Qidi Tech i-Fast vs Snapmaker U1 3D Printer
Technical comparison · Fused filament fabrication (FFF/FDM)
i-Fast and U1 3D Printer are two fused filament fabrication (fff/fdm) in a similar class. Choose i-Fast if enclosed chamber matters more; choose U1 3D Printer if price and max print speed matters more.
| Parameter |
i-Fast
Qidi Tech
F3 · Advanced
|
U1 3D Printer
Snapmaker
F2 · Intermediate
|
|---|---|---|
| Identity | ||
| Launch year | 2021 | 2026 |
| Use tier | F3 — Advanced | F2 — Intermediate |
| Price | ||
| Price (€) | ~1800–2500 € | 849 € |
| Universal specs | ||
| Dimensions (W×D×H) (cm) | 71 × 51 × 67 cm | 58.4 × 49.9 × 73 cm |
| Weight (kg) | 33 kg | 18.2 kg |
| Work area (mm) | 330 × 250 mm | 270 × 270 mm |
| Z-axis height (mm) | 320 mm | 270 mm |
| Power (W) | — | 1150 W |
| Maximum speed | 150 mm/s | 500 mm/s |
| Declared precision | — | 0.04 mm |
| Category specs | ||
| Footprint X×Y (short side) (mm) | 250 mm | 270 mm |
| Build height Z (mm) | 320 mm | 270 mm |
| Kinematics | CoreXY | CoreXY |
| Max nozzle temperature (°C) | 300 °C | 300 °C |
| Max bed temperature (°C) | 100 °C | 100 °C |
| Max print speed (mm/s) | 150 mm/s | 500 mm/s |
| Enclosed chamber | True | False |
| Filament sensor | True | True |
| Auto bed leveling | — | Mesh |
| Standard nozzle diameter (mm) | 0.4 mm | 0.4 mm |
| Multi-extruder | True | True |
| Native Klipper | False | True |
| Input shaper | False | True |
| Multicolor printing | True | True |
| Multicolor requires accessory | False | False |
| Max colors | 2 | 4 |
| Ecosystem | ||
| Cloud dependency | No | No |
| Software notes | The machine comes with the proprietary Qidi Print software, a slicer based on proven open-source architectures, specifically optimized for the profiles of the technical materials supported by the printer. Users can still generate G-code using other widely adopted third-party slicers on the market, such as Ultimaker Cura, PrusaSlicer, or Simplify3D, after manual configuration of machine and extruder parameters. Although it lacks native cloud features or advanced remote connectivity for corporate fleet management, it supports direct file transfer via local Wi-Fi or USB drives, ensuring a secure offline workflow for intellectual property protection. | The primary software is Snapmaker Orca, an optimized version of the popular OrcaSlicer, which provides native management of the four toolheads and factory-calibrated material profiles. The printer can also be seamlessly managed via the Snapmaker mobile app for remote monitoring, taking advantage of the built-in 1080p camera. The internal firmware is built on Klipper, Moonraker, and Fluidd, which Snapmaker has made open-source, allowing experienced users to customize the machine and integrate it into complex workflows. |
The differences that matter
- Price: i-Fast 2150 € vs U1 3D Printer 849 € — U1 3D Printer wins (+153%)
- Max print speed: i-Fast 150 mm/s vs U1 3D Printer 500 mm/s — U1 3D Printer wins (+233%)
- Enclosed chamber: i-Fast yes, U1 3D Printer no
- Max colors: i-Fast 2 vs U1 3D Printer 4 — U1 3D Printer wins (+100%)
- Native Klipper: U1 3D Printer yes, i-Fast no
Which one to choose
Choose U1 3D Printer if…
you value price, max print speed and max colors.
MakerSpecs is an independent atlas. We don't sell products: this comparison links to both sheets, where you'll find complete data and official links.