Prusa MK3S+ in 2026: Still Worth Buying Used, and the Upgrade Path
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The MK3S+ was the reference hobby printer from 2019 to 2023 and there are hundreds of thousands in circulation. It is slow by 2026 standards (no input shaping in stock firmware, about 60 to 100 mm/s) but it prints PLA, PETG and ASA reliably, every part is documented and available, and Prusa sells upgrade kits to MK3.9S and MK4S. A used MK3S+ at a fair price is still a good buy for someone who values repairability over speed; a new buyer should get the MK4S or a Bambu A1.
Where to buy
Specifications
| Item | Value | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Build volume | 250 × 210 × 210 mm | MK4S adds 10 mm Z |
| Max nozzle temperature | 300 °C | E3D V6 hotend, Bondtech gears |
| Max bed temperature | 120 °C | Spring-steel sheets, same family as MK4 |
| Levelling | SuperPINDA inductive | Z-offset set once (Live Adjust Z) |
| Firmware | Prusa Marlin fork | No input shaping; community firmware adds some |
| Speed | About 60 to 100 mm/s practical | Bedslinger, 8-bit board |
| Multi-material | MMU2S / MMU3 | MMU3 is the current unit |
| Status | Discontinued | Spares and upgrade kits still sold |
What it still does well
- Reliable PLA, PETG and ASA (with an enclosure) with the best-documented maintenance in the hobby.
- Every printed part is on Printables; every metal part is a Prusa spare.
- Quiet stepper drivers and a stealth mode.
What it lacks
- Speed. No input shaping and an 8-bit board; a Bambu A1 prints three to five times faster.
- Automatic Z-offset and flow calibration; first layers need Live Adjust Z.
- Camera, Wi-Fi (without the add-on), touchscreen.
Upgrade path
Prusa sells kits from MK3S+ to MK3.9S (Nextruder and 32-bit board) and on to MK4S. The result is a genuine MK4S in a reused frame; see MK4 vs MK4S. Whether the kit price beats a used MK4S depends on the market; check both.
Buying used
Check the PINDA probe version, the extruder gears for wear, the bearings for play and the sheet for damage. A well-kept MK3S+ prints like new; see mesh levelling for the first-layer routine. New buyers should read the MK4S page.
The units in the box
The MK3S+ is used-market only. The listings are the MK4S kit, a CryoGrip sheet that fits MK3 and MK4, and the Bambu A1 as the modern budget alternative.
FAQ
Can the MK3S+ run Klipper? With a host board, yes; community configs exist.
Is the MMU3 worth adding to an MK3S+? For multi-material work, yes; it is a big upgrade over the MMU2S.
LayerWalker
Print defect diagnosis, calibration procedures and parts that actually fit. Corrections welcome through the contact page.
