Prusa’s new Core One 3D printer could be the answer to the Bambu problem

Prusa Research has long been the king of open-source, precision 3D printers, but recently faced stiff competition from newcomer Bambu Lab. Bambu’s X1 Carbon dominating the CoreXY space helped them win almost 26% of the market share. Prusa’s new offering, the Core One, is a direct competitor to the of today.

Prusa has traditionally made 3D printers such as the Mk4/Mk4s, with a build plate that moves forward and backward – colloquially known as a bed crank. However, Core One is a CoreXY machine, so the bed only moves up and down. This provides greater stability and improved speed, while maintaining the excellent print quality that Prusa is known for. The 360-degree cooling fan also helps maintain print quality by reducing unsightly overhangs, and the housing is designed to keep the part at the right temperature no matter what material you use. The high-flow nozzle and unique extruder make it fast, accurate and capable of printing many different materials at high speed.

Core One has a significantly smaller footprint than the Mk4s, 30% smaller, while also increasing the print area by 30%. The print area is 270 x 250 x 220, putting it closer to the other CoreXY machines currently available. Like most modern 3D printers, Core One can connect directly to your WiFi for monitoring and sending models to print, but it can also work completely offline for those who are more security-minded.

“While the CORE One may look different, it stays true to our philosophy: it is rugged, reliable and built to last for years to come. Users can still disassemble it with just a screwdriver.” Prusa said in a blog post announcing the Core One. Open source and the ability to repair your 3D printer yourself is always a plus. The solid steel construction also uses plastic parts that are easy to replace over the years.

There’s good news if you’ve recently bought a Prusa MK4 or MK4S and are worried you’re missing out. Many of the internals of those printers can be used to create the Core One. To that end, Prusa is selling an upgrade kit that lets you create your own Core One from the bones of your Mk4S. Right now that kit isn’t available, but you can pre-order the Core One $1,199 fully assembled or $949 for a self-assembly kit, with delivery expected in early January 2025 for the fully assembled machine.