Bambu Lab A2L vs Prusa Research MK4S
Technical comparison · Fused filament fabrication (FFF/FDM)
Two printers without an enclosure doing the same job from opposite sides: the A2L gives more build volume for €379, the MK4S costs €999 and bets on an open ecosystem where any slicer and OctoPrint work.
| Parameter | ||
|---|---|---|
| Identity | ||
| Launch year | 2026 | 2025 |
| Use tier | F2 — Intermediate | F2 — Intermediate |
| Price | ||
| Price (€) | 379 € | 999 € |
| Universal specs | ||
| Dimensions (W×D×H) (cm) | 54.4 × 52.9 × 50.5 cm | 50 × 55 × 40 cm |
| Weight (kg) | 12.8 kg | — |
| Work area (mm) | 330 × 320 mm | 250 × 210 mm |
| Z-axis height (mm) | 325 mm | 220 mm |
| Voltage (V) | — | 230 V |
| Maximum speed | 500 mm/s | 500 mm/s |
| Category specs | ||
| Footprint X×Y (short side) (mm) | 320 mm | — |
| Build height Z (mm) | 325 mm | — |
| Kinematics | Cartesian | Cartesian |
| Max nozzle temperature (°C) | 300 °C | — |
| Max bed temperature (°C) | 80 °C | — |
| Max print speed (mm/s) | 500 mm/s | — |
| Enclosed chamber | No | No |
| Filament sensor | Yes | — |
| Auto bed leveling | Mesh | — |
| Standard nozzle diameter (mm) | 0.4 mm | — |
| Multi-extruder | No | No |
| Native Klipper | No | No |
| Input shaper | Yes | — |
| Multicolor printing | Yes | Yes |
| Multicolor requires accessory | Yes | Yes |
| Max colors | 19 | — |
| Ecosystem | ||
| Cloud dependency | No | No |
| Software notes | The A2L is compatible with Bambu Studio, Bambu Lab's proprietary slicer for Windows and macOS, which provides native access to all machine features including AMS multi-color management. Third-party slicers that export standard G-code — such as PrusaSlicer and OrcaSlicer — are supported, though some advanced features may not be available outside Bambu Studio. Connectivity is via Wi-Fi; basic printing functions do not require a cloud account. | PrusaSlicer (optimized) and Prusa Connect for remote control. The machine accepts G-code from any slicer (Cura, Simplify3D) and communicates via USB, Ethernet or Wi-Fi using an open Marlin-based protocol. Compatible with OctoPrint and offline management. Does not require a Prusa account to print, unlike machines with proprietary firmware that block features without connection. |
The differences that matter
- €379 against €999 → the price of one MK4S buys two A2L with €241 left over
- Bed 330 × 320 mm and 325 mm tall against 250 × 210 mm and 220 mm → a part 300 mm on a side fits the A2L and must be split on the MK4S
- Slicer: Bambu Studio (proprietary, full feature set only there) against any slicer via G-code, plus OctoPrint and offline management → the MK4S accepts G-code from any program
Which one to choose
Choose A2L if…
Printing 300 mm parts in one piece — an organiser, a shell, a long bracket — or getting two machines for the price of one: these fit whole on the A2L and have to be split on the MK4S. The trade-off is the slicer: Bambu Studio gives access to every feature, while with PrusaSlicer or OrcaSlicer some advanced ones are left out.
Choose MK4S if…
A workshop that runs its machines from the local network with OctoPrint, opens G-code from any slicer (Cura, Simplify3D) and does not want to depend on an account: the MK4S is built for that. The trade-off is a smaller bed and a much higher price.
Where to buy
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