Bambu Lab A1 vs Creality Ender-3 V3 SE
Researched by Riley Hart · prices checked Oct 27, 2026
As of Oct 27, 2026, the Bambu Lab A1 costs $299 and the Creality Ender-3 V3 SE costs $179, so the Creality Ender-3 V3 SE is $120 cheaper. Pick the Bambu Lab A1 for beginners who want full size multi color prints. Pick the Creality Ender-3 V3 SE for first time buyers on a tight budget.
- 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
- 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 | Creality Ender-3 V3 SE | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $299 | $179 |
| 3 year cost | $299 | $179 |
| Our score | Not scored yet | Not scored yet |
| Rank in 3D printers | #9 | #6 |
| Status | on sale | on sale |
| Warranty | 2 years (Bambu Lab US store product page) | Up to 12 months (Creality store) |
| Build volume | 256 x 256 x 256 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 one AMS lite (Combo version); AMS units need the AMS HUB accessory | No, single color |
| 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, CR Touch auto leveling with strain sensor auto Z offset |
| Max nozzle temp | 300 C | 260 °C |
| Heated bed | Yes, up to 100 C | Yes, up to 100 °C |
| Filament types | Ideal: PLA, PETG, TPU, PVA. ABS, ASA, PC, PA and fiber filled types only for small, low infill parts | PLA, PETG, TPU 95A |
| Connectivity | Bambu cloud service or LAN only mode; 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 mostly assembled | About 90% pre built; about 15 to 20 minutes to finish |
| Weight | 8.3 kg net; 465 x 410 x 430 mm | 7.12 kg net |
| Best for | beginners who want full size multi color prints | first time buyers on a tight budget |
| Skip if | you print ABS or ASA often | 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
- 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
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
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
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 or the Creality Ender-3 V3 SE?
Pick the Bambu Lab A1 for beginners who want full size multi color prints. 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 $299 for the Bambu Lab A1, checked Oct 27, 2026.
What is the difference between the A1 and the Ender-3 V3 SE?
Build volume: 256 x 256 x 256 mm on the A1, 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, 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 one AMS lite (Combo version); AMS units need the AMS HUB accessory on the A1, No, single color on the Ender-3 V3 SE.
Also consider
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