# Bambu Lab A1 vs Creality Ender-3 V3 SE

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.

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

## 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 |

## 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](https://tomshardware.com/3d-printing/bambu-lab-a1-review)
- 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](https://www.techradar.com/pro/bambu-labs-a1-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 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.

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