Bambu Lab A1 mini, A1, P1S or P2S: which printer suits you?

The range at a glance

All four come ready to use, calibrate themselves and work with Bambu Lab's Bambu Studio software and Bambu Handy app. The differences are mainly size, the enclosure and which multi-colour system fits.

A1 mini: small and open

The Bambu Lab A1 mini has a build volume of 180 x 180 x 180 mm. That is enough for figures, parts, holders and small gifts, but not for large objects in one piece. The printer is open: in the A1 series the print bed moves back and forth, and you can see and reach everything easily.

An open printer is meant for PLA, PETG and TPU. For materials that warp, like ABS and ASA, Bambu Lab recommends an enclosed printer. The A1 mini Combo is the same printer with the AMS lite for four colours.

A1: bigger build volume, still open

The A1 works like the A1 mini but has a build volume of 256 x 256 x 256 mm. That fits larger objects, like a helmet, a plant pot or several parts at once. It does take more room on your desk, because the bed moves back and forth. Our range includes the Bambu Lab A1 Combo, with the AMS lite.

The A1 is open too, so the same goes for materials: PLA, PETG and TPU are the natural choice.

P1S: enclosed and for more materials

The Bambu Lab P1S has the same 256 x 256 mm footprint as the A1, with a print height of up to 250 mm according to Bambu Studio, and sits in a closed case with a glass door and a lid. The bed only moves up and down, and the print head moves inside the case. The enclosure keeps the heat around the print, which helps with ABS and ASA. For those materials, put the printer in a ventilated room, because the case does not remove the fumes by itself. Can my printer handle this filament? shows whether an open or closed printer can handle a filament.

With PLA it can get too warm inside. Bambu Lab then advises opening the lid or the door. The P1S works with the AMS, which holds four spools.

P2S: the newer enclosed printer

The P2S is the successor in the same range. Bambu Studio lists a build volume of 256 x 256 x 256 mm, as for the A1. It is enclosed, and our range includes the Bambu Lab P2S Combo with an AMS. The separate AMS 2 Pro has a drying function according to Bambu Lab, so filament in the AMS stays dry or dries again.

Torn between P1S and P2S? In build volume and enclosure they are close, and the P2S is the newer one. So compare what is in the box per version: with or without AMS, and which AMS.

Combo or not: multiple colours

A Combo is the printer together with the multi-colour system. The A1 mini and A1 work with the AMS lite, which stands next to the printer. The P1S and P2S work with the AMS, which sits on top of or next to the printer. An AMS switches automatically between four spools. That lets you print in several colours, or have the printer pick up a new spool when the old one runs out.

More colours do cost time and filament: at every change the printer flushes the old colour out of the nozzle. Flexible TPU is usually fed from the separate spool holder rather than through the AMS. Check the manual of your AMS version for what Bambu Lab allows. You can also buy an AMS separately later, so a printer without a Combo is no dead end.

Nozzles and abrasive filament

Filament with carbon or glass fibre needs a hardened steel nozzle, because a regular nozzle wears quickly on it. Bambu Lab sells hardened steel hotends per series, like the 0.4 mm hotend for the A1 series, the one for the P1 series and a hotend for the P2S. Read more about materials in our guide choosing filament.