Bambu Lab A1 mini vs Bambu Lab P1S
Researched by Riley Hart · prices checked Oct 27, 2026
As of Oct 27, 2026, the Bambu Lab A1 mini costs $219 and the Bambu Lab P1S costs $399, so the Bambu Lab A1 mini is $180 cheaper. Pick the Bambu Lab A1 mini for first time buyers printing small PLA parts. Pick the Bambu Lab P1S for hobbyists who want ABS and ASA in an enclosed printer.
- Build volume
- 180 x 180 x 180 mm
- Max speed
- Up to 500 mm/s toolhead
- Multicolor
- Up to 4 colors with
- Enclosure
- No
The A1 mini is the cheapest way into a Bambu printer at $219, and it calibrates itself before every print. It fits beginners, kids and desk setups that print small PLA or PETG parts. Skip it if you need big prints or want to print ABS or ASA, since it has a 180 mm cube and no enclosure.
Full Bambu Lab A1 mini review →- Build volume
- 256 x 256 x 256 mm
- Max speed
- Up to 500 mm/s toolhead
- Multicolor
- Yes with an AMS combo
- Enclosure
- Yes
The P1S is the cheapest enclosed Bambu printer at $399, so it handles ABS and ASA far better than the A1 series. It suits hobbyists who want fast, low fuss prints in more materials, with an AMS combo for color. Skip it if noise matters a lot or you want the newer P2S features, since Tom's Hardware found it noisy.
Full Bambu Lab P1S review →Side by side
| Bambu Lab A1 mini | Bambu Lab P1S | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $219 | $399 |
| 3 year cost | $219 | $399 |
| Our score | Not scored yet | Not scored yet |
| Rank in 3D printers | #7 | #12 |
| Status | on sale | on sale |
| Warranty | 2 years (Bambu Lab US store product page) | 2 years (Bambu Lab US store product page) |
| Build volume | 180 x 180 x 180 mm | 256 x 256 x 256 mm (slicer defaults to 250 mm height) |
| Print speed | Up to 500 mm/s toolhead speed, 10,000 mm/s2 acceleration (Bambu Lab) | Up to 500 mm/s toolhead speed, 20 m/s2 acceleration (Bambu Lab) |
| Multi color | Up to 4 colors with the AMS lite (Combo version); AMS, AMS 2 Pro or AMS HT need the AMS HUB accessory | Yes with an AMS combo; up to 16 colors with 4 AMS units |
| Enclosure | No, open frame | Yes, plastic and glass, with chamber fan and activated carbon filter |
| Auto leveling | Yes, full auto calibration of Z offset, bed level, vibration and nozzle pressure before each print | Yes, auto bed leveling and vibration compensation |
| Max nozzle temp | 300 C | 300 C |
| Heated bed | Yes, up to 80 C | Yes, up to 100 C |
| Filament types | Ideal: PLA, PETG, TPU, PVA. Not recommended: ABS, ASA, PC, PA, PET, carbon or glass fiber filled | Ideal: PLA, PETG, TPU, PVA, PET, ABS, ASA. Capable: PA, PC |
| Connectivity | Wi-Fi, Bambu Bus, microSD card; app and PC control | n/a |
| Camera | Yes, low frame rate camera up to 1080p with timelapse | Yes, 1280 x 720 at 0.5 fps with timelapse |
| Noise | As low as 49 dB (Bambu Lab claim) | n/a |
| Assembly | Ships pre assembled; about 20 minutes to the first print (Bambu Lab) | About 15 minutes from unboxing to first print (Bambu Lab claim) |
| Weight | 5.5 kg net; 347 x 315 x 365 mm | 12.95 kg net; 389 x 389 x 458 mm |
| Best for | first time buyers printing small PLA parts | hobbyists who want ABS and ASA in an enclosed printer |
| Skip if | you need large prints or ABS and ASA | you need a quiet printer in a shared room |
Specs are maker claims unless a reviewer is named. Prices from the stores we link, checked daily.
What reviewers found
Bambu Lab A1 mini
- Tom's Hardware: Called it fast, quiet and easy to use. A speed Benchy took 19 min 15 s on a fast profile. A four color fire truck print took 22 h 25 min versus 4 h 19 min in one color, with 115 g of purge waste after tuning. Source
- All3DP: Found it consistent and reliable with clean multicolor prints. Complaints were a rattling purge wiper, no carry handle, a laggy touchscreen at times and no flexible filament support in the AMS lite. Source
Bambu Lab P1S
- Tom's Hardware: Said it hits a sweet spot with affordable CoreXY speed, an enclosure for high temperature printing and simple auto leveling. Downsides were noise, proprietary parts and AMS filament waste. Source
- All3DP: Printed ASA and PC with little corner warping and found auto bed leveling consistent. Criticized the 720p, 0.5 fps camera and some software limits such as blocked microSD access from the slicer. Source
Pros and cons
Bambu Lab A1 mini
Pros
- Low $219 entry price
- Full auto calibration with no manual tuning
- Optional AMS lite for 4 color prints
- Quiet, rated as low as 49 dB
- Ships pre assembled
Cons
- Small 180 x 180 x 180 mm build volume
- No enclosure, so not for ABS, ASA or PC
- AMS lite takes desk space and purges filament on color changes
- Bed tops out at 80 C
Bambu Lab P1S
Pros
- Enclosed chamber with carbon filter
- Fast CoreXY motion
- Auto bed leveling and vibration compensation
- Up to 16 colors with stacked AMS units
Cons
- Noisy in Tom's Hardware testing
- Low resolution 0.5 fps camera
- Proprietary replacement parts
- AMS wastes filament when changing colors
Questions buyers ask
Which is better, the Bambu Lab A1 mini or the Bambu Lab P1S?
Pick the Bambu Lab A1 mini for first time buyers printing small PLA parts. Pick the Bambu Lab P1S for hobbyists who want ABS and ASA in an enclosed printer.
Which is cheaper?
The Bambu Lab A1 mini at $219, versus $399 for the Bambu Lab P1S, checked Oct 27, 2026.
What is the difference between the A1 mini and the P1S?
Build volume: 180 x 180 x 180 mm on the A1 mini, 256 x 256 x 256 mm (slicer defaults to 250 mm height) on the P1S. Print speed: Up to 500 mm/s toolhead speed, 10,000 mm/s2 acceleration (Bambu Lab) on the A1 mini, Up to 500 mm/s toolhead speed, 20 m/s2 acceleration (Bambu Lab) on the P1S. Multi color: Up to 4 colors with the AMS lite (Combo version); AMS, AMS 2 Pro or AMS HT need the AMS… on the A1 mini, Yes with an AMS combo; up to 16 colors with 4 AMS units on the P1S.
Also consider
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