Bambu Lab printers: Which one should I choose?

Choosing the right Bambu Lab model is very important. Each model has its special features and is designed for diverse applications. This blog will describe all models and give you insights that will help you choose the perfect one for your needs.

Meet the Bambu Lab P1 series

Bambu Lab P1P

The Bambu Lab P1P was released in 2022 and it is a fully customizable 3D printer. This 3D printer can be set up in 15 minutes and it is ready to print straight out of the box. The P1P offers a great printing speed reaching up to 500 mm/s.

Pros and cons of the P1P model

Pros:

• AMS compatibility: The Automatic Material Station (AMS) can be mounted on the P1P.
• Advanced electronics: The advanced technology reduces print failures.
• Upgradability: You can upgrade your P1P with the AMS system, and add various enhancements

Cons:

• Basic design: This model doesn’t have the sleek aluminium and glass panels like the X1C version.
• Closed system: Spare part third-party compatibility is limited.
• Speed presets: The P1P doesn’t have the speed presets.

Bambu Lab P1S

The Bambu Lab P1S was launched in 2023 and is known as the brother of P1P. What are the differences? The PS1 has a fully enclosed chamber, an auxiliary part cooling fan, a chamber regulator fan, and a control board fan for temperature stability and odour control. This comes in handy if you are working with materials like ABS.

Pros and cons of the P1S model

Pros:

• Enclosure: It allows great temperature regulation.
• Fast printing & effective cooling: An effective cooling system contributes to quality prints at faster speeds.
• AMS compatibility: It can be paired with the AMS system to achieve multi-colour printing.

Cons:

• Interface: The interface is commonly described by users as not aesthetically pleasing.
• Low-rate resolution camera: The built-in camera has a low frame rate of 0.5 and a resolution of 720p.

Meet the Bambu Lab X1 series

Bambu Lab X1 – Carbon

The Bambu Lab X1 – Carbon was launched in 2022 and it was the first 3D printer the company put on the market. Packed with advanced features like dual auto bed levelling, spaghetti detection, and AMS technology, it ensures reliable printing.

Pros and cons of the X1 – Carbon model

Pros:

• User-friendly interface: The interface on this 3D printer is very easy to navigate and control.
• Maker World integration: This simplifies the process by allowing you to browse, select, and print models seamlessly without the need for manual file transfers.
• Smart features: There are many intelligent features, such as warning notifications for potential print failures, inspection of the first layer, and alerts for incorrect build plate or filament usage.

Cons:

• Memory card not included: You need to purchase a separate micro SD card to utilise video capabilities.
• Material management: When the printer is changing the filaments it can waste a lot of material.
• Standby mode: Some users point out that the light is not turning off which needs to be done manually.

The latest releases

Bambu Lab A1

Meet the Bambu Lab A1 launched on December 14 2023 and is one of the most innovative desktop printers of the year. It stands out with its technical specifications and innovative features.

The printer comes preassembled and tuned so you can start printing in under 20 minutes. It is suitable for different users, ranging from beginner to experienced levels of knowledge. It features the new multicolour system, AMS Lite.

AMS Lite is primarily intended for integration with the A1 3D printers and introduces a range of functions to make multi-colour 3D printing as easy as possible. The AMS Lite features sensors that detect the movement of the filament and act like a smart feeding system. It handles different colours, makes sure the filament goes where it needs to be and can fix small errors by itself.

However, you should consider that the new A1 edition and the AMS Lite have very limited compatibility. The AMS Lite is exclusive to the A1 models and cannot be used for other Bambu Lab models.

Pros and cons of the A1 model

Pros:

• Affordability: It offers an economical entry point to multicolour printing.
• AMS Lite: This AMS system simplifies the maintenance compared to the previous AMS design.
• Beginner-friendly: The printer is easy to set up and work with which makes it great for beginners.

Cons:

• Limited colours: The AMS Lite supports multicolour printing up to 4 colours only.
• Limited compatibility: The AMS Lite is exclusive to the A1 series at the moment and cannot be used with other models like the previous AMS.
• Enclosure not recommended: Bambu Lab advises against the use of an enclosure for the A1 models.

Bambu Lab A1 Mini

The Bambu Lab A1 Mini 3D printer launched on December 14, 2023. This model is set to be one of the most popular desktop printers in the next year because of its great technical specifications.

You can set up the A1 Mini in just 20 minutes since it comes pre-assembled and pre-tuned. This is great for users of different levels of knowledge. You can upgrade your A1 Mini with the new multicolour system AMS Lite.

Pros and cons of the A1 Mini model

Pros:

• Affordability: It is budget-friendly and perfect for beginners who want multicolour printing.
• AMS Lite: AMS Lite simplifies maintenance compared to the previous AMS and is very beginner-friendly.
• Compatibility: The AMS Lite’s design is not picky about spool dimensions and is compatible with a range of third-party filaments.

Cons:

• Build volume: The build volume is 180x180x180mm and is not suitable for larger prints.
• Space occupation: The AMS Lite takes up additional space which affects your set-up.
• Limited compatibility: The AMS Lite is exclusive to the A1 Mini at the moment and cannot be used with other models like the previous AMS.

To learn more about the Bambu Lab A1 Mini and AMS Lite watch this video.

Bambu Lab X1E

The Bambu Lab X1E is a competent 3D printer designed for professional and engineering applications. It is the most expensive Bambu Lab model and also offers the most. It features industrial-grade air filtration, higher nozzle temperature and active heating with controlled chamber temperature.

Pros and cons of the X1E model

Pros:

• Connectivity: Enhanced connectivity options for professionals.
• Intelligent features: Failure detection and filament management.
• Industrial grade enhancements: Air filtration and active heating.

Cons:

• Complexity: Not suitable for beginners
• Price: It has a higher price point due to its professional features.

 

So, what is what?

To better understand all the features of these 5 3D printers from Bambu Lab, you should take a look at the specification table below.

Specification	P1P	P1S	X1 – Carbon	X1E	A1	A1 Mini
Build volume	256×256×256mm	256×256×256mm	256×256×256mm	256×256×256mm	256x256x256mm	180x180x180mm
Product dimensions	386×389×458mm	386×389×458mm	389×389×457mm	389×389×457mm	385x410x430mm	347x315x365mm
Net weight	9.65kg	12.95kg	14.13kg	16kg	8.3kg	5.5kg
Printing speed	≤500mm/s	≤500mm/s	≤500mm/s	≤500mm/s	≤500mm/s	≤500mm/s
Acceleration	20000mm/s²	20000mm/s²	20000mm/s²	20000mm/s²	10.000mm/s²	10.000mm/s²
Extruder	Direct drive	Direct drive	Direct drive	Direct drive	Direct drive	Direct drive
Hotend	All-metal	All-metal	All-metal	All-metal	All metal	All metal
Filament diameter	1.75mm	1.75mm	1.75mm	1.75mm	1.75mm	1.75mm
Nozzle	Stainless steel	Stainless steel	Stainless steel (Hardened steel included)	Hardened steel	Stainless steel	Stainless steel
Nozzle diameter	0.4mm (0.2mm, 0.6mm, 0.8mm optional)	0.4mm (0.2mm, 0.6mm, 0.8mm optional)	0.4mm (0.2mm, 0.6mm, 0.8mm optional)	0.4mm (0.2mm, 0.6mm, 0.8mm optional)	0.4mm (0.2mm, 0.6mm, 0.8mm optional)	0.4mm (0.2mm, 0.6mm, 0.8mm optional)
Nozzle temperature	≤300°C	≤300°C	≤300°C	≤320°C	≤300°C	≤300°C
Heatbed temperature	≤100°C	≤100°C	110°C@220V, 120°C@110V	110°C@220V, 120°C@110V	≤100°C	≤80°C
Build surface	Bambu cool plate, Bambu engineering plate, Bambu high temperature plate	Bambu cool plate, Bambu engineering plate, Bambu High-temperature plate	Bambu Cool Plate, Bambu engineering plate included	Flexible Steel Plate, Bambu Smooth PEI Plate included Bambu High Temperature Plate, Bambu Textured PEI Plate, Bambu Cool Plate optional	Bambu Textured PEI Plate (Included) Bambu High Temperature Plate (Smooth PEI) Bambu Cool Plate	Bambu Textured PEI Plate (Included) Bambu Smooth PEI Plate optional
Levelling mode	Automatic	Automatic	Automatic	Automatic	Automatic	Automatic
Display screen	LED screen with knob	2.7-inch 192×64 Screen	5-inch 1280 x 720 touch screen	5-inch 1280 x 720 touch screen	3.5 inches 320×240 IPS Touch Screen	2.4 inches 320×240 IPS touch screen
Monitoring (AI) camera	Low Rate Camera 1280 x 720 / 0.5fps (Timelapse supported)	Low Rate Camera 1280 x 720 / 0.5fps (Timelapse supported)	1920 x 1080 Included	1920 x 1080 Included	Low framerate camera (Up to 1080P) Timelapse supported	Low framerate camera (Up to 1080P) Timelapse supported
AI LiDAR	No	No	Yes	Yes	No	No
Power loss recovery	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
Filament runout sensor	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
Filament odometry	Optional with AMS	Optional with AMS	Optional with AMS	Optional with AMS	Optional with AMS	Optional with AMS
Filament tangle sensor	No	No	No	No	Yes	Yes
Shell	Open frame	Enclosed (Plastic & Glass)	Enclosed (Aluminum & Glass)	Enclosed (Aluminum & Glass)	Open frame	Open frame
Sleep mode	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes (power consumption of approximately 17W)	Yes	Yes
Control board fan	Optional	Closed-loop control	Closed-loop control	Closed Loop Control	Closed-loop control	Closed-loop control
Chamber temperature regulator fan	Optional	Closed-loop control	Closed-loop control	Closed-loop control	No	No
Auxiliary part cooling fan	Optional	Closed-loop control	Closed-loop control	Closed-loop control	Closed-loop control	Closed-loop control
Air filter	Optional	Activated carbon filter	Activated carbon filter	G3 Pre-filter grade, H12 HEPA filter grade Coconut shell granulated activated carbon filter	No	No
Rated voltage	100-240 VAC, 50/60 Hz	100-240 VAC, 50/60 Hz	100-240 VAC, 50/60 Hz	100-240 VAC, 50/60 Hz	100-240 VAC, 50/60 Hz	100-240 VAC, 50/60 Hz
Rated power	1000W@220V, 350W@110V	1000W@220V, 350W@110V	1000W@220V, 350W@110V	1400W at 220V, 750W at 110V	1300W@220V, 350W@110V	150W
Supported filaments	PLA, PETG, TPU, PVA, PET  Other filaments, enclosure required: PA, PC, ABS, ASA  Not Recommended: Carbon/Glass Fiber Reinforced Polymer	Ideal: PLA, PETG, TPU, PVA, PET, ABS, ASA  Capable: PA, PC	PLA, PETG, TPU, ABS, ASA, PVA, PET  Ideal for PA, PC, Carbon/ Glass fiber reinforced polymer	Optimal for PLA, PETG, TPU, PVA, BVOH  Superior for ABS, ASA, PC, PA, PET, Carbon/Glass Fiber Reinforced PLA, PETG, PA, PET, PC, ABS, ASA Ideal for PPA-CF/GF, PPS, PPS-CF/GF	Ideal for PLA, PETG, TPU, PVA Not recommended for ABS, ASA, PC, PA, PET, Carbon/Glass Fiber Reinforced Polymer	Ideal for PLA, PETG, TPU, PVA Not recommended for ABS, ASA, PC, PA, PET, Carbon/Glass Fiber Reinforced Polymer
Printable file format	G-Code	G-Code	G-Code	G-Code	G-Code	G-Code
Slicing software	Bambu Studio Support third-party slicers which export standard G-code such as Superslicer, Prusaslicer and Cura, but certain advanced features may not be supported.	Bambu Studio Support third-party slicers which export standard G-code such as Superslicer, Prusaslicer and Cura, but certain advanced features may not be supported.	Bambu Studio Support third-party slicers which export standard G-code such as Superslicer, Prusaslicer and Cura, but certain advanced features may not be supported.	Bambu Studio Support third-party slicers which export standard G-code such as Superslicer, Prusaslicer and Cura, but certain advanced features may not be supported	Bambu Studio Support third-party slicers which export standard G-code such as Superslicer, Prusaslicer and Cura, but certain advanced features may not be supported	Bambu Studio Support third-party slicers which export standard G-code such as Superslicer, Prusaslicer and Cura, but certain advanced features may not be supported
File formats for slicing	STL, OBJ, AMF	STL, OBJ, AMF	STL, OBJ, AMF	STL, OBJ, AMF	STL, OBJ, AMF	STL, OBJ, AMF

Choosing the right model

If you are looking to buy a Bambu Lab 3D printer you should carefully consider your needs and preferences. The models all have distinctive features. The P1P can be a great choice for beginners, while still having upgrade and customisable options. The P1S is basically an upgrade of the P1P because of its enclosure and cooling mechanisms. Many go for the P1S because it allows printing with more technical materials like ABS.

The X1-Carbon is a printer with more advanced features and a friendly interface. It is a go-to choice for everyone who uses 3D print technology daily and needs various material compatibility and reliability. A few features that make this model very reliable are the spaghetti detection feature, dual auto bed levelling and printing accuracy.

If you are a professional and need a 3D printer capable of complex engineering-grade applications, the X1E is your best choice. With its capable air filtration, higher nozzle temperature, active heating and controlled chamber temperature, this model will work great for complex projects.

If you are looking to get a newly released 3D printer that is great for beginners, the A1 Mini is your match. It is budget-friendly while still offering multicolour printing. However, this printer has a smaller build volume compared to other models.

Before choosing the right model, you should consider your budget, what features you desire, and what are your intended applications. When you answer these questions, you will know which model suits you best.

Frequently asked questions

Which Bambu printer should I buy?

This depends on your specific needs and preferences. If you prioritise customizable printers, the P1P is for you. For projects involving materials that require enclosed printers, but you still want to keep the budget small, the P1S would be a great choice. The X1-Carbon offers advanced features and a user-friendly interface. The X1E stands out because it has industrial-grade features, but it comes at a higher price. The last release A1 Mini is perfect for beginners and allows multicolour printing for a lower price.

Is the Bambu Lab P1S worth it?

This depends on your specific needs. If you need to print materials like ABS or ASA, this printer is a good choice because of its enclosed chamber and cooling systems. However, if these features are not crucial, you can explore other models too.

What is the difference between Bambulab X1E and X1 Carbon?

The main differences between the Bambu Lab X1E and X1-Carbon are in their features. The X1E is designed for professional and engineering applications. It offers enhanced connectivity options, industrial-grade air filtration, higher nozzle temperature, and active heating with controlled chamber temperature. On the other hand, the X1-Carbon features dual auto bed levelling, spaghetti detection, and AMS technology, making it a solid choice for users looking for advanced functionalities without the industrial-grade price of the X1E.

What is the difference between Bambu Labs X1 and P1?

The primary difference between Bambu Lab’s X1 and P1 is in their features and pricing. While both share a similar chassis and CoreXY design, the X1 comes with extras like a sturdy aluminium frame, glass doors, and advanced features for high-temperature and abrasive materials. On the other hand, the P1 is a more budget-friendly option with a basic design and fewer premium features. The P1P is suitable for those focusing on standard materials like PLA, PETG, or TPU, while the X1 suits users looking for versatility in materials and advanced functionalities, but at a higher price point. The decision depends on individual preferences, material requirements, and budget considerations.