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Original prusa i3 3d printer kit
Original Prusa i3 MK3S+ kit
The Original Prusa i3 MK3S+ is the latest version of our award-winning 3D printers. We have upgraded the MK3S with a brand new SuperPINDA probe for improved first layer calibration, added high-quality bearings and various useful design tweaks to make the printer easier to assemble and maintain. The MK3S+ includes all the proven features of the previous models, including the heatbed with removable PEI spring steel print sheets, automatic Mesh Bed Leveling, filament sensor, power loss recovery (power panic) and safety features. And it is still as silent as ever!
The functionality of the MK3S+ can be further enhanced by our unique Multi-Material Upgrade 2S for printing with up to 5 filaments simultaneously.
Main Features
SuperPinda Probe
SuperPINDA probe features a hiqh-quality sensor for a fully-automatic Mesh Bed Leveling process. Before every print, the printer probes the bed in several places and creates a virtual heightmap of the print area. This process ensures that the first layer will always be spot on!
Quality Bearings & more
The MK3S+ features a new set of metal clips for the high-quality bearings on the Y-axis. The belt tensioning mechanism on the X-axis was reworked and the X-end plastic parts reinforced. The filament path in the extruder was altered for better support of flexible filaments.
Removable Print Sheets
Spring steel sheets are easy to maintain and make removing the printed object from the print surface a breeze. We offer three types of print surface: smooth, textured and satin to cover all your needs when printing from a wide range of different materials - most of which do not require any special separation layers or surface preparation.
High-Quality Parts
The MK3S+ features an aluminum extrusion Y-axis assembly.
Thanks to the milled dural frame, the MK3S+ is stable, rigid, and easy to assemble. Combined with our internally developed extruder featuring Bondtech gears and the E3D V6 hotend, the MK3S+ can print high-quality objects up to 210 mm in height.
Power Loss Recovery
Are you afraid of a blackout ruining your 48-hour print? Worry no more - the MK3S+ can deal with that! The printer can fully recover from the loss of power and continue printing exactly where it left off. It detects power interruptions and shuts down the heatbed and extruder heating, and saves the last known location.
Filament Sensor
The MK3S+ further enhances the reworked extruder from the MK3S. The built-in filament sensor uses a reliable trigger system, which detects whether a strand of filament is inserted into the extruder. It can detect any type and color of filament and is not susceptible to mechanical wear.
Mesh Bed Leveling
Thanks to the SuperPINDA probe, the MK3S+ can use the Mesh Bed Leveling process to compensate for microscopic imperfections of the print sheet, and inconsistencies caused by the assembly and stacking of the manufacturing tolerances of various parts.
Achieving a great-looking first layer is quick and easy.
Slice with PrusaSlicer
Our internally developed multiplatform slicer comes with in-house made and fully tested profiles for all of our 3D printers and a wide range of filaments. With built-in tools, such as advanced support generation, cutting, automated object distribution, ironing and many others, you will turn your 3D models into print files in no time!
Support for a wide range of Materials
The MK3S+ is fully compatible with a wide range of various types of materials. No matter whether you want to print something for fun from PLA and flexible materials, or you need to produce durable prototypes from PETG, ASA, Polycarbonate and Polypropylene - the MK3S+ can handle them with ease.
Open-source Hardware & Firmware
We develop firmware for all of our 3D printers and test every new version thoroughly before release.
Ongoing development and regular updates ensure that our machines are packed with useful features, such as print sheet profiles, automated calibration, Mesh bed leveling, advanced diagnostics, remaining print time estimation, Octoprint support and more!
Technical Parameters
| Build Volume | 25×21×21 cm (9.84"×8.3"×8.3") |
| Layer height | 0.05 - 0.35 mm |
| Nozzle | 0.4mm default, wide range of other diameters/nozzles supported |
| Filament diameter | 1.75 mm |
| Supported materials | Wide range of thermoplastics, including PLA, PETG, ASA, ABS, PC (Polycarbonate), CPE, PVA/BVOH, PVB, HIPS, PP (Polypropylene), Flex, nGen, Nylon, Carbon filled, Woodfill and other filled materials. |
| Max travel speed | 200+ mm/s |
| Max nozzle temperature | 300 °C / 572 °F |
| Max heatbed temperature | 120 °C / 248 °F |
| Extruder | Direct Drive, Bondtech gears, E3D V6 hotend |
| Print surface | Removable magnetic steel sheets(*) with different surface finishes, heatbed with cold corners compensation |
| Printer dimensions (without spool) | 7 kg, 50×55×40 cm; 19. 6×21.6×15.7 in (X×Y×Z) |
| Power consumption | PLA settings: 80W / ABS settings: 120W |
* Consumable parts, such as PEI sheets (smooth, textured, etc.) are not covered by warranty as the coatings are designed to diminish over time unless failure has occurred due to a defect in materials or workmanship. Cosmetic damage, including but not limited to scratches, dents, cracks, or other cosmetic damage is also not covered by the warranty. Only defective sheets on arrival are covered by warranty.
Sample Prints
Full Features List (July 2022 Edition)
- Controller: EINSY RAMBo 8-bit board with Trinamic 2130 drivers (256 microstepping), co-developed with Ultimachine, sensorless homing for X and Y axes
- Mesh Bed Leveling: Advanced high-quality SuperPINDA sensor (Super Prusa INDuction Autoleveling sensor)
- Print sheet profiles: Firmware supports print sheet profiles to store Live Z calibration data to enable quick switching between different print sheets.
- Filament sensor: IR sensor built-in, supports filament auto-loading. Print pauses when filament runs out.
- Power Panic: Hardware-based, single G-code line accuracy
- Ethernet connection: via Raspberry Pi (optional)
- Wi-Fi connection: via Raspberry Pi (optional)
- Advanced sensors: 3 thermistors, fans RPM monitoring, SuperPINDA
- Calibration: Automatic, Mesh Bed Leveling, SelfTest
- Print medium: SD card (16 GB card included)
- Firmware update: via PC (USB cable)
- PSU: Custom-made Delta PSU with hardware-based power panic
- Advanced features: Automatic filament loading, steel sheet profiles, Octoprint compatibility and more
- New features introduced through firmware upgrades
Awards & Press Reviews
Thanks to all of these (and many other) features, the MK3S became the “Best 3D Printer” according to ALL3DP.
The MK3S is also the highest-rated 3D printer, and the “Editor’s Choice”, in the prestigious MAKE:MAGAZINE’s Digital Fabrication Guide 2019. The MK3S is also featured in TechRadar's Best 3D printers of 2021 as The best all-around 3D printer. NY Times wrote that "...of the 11 printers we’ve tested over the past five years, the Prusa i3 MK3S printer has produced the largest and best-looking prints." According to ZDNet, the MK3S is "The best pro-sumer 3D printer under 1000 USD."
6 reasons to buy the MK3S+
1
Great User Support
We offer 24/7 tech support via live chat and email in seven languages. Our printers come with detailed instructions and guides for easy assembly and maintenance. You can also visit our knowledge base, community forum, Facebook groups and official Blog, where we publish useful 3D printing tips and tricks, contests and more!
2
Fun to Assemble
The MK3S+ assembly kit is an excellent first step into the world of 3D printing.
You will get to know your 3D printer inside out and find out how it works! The assembly is quite easy, requires no soldering, all cables are cut to length and ready to be plugged in. The assembly instructions are easy to follow and all texts are translated into 8 languages. All of this makes the kit very friendly to younger builders, too!
3
Built-in Safety Features
Original Prusa 3D printers are well-known for their reliability and safe operation. Every part of our printers is thoroughly tested in-house. The MK3S+ is equipped with three thermistors and comes with a custom-built high-quality Delta power supply. The printer can recognize issues with heating and stop operation to prevent damage.
4
Open-source and Community Friendly
All parts of our printer are open-source, which means we publish all source codes and blueprints online.
The community around our products is huge and the feedback is overwhelmingly positive - don't believe us? Check out Facebook groups and YouTube videos! There's so much to do with your 3D printer - buying it is just the beginning!
5
Ready for the Multi-Material Upgrade 2S
Multi Material Upgrade 2S is our unique add-on option for printing with up to 5 different filaments simultaneously. Multi-material could be your next step in the 3D printing world and the MK3S and MK3S+ are completely ready for the upgrade! MMU2S also allows you to print a soluble support interface - check out the video!
6
Upgradability
One of the most popular features of the Original Prusa i3 concept is upgradability. When you buy our 3D printer, you can upgrade it later to a newer version, so you don't need to buy a whole new model every two years like, for example, your phone or laptop. We also keep supporting our 3D printers with regular firmware updates that bring new features!
Best assembly instructions and free 3D Printing handbook
We didn't want to leave anything to chance, so our assembly instructions are pictured to the smallest detail.
See the assembly manual for yourself!
All fasteners and mechanical parts have 1:1 drawing so you can easily find them, and there is no chance of you picking a wrong one. You don't have to be MIT graduate to assemble our kit ;-)
Our fastest customer built the kit in 4 hours! Will you beat him?
Ready to print settings
We provide high print settings with the printer, so you don't have to dive into complex new programs the second you finish the build. You can start printing right away, and this gives you a great head start!
These settings are great for all kinds of objects, not just for a couple of prepared showpieces. After a while, when you're familiar with the printer, you can, of course, dive into tinkering ;-)
We are developing our own slicing software. PrusaSlicer is a feature-rich, frequently updated tool that contains everything you need to export the perfect print files for your Original Prusa 3D printer.
But of course, we also have the settings for the third party slicers like Simplify3D, Cura, etc.
MK3S+ vs MINI+ Comparison
| Original Prusa i3 MK3S+ | Original Prusa MINI+ | |
Build volume |
250 x 210 x 210 mm | 9.84 x 8.3 x 8.3 in | 180 x 180 x 180 mm | 7 x 7 x 7 in |
Layer height |
0.05 – 0.35 mm | 0.05 – 0.25 mm with 0.4 mm nozzle |
Max travel speed |
200+ mm/s | 200+ mm/s |
Max hotend/heatbed temp. |
300 °C / 120 °C (572 °F / 248 °F) |
280 °C / 100 °C (536 °F / 212 °F) |
Mainboard |
Einsy RAMBo 8-bit board with Trinamic 2130 drivers co-developed with Ultimachine |
Custom 32-bit Buddy electronics with STM32 and latest Trinamic 2209 silent stepper drivers |
MMU2S support |
Yes |
No |
Extruder |
Direct drive |
Bowden system with 3:1 gearing |
LCD screen |
Monochromatic LCD |
2. |
Print surface |
magnetic heatbed with removable PEI spring steel sheets |
magnetic heatbed with removable PEI spring steel sheets |
Filament diameter |
1.75mm |
1.75mm |
Number of materials (simultaneously) |
1 | 1 |
Nozzle diameter |
0.4mm (default) / other nozzle diameters supported |
0.4mm (default) / other nozzle diameters supported |
Supported materials |
Any thermoplastic including Nylon and Polycarbonate |
Most thermoplastics except Carbon filled |
Filament sensor |
Yes (IR) |
Optional upgrade |
Power panic |
Hardware-based, single G-code line accuracy |
Future software upgrade, single layer accuracy |
Ethernet connection |
Via Raspberry Pi |
Yes |
Wi-Fi connection |
Via Raspberry Pi |
Separate future upgrade (ESP Wi-Fi module) |
Advanced sensors |
3 thermistors + SuperPINDA, fan RPM sensors |
3 thermistors + SuperPINDA, fan RPM sensors |
Farm mode |
No |
Yes (upcoming feature) |
Calibration |
Automatic, Mesh Bed Leveling |
Automatic, Mesh Bed Leveling |
Print medium |
SD card |
USB drive / LAN |
Firmware update interface |
USB port |
USB drive / LAN |
Power supply |
240W, custom made by Delta with Power Panic HW |
160W, external adapter by Mean Well or Delta depending on the region |
Kit price |
799 USD / 849 EUR (VAT incl. ) |
429 USD / 459 EUR (VAT incl.) |
Assembled printer price |
1099 USD / 1159 EUR (VAT incl.) |
459 USD / 489 EUR (VAT incl.) |
8″ graphic 65k color screenOriginal Prusa i3 MK3S+ 3D printer
The Original Prusa i3 MK3S+ is the latest version of our award-winning 3D printers. We have upgraded the MK3S with a brand new SuperPINDA probe for improved first layer calibration, added high-quality bearings and various useful design tweaks to make the printer easier to assemble and maintain. The MK3S+ includes all the proven features of the previous models, including the heatbed with removable PEI spring steel print sheets, automatic Mesh Bed Leveling, filament sensor, power loss recovery (power panic) and safety features.
And it is still as silent as ever!
The functionality of the MK3S+ can be further enhanced by our unique Multi-Material Upgrade 2S for printing with up to 5 filaments simultaneously.
Main Features
SuperPinda Probe
SuperPINDA probe features a hiqh-quality sensor for a fully-automatic Mesh Bed Leveling process. Before every print, the printer probes the bed in several places and creates a virtual heightmap of the print area. This process ensures that the first layer will always be spot on!
Quality Bearings & more
The MK3S+ features a new set of metal clips for the high-quality bearings on the Y-axis. The belt tensioning mechanism on the X-axis was reworked and the X-end plastic parts reinforced. The filament path in the extruder was altered for better support of flexible filaments.
Removable Print Sheets
Spring steel sheets are easy to maintain and make removing the printed object from the print surface a breeze.
We offer three types of print surface: smooth, textured and satin to cover all your needs when printing from a wide range of different materials - most of which do not require any special separation layers or surface preparation.
High-Quality Parts
The MK3S+ features an aluminum extrusion Y-axis assembly. Thanks to the milled dural frame, the MK3S+ is stable, rigid, and easy to assemble. Combined with our internally developed extruder featuring Bondtech gears and the E3D V6 hotend, the MK3S+ can print high-quality objects up to 210 mm in height.
Power Loss Recovery
Are you afraid of a blackout ruining your 48-hour print? Worry no more - the MK3S+ can deal with that! The printer can fully recover from the loss of power and continue printing exactly where it left off. It detects power interruptions and shuts down the heatbed and extruder heating, and saves the last known location.
Filament Sensor
The MK3S+ further enhances the reworked extruder from the MK3S. The built-in filament sensor uses a reliable trigger system, which detects whether a strand of filament is inserted into the extruder. It can detect any type and color of filament and is not susceptible to mechanical wear.
Mesh Bed Leveling
Thanks to the SuperPINDA probe, the MK3S+ can use the Mesh Bed Leveling process to compensate for microscopic imperfections of the print sheet, and inconsistencies caused by the assembly and stacking of the manufacturing tolerances of various parts. Achieving a great-looking first layer is quick and easy.
Slice with PrusaSlicer
Our internally developed multiplatform slicer comes with in-house made and fully tested profiles for all of our 3D printers and a wide range of filaments. With built-in tools, such as advanced support generation, cutting, automated object distribution, ironing and many others, you will turn your 3D models into print files in no time!
Support for a wide range of Materials
The MK3S+ is fully compatible with a wide range of various types of materials.
No matter whether you want to print something for fun from PLA and flexible materials, or you need to produce durable prototypes from PETG, ASA, Polycarbonate and Polypropylene - the MK3S+ can handle them with ease.
Open-source Hardware & Firmware
We develop firmware for all of our 3D printers and test every new version thoroughly before release. Ongoing development and regular updates ensure that our machines are packed with useful features, such as print sheet profiles, automated calibration, Mesh bed leveling, advanced diagnostics, remaining print time estimation, Octoprint support and more!
Technical Parameters
| Build Volume | 25×21×21 cm (9.84"×8.3"×8.3") |
| Layer height | 0.05 - 0.35 mm |
| Nozzle | 0.4mm default, wide range of other diameters/nozzles supported |
| Filament diameter | 1. |
| Supported materials | Wide range of thermoplastics, including PLA, PETG, ASA, ABS, PC (Polycarbonate), CPE, PVA/BVOH, PVB, HIPS, PP (Polypropylene), Flex, nGen, Nylon, Carbon filled, Woodfill and other filled materials. |
| Max travel speed | 200+ mm/s |
| Max nozzle temperature | 300 °C / 572 °F |
| Max heatbed temperature | 120 °C / 248 °F |
| Extruder | Direct Drive, Bondtech gears, E3D V6 hotend |
| Print surface | Removable magnetic steel sheets(*) with different surface finishes, heatbed with cold corners compensation |
| Printer dimensions (without spool) | 7 kg, 50×55×40 cm; 19.6×21.6×15.7 in (X×Y×Z) |
| Power consumption | PLA settings: 80W / ABS settings: 120W |
* Consumable parts, such as PEI sheets (smooth, textured, etc.
) are not covered by warranty as the coatings are designed to diminish over time unless failure has occurred due to a defect in materials or workmanship. Cosmetic damage, including but not limited to scratches, dents, cracks, or other cosmetic damage is also not covered by the warranty. Only defective sheets on arrival are covered by warranty.
Sample Prints
Full Features List (July 2022 Edition)
- Controller: EINSY RAMBo 8-bit board with Trinamic 2130 drivers (256 microstepping), co-developed with Ultimachine, sensorless homing for X and Y axes
- Mesh Bed Leveling: Advanced high-quality SuperPINDA sensor (Super Prusa INDuction Autoleveling sensor)
- Print sheet profiles: Firmware supports print sheet profiles to store Live Z calibration data to enable quick switching between different print sheets.
- Filament sensor: IR sensor built-in, supports filament auto-loading.
Print pauses when filament runs out. - Power Panic: Hardware-based, single G-code line accuracy
- Ethernet connection: via Raspberry Pi (optional)
- Wi-Fi connection: via Raspberry Pi (optional)
- Advanced sensors: 3 thermistors, fans RPM monitoring, SuperPINDA
- Calibration: Automatic, Mesh Bed Leveling, SelfTest
- Print medium: SD card (16 GB card included)
- Firmware update: via PC (USB cable)
- PSU: Custom-made Delta PSU with hardware-based power panic
- Advanced features: Automatic filament loading, steel sheet profiles, Octoprint compatibility and more
- New features introduced through firmware upgrades
Awards & Press Reviews
Thanks to all of these (and many other) features, the MK3S became the “Best 3D Printer” according to ALL3DP.
The MK3S is also the highest-rated 3D printer, and the “Editor’s Choice”, in the prestigious MAKE:MAGAZINE’s Digital Fabrication Guide 2019. The MK3S is also featured in TechRadar's Best 3D printers of 2021 as The best all-around 3D printer. NY Times wrote that "...of the 11 printers we’ve tested over the past five years, the Prusa i3 MK3S printer has produced the largest and best-looking prints." According to ZDNet, the MK3S is "The best pro-sumer 3D printer under 1000 USD."
6 reasons to buy the MK3S+
1
Great User Support
We offer 24/7 tech support via live chat and email in seven languages. Our printers come with detailed instructions and guides for easy assembly and maintenance. You can also visit our knowledge base, community forum, Facebook groups and official Blog, where we publish useful 3D printing tips and tricks, contests and more!
2
Advantages of an Assembled 3d Printer
Compared to the assembly kit, the assembled printer differs only in the form in which you receive it.
The printer comes pre-assembled and tested right out of the box. To start your first print, simply plug it in, run the initial calibration, and you are good to go. It is an ideal choice for businesses where there is a need to start printing as soon as possible.
3
Built-in Safety Features
Original Prusa 3D printers are well-known for their reliability and safe operation. Every part of our printers is thoroughly tested in-house. The MK3S+ is equipped with three thermistors and comes with a custom-built high-quality Delta power supply. The printer can recognize issues with heating and stop operation to prevent damage.
4
Open-source and Community Friendly
All parts of our printer are open-source, which means we publish all source codes and blueprints online. The community around our products is huge and the feedback is overwhelmingly positive - don't believe us? Check out Facebook groups and YouTube videos! There's so much to do with your 3D printer - buying it is just the beginning!
5
Ready for the Multi-Material Upgrade 2S
Multi Material Upgrade 2S is our unique add-on option for printing with up to 5 different filaments simultaneously.
Multi-material could be your next step in the 3D printing world and the MK3S and MK3S+ are completely ready for the upgrade! MMU2S also allows you to print a soluble support interface - check out the video!
6
Upgradability
One of the most popular features of the Original Prusa i3 concept is upgradability. When you buy our 3D printer, you can upgrade it later to a newer version, so you don't need to buy a whole new model every two years like, for example, your phone or laptop. We also keep supporting our 3D printers with regular firmware updates that bring new features!
Ready to print settings
We provide high print settings with the printer, so you don't have to dive into complex new programs the second you finish the build. You can start printing right away, and this gives you a great head start!
These settings are great for all kinds of objects, not just for a couple of prepared showpieces.
After a while, when you're familiar with the printer, you can, of course, dive into tinkering ;-)
We are developing our own slicing software. PrusaSlicer is a feature-rich, frequently updated tool that contains everything you need to export the perfect print files for your Original Prusa 3D printer. But of course, we also have the settings for the third party slicers like Simplify3D, Cura, etc.
Discount program for Original Prusa i3 assembled printer owners
Our discount program for the Original Prusa i3 assembled printer owners gives you a 10% discount on subsequent orders of the Original Prusa i3 assembled printers and selected filaments.
How does it work?
To enter the discount program, you only need to purchase your first Original Prusa i3 assembled printer for the full price. After the assembled printer is delivered to you, your Prusa account automatically applies the 10% discount on the assembled i3 printers.
So your next assembled i3 printer will be discounted by 10% :-). Make sure to be always logged into your Prusa account, to have the discount applied.
Along, with the discount on the assembled i3 printers, the discount does apply to selected filaments too. Most importantly including our high-precision filament, the Prusament!
MK3S+ vs MINI+ Comparison
| Original Prusa i3 MK3S+ | Original Prusa MINI+ | |
Build volume |
250 x 210 x 210 mm | 9.84 x 8.3 x 8.3 in | 180 x 180 x 180 mm | 7 x 7 x 7 in |
Layer height |
0.05 – 0.35 mm | 0.05 – 0.25 mm with 0.4 mm nozzle |
Max travel speed |
200+ mm/s | 200+ mm/s |
Max hotend/heatbed temp. |
300 °C / 120 °C (572 °F / 248 °F) |
280 °C / 100 °C (536 °F / 212 °F) |
Mainboard |
Einsy RAMBo 8-bit board with Trinamic 2130 drivers co-developed with Ultimachine |
Custom 32-bit Buddy electronics with STM32 and latest Trinamic 2209 silent stepper drivers |
MMU2S support |
Yes |
No |
Extruder |
Direct drive |
Bowden system with 3:1 gearing |
LCD screen |
Monochromatic LCD |
2. |
Print surface |
magnetic heatbed with removable PEI spring steel sheets |
magnetic heatbed with removable PEI spring steel sheets |
Filament diameter |
1.75mm |
1.75mm |
Number of materials (simultaneously) |
1 | 1 |
Nozzle diameter |
0.4mm (default) / other nozzle diameters supported |
0.4mm (default) / other nozzle diameters supported |
Supported materials |
Any thermoplastic including Nylon and Polycarbonate |
Most thermoplastics except Carbon filled |
Filament sensor |
Yes (IR) |
Optional upgrade |
Power panic |
Hardware-based, single G-code line accuracy |
Future software upgrade, single layer accuracy |
Ethernet connection |
Via Raspberry Pi |
Yes |
Wi-Fi connection |
Via Raspberry Pi |
Separate future upgrade (ESP Wi-Fi module) |
Advanced sensors |
3 thermistors + SuperPINDA, fan RPM sensors |
3 thermistors + SuperPINDA, fan RPM sensors |
Farm mode |
No |
Yes (upcoming feature) |
Calibration |
Automatic, Mesh Bed Leveling |
Automatic, Mesh Bed Leveling |
Print medium |
SD card |
USB drive / LAN |
Firmware update interface |
USB port |
USB drive / LAN |
Power supply |
240W, custom made by Delta with Power Panic HW |
160W, external adapter by Mean Well or Delta depending on the region |
Kit price |
799 USD / 849 EUR (VAT incl. ) |
429 USD / 459 EUR (VAT incl.) |
Assembled printer price |
1099 USD / 1159 EUR (VAT incl.) |
459 USD / 489 EUR (VAT incl.) |
8″ graphic 65k color screenOriginal or copy Prusa i3. What to choose?
ThePrusa i3 is not only a Josef Prusa branded 3D printer, it is also the standard layout for many budget 3D printers. The original Prusa i3 evolved from the RepRap project, which eventually led to the creation of Prusa Research, a popular manufacturer of high quality open source 3D printers.
Since the release of the original i3 in 2012, Prusa Research has released several updated versions of the 3D printer, including the Prusa i3 MK2, MK3, MK3S and finally MK3S+. Meanwhile, apart from the official Prusa i3 releases, many other companies have been making clones of the original Prusa i3.
These clones follow the Prusa i3 design and even use the term "Prusa i3" to describe the layout. i3 clones usually look like the original Prusa i3 but use cheaper parts to lower the overall price and attract more buyers. Clone manufacturers make 3D printers as cheap as possible, which is why they are often sold under open source licenses.
It's worth noting that while 3D printers like the Ender 3 or Anet A8 were inspired by the original Prusa i3 design and are technically i3 clones, they now essentially exist in their own categories. Many of them now have their own development history and are not related to Prusa printers. What this all means is that when we use the word "clone" we are referring to the similar Prusa i3 styling that some 3D printers use, including the Ender 3 and Anet A8.
Although the original and clones may seem similar, there are significant differences between them. So which is better? The main differences are quality and cost, but there are other factors as well.
In this article, we will try to understand these differences.
Original Prusa i3
Original Prusa i3 is one of the most famous open source 3D printers. Its widespread success has led Prusa Research and other manufacturers to create many official and unofficial versions. For this reason, we will be using the official Prusa i3 MK3S+ as our reference Prusa i3 printer.
Currently, when the MK3S is being retired, only the MK3S+ is available for purchase. While the ~$1,200 price tag for a pre-assembled MK3S+ (~$900 per kit) might seem intimidating, you get what you pay for. The MK3S+ is a great deal thanks to the attention to detail and quality assurance.
The main factors that determine the benefits of MK3S + can be divided into three groups: the 3D printer itself, the firmware and the ecosystem.
Original Prusa i3: mechanics and construction
The MK3S+ is assembled from high quality parts and assemblies that you can rely on for your 3D printing work day in and day out.
To begin with, it comes with the official E3D V6 all-metal hot end, a high quality and branded hot end. The MK3S+ also uses a 32-bit motherboard with dynamic stepper motor drivers, making this 3D printer both quiet and powerful. In addition, in the electronics, the MK3S+ uses multiple sensors to improve print reliability.
Unlike the alternate Bowden style many printers use, the MK3S+ has a direct drive system that allows printing on flexible plastics. There are even dual motors in the Z-axis, allowing for higher quality 3D printing. The printer is equipped with a full color display and a quiet Noctua fan, unlike many other copies that use a single color LCD display and noisier fans. And one of the most important advantages of the original Prusa i3 is the PEI spring steel desktop and automatic table leveling features not found in comparable desktop 3D printers.
Overall, the MK3S+ uses higher quality parts that together deliver consistently high quality 3D prints.
Original Prusa i3: Firmware
Firmware is another key aspect of the MK3S+. First, you can easily change the firmware using the PrusaSlicer (attached to the printer's Rambo motherboard). This is partly because Prusa Research uses Marlin-based firmware for all of its FDM printers, including the MK3S+.
In terms of firmware, what sets the MK3S+ apart from other printers in its class is the frequent firmware updates that Prusa releases. Unlike many other 3D printer manufacturers, Prusa has released very stable firmware without sacrificing some of the latest and greatest features such as linear advancement that improves 3D print quality.
Original Prusa i3 User Support
When you purchase a 3D printer from Prusa Research, you get guaranteed company support, documentation, product support and more. You know that you can count on Prusa to help you if you run into problems with your 3D printer.
Since the Prusa MK3S+ is the main printer for Prusa, they also offer a number of upgrades.
For example, MMU2S will give you access to multi-color printing. You can also purchase spare parts and assemblies without worrying about their compatibility.
In addition to this, Prusa offers its own 3D file repository known as PrusaPrinters. There you can find 3D models and specific suggestions for setting up 3D printing. Prusa is also very active in the maker community, with a great blog where you can ask questions and learn how to fix, upgrade and set up your 3D printer.
Prusa i3 copies
After the success of the Prusa i3, other manufacturers also looked into 3D printing and created i3 clones. Generally speaking, such manufacturers try to keep the cost of a 3D printer as low as possible while retaining key features.
Below we will use Creality Ender 3 and Anet A8 as examples of Prusa i3 clones. Anet A8 can be considered a "closer" clone as the frame and some features are very similar. On the other hand, Ender 3 is not so much a clone as it is the result of development that was originally inspired by the Prusa i3.
As in the previous section, the important factors influencing the decision to buy a Prusa i3 clone can be divided into three groups: the 3D printer itself, the firmware, and the ecosystem.
Prusa i3 replicas: mechanics and construction
Most of the clones are missing many small features that make all the difference when it comes to 3D print quality and usability. For example, the Anet A8 usually comes with unbranded parts and even important parts like the hot end are often less reliable. The Ender 3, for example, uses a Bowden 3D printing plastic feed system because it's a simpler design than the direct drive system on the MK3S+.
Virtually all clones lack automatic table leveling. This means that you will have to manually calibrate the 3D printer bed.
Prusa i3 clones usually use lower quality electronics. For example, using a more budget-friendly motherboard results in fewer features and noisy drive drivers. Both the Ender 3 and the Anet A8 use poor quality fans, and although they are not the most important part of the design, they affect the noise level of the 3D printer.
The Anet A8 uses two z-drives, but this is more of an exception to the rule and most copies only use one, resulting in more 3D print quality issues.
Prusa i3 copies: firmware
Prusa i3 clones are usually open source, but changing firmware can cause problems. For example, both the original Ender 3 and Anet A8 require a bootloader (which is often used as an Arduino Uno) to update the firmware. However, most clones can run several different types of firmware such as regular Marlin, Vanilla Marlin and Th4D Marlin.
No matter how similar the clone is to the original Prusa i3, most of them use similar outdated Marlin-based firmware. Unlike Prusa, clone makers rarely release updates to their firmware, and even updates don't include the latest features. Cloned software is known to lack security features and disable many of Marlin's great features, such as "Linear Advance" (a setting that stabilizes filament pressure in the nozzle), because motherboards cannot provide the necessary processing power.
Prusa i3 Copies: User Support
Finally, don't count on good user support, as clone makers usually don't provide good documentation. In the case of copies of Prusa i3 3D printers, there may be problems with the return of goods. Manufacturers usually don't provide model-specific updates like Prusa Research does for their 3D printers.
However, successful copies sometimes form a strong DIY community and you can find a lot of information about modifications and improvements to your 3D printer. Good examples of 3D printers with a large community and a wealth of information on the internet are the Ender 3 and Anet A8. However, it should be borne in mind that it is worth being able to filter information, and you will make all modifications at your own risk.
So what to buy - original or clone Prusa i3?
The original Prusa i3 is a great 3D printer, but the clones have an attractive lower price. However, quality matters a lot. The small individual parts of a 3D printer, such as fans, motherboard, and sensors, may seem unimportant, but they all contribute to a better 3D print.
Although real Prusa i3 printers are much more expensive than clones, they provide more useful features and quality. Copies include only the necessary basis for 3D printing and it is the price that reflects this fact. Prusa i3 clones contain unbranded parts, usually of lower quality. On the one hand, this is a minus, but on the other hand, replacing them will also be cheaper.
Perhaps the biggest difference between an original transaction and a clone is quality control. A genuine Prusa i3 printer with its high quality parts makes 3D printing easy, while a clone will require you to fiddle around to get a good 3D print result. An original Prusa i3 printer like the MK3S+ will likely last longer than a clone and be less likely to break.
Buying an original Prusa i3 3D printer is probably the best choice if you are looking for a higher end printer that you will use for a long time. On the other hand, if you're new to 3D printing, want to give it a try, like repairing and modifying 3D printers, or on a tight budget, you should consider purchasing a clone.
Original review PRUSA MK3-Best 3 D-Printer of spring 9000 9000 9000 9000 9000 9000 9000 9000 9000 9000 9000 9000 9000 9000 9000 9000 9000 9000 9000 9000 9000 9000 9000 9000 9000 9000 9000 9000 9000 9000 9000 9000 9000 9000 9000 9000 9000 9000 9000 9000 9000 9000 9000 9000 9000 9000 9000 9000 9000 9000 9000 9000 9000 9000 9000 9000 9000 9000 9000 9000 9000 9000 9000 9000 9000 9000 9000 9000 9000 9000 9000 9000 9000 9000 9000 9000 9000 9000 9000 9000 9000 9000 9000 9000 9000 9000 9000 9000 9000 9000 9000 9000 9000 9000 9000 9000 9000 000 The Prusa i3 MK3 was no easy task. Why? Because there are a lot of innovations that I want to talk about.
In February 2019, MK3 received an upgrade to MK3S. This is the only version you can buy in shop Prusa. It features an improved extruder, improved PINDA sensor, and other nice touches that make printing even more fun.
The original Prusa i3 MK3S is the “Best 3D Printer” according to All3dp.com and Make: Magazine, where MK3S also received an “editors' choice” as a 3D printer with the highest rating in the 2019 digital manufacturing manual.
MK3S FUNCTIONALITY CAN BE EXPANDED WITH THE UNIQUE MULTI-MATERIAL UPGRADE 2.0 TO PRINT UP TO 5 MATERIALS SIMULTANEOUSLY.
Open source
First things first, this machine doesn't look too different from the old MK2 or even from many other i3 printers. Why is this design so popular? Because it is printer open source! Prusa has always published all design files for its machines, including the very first i3 that spawned thousands of derivative printers.
So yes, everything on this printer, from the frame, which of course is still just a metal frame, to the electronics and sensor boards, down to the firmware and improved slicer, everything now published on Github is licensed from open source, available to any person or company to use or modify their own products or projects.
And it's just fantastic.
What's new in MK3?
Features & Design
After taking a closer look at our original Prusa i3 MK3 review, let's take a closer look at its features. This block is presented as a refinement of everything Prusa Research has achieved to date; this is more than just a reliability upgrade, but a new and improved desktop 3D printer with innovative technology.
Where previous models offered amazing print quality at a low price, the Prusa i3 MK3 aims to make FFF technology more intuitive and simple than before, with multiple sensors to alert users to potential problems and prevent failed prints.
There's more to say here, but let's summarize these new features:
- Filament sensor
- Power Panic
- Speed sensitive fans and quieter cooling Noctua
- Ambient thermistor and PINDA 2 with thermistor
- EINSY RAMBo motherboard
- Trinamic2130 drivers with layer offset detection, fast and quiet printing
- New Y-axis
- Bondtech extruder
- Magnetic Cotton MK52
- PEI Powder Coated Spring Steel Printing Sheet
- OctoPrint
Filament sensor uses an optical filament sensor to detect the presence and movement of a filament.
This provides advance warning of when the filament is about to run out and the machine can pause printing and prompt the user to insert a new spool. It can also detect a stuck filament and recommend a "cold pull" to clear the nozzle and continue printing.
Other upgrades are Power Panic, where the Prusa i3 MK3 can recover and resume a print job after a power loss, and the new EINSY RAMBo motherboard, which is considered the most advanced 3D printer board currently available. How advanced is it? For example, it can monitor power, which allows it to detect blown fuses. On the other hand, it features Trinamic drivers which are very fast, quiet and can detect (and correct) layer misalignment during printing.
Elsewhere, the original Prusa i3 MK3 has a redesigned Y-axis to increase frame rigidity and an additional 10mm build volume at the Z-height. And there is an upgraded Bondtech drive extruder that grabs the filament from both sides to increase the pushing force of the filament and make it more reliable (especially for flexible filaments).
But perhaps the most obvious highlight of the Prusa i3 MK3 is the new MK52 magnetic heating plate that holds removable spring alloy steel sheets coated with PEI powder. When the sheet cools, it can be removed by simply bending the sheet inwards.
Setup
Whether you bought the Original Prusa i3 MK3 assembled or as a kit, the included 3D Printing Manual is a vital reference for your new 3D Printer. It contains all the necessary information about setup, calibration, printer materials and other frequently asked questions.
The steps for setting up and calibrating the machine are described in the assembly diagram below. But for advanced customization, we'd like to take a closer look at the three big benefits of the Prusa i3 MK3; panic sensor, crash detection and filament supply.
Testing these parameters on a regular 3D printer would be somewhat risky, perhaps even dangerous.
Therefore, we do not recommend doing this on any machine other than the Prusa i3 MK3.
For the panic function, we connected it to a normal power supply with an on/off switch. We have started printing a model of Buddy, Prusa's pet. After about 20 minutes, we flipped the switch and waited 30 seconds before turning it back on.
And so, the Prusa i3 MK3 immediately detected that there was a power failure, and resumed printing exactly where it left off. Impressive!
Software
Oh yes, software. Any review of the original Prusa i3 MK3 would not be complete without discussing the software.
Simply put, users have many options when it comes to slicing their objects for printing.
The first and easiest option is PrusaControl . This is a simplified interface for coating your models. Select a thread from the list of presets, change the scale, orientation, line height and padding, and then generate your G-code.
This is a very good and efficient solution and is the software we used for most of the objects printed for this Prusa i3 MK3 review.
The only downsides we could see were that if your requirements were a bit more complex then you should use something else.
For example, printing a chromatic vase requires a special "vase mode" that is standard in most other slicer software. Without it, you will end up printing a solid object that won't accept the flower no matter how hard you try. You won't find this in PrusaControl, which is a curious omission.
Instead, we turned to the second, more complex option; Prusa3D Slic3r MK3. This open source slicing software definitely has a vase mode. In fact, it has one hundred and one modes to turn it on and off, and it can be a little tricky for absolute beginners. But in fact it is the same platform as the PrusaControl, except for the stabilizer wheels.
For the third option, we tested printing on a Prusa i3 MK3 using a paid software slicer such as Simplify3D. It works pretty well; it already has the required printer profile and it might be more useful if you are experimenting with custom supports.
Completion
The temptation is strong to win the Original Prusa i3 MK3 review with a perfect score of 10. This is simply the best kit for the 3D printer money can buy. It's quiet, fast, and pleasant to use.
And its technological prowess is such that it will easily surpass 3D printer three times the price. Crash detection and panic are great ideas that all 3D printers should offer as standard settings. And the removable print bed is something we didn't know we needed.
But we have to be objective in this Original Prusa i3 MK3 review, and there are one or two small issues holding it back. The main problem is that the filament sensor getting into the translucent filaments undermines our confidence in its operation.
Of course, this is an additional option and, of course, it does not prevent the printer from producing quality objects. And we fully expect the issue to be fixed in future production runs.
