Bambu Lab P1P vs Prusa Research MK4S kit
Technical comparison · Fused filament fabrication (FFF/FDM)
Two filament printers without an enclosure, for the same job. The P1P costs about €270 less and offers more colours with the add-on; the MK4S has the hotter bed and an ecosystem that works entirely offline.
| Parameter | ||
|---|---|---|
| Identity | ||
| Launch year | 2022 | 2025 |
| Use tier | F2 — Intermediate | F2 — Intermediate |
| Price | ||
| Price (€) | ~500–600 € | 819 € |
| Universal specs | ||
| Dimensions (W×D×H) (cm) | 38.6 × 38.9 × 45.8 cm | 50 × 55 × 40 cm |
| Weight (kg) | 9.65 kg | 7 kg |
| Work area (mm) | 256 × 256 mm | 250 × 210 mm |
| Z-axis height (mm) | 256 mm | 220 mm |
| Power (W) | 1000 W | 240 W |
| Voltage (V) | 100 V | 230 V |
| Maximum speed | 500 mm/s | 500 mm/s |
| Category specs | ||
| Footprint X×Y (short side) (mm) | 256 mm | 250 mm |
| Build height Z (mm) | 256 mm | 220 mm |
| Kinematics | CoreXY | Cartesian |
| Max nozzle temperature (°C) | 300 °C | 290 °C |
| Max bed temperature (°C) | 100 °C | 120 °C |
| Max print speed (mm/s) | 500 mm/s | 500 mm/s |
| Enclosed chamber | No | No |
| Filament sensor | Yes | Yes |
| Auto bed leveling | Mesh | Mesh |
| Standard nozzle diameter (mm) | 0.4 mm | 0.4 mm |
| Multi-extruder | No | No |
| Native Klipper | No | No |
| Input shaper | Yes | Yes |
| Multicolor printing | Yes | Yes |
| Multicolor requires accessory | Yes | Yes |
| Max colors | 16 | 5 |
| Ecosystem | ||
| Cloud dependency | No | No |
| Software notes | The P1P works with Bambu Studio, Bambu Lab's proprietary slicing software available for Windows, macOS, and Linux, and with the Bambu Handy mobile app for remote monitoring and print management. Cloud connectivity is optional: the printer also supports a LAN-only mode for users who prefer to operate without connecting to external servers. It is not natively compatible with open-source firmware such as Klipper, nor with third-party slicers like PrusaSlicer or OrcaSlicer without unofficial profiles. | The MK4S runs proprietary Prusa firmware based on Marlin, not GRBL. It is managed through PrusaSlicer (with over 180 official profiles included), Simplify3D, or Cura with community profiles. Files are loaded via USB, local network, or PrusaConnect and the Prusa mobile app; it is not compatible with LightBurn or LaserGRBL, being a filament printer. The machine can run fully offline with no cloud dependency, and receives regular firmware updates along with pre-tuned profiles for Prusament materials. |
The differences that matter
- Volume 256 × 256 × 256 mm vs 250 × 210 × 220 mm → the P1P takes parts 36 mm taller and 46 mm wider on the short side.
- Colours: up to 16 vs 5, both with an add-on → the P1P has more margin for projects with many hues.
- Bed up to 100 °C vs 120 °C, CoreXY vs Cartesian → the MK4S leaves more margin with materials that need a hot bed.
- Price about €550 vs €819 → the P1P costs about €270 less.
Which one to choose
Choose P1P if…
Objects in many colours in a single print, with the dedicated add-on, and taller parts in a more generous volume. You accept a cooler bed, a closed ecosystem (cloud is optional, with a LAN-only mode) and no Klipper or third-party slicers without unofficial profiles.
Choose MK4S kit if…
Steady printing with PrusaSlicer, Prusament profiles and files loaded by USB, local network or PrusaConnect, with no internet connection. The trade-off is the higher price, a smaller build volume and fewer colours, even with the add-on.
Where to buy
Filaments for these printers
The most chosen spools among the materials both printers can print according to their specifications.
- ELEGOO PLA PLA1.75 mm1 kg Check the price on Amazon →
- Bambu Lab PLA PLA1.75 mm1 kg Check the price on Amazon →
- SUNLU PETG (Polyethylene Terephthalate Glycol) PETG (Polyethylene Terephthalate Glycol)1.75 mm1 kg Check the price on Amazon →
- SUNLU PLA PLA1.75 mm1 kg Check the price on Amazon →
- OVERTURE PETG (Polyethylene Terephthalate Glycol) PETG (Polyethylene Terephthalate Glycol)High speed1.75 mm1 kg Check the price on Amazon →
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