After several months of waiting, Qidi opened orders for the QIDI Box on 30 June 2025. This automatic system holds four spools, recognises Qidi filaments through NFC and dries them up to 65 °C while printing. Four Boxes can even be connected to reach 16 colours. The announced $228 price looks aggressive, but the launch came with very limited stock and postponed shipping. I have not tested it, so this overview is based on the announced functions and limits.
One box, four spools and plenty of tubes
The QIDI Box measures 357 x 300 x 234 mm and weighs 4.35 kg. Its transparent lid protects four spools from moisture and dust. Each channel has its own stepper motor, hardened-steel dual gear and status light.
The principle is now familiar: the Box pushes filament to the extruder, pulls it back during a change, then feeds the next colour. Multicolour printing with a single nozzle involves purging, extra time and waste. The result will depend as much on purge-volume settings as on the mechanics.
Far more than a simple multicolour feeder
Active drying up to 65 °C: the Box can heat spools while printing. This function is useful for nylon, polycarbonate and moisture-sensitive composites. Temperature and humidity are displayed and reported in QIDI Studio.
Four to sixteen filaments: one unit provides four channels. By linking four Boxes with the necessary accessories, Qidi claims up to 16 colours or materials.
NFC recognition: compatible Qidi spools automatically transmit their parameters. Third-party filaments remain usable, but their information must be entered manually.
Automatic refill: two identical spools can take over when the first is empty. This function may be more useful than multicolour capability for finishing a long print without monitoring remaining material.
Incident detection: Qidi claims monitoring for runout, clogging and tangling. The reliability of these sensors and the resistance created by the long PTFE route still need confirmation.
Specification sheet
| Specification | Announced value |
|---|---|
| Number of spools | 4 per Box |
| Maximum expansion | 4 Boxes, up to 16 filaments |
| Dimensions | 357 x 300 x 234 mm |
| Net weight | 4.35 kg |
| Filament diameter | 1.75 mm |
| Spool width | 50 to 72 mm |
| Spool diameter | 195 to 202 mm |
| Drive | Hardened-steel dual gear |
| Drying | Up to 65 °C, possible while printing |
| Recognition | NFC for compatible Qidi filaments |
| Maximum power | 245 W |
| Announced compatibility | Plus4, Q2 and Max4 depending on kit |
Price, availability and compatibility
The official QIDI Box product page lists $228. The first orders on 30 June sold out very quickly, while later pre-orders listed shipping from September. It is more honest to describe this as a gradual commercial launch rather than immediate availability.
Compatibility also requires attention. The housing is identical, but the hub and cable differ between the Plus4, Q2 and Max4. The official documentation explains these setups. The Q1 Pro does not have the filament cutter intended for this system and is not announced as compatible.
QIDI Studio and accepted materials
QIDI Studio allows colours to be assigned, spools synchronised and changes prepared. Qidi claims wide compatibility, from PLA to PPS-CF, but excludes filaments that are too flexible, too rigid or wet. Standard TPU 95A, some PLA Silk, glow-in-the-dark filaments and cardboard spools without an adapter are among the cases to check.
In conclusion, does the QIDI Box deliver on its promises?
On paper, the QIDI Box does more than add colours. Its 65 °C drying, hardened gears and automatic refill fit Qidi’s positioning around technical materials. The $228 price is appealing, but potential kits must be added and users must accept filament changes that are slower than a multi-head solution. The confusing launch and delays also invite people to wait for solid feedback before drawing conclusions. For your use, would the priority be multicolour capability, drying, or simply the ability to finish a spool automatically?
