Prusa Refreshes CORE One+ Gen 2, XL+, and L+ With Practical Upgrade Kits

Existing owners get a real upgrade path

Prusa Research announced three refreshed machines on August 13, 2026: the CORE One+ (Gen 2), CORE One L+, and XL+. What sets this refresh apart from a typical product bump is the upgrade kit program. Anyone who already owns a CORE One+, CORE One L, or XL can buy an official kit and improve their existing machine instead of scrapping it for a new one.

That approach is rare in the desktop 3D printer market. Most manufacturers expect you to buy a fresh machine every time a feature improves. Prusa's commitment to backward compatibility is a direct pitch at users who see their printers as tools rather than disposable gadgets.

CORE One+ (Gen 2) gets the most changes

The CORE One+ (Gen 2) carries the broadest update in the CORE family. The redesigned heatbed mounting removes the extra "Absorbing heat" wait for materials printed at 85 C or below. For PLA, PETG, and similar materials, the printer simply starts sooner. The top panel is now a snap-on design borrowed from the CORE One L, so you can remove it without tools for maintenance or cleaning. An improved automatic vent sits underneath it.

A new nozzle wiper cleans off stray filament before each print starts. GT1.5 belts replace the older belts to reduce fine repeating patterns on smooth top surfaces. Together, these changes target the small, daily annoyances that add up over hundreds of prints.

CORE One L+ and XL+ follow

The CORE One L+ adds the same GT1.5 belts and nozzle wiper. Its build volume, all-aluminum AC heatbed, and active chamber heating up to 60 C remain unchanged.

The XL+ receives the most significant mechanical refresh. A new 360-degree cooling system, matching the one on the MK4S and CORE One series, distributes airflow more evenly around the nozzle for better overhangs, bridges, and small details. A permanently mounted eddy-current sensor replaces the removable pin used for tool offset calibration and is roughly 20 times faster. High-flow nozzles are now included as standard. The redesigned enclosure can reach 50 C passively, and an optional active chamber heater pushes it to 60 C.

No price increase

Prusa kept prices flat across all three refreshed models. The CORE One L+ and CORE One+ (Gen 2) begin shipping immediately. Assembled XL+ units ship later in August. Upgrade kits start at 23 USD for the CORE One L to L+ conversion, and 55 USD for the CORE One+ to Gen 2 upgrade.

Alongside the hardware refresh, Prusa confirmed that PrusaSlicer 3.0 is entering alpha in a few weeks and that the long-awaited HT Hotend upgrade for the CORE One and CORE One L ships in September. Automatic Pressure Advance for the Nextruder is also coming via firmware update.

The refresh arrives at a time when Prusa faces serious competition from lower-cost enclosed CoreXY machines. By leaning into longevity, serviceability, and an upgrade culture, Prusa is betting that a segment of buyers still values a machine that outlasts its software roadmap.