I can recommend the Elegoo Centauri Carbon, a CoreXY and enclosed 3D printer that is raved on by reviews. If you will only print PLA, PETG, and maybe some ABS with a bit of tinkering with settings, it’s a nice option. They do now sell the “Canvas” as an add-on for the Centauri Carbon. It looks like it has, as of writing this edit, sold out, so it is certainly very popular! The CC won’t be as good for engineering-type filaments though since it lacks a heated chamber.
The Qidi Q2 is an upgraded version of the Q1 Pro, the latter having been noted as an exceptional value. The Q2 is relatively new and doesn’t have too many reviews, but from the specs, it is a big jump from the Q1 Pro (it has a heated chamber, for example). It includes a heated chamber, so it works better for engineering-type filaments. The Q2 is also compatible with their “Qidi Box” multi-material unit.
And of course, if you want the most reliable machine with the best customer service, you have Prusa’s Core One. It’s expensive, but you’re supporting a company that emphasises upgradeability and manufactures their hardware in Europe. It won’t be the best value though purely based on feature set, but if you like what Prusa stands for, that could be of value to you!
Of course, Prusa will be the most open choice aside from something like a Voron kit, but Elegoo, Qidi, etc. will at least be more open than Bambu.
I believe the Elegoo CC uses a modified version of Klipper that isn’t open, so that might be a concern for you. After a bit of searching, I found OpenCentauri, a project that aims to bring an open version of Klipper to the Centauri Carbon: https://docs.opencentauri.cc/
I think Qidi is in a similar boat, but haven’t looked into it.
You might also want to check out Sovol, they make decently open printers too that are more affordable than Prusa.
edit: More searching later, looks like OrcaSlicer will work for both Qidi and the Elegoo CC. However, it does not work on the newer CC2, and the Qidi Box (and presumably the Elegoo Canvas) is also not supported. Something to keep in mind.
copied with some changes from another comment:
I can recommend the Elegoo Centauri Carbon, a CoreXY and enclosed 3D printer that is raved on by reviews. If you will only print PLA, PETG, and maybe some ABS with a bit of tinkering with settings, it’s a nice option. They do now sell the “Canvas” as an add-on for the Centauri Carbon. It looks like it has, as of writing this edit, sold out, so it is certainly very popular! The CC won’t be as good for engineering-type filaments though since it lacks a heated chamber.
The Qidi Q2 is an upgraded version of the Q1 Pro, the latter having been noted as an exceptional value. The Q2 is relatively new and doesn’t have too many reviews, but from the specs, it is a big jump from the Q1 Pro (it has a heated chamber, for example). It includes a heated chamber, so it works better for engineering-type filaments. The Q2 is also compatible with their “Qidi Box” multi-material unit.
And of course, if you want the most reliable machine with the best customer service, you have Prusa’s Core One. It’s expensive, but you’re supporting a company that emphasises upgradeability and manufactures their hardware in Europe. It won’t be the best value though purely based on feature set, but if you like what Prusa stands for, that could be of value to you!
Of course, Prusa will be the most open choice aside from something like a Voron kit, but Elegoo, Qidi, etc. will at least be more open than Bambu.
I believe the Elegoo CC uses a modified version of Klipper that isn’t open, so that might be a concern for you. After a bit of searching, I found OpenCentauri, a project that aims to bring an open version of Klipper to the Centauri Carbon: https://docs.opencentauri.cc/
I think Qidi is in a similar boat, but haven’t looked into it.
You might also want to check out Sovol, they make decently open printers too that are more affordable than Prusa.
edit: More searching later, looks like OrcaSlicer will work for both Qidi and the Elegoo CC. However, it does not work on the newer CC2, and the Qidi Box (and presumably the Elegoo Canvas) is also not supported. Something to keep in mind.
Thanks!