The Prusa Core One+ is sold both fully assembled and as a kit you build yourself. The kit is cheaper and teaches you how the printer works, but it takes time. Here is what to expect before you order. I built my own Core One+ from the kit, and you can read how it went further down.
About this guide: it is based on Prusa’s official kit manual and product page, checked in October 2026, plus my own experience building the kit. It is not a replacement for the manual. Build from the official Prusa Core One+ (Gen 2) kit assembly manual, which has photos of every step.
Kit or assembled?
| Kit | Assembled | |
|---|---|---|
| Price at the time of writing | €1,049 | €1,349 |
| Build time | About 12 hours, according to Prusa | Ready after unpacking and calibration |
| You learn | How every part fits together | Less about the inside |
| Best for | People who enjoy building and want to repair the printer themselves | People who just want to print |
How hard is it?
Prusa rates the kit build as moderate. You don’t need to solder or crimp any wires. The manual walks you through every screw with photos, a bit like a big LEGO Technic set. Most of the difficulty is patience: reading each step fully and checking your work.
What you need
The tools are included in the kit:
- Needle-nose pliers
- Phillips (PH2) screwdriver
- Universal wrench and a 13–16 mm wrench
- Allen key and Torx key sets
- Lubricant for the Nextruder gearbox
You also need a few everyday things that are not in the box:
- Paper towels or a cloth, to wipe preservative oil off the rods and rail
- Scissors
- A big, clear table and good light
- Small bowls or a tray to keep screws sorted
The build, chapter by chapter
The official manual is split into nine chapters:
- Introduction, with unpacking, the tools and how to use the manual
- Base assembly, the bottom of the frame
- Back assembly, the rear of the frame
- Heatbed assembly, the bed and how it moves
- CoreXY assembly, the belts and motion system at the top
- Nextruder assembly, the print head, including greasing the gearbox
- Bodywork and electronics, the panels and the wiring
- Trim, door and screen
- Calibration and first run, where the printer checks itself before your first print
Tips for a smooth build
- Use the right manual. Prusa has separate manuals for the original Core One and the Core One+ (Gen 2). Check that yours says Gen 2.
- Read the whole step before you start it. Most mistakes come from skipping a detail.
- Split it up. Twelve hours is a lot in one go. A chapter or two per evening, or a full weekend, works well.
- Keep parts in their bags until a step asks for them, so screws don’t get mixed up.
- Don’t overtighten. Plastic parts can crack if you use too much force.
- Use the comments. Each step in Prusa’s online manual has comments where other builders share tips.
My experience building the kit
I built my own Core One+ from the kit.
It took me about 1 to 3 hours in total. That is much faster than Prusa’s estimate of around 12 hours, so plan for more time if it is your first printer kit, though it may go quicker than you expect. It was not very hard. I followed the online manual step by step and it was easy to keep track of. I don’t remember any mistakes I had to redo, and the calibration and my first print worked straight away. I would choose the kit again.
My best advice: don’t stress, and take your time.
Is the kit worth it?
If you enjoy building things and want to understand and repair your printer, yes. You save money and you will know the machine inside out. For me it was an easy and fun build, and I would pick the kit again. If you just want to start printing this weekend, the assembled version is worth the extra cost.