Bambu Lab A1 vs Bambu Lab A1 mini
Researched by Riley Hart · prices checked Oct 27, 2026
As of Oct 27, 2026, the Bambu Lab A1 costs $299 and the Bambu Lab A1 mini costs $219, so the Bambu Lab A1 mini is $80 cheaper. Pick the Bambu Lab A1 for beginners who want full size multi color prints. Pick the Bambu Lab A1 mini for first time buyers printing small PLA parts.
- Build volume
- 256 x 256 x 256 mm
- Max speed
- Up to 500 mm/s toolhead
- Multicolor
- Up to 4 colors with one
- Enclosure
- No
The A1 gives you a full 256 mm build volume and hands off calibration for $299, or $399 with the AMS lite for 4 color prints. It suits beginners and hobbyists who print PLA and PETG and want bigger parts than the A1 mini allows. Skip it if you want ABS or ASA parts often, because it has no enclosure.
Full Bambu Lab A1 review →- 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 →Side by side
| Bambu Lab A1 | Bambu Lab A1 mini | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $299 | $219 |
| 3 year cost | $299 | $219 |
| Our score | Not scored yet | Not scored yet |
| Rank in 3D printers | #9 | #7 |
| Status | on sale | on sale |
| Warranty | 2 years (Bambu Lab US store product page) | 2 years (Bambu Lab US store product page) |
| Build volume | 256 x 256 x 256 mm | 180 x 180 x 180 mm |
| Print speed | Up to 500 mm/s toolhead speed, 10,000 mm/s2 acceleration (Bambu Lab) | Up to 500 mm/s toolhead speed, 10,000 mm/s2 acceleration (Bambu Lab) |
| Multi color | Up to 4 colors with one AMS lite (Combo version); AMS units need the AMS HUB accessory | Up to 4 colors with the AMS lite (Combo version); AMS, AMS 2 Pro or AMS HT need the AMS HUB accessory |
| Enclosure | No, open frame; Bambu Lab does not recommend enclosing it | No, open frame |
| Auto leveling | Yes, full auto calibration of Z offset, bed level, vibration and nozzle pressure before each print | Yes, full auto calibration of Z offset, bed level, vibration and nozzle pressure before each print |
| Max nozzle temp | 300 C | 300 C |
| Heated bed | Yes, up to 100 C | Yes, up to 80 C |
| Filament types | Ideal: PLA, PETG, TPU, PVA. ABS, ASA, PC, PA and fiber filled types only for small, low infill parts | Ideal: PLA, PETG, TPU, PVA. Not recommended: ABS, ASA, PC, PA, PET, carbon or glass fiber filled |
| Connectivity | Bambu cloud service or LAN only mode; app and PC control | Wi-Fi, Bambu Bus, microSD card; app and PC control |
| Camera | Yes, low frame rate camera up to 1080p with timelapse | Yes, low frame rate camera up to 1080p with timelapse |
| Noise | As low as 49 dB (Bambu Lab claim) | As low as 49 dB (Bambu Lab claim) |
| Assembly | Ships mostly assembled | Ships pre assembled; about 20 minutes to the first print (Bambu Lab) |
| Weight | 8.3 kg net; 465 x 410 x 430 mm | 5.5 kg net; 347 x 315 x 365 mm |
| Best for | beginners who want full size multi color prints | first time buyers printing small PLA parts |
| Skip if | you print ABS or ASA often | you need large prints or ABS and ASA |
Specs are maker claims unless a reviewer is named. Prices from the stores we link, checked daily.
What reviewers found
Bambu Lab A1
- Tom's Hardware (Editor's Choice): Called it a reliable and quiet high speed printer at a competitive price. A speed Benchy took 19 min 15 s, and a panda print took 2 h 40 min in one color versus 6 h 46 min in three colors. Source
- TechRadar (Editor's Choice): Scored 29 of 30 in its print quality test with a combined dimensional error of 0.099 mm. Flagged the software as complex for beginners and the open frame as a limit for ABS and PC. Source
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
Pros and cons
Bambu Lab A1
Pros
- Large 256 mm cube build volume
- Full auto calibration before every print
- 4 color printing with the AMS lite Combo
- Quick change nozzles
- Editor's Choice at Tom's Hardware and TechRadar
Cons
- No enclosure for high temperature filaments
- AMS lite purges filament on color changes
- Needs a lot of desk space with the AMS lite
- Early units were recalled in 2024 over a heatbed cable
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
Questions buyers ask
Which is better, the Bambu Lab A1 or the Bambu Lab A1 mini?
Pick the Bambu Lab A1 for beginners who want full size multi color prints. Pick the Bambu Lab A1 mini for first time buyers printing small PLA parts.
Which is cheaper?
The Bambu Lab A1 mini at $219, versus $299 for the Bambu Lab A1, checked Oct 27, 2026.
What is the difference between the A1 and the A1 mini?
Build volume: 256 x 256 x 256 mm on the A1, 180 x 180 x 180 mm on the A1 mini. Multi color: Up to 4 colors with one AMS lite (Combo version); AMS units need the AMS HUB accessory on the A1, Up to 4 colors with the AMS lite (Combo version); AMS, AMS 2 Pro or AMS HT need the AMS… on the A1 mini. Enclosure: No, open frame; Bambu Lab does not recommend enclosing it on the A1, No, open frame on the A1 mini.
Also consider
See all ranked →More comparisons
All 3D printers, ranked
See the ranking →Affiliate links. We may earn a commission. It never changes our score. Disclosure