Prusa MK4 Review 2024: The Workhorse Reinvented

Having worked as 3D printing enthusiast for so many different printers over the years. When Prusa announced the MK4, I was eager to get my hands on it as they are following up from their highly praised MK3S+. Having spent countless hours testing, I can now fully review this highly anticipated machine. I am going in depth with the Prusa mk4 in this article so have a seat.

Unboxing and First Impressions

I just received my Prusa from the delivery guy and i really couldn’t wait to open it. The unboxing was a joy, as Prusa always delivers a great experience. The printer came fully assembled (I opted for the pre-built version), nestled securely in foam padding.

One thing that immediately caught my eye was a test print attached to the bed, along with a quality control card. It’s a nice touch that instills confidence right out of the gate.

Setup and Calibration

Setting up the Prusa MK4 was a breeze compared to some other printers I’ve used. After installing the filament guide add-on and removing the test print, I plugged it in and let it do its thing. The printer runs through a self-test process, checking for any assembly issues.

The auto-calibration routine is a sight to behold. The printer performs a “nozzle tap” dance across the bed, precisely measuring distances to ensure a perfect first layer. It’s almost hypnotic to watch.

One minor hiccup I encountered was during the initial setup – there was an issue with the I2C bus communication. A quick restart solved the problem, and I haven’t seen it since. It’s worth noting that early production units might have some quirks, but Prusa’s support team is top-notch if you run into any issues.

The Nextruder: A Game-Changer

The Prusa MK4’s standout feature is its innovative extruder system, the “Nextruder.” This isn’t just a clever marketing term; it represents a substantial upgrade compared to earlier models. The Nextruder features a breakout board that simplifies cable management and makes part replacement a breeze.

But the real star of the show is the quick-swap nozzle system. With just two thumb screws, you can swap out nozzles in seconds. The nozzles themselves are all-metal, which means you can print with a wide range of materials without worrying about heat creep or clogs.

Print Quality: Where the Rubber Meets the Road

Let’s talk about what really matters: print quality. I’ve tested the Prusa MK4 with a variety of prints, from intricate miniatures to practical components, and I’m thoroughly impressed.

The first layer adhesion is consistently perfect thanks to the new load cell sensor. Gone are the days of fiddling with Z-offset adjustments – the MK4 nails it every time.

I started with the classic Benchy test, printing at various speeds:

• Standard 1-hour print: Flawless. Clean surfaces, sharp details.
• Speed-optimized 27-minute print: Still impressive. Some very minor artifacts, but nothing you’d notice without a magnifying glass.
• Ludicrous 12-minute print: Surprisingly decent! Yes, it’s lighter and almost hollow, but the surface quality is still respectable.

Moving on to more complex prints, I tackled a detailed Cyber Llama model. The results were stunning – crisp details, smooth curves, and virtually no visible layer lines. The Prusa MK4 handled overhangs and bridging like a champ.

For functional parts, I printed a multi-drawer storage tower. The fit and finish were spot-on, with drawers sliding smoothly and tolerances maintained throughout.

Speed Demons and Material Mastery

Prusa has made bold claims about the MK4’s speed capabilities, and I was eager to put them to the test. While it’s not quite as fast as some CoreXY machines like the Bamboo Lab X1, it’s a significant step up from the MK3S+.

I pushed the printer to its limits, cranking up the speed to 200mm/s. At these speeds, you start to see some issues like minor layer shifts, but a recent firmware update has largely mitigated these problems. It’s impressive to see Prusa actively improving the printer’s performance post-release.

The Prusa MK4 isn’t just about PLA, though. I’ve successfully printed with PETG, ABS, TPU, and even polycarbonate. Each material required some tweaking, but the printer handled them all admirably. The only hiccup was with ABS – I’d recommend an enclosure for best results with that particular filament.

Software and Connectivity

Prusa Slicer remains one of the best slicing software options out there, and it’s pre-loaded with profiles for the Prusa MK4. While you can begin printing optimally out of the box, tinkerers will have ample opportunity to tailor the settings to their liking.

That printer is equipped with Wi-Fi and Ethernet out of the box. Wi-Fi is a bit of a clunky set-up, you have to generate in file an USB drive and upload this into the printer. It’s a little less seamless than on some other printers, but once it is connected and running we encountered no issues. Transferring files is a bit slow, so for larger original prints I still prefer using the USB drive.

One disappointment is the lack of a touch screen. The color display is nice, but for 2024, I anticipated a more contemporary interface. It’s not a major issue, but it seems like a missed chance.

User Experience: Thoughtful Improvements

Prusa has clearly put a lot of thought into improving the user experience with the MK4. Some standout features include:

• Loadcell Sensor: This new bed leveling system is a game-changer. It consistently produced perfect first layers without any manual adjustment.
• Color Screen: While not touch-sensitive (a missed opportunity, in my opinion), it’s a welcome upgrade from the monochrome display of previous models.
• Wi-Fi Connectivity: The addition of Wi-Fi and ethernet opens up new possibilities for remote printing and monitoring. However, the implementation feels a bit clunky, with slow file transfer speeds.
• Prusa Connect: This cloud-based system allows for remote print management, which is great for those who run multiple printers or need to monitor long prints.

Prusa MK4 Specs Chart

Feature	Specification
Build Volume	250 x 210 x 220 mm (not exactly huge, but decent)
Layer Height	0.05 – 0.35 mm (from ‘Is this even printed?’ to ‘Yeah, I can see the layers’)
Nozzle Diameter	0.4 mm (swappable, if you’re feeling adventurous)
Filament Diameter	1.75 mm (standard stuff, folks)
Max Nozzle Temp	290°C (hot enough for most plastics you’ll throw at it)
Max Bed Temp	120°C (toasty!)
Connectivity	USB, Ethernet, Wi-Fi (the last one’s a bit slow, though)
Print Surface	Removable spring steel sheet with PEI (it’s magnetic, neat!)
Extruder	Direct drive Nextruder (fancy name for a reliable workhorse)
Mainboard	32-bit (welcome to this decade, finally)
Stepper Drivers	Trinamic 2130 (quiet as a mouse… almost)
Power Supply	240W (enough juice to keep things running smoothly)
Dimensions	500 x 550 x 400 mm (it’ll fit on your desk… probably)
Weight	7 kg (hefty, but you won’t need a forklift)
Price	Assembled- $1,099, Kit- $799

Noise Levels and Environmental Considerations

One of the most noticeable improvements over the MK3S+ is the reduced noise level. The Prusa MK4 isn’t silent, but it’s quiet enough that I’m comfortable having it running in my home office without driving me crazy.

The upgraded cooling system, featuring a 5010 brushless blower fan, provides excellent part cooling without adding significant noise. This is a very well engineered formula, carefully balancing performance and acoustics.

Long-Term Reliability and Maintenance

My Prusa MK4 has over 500 hours of print time, and she is a seriously workhorse. My personal experience is that Prusa claims its printers need maintenance at least every 800 hours, and I think this holds true.

With the Nextruder’s modular design, maintenance is a breeze. Swapping out the nozzle or other worn parts takes just a few minutes, not hours.

A small inconvenience is that belt tensioners aren’t as readily available. While this isn’t a major problem, it’s something to keep in mind if you’re used to printers with tool-free tensioning systems.

Price and Value Proposition

Let’s talk about the cost. The Prusa MK4 isn’t inexpensive, with a price tag of about $1,100 for the assembled model (plus shipping and possible import fees). It’s competing with printers like the Bamboo Lab X1 Carbon, which offers some advanced features at a similar price point.

However, I think the Prusa MK4 is worth what you pay for it, because they deliver on reliability and print quality, not to mention Prusa’s steadfastly excellent customer service. A printer that will be with you from beginner to expert, without you having to constantly fiddle or upgrade.

Upgradability and Add-ons

Prusa has always been good about providing upgrade paths for their printers, and the MK4 is no exception. The optional MMU3 (Multi-Material Upgrade) allows for printing with up to five colors or materials simultaneously. While I didn’t test this myself, reports from the community suggest it’s a significant improvement over previous versions.

For those looking to print with more advanced materials, Prusa offers an enclosure kit. It’s a bit pricey but well-designed and integrates seamlessly with the printer.

Final Thoughts

After months of use, I can confidently say that the Prusa MK4 is a worthy successor to the legendary MK3S+. It’s not perfect – no printer is – but it strikes an excellent balance between ease of use, print quality, and reliability.

For beginners, the Prusa MK4 offers a simple and enjoyable introduction to 3D printing. Experienced users will appreciate its dependable performance, capable of handling various materials and print speeds with ease.

A worthy investment, especially if you are a true 3D printing enthusiast and looking for a machine that will last the years. The Prusa MK4 is a solid option for this. It is much more than a printer, it is the tool that make you unleash your creativity and bring to life what lives only in your mind.

Whether you’re creating practical parts, intricate miniatures, or anything else, the Prusa MK4 consistently produces excellent results. It’s a printer that will rekindle your passion for 3D printing.

The Prusa MK4 still shines as a symbol of durability and excellence in the changing 3D printing world. It’s not the fastest or the cheapest, but it could be a very reasonable option for most users in 2024. Happy printing, folks!

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