# Bambu Lab A1 mini vs Creality Ender-3 V3 SE

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.

Prices checked Oct 27, 2026. HTML version: https://robotsforthat.com/vs/bambu-lab-a1-mini-vs-creality-ender-3-v3-se/

## 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 |

## 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](https://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/bambu-lab-a1-mini)
- 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](https://all3dp.com/1/bambu-lab-a1-mini-review/)

### 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](https://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/creality-ender-3-v3-se)
- 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](https://howtomechatronics.com/tools/reviews/creality-ender-3-v3-se-review-with-test-prints-outstanding-value/)

## 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.

Full reviews: [Bambu Lab A1 mini](https://robotsforthat.com/robot/bambu-lab-a1-mini/index.md), [Creality Ender-3 V3 SE](https://robotsforthat.com/robot/creality-ender-3-v3-se/index.md)