Snapmaker U1 Launches April 10 at $849 — Four Toolheads Change the Multi-Color Game

The Multi-Color Problem

Anyone who has spent time with multi-material 3D printers knows the pain. Every color change requires flushing the previous filament out of the nozzle — burning through material and waiting. On longer, color-heavy prints, those purge cycles add up to significant time and wasted plastic.

Snapmakers answer? Four independent toolheads, each with its own nozzle.

Four Toolheads, Zero Cross-Contamination

The U1 carries four dedicated toolheads. When a color change is needed, the printer physically swaps the active toolhead in five seconds. Because each toolhead has its own nozzle, theres no cross-contamination between color changes and no material to flush between transitions.

According to Snapmaker, this approach reduces waste by up to 80% per print compared to conventional multi-color printers, and cuts multi-color print times by up to five times.

Hardware Specs

• Build Volume: 270 × 270 × 270 mm
• Max Speed: 500 mm/s
• Acceleration: 20,000 mm/s²
• Max Nozzle Temperature: 300°C
• Max Bed Temperature: 100°C
• Automatic Filament Loading

Kickstarter Legacy

The U1 originally launched on Kickstarter in 2025, where it raised $20,161,265 from 20,206 backers — making it the most funded 3D printer project in Kickstarters history.

Beta testers evaluated the machine at Maker Faire Hannover, PrintedHub in Germany, and 3DPrintopia in the United States.

Software Bundle

Snapmaker bundles the hardware with Snapmaker Orca, its own software platform with tested profiles for materials and machines. A companion app handles remote monitoring, print management, and time-lapse recording. The company has also announced AI-based detection for print failures and workspace obstructions.

Price and Availability

The Snapmaker U1 is available for pre-order at $849 and ships April 10 in most major markets.