Bambu Lab A1 mini vs Prusa Research Original Prusa MINI+
Researched by Riley Hart · prices checked Nov 4, 2026
As of Nov 4, 2026, the Bambu Lab A1 mini costs $299 and the Prusa Research Original Prusa MINI+ costs $549, so the Bambu Lab A1 mini is $250 cheaper. Pick the Bambu Lab A1 mini for first time buyers printing small PLA parts. Pick the Prusa Research Original Prusa MINI+ for beginners who want small, clean prints and Prusa support. The Bambu Lab A1 mini wins 4 of 5 points we can measure (1 tied).
Who wins, point by point
The Bambu Lab A1 mini wins 4 of 5 points we can measure (1 tied). Built from today's prices, the specs and independent tests for these two robots.
| A1 mini | Original Prusa MINI+ | Winner | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Price today | $299 | $549 | A1 mini |
| Warranty | 2 years | 1 year | A1 mini |
| Build volume | 180 x 180 x 180 mm | 180 x 180 x 180 mm | Tie |
| Max nozzle temp | 300°C | 280°C | A1 mini |
| Release year | 2023 | 2020 | A1 mini |
- You want to spend less (saves $250)
- You care most about warranty (2 years vs 1 year)
- You care most about max nozzle temp (300°C vs 280°C)
- Best for first time buyers printing small PLA parts
- Best for beginners who want small, clean prints and Prusa support
- Build volume
- 180 x 180 x 180 mm
- Max speed
- Up to 500 mm/s toolhead
- Multicolor
- Up to 4 colors
- Enclosure
- No
Small, quiet starter 3D printer with optional 4 color AMS lite
Full Bambu Lab A1 mini review, pros and cons →- Build volume
- 180 x 180 x 180 mm
- Max speed
- No max speed published
- Multicolor
- No
- Enclosure
- No
Compact semi assembled Prusa for small, high quality prints
Full Prusa Research Original Prusa MINI+ review, pros and cons →Side by side
| Bambu Lab A1 mini | Prusa Research Original Prusa MINI+ | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $299 | $549 |
| 3 year cost | $299 | $549 |
| Our score | Not scored yet | Not scored yet |
| Rank in 3D printers | #32 | #43 |
| Status | on sale | on sale |
| Warranty | 2 years (Bambu Lab US store product page) | 1 year for buyers outside the EU, including the US (Prusa knowledge base) |
| Build volume | 180 x 180 x 180 mm | 180 x 180 x 180 mm |
| Print speed | Up to 500 mm/s toolhead speed, 10,000 mm/s2 acceleration (Bambu Lab) | No max speed published; Prusa says Input Shaper and Pressure Advance make it faster than before |
| 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 |
| Enclosure | No, open frame | No, open frame; the store listing is named Enclosure Bundle |
| Auto leveling | Yes, full auto calibration of Z offset, bed level, vibration and nozzle pressure before each print | Yes, automatic mesh bed leveling with the SuperPINDA probe |
| Max nozzle temp | 300 C | 280 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, ASA, ABS, PC, CPE, PVA, PVB, HIPS, PP, Flex, nylon and filled materials (Prusa) |
| Connectivity | Wi-Fi, Bambu Bus, microSD card; app and PC control | USB port, RJ-45 Ethernet, optional Wi-Fi module; Prusa Connect |
| Camera | Yes, low frame rate camera up to 1080p with timelapse | n/a |
| Noise | As low as 49 dB (Bambu Lab claim) | n/a |
| Assembly | Ships pre assembled; about 20 minutes to the first print (Bambu Lab) | Semi assembled; includes a free beginner 3D printing course |
| Weight | 5.5 kg net; 347 x 315 x 365 mm | 4.5 kg; 380 x 330 x 380 mm without spool holder and external PSU |
| Best for | first time buyers printing small PLA parts | beginners who want small, clean prints and Prusa support |
| Skip if | you need large prints or ABS and ASA | you want a bigger build or multi color for less |
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
Prusa Research Original Prusa MINI+
- Tom's Hardware: Called it professional quality on a small scale and good for newcomers. A torture test model ran over 20 hours without problems; print issues traced back to damp filament. Source
- All3DP: Called it an easy recommendation with exceptional print quality and a great interface. Cons were Bowden extruder problems, no carry handle and Wi-Fi not yet available at review time. Source
Questions buyers ask
Which is better, the Bambu Lab A1 mini or the Prusa Research Original Prusa MINI+?
Pick the Bambu Lab A1 mini for first time buyers printing small PLA parts. Pick the Prusa Research Original Prusa MINI+ for beginners who want small, clean prints and Prusa support.
Which is cheaper?
The Bambu Lab A1 mini at $299, versus $549 for the Prusa Research Original Prusa MINI+, checked Nov 4, 2026.
What is the difference between the A1 mini and the Original Prusa MINI+?
Print speed: Up to 500 mm/s toolhead speed, 10,000 mm/s2 acceleration (Bambu Lab) on the A1 mini, No max speed published; Prusa says Input Shaper and Pressure Advance make it faster than… on the Original Prusa MINI+. 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 on the Original Prusa MINI+. Enclosure: No, open frame on the A1 mini, No, open frame; the store listing is named Enclosure Bundle on the Original Prusa MINI+.
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