Bambu Lab P1S vs Prusa Research MK4S kit
Technical comparison · Fused filament fabrication (FFF/FDM)
The P1S is an enclosed CoreXY, the MK4S an open Cartesian with a bed that reaches 120 °C: an enclosed chamber on one side, the Prusa ecosystem on the other. The P1S costs about €370 less (€449 against €819).
| Parameter | ||
|---|---|---|
| Identity | ||
| Launch year | 2023 | 2025 |
| Use tier | F2 — Intermediate | F2 — Intermediate |
| Price | ||
| Price (€) | ~399–499 € | 819 € |
| Universal specs | ||
| Dimensions (W×D×H) (cm) | 38.9 × 38.9 × 45.8 cm | 50 × 55 × 40 cm |
| Weight (kg) | 12.95 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 | Yes | 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 P1S is managed through Bambu Studio, Bambu Lab's proprietary slicer available for Windows, macOS, and Linux, or via OrcaSlicer, the widely adopted open-source fork that provides finer parameter control. The Bambu Handy mobile app enables remote monitoring and print launching. The printer supports local LAN connections without a mandatory cloud account, though some advanced features — such as remote timelapses and OTA firmware updates — require a Bambu account. | 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
- Enclosed chamber on the P1S only → the MK4S prints in the open.
- Bed at 120 °C on the MK4S against 100 °C → the MK4S has more room for materials that want a hotter bed.
- 256 × 256 × 256 mm against 250 × 210 × 220 mm → the P1S fits parts 36 mm taller and 46 mm deeper.
- Colors with the accessory: 16 against 5 → many-color projects are feasible on the P1S and stay limited on the MK4S.
Which one to choose
Choose P1S if…
you want to print in an enclosed chamber, in several colors with the accessory, without reaching €819. The trade-off: a 100 °C bed, and remote timelapses and OTA updates need a Bambu account (LAN mode works without one).
Choose MK4S kit if…
you work with PrusaSlicer and profiles already tuned for Prusament, and want a machine that runs fully offline, from USB, network or Prusa Connect. You pay about €370 more and give up the enclosed chamber and wide multicolor.
Where to buy
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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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