Prusa CORE One L+ Review: More Precise, Minor but Meaningful Upgrade

Tom's Hardware Verdict

The Prusa CORE One L+ introduces small but impactful refinements to an already stellar 3D printer. The addition of a new nozzle wiper and enhanced GT1.5 belts boosts print quality and operational reliability, addressing a long-standing user annoyance. Importantly, these "plus" updates are available as an affordable mod kit for existing Prusa CORE One L owners, ensuring no buyer's remorse for those who recently invested. For new buyers, the CORE One L+ comes fully assembled and calibrated, offering a premium, ready-to-print experience right out of the box, solidifying its place as an Editor's Choice.

Introduction: Prusa's Evolutionary Approach

Prusa Research has carved out a strong reputation for continuous improvement rather than constant reinvention. Instead of letting its popular machines stagnate, the company prefers to release targeted upgrades that enhance functionality and user experience. This philosophy is evident in the CORE One L+, which, despite being only the third major variation of a Prusa-designed printer since 2012, brings meaningful advancements. The CORE One L has already proven itself as a reliable workhorse in our workshop, consistently handling demanding abrasive filaments for over 1000 hours without issue. The "plus" designation is a testament to Prusa's commitment to refining its offerings.

Adding further value, Prusa Research recently announced that the CORE One L+ is now compatible with the Prusa INDX conversion kit. This allows users to expand the printer's capabilities with multiple tools, a feature we're already seeing perform spectacularly on its smaller sibling, the CORE One + (Gen 2).

Key Upgrades and Enhanced User Experience

The most significant and welcome change in the CORE One L+ addresses a persistent frustration: nozzle wiping failures. Previously, Prusa machines cleaned the nozzle by tapping the print bed, often leaving small filament dots and leading to errors, especially with high-temperature, oozing filaments. While these errors didn't always ruin prints, they would halt the print job and disable bed heating, requiring user intervention. The CORE One L+ eliminates this annoyance with a simple, yet highly effective, silicone brush nozzle wiper. This upgrade dramatically improves unattended operation, making the printer truly "set it and forget it" capable – a crucial convenience that has been common in other brands for years and is now finally embraced by Prusa.

Beyond reliability, the CORE One L+ also enhances precision. It comes equipped with new GT1.5 timing belts. These belts feature tighter tooth spacing on both the belts and their corresponding drive gears. The result is a more precise motion system, which translates directly into visibly smoother surfaces on printed objects. This attention to detail reflects Prusa's commitment to print quality.

User experience is further streamlined from the moment you unbox the CORE One L+. Unlike previous iterations, the L+ arrives fully assembled and factory-calibrated. This means new users can bypass the initial setup procedures and begin their first print within approximately five minutes, a significant time-saver. The familiar winking Josef Prusa still guides you through the minimal remaining steps, allowing you to enjoy your complementary Gold Bears while your first layer goes down.

For specific applications, Prusa has integrated thoughtful features. The CORE One L+ can operate entirely offline, making it an ideal choice for businesses, research facilities, or government entities that require strict data security. Despite this offline capability, the machine largely retains its open-source nature, empowering users to repair and modify their devices. Furthermore, an optional Advanced Filtration Module, featuring HEPA and Active Carbon filters, effectively mitigates fumes, making it safer for use in home or office environments. This same ventilation system can also be connected to an external HVAC system for even greater air management.

Performance and Limitations

The CORE One L+ continues to leverage the speed benefits of its CORE XY architecture. Out of the box, it comes with a .4mm brass CHT nozzle installed and an abrasive-resistant nozzle included, ready for various filament types. Its build volume of 300 x 300 x 330 mm provides ample space for large or multiple prints.

However, one notable limitation remains: the hot end's maximum temperature of 290 °C. While sufficient for common materials like PLA, PETG, ABS, ASA, and even some PA/PC, it falls short of some competitors in its class. For instance, the Bambu H2S can reach 350 °C, and the Qidi XPlus 5 boasts a 370 °C capability. Prusa does offer an HT hotend upgrade that pushes the temperature to 400 °C, suitable for high-performance polymers like PEKK, but this upgrade is currently out of stock. It would be beneficial for a printer in this price bracket to offer at least 300 °C as standard. Another minor drawback, as mentioned in previous reviews, is the Buddy camera, which can be awkward for capturing timelapses.

Comparison to Alternatives

When considering the Prusa CORE One L+, it's helpful to look at its lineage and some competitors:

Feature	Prusa CORE One L+	Prusa CORE One L	Prusa CORE One
Build Volume	300 x 300 x 330 mm	300 x 300 x 330 mm	250 x 210 x 270 mm
Max Nozzle Temp	290°C (HT upgrade to 400°C available, but OOS)	290°C	300°C
Nozzle Included	.4mm (Brass CHT Installed, Abrasive Resistant Included)	.4mm (Highflow CHT & Hardened Steel)	.4mm (Highflow CHT)
MSRP	$1,999	$1,999	$1,199
Key Upgrades	Nozzle wiper, GT1.5 belts	-	-
Release Date	August 2026 (Per Source Content)	November 19, 2025 (Per Source Content)	November 19, 2024 (Per Source Content)

Note: The release dates provided in the source content are in the future, which is unusual for a product review. We interpret this review as discussing a currently available model, with the dates potentially indicating future iterations or a discrepancy in the source material.

Comparing the L+ to its predecessors, the CORE One L+ maintains the large build volume and current pricing of the CORE One L while adding the critical reliability improvements. Interestingly, the older, smaller CORE One had a higher max nozzle temperature (300°C) as standard, highlighting the L+'s specific limitation. In terms of market competition, as mentioned, other brands like Bambu Lab and Qidi Tech offer higher stock hot end temperatures, which could be a factor for users focused on printing advanced, high-temperature engineering filaments without an immediate upgrade.

Pricing and Buying Recommendation

The Prusa CORE One L+ is currently retailing at $1,999, the same price as its predecessor. It is offered exclusively as a fully built machine, foregoing the kit option for this specific model. For current owners of the CORE One L, the "plus" upgrades are available as an affordable $25 mod kit, allowing them to enhance their existing machines without needing a full replacement.

For those seeking a high-quality, reliable, and user-friendly 3D printer, the Prusa CORE One L+ is an excellent choice. Its robust build, enhanced precision from the new GT1.5 belts, and the game-changing nozzle wiper make for a truly reliable printing experience. The factory calibration and offline operation capability further add to its appeal, especially for professional environments or users prioritizing data security and hassle-free setup. While the 290 °C stock hot end temperature is a minor drawback compared to some rivals, the availability of an (albeit currently out of stock) HT hotend upgrade addresses this for those needing higher temperatures. We confidently place the Prusa CORE One L+ on our list of best 3D printers, specifically as the top recommendation for a Cloud Free/Open Source 3D Printer.

FAQ

Q: Is the CORE One L+ a completely new printer, or an updated version?

A: The CORE One L+ is an updated version of the existing Prusa CORE One L. It incorporates minor but significant improvements, primarily a new nozzle wiper and GT1.5 timing belts, enhancing reliability and precision.

Q: Can current owners of the Prusa CORE One L upgrade their machine to the "plus" version?

A: Yes, Prusa Research offers the key "plus" upgrades, including the new nozzle wiper and GT1.5 belts, as an affordable $25 mod kit, allowing existing CORE One L users to upgrade their printers.

Q: Is the 290°C maximum nozzle temperature a significant limitation for the CORE One L+?

A: While some competing printers in its class offer higher stock nozzle temperatures (e.g., 300°C or more), 290°C is sufficient for a wide range of common and advanced filaments. Prusa also offers an HT hotend upgrade to 400°C for specialized high-temperature materials, though it is currently out of stock.