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3D printer comparison
The Prusa MK4 and Bambu Lab P1S are the two dominant used 3D printers in the UK hobbyist market — and they represent genuinely different philosophies. The MK4 is an open-frame, open-source, repairable machine that holds its value well and has a 9.3/10 bench score built on 820 hours of logged printing. The P1S is an enclosed speed machine that prints ABS and ASA reliably, runs at 500 mm/s, and depreciates faster. Used prices overlap: £450–£620 (MK4) versus £400–£540 (P1S).
FDM 3D printer
FDM 3D printer
| Aspect | Prusa MK4 | Bambu Lab P1S |
|---|---|---|
| Bench score | 9.3 / 10 | Not bench-tested |
| Used price (UK) | £450–£620 | £400–£540 |
| Retail price (new) | £999 | £749 |
| Print speed | ~200 mm/s practical | 500 mm/s rated |
| Enclosure | Open frame | Fully enclosed |
| Material range | PLA, PETG, flexible — limited ABS | PLA, PETG, ABS, ASA, PA, PC |
| Multi-material | Via optional MMU3 add-on | Via AMS (sold separately, ~£250) |
| Software | PrusaSlicer (open source) | Bambu Studio (proprietary cloud) |
| Repairability | Excellent — documented, community-supported | Moderate — some proprietary parts |
| Best for | Reliability, PLA/PETG, long print queues | Speed, ABS/ASA, multi-material |
Choose Prusa MK4
Choose the Prusa MK4 if you print predominantly PLA or PETG, prioritise reliability over speed, and plan to own and service the machine for three-plus years. The 9.3/10 bench score over 820 hours confirms it is the most reliable machine in this price range used.
Choose Bambu Lab P1S
Choose the Bambu Lab P1S if you need ABS or ASA printing (requiring the enclosure), want the fastest possible PLA output, or plan to add the AMS multi-material system. At £420–£500 used, it offers capabilities that cost over £1,200 new three years ago.
Bottom line
For first-time 3D printer buyers, the MK4 is the lower-risk used purchase — better documented, more community-supported, and with a proven reliability record. For experienced users who know they need speed or engineering materials, the P1S used is excellent value.
The Prusa MK4. PrusaSlicer is well-documented, the Prusa community forum is the most active 3D printing support community in the UK, and the machine is designed to be serviced by the owner. Bambu Studio's cloud dependency and the P1S's faster iteration pace means older units can face software deprecation — a risk a beginner is less equipped to navigate.
Yes. The fully enclosed build chamber maintains the stable temperature ABS requires, and the hardened steel nozzle handles the material cleanly. This is the primary practical reason to choose the P1S over the MK4 used — the MK4's open frame makes consistent ABS printing difficult without significant modification.
Ask for total print hours via the firmware menu (Settings → Statistics). Check the build plate's PEI surface for deep scratches or peeling at the edges. Inspect the nozzle for wear — brass nozzles typically last 200–500 hours of PLA. Ask whether the hotend has been serviced and whether the thermistor connector is secure. A print quality test (benchy) before purchase is the definitive check.
Less well than the Prusa MK4. The Robot Resale Index shows the P1S at 87.2, down 12.8% year on year, against the MK4 at 89.6, down 10.4%. Bambu Lab's rapid product iteration — the A1, X1C, and H2D launches — consistently compresses used values of earlier models. The MK4's more stable product cadence and open-source status gives it a more resilient used market.