Bambu Lab A1 mini vs Creality Ender-3 V3 SE
Researched by Riley Hart · prices checked Oct 27, 2026
As of Oct 27, 2026, the Bambu Lab A1 mini costs $219 and the Creality Ender-3 V3 SE costs $179, so the Creality Ender-3 V3 SE is $40 cheaper. Pick the Bambu Lab A1 mini for first time buyers printing small PLA parts. Pick the Creality Ender-3 V3 SE for first time buyers on a tight budget.
- 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
- 220 x 220 x 250 mm
- Max speed
- Up to 250 mm/s
- Multicolor
- No
- Enclosure
- No
The Ender-3 V3 SE is a simple, low cost first printer with auto leveling and a direct drive extruder. It is a good way to learn on PLA, PETG and TPU. Skip it if you want ABS, Wi-Fi or a camera, since its 260 °C hot end, open frame and SD card setup limit it.
Full Creality Ender-3 V3 SE review →Side by side
| Bambu Lab A1 mini | Creality Ender-3 V3 SE | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $219 | $179 |
| 3 year cost | $219 | $179 |
| Our score | Not scored yet | Not scored yet |
| Rank in 3D printers | #7 | #6 |
| Status | on sale | on sale |
| Warranty | 2 years (Bambu Lab US store product page) | Up to 12 months (Creality store) |
| Build volume | 180 x 180 x 180 mm | 220 x 220 x 250 mm |
| Print speed | Up to 500 mm/s toolhead speed, 10,000 mm/s2 acceleration (Bambu Lab) | Up to 250 mm/s (180 mm/s typical), 2,500 mm/s² acceleration |
| Multi color | Up to 4 colors with the AMS lite (Combo version); AMS, AMS 2 Pro or AMS HT need the AMS HUB accessory | No, single color |
| Enclosure | No, open frame | No, open frame |
| Auto leveling | Yes, full auto calibration of Z offset, bed level, vibration and nozzle pressure before each print | Yes, CR Touch auto leveling with strain sensor auto Z offset |
| Max nozzle temp | 300 C | 260 °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 | PLA, PETG, TPU 95A |
| Connectivity | Wi-Fi, Bambu Bus, microSD card; app and PC control | SD card; no Wi-Fi per Tom's Hardware |
| Camera | Yes, low frame rate camera up to 1080p with timelapse | None |
| 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 90% pre built; about 15 to 20 minutes to finish |
| Weight | 5.5 kg net; 347 x 315 x 365 mm | 7.12 kg net |
| Best for | first time buyers printing small PLA parts | first time buyers on a tight budget |
| Skip if | you need large prints or ABS and ASA | you want Wi-Fi, a camera or ABS |
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
Creality Ender-3 V3 SE
- Tom's Hardware: A Benchy took 41 minutes with no ringing or layer shifts. PETG and TPU printed cleanly. The reviewer found the PC coated plate too sticky and hard to clean. Source
- How To Mechatronics: Benchy times dropped from 1 h 10 min at 60 mm/s to 37 min at 250 mm/s, with quality holding well at 120 mm/s. Noted slow heating and no runout sensor. 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
Creality Ender-3 V3 SE
Pros
- Very low price
- Easy assembly in about 15 minutes
- Reliable auto bed leveling
- Direct drive extruder handles TPU
Cons
- SD card only, no Wi-Fi
- 260 °C hot end limits materials
- Open frame, no enclosure
- No filament runout sensor per How To Mechatronics
Questions buyers ask
Which is better, the Bambu Lab A1 mini or the Creality Ender-3 V3 SE?
Pick the Bambu Lab A1 mini for first time buyers printing small PLA parts. Pick the Creality Ender-3 V3 SE for first time buyers on a tight budget.
Which is cheaper?
The Creality Ender-3 V3 SE at $179, versus $219 for the Bambu Lab A1 mini, checked Oct 27, 2026.
What is the difference between the A1 mini and the Ender-3 V3 SE?
Build volume: 180 x 180 x 180 mm on the A1 mini, 220 x 220 x 250 mm on the Ender-3 V3 SE. Print speed: Up to 500 mm/s toolhead speed, 10,000 mm/s2 acceleration (Bambu Lab) on the A1 mini, Up to 250 mm/s (180 mm/s typical), 2,500 mm/s² acceleration on the Ender-3 V3 SE. 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, No, single color on the Ender-3 V3 SE.
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