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Yes—but only in a qualified sense. Prusa’s original CORE One was a serious answer to Bambu Lab’s lead in fast, enclosed, automated 3D printing. The current CORE One+ Gen 2 closes much of the hardware and usability gap, adding CoreXY motion, active chamber heating, automatic first-layer calibration and local-network operation. It does not, however, erase Bambu’s advantages in price, built-in camera convenience or ready-made multicolor printing.
For buyers who value repairability, open-source development, offline control and long-term ownership, the CORE One+ Gen 2 is now a credible alternative. For a beginner seeking the least expensive route to fast, polished, multicolor printing, Bambu’s P1S remains the easier recommendation.
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Why Prusa needed an answer to Bambu
When Prusa announced the original CORE One on November 19, 2024, the company was responding to a market that had changed around its long-running MK-series printers. Bambu Lab had made several features feel mainstream rather than premium: fast CoreXY motion, an enclosure, automatic calibration, remote monitoring and comparatively simple multicolor printing.
Prusa still had important advantages. Its machines were known for service access, documentation, upgrade paths, local operation and a more open hardware and software philosophy. But an older open-frame Cartesian design was increasingly difficult to justify against enclosed CoreXY competitors on speed, footprint and convenience.
#1 Best Overall
- Up to 16 Colors: Bring your designs to life with vibrant multi-color/multi-material printing capabilities, perfect for showcasing your creativity. Note: Connecting Bambu Lab AMS is required.
- 500mm/s and 20000 mm/s² Acceleration True High Speed: Don't wait around for your masterpieces. Lightning-fast printing speed lets you focus on creating, not waiting.
- Enclosed Design: Fully enclosed body improves print performance for advanced filaments. Automatic Bed Leveling: Say hello to high-quality, successful prints. Auto bed leveling makes 3D printing such an easy thing.
- Set Up in 15 Minutes: Spend more time printing and less time setting up. User-friendly design ensures a hassle-free assembly experience for all skill levels.
- Supported Filament: Ideal: PLA, PETG, TPU, PVA, PET ABS, ASA; Capable : PA, PC; Not Recommended: Carbon/Glass Fiber Reinforced Polymer.
The CORE One was therefore not merely a new printer. It was Prusa’s attempt to address five separate competitive gaps:
- Performance: moving from the traditional MK-style layout to CoreXY kinematics.
- Feature parity: adding an enclosed chamber, automatic calibration and modern connectivity.
- Materials: providing active chamber-temperature control for more demanding filaments.
- Usability: making setup and first-layer calibration less dependent on manual adjustment.
- Ownership: preserving Prusa’s emphasis on repair, upgrades and local control.
The result is much closer to Bambu in hardware capability than earlier Prusa machines were. It is not a complete match in price or ecosystem convenience.
Prusa’s original announcement described the CORE One as the foundation of a new product line, with first shipments planned for January 2025 and an introductory assembled price of $1,199 before VAT.
The current machine is the CORE One+ Gen 2
Older coverage often refers simply to the “new Core One.” That is now historically incomplete. As of August 18, 2026, Prusa’s current product is marketed as the CORE One+ Gen 2, a later refinement of the same enclosed CoreXY platform.
The original CORE One announcement, subsequent CORE One+ models and the current CORE One+ Gen 2 should not be treated as identical products. The broad design direction is shared, but current buyers should use the present product page for pricing and specifications.
CORE One+ Gen 2: current specifications and price signals
| Feature | CORE One+ Gen 2 |
|---|---|
| Kinematics | CoreXY |
| Build volume | 250 × 220 × 270 mm |
| Chamber | Enclosed and actively controlled |
| Maximum chamber temperature | 55°C |
| Standard maximum nozzle temperature | 290°C |
| Optional high-temperature hotend | Up to 400°C |
| Maximum bed temperature | 120°C |
| First-layer calibration | Automatic, load-cell based |
| Connectivity | Wi-Fi, Ethernet and USB |
| Camera | Optional |
| HEPA filtration | Optional |
| Multimaterial options | MMU3 or INDX support |
| US price seen August 18, 2026 | $925 kit; $1,202.78 assembled |
Prices are US listing signals, before any applicable tax, shipping or accessories, and can change. See Prusa’s current product page and technical information for the applicable edition.
What the Core One platform does better than older Prusa printers
CoreXY motion and an enclosed structure
CoreXY printers move the toolhead through a different belt arrangement from the MK-series Cartesian design. In practical terms, this lets Prusa offer a faster, more compact machine while keeping the print area enclosed.
Rank #2
- Up to 16 Colors: Bring your designs to life with vibrant multi-color/multi-material printing capabilities, perfect for showcasing your creativity. Note: Connecting Bambu Lab AMS is required.
- 500mm/s and 20000 mm/s² Acceleration True High Speed: Don't wait around for your masterpieces. Lightning-fast printing speed lets you focus on creating, not waiting.
- Enclosed Design: Fully enclosed body improves print performance for advanced filaments. Automatic Bed Leveling: Say hello to high-quality, successful prints. Auto bed leveling makes 3D printing such an easy thing.
- Set Up in 15 Minutes: Spend more time printing and less time setting up. User-friendly design ensures a hassle-free assembly experience for all skill levels.
- Supported Filament: Ideal: PLA, PETG, TPU, PVA, PET ABS, ASA; Capable : PA, PC; Not Recommended: Carbon/Glass Fiber Reinforced Polymer.
Prusa describes the enclosure as part of the printer’s structure rather than an optional box placed around an exposed frame. That design can support rigidity and service access, although claims about comparative rigidity or reliability should not be mistaken for independent test results.
Active chamber control
The CORE One+ Gen 2 can actively control chamber temperature up to 55°C. That is considerably more relevant to ABS, ASA, nylon, polycarbonate and other warp-prone materials than to ordinary PLA.
A 55°C chamber is not the same as an industrial high-temperature printer, and it does not eliminate the need for correct filament drying, build-surface preparation, ventilation, material profiles or suitable hotend hardware. Enclosure and chamber heating reduce some problems; they do not make every engineering filament effortless.
Automatic first-layer calibration
The printer uses a load-cell system in which the nozzle itself participates in first-layer sensing. The goal is to reduce the manual adjustment that traditionally made first-layer setup a recurring task on older machines.
That is a meaningful usability improvement, especially for schools, small businesses and print farms. It should still be understood as automatic calibration—not a guarantee that every filament, build sheet or damaged nozzle will produce a perfect first layer.
Local and offline operation
Prusa says the CORE One platform can operate through USB or a local network without an internet connection. Optional online services can add remote features, but the basic printer does not require a cloud connection for every job.
This matters in workshops, classrooms, businesses handling sensitive designs and environments where internet access is restricted. It is also a different ownership choice from a workflow built primarily around mobile apps and cloud services.
Rank #3
- One-Click Automatic Printing: Experience hassle-free 3D printing with the Adventurer 5M Series. Enjoy automatic bed leveling for flawless first layers, ensuring consistent adhesion and saving time with no manual adjustments required.
- 12X Ultra Fast Printing: Featuring a CoreXY structure with 600mm/s travel speed and 20000mm/s² acceleration, the AD5M maximizes efficiency, reduces production cycles, and ensures high precision, making it ideal for rapid prototyping and mass production.
- Smart and Efficient Design: Quick 3-second nozzle changes, a high-flow 32mm³/s nozzle, and fast 35-second warm-up to 200°C deliver stable high-speed printing. Its dual-sided PEI platform and versatile options provide easy removal and adaptability for various creative projects.
- Superior Print Quality & Adaptability: Combines a 280°C direct drive extruder with dual-fan cooling and vibration compensation. Includes a standard 0.4mm nozzle and accepts optional sizes from 0.25mm to 0.8mm to fit various printing needs.
- Real-Time App Monitoring: Monitor print progress, adjust settings, and receive instant status alerts remotely with the Flash Studio. Smart mobile control ensures a seamless, effortless printing experience anytime, anywhere.
Standard filament and serviceability
The printer accepts standard 1.75 mm filament rather than requiring a proprietary filament ecosystem. Prusa also emphasizes published CAD files, open-source firmware, replaceable parts, screwdriver-accessible construction and long-term spare-parts support.
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CORE One+ Gen 2 versus Bambu Lab P1S
The P1S is the more relevant Bambu comparison for most buyers. The X1C is a higher-priced model with additional sensing and interface features, while the P1S is the model that most clearly tests whether Prusa can compete on mainstream value.
| Category | Prusa CORE One+ Gen 2 | Bambu Lab P1S |
|---|---|---|
| US price signal | $925 kit or $1,202.78 assembled, seen August 18, 2026 | $699 listed on a Bambu US store page viewed in the research material; verify current price because promotions change |
| Build volume | 250 × 220 × 270 mm | 256 × 256 × 256 mm |
| Motion system | CoreXY | CoreXY |
| Enclosure | Integrated enclosed design | Enclosed |
| Active chamber heating | Up to 55°C | Not listed as an equivalent active chamber-heating system in the cited P1S material |
| Maximum hotend temperature | 290°C standard; optional hotend up to 400°C | 300°C |
| Maximum bed temperature | 120°C | 100°C |
| Automatic calibration | Load-cell based first-layer calibration | Automated calibration features |
| Camera | Optional | Built in |
| Connectivity | Wi-Fi, Ethernet and USB; offline/local operation supported | Bambu Studio, Bambu Handy and remote workflow |
| Multicolor | MMU3 or the newer INDX upgrade | AMS ecosystem |
| Filament approach | Standard third-party 1.75 mm filament | Broad material support with an integrated Bambu workflow |
| Ownership emphasis | Repairability, published files, local control and upgradeability | Integrated convenience, automation and ecosystem features |
See Bambu’s P1S store page and product listing for the cited specifications and current regional availability.
Where the Prusa has the advantage
- Technical-material potential: the actively controlled chamber is a meaningful design advantage for materials affected by cooling and warping.
- Repair and modification: Prusa’s published files, service-oriented construction and parts strategy are more attractive to owners who expect to maintain a machine for years.
- Offline use: USB and local-network operation are useful where cloud dependence is undesirable or impossible.
- Ownership flexibility: standard filament and upgrade paths reduce dependence on a single consumables and accessories ecosystem.
- Z height: the CORE One+ Gen 2 provides 270 mm of vertical build space, compared with the P1S’s 256 mm.
Where the P1S has the advantage
- Initial price: the cited P1S listing is substantially below the CORE One+ Gen 2 assembled price.
- Built-in monitoring: the P1S includes a chamber camera, while the Prusa camera is optional.
- Multicolor convenience: AMS is an established, integrated route for buyers who want to begin multicolor printing without adding a tool-changing conversion.
- Footprint in X/Y: the P1S offers 256 × 256 mm, compared with 250 × 220 mm on the Prusa.
- First-printer simplicity: its app, profiles and bundled ecosystem make it easier to recommend to buyers who want minimal setup and tinkering.
Neither printer can be declared universally better without controlled, like-for-like testing. Dimensional accuracy, surface finish, noise, failure recovery, speed at comparable quality and maintenance burden should be measured separately rather than collapsed into a single winner.
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Outbyte PC Repair FREERepair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →Outbyte Driver Updater FREEScan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →The multicolor question: MMU3 versus INDX
Multicolor printing was the original CORE One’s most obvious weakness against Bambu. The base printer did not arrive with a ready-to-buy equivalent to the AMS experience.
That strategic gap is now being addressed through Prusa’s INDX system. Prusa opened orders for a CORE One/Core One+ conversion kit and described INDX as supporting up to eight tools. The company said shipping of those conversion kits was scheduled to begin in June 2026, with CORE One L conversion kits and assembled INDX printers planned later in 2026.
Rank #4
- 600mm/s Speed & CoreXY Structure — Powered by an all-metal CoreXY frame and 20,000mm/s² acceleration, Adventurer 5M Pro reaches speeds up to 600mm/s. Integrated vibration compensation algorithms eliminate ghosting and ringing for smooth, high-precision surface finishes.
- 3-Second Quick-Swap Nozzle & Auto Leveling — Features a tool-free, quick-release nozzle mechanism for effortless 3-second replacements across multiple sizes (0.25/0.4/0.6/0.8mm). One-click full auto-leveling ensures precise bed calibration and a perfect first layer every time.
- Dual Filtration System & Quiet Enclosure — Built with an integrated dual filtration system and a fully enclosed chamber to ensure a clean printing environment and thermal stability. Powered by low-noise motion control, it operates quietly under 50dB for seamless home, office, or classroom use.
- 280°C High-Temp Extruder & Broad Material Compatibility — With a 280°C max nozzle temperature and a 110°C heated bed, it reliably prints engineering materials like ABS, ASA, and PETG-CF, as well as standard PLA and PETG.
- Smart Camera & Mobile Control — Features a built-in camera for real-time monitoring and time-lapse video creation. Monitor progress, adjust settings, and receive instant status alerts via Flash Studio. Integrated with filament detection, power loss recovery, and a 4.3-inch touchscreen for effortless operation.
INDX is important, but it is not simply an AMS with a different name. A tool changer can assign separate tools to different materials, nozzle sizes or functions. That may reduce purge waste and make combinations such as soluble supports or abrasive filament more practical. It also introduces additional mechanical parts, calibration requirements, cost and potential failure points.
“Orders open” is not the same as broad availability or proven long-term maturity. Buyers should confirm the current price, included tool count, shipping status and compatibility before purchase. The INDX system should be treated as a promising expansion of the Core One platform—not automatically as a proven replacement for Bambu’s AMS.
Do these 3 things before closing this tab:
1Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problems2Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitches3Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsPrusa also promotes full-spectrum painting in EasyPrint and CMY color-mixing filament. Those software and material developments may broaden the platform’s color options, but they do not make the base CORE One+ an eight-tool printer. That requires the relevant upgrade hardware.
For more detail, see Prusa’s INDX announcement.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Which printer should you buy?
Choose the CORE One+ Gen 2 if you value ownership over the lowest purchase price
The Prusa is the stronger fit if your priorities include:
- Offline or local-network printing.
- Open-source firmware and published CAD files.
- Repairable construction and accessible replacement parts.
- Standard third-party filament.
- A heated chamber for more demanding materials.
- A kit-building experience and hands-on maintenance.
- Long-term control over the machine rather than maximum convenience on day one.
- Future expansion through MMU3 or INDX.
It is also a more defensible choice for a school, makerspace, small business or print farm when service access and replacement parts matter more than the lowest initial quote. That is a purchasing rationale, not proof that the machine will always cost less over its lifetime; actual savings depend on downtime, parts, labor and usage.
Choose the Bambu P1S if you want the lowest-friction entry
The P1S is the better fit if you prioritize:
- Low initial cost.
- Fast setup with minimal mechanical work.
- A built-in camera for overnight or remote monitoring.
- A polished phone and desktop workflow.
- Established AMS multicolor expansion.
- Ready-made profiles and a large user ecosystem.
- Fast enclosed printing without placing a premium on open hardware or offline independence.
For a first-time hobbyist, the P1S’s lower financial risk and integrated workflow can outweigh the CORE One+ Gen 2’s serviceability and chamber advantages.
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Consider the Bambu X1C instead when the comparison is not really about value
The X1C is the more relevant Bambu option for a buyer seeking higher-end sensing and interface features and who has the budget for a premium machine. It should not be used to make the P1S comparison seem easier for Prusa than it is: the P1S remains the key value competitor.
Best Value
- Easy Setup for Every User: A 10-minute quick start and automatic bed leveling eliminate tedious setup. The 220×220×220 mm build area lets you easily handle projects for engineers, educators, hobbyists, and families.
- CoreXY Speed & Precision: The rigid CoreXY motion system enables fast, precise movement up to 600 mm/s. Built-in vibration compensation keeps layers smooth, even at high speeds. Enjoy faster prints without sacrificing detail.
- Quick-Swap Nozzles & Multi-Material: Change nozzle sizes in just 3 seconds. The direct-drive extruder handles flexible TPU smoothly and supports PLA, ABS, PETG, ASA, TPU, and carbon-fiber filaments for superb versatility.
- Enclosed Chamber with Filtration: A fully enclosed chamber maintains stable temperatures for more reliable prints. Dual-layer filtration blocks dust and smoke, making it ideal for classrooms, studios, and home use.
- Smart Monitoring & App Control: Watch your prints in real time with the built-in camera. Control everything remotely via the Maker app and Orca slicer. Filament runout detection, power-loss recovery, and auto-shutdown ensure a smooth and reliable printing experience.
Kit or assembled CORE One+?
The $925 kit price lowers the entry cost but transfers assembly time and some setup risk to the buyer.
Choose the kit if you are comfortable following detailed instructions, checking assemblies and troubleshooting mechanical issues. Building the printer can also make later maintenance less intimidating.
Choose the assembled version if the printer is for a school or business, if downtime has a real cost, or if you want the closest experience to an appliance. The assembled option seen in the US listing was $1,202.78 on August 18, 2026.
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Calculate the real purchase price
The headline printer price is not the whole comparison. A fair budget should account for:
- Camera, if remote visual monitoring matters.
- HEPA filtration and appropriate ventilation for the materials being printed.
- Extra build sheets and nozzles.
- High-temperature hotend hardware, if required by the material.
- MMU3 or INDX hardware.
- Shipping, regional taxes and import costs.
- Dry storage or a filament dryer for moisture-sensitive materials.
- Replacement parts and maintenance supplies.
- Filament-switching purge waste or tool-change time.
Do not treat the camera, filter, MMU3 or INDX as mandatory accessories for the base CORE One+ Gen 2. They are expansion choices. Conversely, do not compare a bare P1S with a fully expanded Prusa and call the difference a printer price; compare equivalent configurations and state the market and date for every figure.
What the headline gets right—and wrong
The headline is right that the CORE One was a direct response to Bambu’s competitive pressure. It is wrong if it suggests one new printer would instantly overturn Bambu’s advantages.
The platform improves Prusa’s position in:
- Hardware parity: CoreXY motion, enclosure and automated first-layer calibration.
- Material capability: active chamber control and a high-temperature upgrade path.
- Modern usability: Wi-Fi, Ethernet, USB and a more appliance-like setup.
It does not deliver full parity in:
- Price: the cited P1S listing is far cheaper than the assembled CORE One+ Gen 2.
- Camera convenience: Prusa lists its camera as optional.
- Multicolor maturity: INDX changes the outlook, but it is a different and newer architecture from AMS.
- Ecosystem simplicity: Bambu’s hardware, software and mobile workflow are designed to function as one integrated system.
That is why the most accurate verdict is not “Prusa has beaten Bambu.” It is that Prusa now offers a credible alternative for buyers whose definition of value includes control, repair and longevity.
Final verdict
The CORE One+ Gen 2 is Prusa’s strongest direct response to Bambu Lab so far. It addresses the old MK-series weaknesses with CoreXY mechanics, an enclosed and actively controlled chamber, automatic first-layer calibration and modern local connectivity.
But it is not automatically the best value, the easiest first printer or the simplest multicolor machine. The P1S remains difficult to beat for price, built-in camera access, polished app control and straightforward AMS expansion.
Buy the CORE One+ Gen 2 when repairability, open development, offline operation, technical-material capability and long-term ownership matter more than the lowest upfront cost. Buy the P1S when convenience, price and established multicolor printing matter more. Prusa has closed much of the hardware gap; it has not eliminated Bambu’s ecosystem advantage.
Quick Recap
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
