Creality Ender 5 S1 vs Prusa MK4S
Head-to-head 3D printer comparison — 2026
The Creality Ender 5 S1 and Prusa MK4S are both FDM 3D printers competing in different tiers — $399 vs $799. We scored both across value, beginner-friendliness, quality, speed, and reliability. Here's the full breakdown.
Our Verdict
The Prusa MK4S takes the crown with 7.8/10 vs 7.4/10. It pulls ahead in Print Quality, Reliability. That said, the Creality Ender 5 S1 saves you $400 and wins on Value.
Score Breakdown
Specifications
| Spec | Creality Ender 5 S1 | Prusa MK4S |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $399 | $799 |
| Type | FDM | FDM |
| Build Volume | 220 x 220 x 280 mm | 250 x 210 x 220 mm |
| Print Speed | 250 mm/s | 200 mm/s |
| Min Resolution | 0.05 mm | 0.05 mm |
| Weight | 10.2 kg | 7 kg |
| Overall Score | 7.4/10 | 7.8/10 |
Pros & Cons
Creality Ender 5 S1
+Rigid cube frame means great print quality
+Sprite direct drive extruder
+Handles tall prints well
+Good stock experience
−Not fast by modern standards
−Open frame
−No WiFi
−Pricier than Bambu A1 Mini for less
Prusa MK4S
+Legendary reliability
+Fully open source
+PrusaSlicer is excellent
+Best customer support in the industry
−Expensive for the speed
−Slower than CoreXY competition
−Open frame
−Showing its age vs Bambu
Who Should Buy Which?
Choose the Creality Ender 5 S1 if you want:
- A great printer for beginners
- A great printer for reliability
- Cube frame
- Direct drive
- Auto bed leveling
Choose the Prusa MK4S if you want:
- A great printer for reliability
- A great printer for open-source
- Open source
- PrusaSlicer
- Nextruder
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Creality Ender 5 S1 better than the Prusa MK4S?
By the numbers, the Prusa MK4S scores higher (7.8/10). But "better" depends on your use case — the Creality Ender 5 S1 may be the smarter buy if you need beginners.
Which is better for beginners, Creality Ender 5 S1 or Prusa MK4S?
Both score 8/10 for beginners. Go with the Creality Ender 5 S1 to save $400.
Is the Prusa MK4S worth $400 more than the Creality Ender 5 S1?
The Prusa MK4S scores higher overall (7.8/10 vs 7.4/10). The extra $400 gets you legendary reliability.
What's the main difference between Creality Ender 5 S1 and Prusa MK4S?
Build volume (220x220x280mm vs 250x210x220mm) and print speed (250 vs 200 mm/s). The Creality Ender 5 S1 is best for beginners; the Prusa MK4S targets reliability.