This article is part of the Prusa XL Technical Series on INVESTEGATE.de
All guides assume that the Prusa XL Fundamentals are correct.
If not, start here:
Prusa XL Basics – Technical Fundamentals
The Creality Space Pi X4 and Creality Space Pi X4L are among the few filament dryers that can handle up to four spools using two physically separated drying chambers.
Both are solid devices – but only after a few small mods do they become close to perfect.
I’ve been using the SpacePi X4 with my Prusa XL 5 toolhead printer for several months now. This is not a spec-sheet rewrite, but a practical, experience-based comparison.
TL;DR
- X4 and X4L are mechanically almost identical
- Both have dual-chamber independent drying
- The same mods are required for both
- Main differences: temperature, display, features
- X4L is fine for most users – X4 only makes sense if you actually need it
Build & Design – Mostly Identical
From a mechanical standpoint, the X4 and X4L are essentially the same device:
- Two physically separated drying chambers
- Capacity for up to four spools
- Same internal roller layout
- Same filament exits
- Same basic airflow concept
Important:
Creality explicitly states that the X4L also supports dual-chamber independent drying.
So this is not a hardware limitation of the Lite model.
Key Differences Between X4 and X4L
| Feature | Space Pi X4 | Space Pi X4L | Real-World Relevance |
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | Costs around 180€ | Costs around 140€ | Difference of about 40€ |
| Max temperature | 85 °C | 75 °C | Important for Nylon / PC |
| Display | Touchscreen | Simple digital display | Mostly irrelevant |
| Active Dehumidification | Yes | No | Very nice to have ! |
| Interior LED Lights | Yes | No | Cosmetic |
| Mixed Filament Support | Yes | No | Only matters if you truly mix |
| Custom Presets | Yes (Up to 3) | No | Irrelevant |
| Auto Silent Mode | Yes | No | Nice to have |
| Beep Reminder | Yes | No | Irrelevant |
| Fan Self-Diagnosis | Yes | No | Irrelevant |
| Firmware Upgradeable | Yes | No | Irrelevant |
| Color | Silver | White | Irrelevant |
What “Mixed Filament Support” Actually Means
Both devices have two physically independent chambers. These can dry individually or together.
The difference is control logic, not hardware.
- X4:
Allows different drying parameters per chamber
(temperature / time / profiles) - X4L:
Both chambers run with the same settings
There is:
- ❌ no automatic filament detection
- ❌ no magic material intelligence
It simply means:
PLA on one side and Nylon on the other at the same time is what the X4 is designed for.
Practical impact
- PLA + PETG → X4L is perfectly fine
- PLA + Nylon at the same time → X4 makes sense
- One material type most of the time → feature is irrelevant
Mandatory Mods (for X4 and X4L)
Out of the box, both devices work – but three small design flaws should be fixed.
These mods apply equally to X4 and X4L.
1. PTFE Tube Retention Mod (Mandatory)
Problem:
The PTFE tube can get pulled into the housing during retraction.
This is simply bad mechanical design.
Fix:
A printed clip or lock that mechanically secures the PTFE tube.
Verdict:
❌ Without mod: annoying
✅ With mod: problem gone permanently
2. Heat Shield / Airflow Deflector (Highly Recommended)
Problem:
Hot air is blown directly onto the filament.
This can lead to deformation of the material, especially for:
- PLA
Fix:
A heat shield or airflow deflector that distributes air more evenly.
Verdict:
Not a bug, but a clear weakness of the stock design.
3. Spool Guide Between the Rollers (Very Important)
Problem:
Light or almost empty spools can:
- tilt
- bind
- jam
- skew
- stop rotating
Fix:
A clip-in spool guide placed between the rollers.
Verdict:
❌ Without mod: unnecessary risk
✅ With mod: smooth, reliable feeding
Optional Mods
4. Extra Desiccant Holder Mod
Purpose:
Provides a designated place for desiccant packs inside the dryer, keeping them stable and improving consistency of moisture control over long print runs.
When to use:
- If you run long multi-day drying cycles
- If ambient humidity is high
- This way, your filament stays dry longer without needing to be dried again.
5. Spring-Loaded Spool Rewinder
- Actively rewinds filament using a spring mechanism
- Only makes sense with multi-material systems, e.g. Prusa MMU
- For single extruder setups: mostly pointless
One Big Advantage of the Space Pi X4
Automatic Dehumidification
This is a real strength, not marketing fluff:
- Automatically manages humidity
- Moist air is blown outwards
- No constant tweaking required
- Works reliably in everyday use
This alone puts the Space Pi X4 above many cheaper filament dryers.
Where to Buy – AliExpress (Best Price Option)
Both the Creality Space Pi X4 and the Creality Space Pi X4L are widely available on AliExpress, often at significantly lower prices than in the official Creality store or EU marketplaces.
In practice, AliExpress is currently the best option in terms of price, especially if you are willing to wait a few days longer for shipping.
Why Buy via AliExpress?
- Lowest prices in most cases
- Frequent discounts and coupons
- Identical hardware (no regional differences)
- Good availability of both X4 and X4L
There is no technical downside to buying from AliExpress as long as you choose a reputable seller.
Recommended Links
Final Verdict
X4 and X4L are good filament dryers by design.
With three simple mods, they become excellent.
Which one should you buy?
- PLA / PETG / ABS → X4L is enough
- Nylon PA / PC / PP → X4
- Mods → always, on both models
If higher temperature capability and mixed filament profiles are not required, the X4L delivers the same practical results at lower cost.
The X4 primarily makes sense for professional use cases that benefit from its higher temperature capability, mixed filament profiles, and active dehumidification.
