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Prusa is at the heart of the open-source 3D printing community, and this machine really shows it, as its partnership with Bondtech has produced one of the finest machines on the market today.
What’s even more surprising is that you can buy the simple four-tool kit for less than £2,000/$2,000 assembled, and the eight-tool set that I’m looking at in this review is a touch over that £2,000/$2,000.
That money not only gets you access to eight-tool printing, but also to one of the most reliable and solid-performing 3D printers I’ve ever used. The machine is based around the CORE One, a machine that I’m just upgrading to the One+, and is still the most used and reliable 3D printer in the workshop.
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Whilst that’s machine is only one filament, upgrading that reliable system into this eight-tool-changer machine absolutely makes sense.
I went for the fully assembled version because I just don’t have time to assemble a machine, but if you do fancy the kit, you can save almost £300/$300 over the pre-assembled version that I’m looking at.
While the eight-tool-changer printing is obviously the major headline here, it’s only when you start using it and put it side-by-side against the likes of the Bambu Lab H2C and, at the cheaper end, the Snapmaker U1 that you really start to see the full potential.
The speed is a significant upgrade on both of those machines, and even with the H2C’s far larger print bed, in a head-to-head printing a 5-color print, whilst on the Core One+ INDX it had to be done in several batches, the new 3D printer was able to produce substantially more models than the larger machine in less time.
At present, considering the price, the multifilament printing reliability and speed, this is the best 3D printer I’ve ever tested (and I’ve tested many). It makes it hard to recommend any other machine, and with the CORE One L now also adapted to utilise the INDX system, Prusa once again leads the field for this scale of machine, from small to large-scale projects.
Prusa CORE One+ (Gen 2) INDX 8-Tool: Price and Availability
The Original Prusa CORE One+ (Gen 2) INDX 8-Tool is available directly from Prusa. Prices start at $2249 / £2039 assembled, and $1949 / £1769 for the kit.
Shipping starts October 15.
If you already own a CORE One or CORE One+, you can buy the upgrade kit, which is $999 / £909 for the 8-tool version (a 4-toolhead is also available). Other INDX conversion kits from Prusa can also be found here.
Essentially, like the very first model, it doesn’t matter what Original Prusa machine you have; there is always an upgrade route to the latest version.
Prusa CORE One+ (Gen 2) INDX 8-Tool: Design
I looked at the original Prusa CORE One back in January 2025, and at the time it was a significant update to the MK4S, their previous machine. Since then, we’ve seen the larger version, the original Prusa CORE One L, and more recently the Plus upgrades to both. Now we also have the INDX from Bondtech and Prusa Research.
Since the machine is from Prusa, you have several ways to buy it, unlike most companies these days. The first is to buy it off the shelf as a fully assembled, ready-to-go option, which is exactly the option I went with in this review.
If, however, you really want to see the inner workings of the machine, and for many people running print farms or small businesses, I would probably recommend at least buying one machine in kit form so that you can see how it works. This gives you a good idea of how to repair it if something does go wrong.
Taking a look at the machine, the first thing you notice is that, from the outside, it looks almost identical to the CORE One. In fact, the main body and build area are the same, and it’s only the 8 reels on the outside that really give it away.
I’ve used them without the dry boxes you can attach as well, really because I only have two and need to purchase another six to ensure my machine looks balanced. Still, aside from the four reel holders on each side, the major difference here is the INDX system bolted onto the front top of the machine.
This added dock essentially covers the view to the platform and contains the eight new toolheads, which are all heated through induction rather than traditional wires. This means that they can be attached to their magnetic dock along the front of the machine cold, heated up in just a few seconds, and printing following a filament change can start within a few seconds, far faster than any other system.
The other major difference here is that, obviously, the CORE One was a fully enclosed machine. This carries over to the INDX expansion, with a hinged top lid, secured in place by two rotating holders that are, of course, 3D printed.
The area is slightly smalled the original Prusa CORE One because because of the new additions but only marginally at 248 x 205 x 270 mm, dropping from 250 x 220 x 270 mm, so 2mm in one direction and 15mm in the other while the height remains the same.
Essentially, the Prusa CORE One+ INDX is the original Prusa CORE One+, the second generation, with the Bondtech INDX system incorporated.
While it may look very similar asthetically, in practice, this machine’s potential goes far beyond what was available before and at this price.
Prusa CORE One+ (Gen 2) INDX 8-Tool: Features
Specs
Print Technology: FFF/FDM, eight-tool INDX tool-changing system
Build Area: 248 x 205 x 270 mm
Minimum Layer Resolution: 0.05mm
Maximum Layer Resolution: 0.30 mm
Dimensions: Width: 620 mm, Depth: 470 mm, Height: 690 mm
Weight: 24.5 kg
Bed: Heated print bed; heated chamber up to 55°C
Print Surface: Removable print sheet; multiple sheet finishes available
Software: PrusaSlicer
Materials: PLA, PETG, TPU, PC, nylon and other engineering filaments; abrasive materials will wear the nozzle
One of the great features of the Prusa machines is their customizability, so one of the first decision you have when looking at a Prusa machine is do you buy it assembled or as a kit. If you’re a business and buying several, I would personally buy the majority as assembled and one as a kit, it will just give you that insight that can be invaluable.
Either way, if you need to keep costs down, you can opt for the assembled version without the camera, advanced filtration system, or additional print sheets, which keeps it at its base level. Or, if you want those more advanced features, they can be added on as well, so you can have the camera, advanced filtration, and different sheet finishes depending on the materials you’re actually printing.
The machine is also available as a 4, or 8-tool option, with about £300 difference between the two. If you can stretch to it, I would definitely opt for the eight-tool version, which I’m looking at in this review, but if you can’t, you can always buy the eight-tool upgrade kit later.
When it comes to the print volume, the machine offers an area of 248 x 205 x 270 mm, which isn’t the largest for a machine of this size and a slight reduction over the Core One+, but it’s still pretty decent.
Like the CORE One and One+, it’s designed for engineering materials such as PC and nylon and has a heated chamber that reaches up to 55°C.
The main feature is its advanced tool changer. Unlike other multifilament machines that have one or two nozzles, or, in the case of the H2C 6, U1 4, here we see 8 individual nozzles that are preloaded with filaments during the initial calibration process.
Those nozzles sit cold in a docking station across the front of the machine, and only when the head picks up each nozzle does it use induction rather than wiring to heat it to the right temperature in about 12 seconds per material, so it’s ready for use. This process dramatically cuts both filament waste and the time it takes to get up to speed.
What’s impressive here is that when those tools are back in the dock, they cool right down. They’re actually just passive toolheads, so whilst the filament is loaded within them, there are no electronics, making it even easier to change those nozzles when needed.
One feature Prusa highlights is that bed levelling is done through pressure, so the nozzles touch the print bed before printing starts; a load cell reads the force, and the machine knows exactly where the print bed is. This differs from many newer printers that have started using optical solutions. Whilst these are generally good, they’re not always 100% accurate.
One of the big changes for Prusa, and something the company has tried to avoid until now, is a silicone wiper. Positioned just to the right of the machine, there are some silicone pads which each of the nozzles wipes across to remove any blobs before printing, and this is positioned right next to the purge collector, which, as I found through the test, even after hundreds of hours of printing, gathers very little waste material.
The INDX head features conductive electronics that heat each passive toolhead. Still, it’s more than just technology: the extruder is self-adjusting, so it can alter its grip for different materials. This essentially means that, using the same system, you can print with soft materials such as TPU and rigid engineering filaments without having to stop the extruder for each.
Finally, because each one is passive, it takes literally seconds to change them. So, if you want to go from the standard 0.4 to 0.25 at the finest, up to a big, thick 0.8, then the tool-change process takes a couple of seconds. Simply unload the filament, remove the toolhead from the dock with a pull and release the feeder tube; plug in the new one, pop it back in the dock, load the filament, and you’re set to go.
Each toolhead needs to be calibrated, and an automatic tool-offset calibration sensor is mounted on the outside of the print area. The speed at which this works, and the fact that it all works automatically, is impressive. To keep things running smoothly, I rerun the full calibration at the end of the week after clearing out any debris from the machine, which is probably one reason this machine has been so reliable.
Once again, to reduce vibration from movement in the machine, and so it sits in with most workshop devices, it features an all-steel build. As you pick up the machine and move it around, it is relatively heavy but easy to manoeuvre, with decent grip handles on either side, so you can move it from one side of the workshop to the other without too much issue.
And these days security is a huge issue, and it’s nice to see that Prusa has taken this seriously and offers a 100% offline and, if you want, private solution to transferring files over to the machine. If you want to remove the Wi-Fi module, that’s very easy to do, and if you want higher security, Prusa again offers a range of advanced features.
Prusa CORE One+ (Gen 2) INDX 8-Tool: Performance
There’s been a lot of anticipation around the Prusa CORE One+ INDX 8T in the 3D printing community. Essentially, it blends the robust printing abilities of the Prusa CORE One with Bondtech’s tool changer, and the result is an absolutely stunning printer that produces exceptionally fine multicolor prints at a very reasonable price, considering the competition in this sector.
There are, of course, a few small downsides, such as the fact that the print bed on the CORE version is relatively small compared with what we’ve been used to seeing recently, and on my initial few runs I did have a couple of misprints. But as the printer itself bedded in and I became more familiar with the system, I was able to resolve all issues and also learn more about the printer, which gave me greater confidence that, as with their previous printers, if anything goes wrong, I would be able to fix it without the wait that I’ve experienced with many other multitool machines.
That getting-started process is, in essence, no more complicated than with any other machine, and from the box to sitting on the workshop bench ready to produce its first print took no more than 10 minutes. It was faster than I expected, especially since I set up the XL a couple of years ago.
Essentially, the main machine is complete, and then it’s just a matter of opening the box with all the nozzles, popping them into the front of the machine, and inserting each feeder tube. Then you’re essentially set and ready to go once the power cable has been inserted.
Also supplied is a USB-C key with plenty of models to get you started. As I loaded the eight reels onto the side of the machine, it did expand the space needed either side of the printer, but it still fit neatly next to some of the machines in the test area.
What I also really like is that I can easily shift this printer around the workshop without too much issue. It’s heavy, but nothing compared with some of the larger machines. It is that stopgap between the Snapmaker and the Bambu Lab H2C.
As I started the test, the big question that I had was: with a standard-size print bed, would this printer actually be a viable option for people running print farms? Was it fast enough even though that platform wouldn’t be able to print the same volume of models? As the first few test models that Prusa supplied came off the print platform, I was instantly impressed by the complexity of the models produced and by the time it took to print.
I tried out a series of multi-filament and, in some cases, multi-material prints, and they took far less time than I would’ve expected, even with the H2C set to its fastest usable print speeds.
I ended up running a head-to-head between the two with a dragon model, and this is where the speed of the new Prusa CORE One+ INDX 8T really stood out.
On the H2C, the platform was able to take 14 dragons, which was impressive, whilst the Prusa INDX was restricted to 9. When it came to the time it would take for the dragons to print, this is where the biggest difference came, and whilst there were five additional dragons on the H2C, it takes 3 days and 10 hours to make that print, while the Prusa will took one day and 35 minutes according to the software. When translated to the actual time these printers took to run through those prints, they were quite accurate, plus or minus about 30 minutes. Notably, by the time the H2C, with much the same speed setting as the Prusa INDX, had finished its 15 prints, I had 27 from the CORE One INDX. Obviously there is the inconvenience of clearing the platform after each print run.
Another point here is that there is no purge tower. Instead, a small amount of filament is scraped from the toolhead before it’s used, but the tool-change speed is far faster than other tool changers. Essentially, that induction system works incredibly quickly, meaning sometimes you can’t even really tell that the tool change has happened, as the printer is only not printing for a few seconds.
This test was also a great time to ensure calibration and accuracy for both printers were spot-on, and it actually took a couple of days to get 100% reliability from both the Prusa and the H2C through tuning. But since I ran the test right at the start, both machines have been running side-by-side flawlessly.
Setting down the models from each printer, what’s instantly apparent is how little quality difference there is between the two. Layer by layer, the walls look smooth and the transition between colors is neat. You can obviously still see the layers. These prints are as fine as any.
Through the test, as always, there were plenty of firmware updates, and some of the early issues that I had were with tool eight, which for some reason would always print just a little bit high was resolved.
After an update, a good vacuum of the inner chamber and a full recalibration, that seemed to kick into life and resolved the issue. It was a bit of an odd one. It worked in the initial stages of the test, then after a firmware update and a particularly messy misprint, it stopped working correctly, and then it worked again after the next update. It’s now been three weeks, and that particular nozzle is now working absolutely fine.
There are a few other small issues that I’ve come across. My biggest issue whilst using the machine is the filament mount on the side of the machine, not so much that it’s on the side, but the fact that those filaments are exposed. Prusa does sell individual dry cases for each of those filaments, which is a good thing, but these are very much bolt-on, and while they work, there are neater solutions.
Then there’s the filament feed, and this is the part that started to get to me over the weeks with plenty of filament changes. Essentially, unlike the Snapmaker or Bambu multi systems, you still have to feed the filament into the machine, and with four filament reels on each side, this can get a little bit messy.
If space is tight, getting your hands in and feeding the reel around while pushing the filament up into the feeder tube all the way to the hot end is one of those tedious, fiddly things. I would love to see some sort of auto-feed system.
Then, for less experienced users, the camera and filtration system on the back need to be fitted, and it’s not as simple as plugging them in and attaching them. You do need to remove the panel, feed the cable through, and plug it into the board, which takes about 15 to 20 minutes.
It’s not complicated; it’s just one additional step rather than being ready out of the box. The idea is that you can customise the machine to your exact needs. Not everyone wants a camera, but since cameras are such a standard part of many setups, it’s something you expect.
The other surprise is that the nozzles aren’t designed for abrasive printing, so if you do want to use PETG-CF, PC-CF, or another abrasive material, the nozzles will wear out relatively quickly. Essentially, they’re rated for 10 kg of PETG-CF or 5 kg of PC-CF. While checking all the different material types, I noted that if you’re using Prusament Ultra Glow, you’ll get through just 0.5 kg of filament before the nozzle likely needs replacing. These are not hardened nozzles, although those are on the way very soon.
The point is that the print area is just 248 x 205 x 270 mm. That reduces the CORE One’s build plate from 250 x 220 x 270 mm, giving a slightly smaller build area again.
One of the good things is that many of the early issues, such as stringing issues with the nozzles carrying filament back into the machine and other early performance problems, have all been addressed by each firmware update.
Obviously, for this review sample, it is an early production model, and what is striking is that with every firmware update that came in, and as I became more familiar with the machine and it bedded in, the machine became more accurate and reliable.
It’s now been three weeks since I’ve had to do anything to it, and it’s been running continuously printing ready for a new term. I will obviously give it a bit of oil as it requires, but otherwise this is a multitool machine that will print thousands of models without much maintenance, and that is one of the key points of Prusa machines.
Dimensional accuracy – score of 4
Target 25 = X: 24.76mm / 0.24mm Error | Y: 24.70mm / 0.30mm Error
Target 20 = X: 19.82mm / 0.18mm Error | Y: 19.80mm / 0.20mm Error
Target 15 = X: 14.75mm / 0.25mm Error | Y: 14.72mm / 0.28mm Error
Target 10 = X: 9.88mm / 0.12mm Error | Y: 9.83mm / 0.17mm Error
Target 5 = X: 4.88mm / 0.12mm Error | Y: 4.78mm / 0.22mm Error
X Error Average = 0.182
Y Error Average = 0.234
X&Y Error Average = 0.208
Fine Flow Control – score of 4
Fine Negative Features – score of 5
Overhangs – score of 5
Bridging – score of 4
XY resonance – score of 2.5
Z-axis alignment – score of 2.5
Add the totals for a final score of 27 out of 30.
Before I leave the performance section, another point about the prints is the new color-blending mode within PrusaSlicer known as Prusa Color Mix, and this is something I’m still trying to get my head around. It’s quite incredible how it works.
Essentially, like a dot matrix, it blends the colors you have together to create more colors by creating fine layers of filament rather than physically blending the two or more. With two fish models I printed very early on, I was first impressed that they printed.
They’re quite complex models, and I set them aside for a few days. Then it occurred to me that there were about three or four different greens within the print, yet I only had one green loaded onto the machine. At that point, I realised that the color mix was in full flow with these models.
I went back to PrusaSlicer and started trying some color-blending modes myself and, again, was impressed by how easy it was to use. I would say that randomly loading different-colored filaments onto the spools will get you some pretty interesting results. If you really want headline-worthy features, careful filament choice is definitely needed. However you approach it, the results are incredibly impressive.
Whilst I’ve just touched on the beginning of how this technology works, it’s probably one of the most exciting enhancements from any 3D printer that I’ve seen, meaning that those eight filament spools, especially if you get the color combinations right, can produce thousands of different colors.
Original PRUSA CORE One: Final verdict
The Original Prusa CORE One+ INDX 8T is a 3D printer in a different league, and while the build area is smaller than even the CORE One, the speed at which you can do a multicolor print is much faster than any off-the-shelf machine I’ve tried.
Most of the initial misprints and small issues I had were mainly the machine bedding in rather than any major problems, and this is an early review sample with fixes coming through the firmware updates. Still, even then as an early production sample its performance has been absolutely solid and rivals and beats any of the machines I have in the workshop.
Unusually, it has also been of major interest to several friends who run 3D print farms and engineering businesses, particularly for prototyping with multiple materials and colors. The production times of those models are vastly reduced, and whilst 3D printing already cut down their prototyping time dramatically, the Prusa CORE One+ INDX once again cuts down that time even further.
What’s surprising here is that, even with a fully assembled machine pretty much ready to go out of the box, and with all those new firmware updates and obviously the knowledge that’s out there as well, this becomes one of the cheapest multitool machines on the market whilst also being easily one of the best.
Some machines have a refined, fully product-designed, more plastic aesthetic that gives them a high-quality feel, and they are obviously extremely impressive.
The Prusa’s more workshop-style design means it’s a far better fit for many businesses; if anything ever goes wrong, you have full access to the plans, a huge knowledge base, and one of the best support networks available from any 3D printer manufacturer. You’ll never be stuck without a printer.
Should you buy the Original PRUSA CORE One?
| Row 0 – Cell 0 | Row 0 – Cell 1 | Row 0 – Cell 2 |
|
Value: |
Excellent value for 8-tool printing, giving reliability, speed and repairability when you need it |
5 |
|
Design: |
Robust and practical design, although spool handling and bed size are a compromise. |
4.5 |
|
Features: |
The 8 tools, color mixing, offline operation and essential easy maintenance make this a great business option. |
5 |
|
Performance: |
Fast and reliable multicolor printing with excellent quality after initial bedding in an calibration. |
5 |
|
Total: |
A superb multitool printer that combines speed, flexibility and reliability. |
5 |
Buy it if…
Don’t buy it if…
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