Bambu Lab A1 vs Bambu Lab H2D
Researched by Riley Hart · prices checked Oct 27, 2026
As of Oct 27, 2026, the Bambu Lab A1 costs $299 and the Bambu Lab H2D costs $1,549, so the Bambu Lab A1 is $1,250 cheaper. The Bambu Lab H2D has a published review score and ranks #5 in our 3D printers ranking; the Bambu Lab A1 is not scored yet. Pick the Bambu Lab A1 for beginners who want full size multi color prints. Pick the Bambu Lab H2D for makers and small shops that want two materials per print.
- 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
- 350 x 320 x 325 mm
- Max speed
- 600 mm/s
- Multicolor
- Dual nozzle
- Enclosure
- Yes
The H2D is a large, heated chamber printer whose two nozzles cut purge waste in two material prints, and it can add a laser and cutter. It fits serious makers and small businesses that print engineering filaments or want one machine for printing and crafting. Skip it if you mostly print PLA at home, since it costs $1,549 or more and weighs 31 kg.
Full Bambu Lab H2D review →Side by side
| Bambu Lab A1 | Bambu Lab H2D | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $299 | $1,549 |
| 3 year cost | $299 | $1,549 |
| Our score | Not scored yet | 6.3/10 |
| Rank in 3D printers | #9 | #5 |
| 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 | 325 x 320 x 325 mm single nozzle; 300 x 320 x 325 mm dual nozzle; 350 x 320 x 325 mm total |
| Print speed | Up to 500 mm/s toolhead speed, 10,000 mm/s2 acceleration (Bambu Lab) | 600 mm/s with Bambu PLA Matte (Bambu Lab claim) |
| Multi color | Up to 4 colors with one AMS lite (Combo version); AMS units need the AMS HUB accessory | Dual nozzles plus up to 4 AMS 2 Pro and 8 AMS HT units, up to 25 colors; not compatible with AMS lite |
| Enclosure | No, open frame; Bambu Lab does not recommend enclosing it | Yes, with active chamber heating up to 65 C |
| Auto leveling | Yes, full auto calibration of Z offset, bed level, vibration and nozzle pressure before each print | Yes, automated calibration; optional Vision Encoder for 50 micron motion accuracy |
| Max nozzle temp | 300 C | 350 C, hardened steel nozzles |
| Heated bed | Yes, up to 100 C | n/a |
| Filament types | Ideal: PLA, PETG, TPU, PVA. ABS, ASA, PC, PA and fiber filled types only for small, low infill parts | Wide range including PLA, PETG, TPU, PAHT-CF, PPS and PPA-CF; Bambu Lab recommends specific hotends for TPU and PPS or PPA-CF |
| Connectivity | Bambu cloud service or LAN only mode; app and PC control | Printer has built in storage; LAN printing, timelapse and recording need a USB drive (not included) |
| Camera | Yes, low frame rate camera up to 1080p with timelapse | Yes, AI nozzle camera with macro lens; BirdsEye camera on Laser editions |
| Noise | As low as 49 dB (Bambu Lab claim) | n/a |
| Assembly | Ships mostly assembled | Initial calibration took about 45 minutes in Tom's Hardware testing; laser upgrade is self installed |
| Weight | 8.3 kg net; 465 x 410 x 430 mm | 31 kg net; 492 x 514 x 626 mm |
| Best for | beginners who want full size multi color prints | makers and small shops that want two materials per print |
| Skip if | you print ABS or ASA often | you mostly print PLA and want to spend less |
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 H2D
- Tom's Hardware (Editor's Choice): Called it one of the best printers they had seen. A two color print of 114 parts took 8 h 4 min with about 2.6 g of purge and prime tower waste, versus 6.54 g on a P1P. A Benchy took 21 min 30 s. Source
- TechRadar (4.5/5): Scored 28 of 30 in both print tests. A two filament print took 5 h 27 min versus over 12 hours on an X1C. Noted a small laser work area and an AI camera that can pause prints too readily. 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 H2D
Pros
- Dual nozzles reduce purge waste
- Large 350 x 320 x 325 mm total volume
- 350 C nozzles and 65 C heated chamber
- Optional 10 W or 40 W laser and cutter
- Editor's Choice at Tom's Hardware, 4.5/5 at TechRadar
Cons
- Expensive, especially with laser combos
- Heavy at 31 kg and needs a lot of space
- Proprietary replacement parts
- Still purges filament with more than two materials
- USB drive needed for LAN printing and timelapse
Questions buyers ask
Which is better, the Bambu Lab A1 or the Bambu Lab H2D?
The Bambu Lab H2D has a published review score and ranks #5 in our 3D printers ranking; the Bambu Lab A1 is not scored yet. Pick the Bambu Lab A1 for beginners who want full size multi color prints. Pick the Bambu Lab H2D for makers and small shops that want two materials per print.
Which is cheaper?
The Bambu Lab A1 at $299, versus $1,549 for the Bambu Lab H2D, checked Oct 27, 2026.
What is the difference between the A1 and the H2D?
Build volume: 256 x 256 x 256 mm on the A1, 325 x 320 x 325 mm single nozzle; 300 x 320 x 325 mm dual nozzle; 350 x 320 x 325 mm total on the H2D. Print speed: Up to 500 mm/s toolhead speed, 10,000 mm/s2 acceleration (Bambu Lab) on the A1, 600 mm/s with Bambu PLA Matte (Bambu Lab claim) on the H2D. Multi color: Up to 4 colors with one AMS lite (Combo version); AMS units need the AMS HUB accessory on the A1, Dual nozzles plus up to 4 AMS 2 Pro and 8 AMS HT units, up to 25 colors; not compatible… on the H2D.
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