Prusa · 2020
Print cost on the Prusa Mini+
The Mini+ is Prusa's compact printer — 180 mm cubed, cartesian, stable platform and the Prusa firmware. Small on purpose: many makers buy two or three Mini+ for the price of one MK4 and run them in parallel. Prusa family maintenance and quality in a smaller form factor.
Specs
- Average power
- 90 W
- Useful life
- 20,000 h
- Build volume
- 180 × 180 × 180 mm
- Best for
- Beginners
When this printer makes sense
The Mini+ is Prusa's compact entry for makers who want into the Prusa Research ecosystem (open-source, PrusaSlicer, long-term support) without committing to the MK4S budget. 180 × 180 × 180 mm volume — very similar to the Bambu A1 Mini in usable footprint. Prusa ships direct from Czechia at $429 kit / $549 assembled. Makes sense for makers who value open-source philosophy and Prusa's long support window over Bambu's plug-and-play convenience.
Strengths and limitations
Strengths
Compact footprint — fits anywhere. Prusa Research support measured in years (5+ years of replacement parts). PrusaSlicer is the best slicer on the market by a wide margin — fine control others don't offer. Modular hardware: upgrade to MMU3 (multi-material) later. Robust reprap community in English with thousands of guides.
Limitations
Direct import has all the drawbacks of MK4S: unpredictable customs, international warranty, 2-6 week wait. No direct drive — Bowden extruder limits TPU (works with aggressive tuning). 280 °C hotend covers PETG but doesn't reach reliable ABS. 180 mm³ build volume is small — doesn't compete with the full A1 or K1.
Typical print cost
A 25 g PLA part on the Mini+ costs $0.20-0.30 per unit in a 10-batch with amortization over $429. Compared to the A1 Mini at $299, the Mini+ runs slightly higher in ROI due to the larger acquisition cost. But for makers who reject closed ecosystems and want to invest in a machine that will still have replacement parts in 2030, the premium pays off.
Cost by job type
Estimated cost to make and recommended sell price for common jobs on the Prusa Mini+:
| Job | Material | Weight | Print time | Cost to make | Sell price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Small keychain | PLA | 5 g | 30 min | $0.14 | $0.60 |
| Miniature / figurine | PLA | 25 g | 2 h | $0.68 | $2.94 |
| Functional bracket | PETG | 80 g | 4 h | $2.32 | $10.10 |
| Large vase / planter | PLA | 200 g | 8 h | $5.08 | $22.08 |
Assumptions: canonical filament prices, 8% failure rate, 3× markup, 6% tax, 2% payment fee. Currency follows your selection at the top.
Filaments that print well on the Prusa Mini+
Every material the Prusa Mini+ handles reliably, grouped by what makes it compatible. Click any to open the calculator with that filament selected.
Standard filaments
Everyday materials — the Prusa Mini+ prints them stock without tuning or hardware mods.
Flexible filaments (Bowden compatible)
Bowden setup on the Prusa Mini+ works for flexibles with tuned retraction and slow speeds.
Compare the Prusa Mini+ with...
Prusa Mini+
Prusa · 2020
- Build volume
- 180 × 180 × 180 mm
- Average power
- 90 W
- Useful life
- 20,000 h
- Max hotend temp
- 280 °C
- Frame
- Open
- Mechanism
- Bedslinger
- Release year
- 2020
- Reference price
- $429