checked Nov 4, 2026
As of Nov 4, 2026, the Prusa Research Original Prusa MK4S costs $999 and the Qidi Max4 costs $1,049, so the Prusa Research Original Prusa MK4S is $50 cheaper. The Prusa Research Original Prusa MK4S scores higher in our ranking (7.5 vs 6.8 out of 10). Pick the Prusa Research Original Prusa MK4S for quality focused makers who like to tinker. Pick the Qidi Max4 for makers who print large parts in ABS, ASA, nylon or carbon fiber blends. The Qidi Max4 wins 3 of 4 points we can measure.
Who wins, point by point
The Qidi Max4 wins 3 of 4 points we can measure. Built from today's prices, the specs and independent tests for these two robots.
| Original Prusa MK4S | Max4 | Winner | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Price today | $999 | $1,049 | Original Prusa MK4S |
| Build volume | 250 x 210 x 220 mm | 390 x 390 x 340 mm | Max4 |
| Max nozzle temp | 290°C | 370°C | Max4 |
| Release year | 2024 | 2026 | Max4 |
- You want to spend less (saves $50)
- Best for quality focused makers who like to tinker
- You care most about build volume (390 x 390 x 340 mm vs 250 x 210 x 220 mm)
- You care most about max nozzle temp (370°C vs 290°C)
- You want the newer model (2026 vs 2024)
- Best for makers who print large parts in ABS, ASA, nylon or carbon fiber blends
- Build volume
- 250 x 210 x 220 mm
- Multicolor
- Optional MMU3
- Enclosure
- No
Reliable open frame Prusa with top print quality, kit or assembled
Full Prusa Research Original Prusa MK4S review, pros and cons →- Build volume
- 390 x 390 x 340 mm
- Max speed
- Up to 800 mm/s
- Multicolor
- Optional QIDI Box
- Enclosure
- Yes
Big 390 mm enclosed CoreXY with 65 C chamber for engineering filament
Full Qidi Max4 review, pros and cons →Side by side
| Prusa Research Original Prusa MK4S | Qidi Max4 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $999 | $1,049 |
| 3 year cost | $999 | $1,049 |
| Our score | 7.5/10 | 6.8/10 |
| Rank in 3D printers | #18 | #22 |
| Status | on sale | on sale |
| Warranty | 1 year for buyers outside the EU, including the US (Prusa knowledge base) | Not checked |
| Build volume | 250 x 210 x 220 mm | 390 x 390 x 340 mm (Qidi, AndroidPCtv) |
| Print speed | No max speed published; Tom's Hardware measured 24 mm3/s volumetric flow with Prusament PLA | Up to 800 mm/s, 30,000 mm/s2 acceleration, 40 mm3/s flow (Qidi); AndroidPCtv printed a PLA Benchy in 18 minutes |
| Multi color | Optional MMU3 upgrade | Optional QIDI Box, up to 16 filaments with 4 boxes (Qidi); Nikktech found multi color prints wasted about 9 times the filament used in the models |
| Enclosure | No, open frame; optional Original Prusa Enclosure | Yes, enclosed with 65 C active chamber heating and G3, H12 HEPA and carbon filter (Qidi) |
| Auto leveling | Yes, automatic mesh bed leveling with a load cell sensor | Yes, load cell sensor in the hotend (Qidi) |
| Max nozzle temp | 290 C | 370 C, 0.4 mm bimetal nozzle (Qidi) |
| Heated bed | Yes, up to 120 C | Yes, up to 120 C, double sided PEI plate (Qidi, AndroidPCtv) |
| Filament types | PLA, PETG, Flex, PVA, PC, PP, CPE, PVB; ABS, ASA, HIPS, PA with the enclosure and filtration add on | PLA, PETG, TPU 95A, ABS, ASA, PA, PC, carbon and glass fiber blends, PPS-CF (Qidi) |
| Connectivity | Wi-Fi module included, NFC, USB drive | Dual band Wi-Fi, Ethernet, USB drive, QIDI Cloud (Qidi) |
| Noise | Tom's Hardware found it very quiet, suitable for a shared office | About 56 dB normal, 62 dB with Polar Cooler, 65 dB with the QIDI Box (AndroidPCtv) |
| Assembly | Sold assembled or as a kit; Tom's Hardware estimates about 8 hours to build the kit | n/a |
| Weight | 7 kg; 500 x 550 x 400 mm | 40 kg (46.5 kg Combo); 558 x 578 x 612 mm (Qidi) |
| Camera | n/a | Yes, 1080p with AI spaghetti detection (Qidi) |
| Best for | quality focused makers who like to tinker | makers who print large parts in ABS, ASA, nylon or carbon fiber blends |
| Skip if | you want an enclosure or multi color included | you want a quiet printer or have little space |
Specs are maker claims unless a reviewer is named. Prices from the stores we link, checked daily.
What reviewers found
Prusa Research Original Prusa MK4S
- Tom's Hardware: Called it one of the best printers they have tested. Flow rose to 24 mm3/s with Prusament PLA, and a puzzle print took 2 h 59 min versus 3 h 23 min on a Bambu P1P with smoother parts that fit. Source
- TechRadar (5/5): Scored 30 of 30 in its print quality test with a combined dimensional error of 0.097 mm, and every Benchy in its multi print test finished. Noted the high price and open frame. Source
Qidi Max4
- AndroidPCtv (90%): PLA Benchy in 18 minutes with clean layers. A three filament keychain took about 14 hours versus about 2 hours in one filament. Noise about 56 dB, 62 dB with Polar Cooler and 65 dB with QIDI Box. Source
- Nikktech: Golden Award. Called its prints the smoothest the reviewer had tested. Multi color prints wasted roughly 9 times the filament needed for the models. Software glitches blocked timelapse recording. Source
Questions buyers ask
Which is better, the Prusa Research Original Prusa MK4S or the Qidi Max4?
The Prusa Research Original Prusa MK4S scores higher in our ranking (7.5 vs 6.8 out of 10). Pick the Prusa Research Original Prusa MK4S for quality focused makers who like to tinker. Pick the Qidi Max4 for makers who print large parts in ABS, ASA, nylon or carbon fiber blends.
Which is cheaper?
The Prusa Research Original Prusa MK4S at $999, versus $1,049 for the Qidi Max4, checked Nov 4, 2026.
What is the difference between the Original Prusa MK4S and the Max4?
Build volume: 250 x 210 x 220 mm on the Original Prusa MK4S, 390 x 390 x 340 mm (Qidi, AndroidPCtv) on the Max4. Print speed: No max speed published; Tom's Hardware measured 24 mm3/s volumetric flow with Prusament… on the Original Prusa MK4S, Up to 800 mm/s, 30,000 mm/s2 acceleration, 40 mm3/s flow (Qidi); AndroidPCtv printed a… on the Max4. Multi color: Optional MMU3 upgrade on the Original Prusa MK4S, Optional QIDI Box, up to 16 filaments with 4 boxes (Qidi); Nikktech found multi color… on the Max4.
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