Bambu Lab A1 vs Creality Hi Combo
Researched by Riley Hart · prices checked Nov 4, 2026
As of Nov 4, 2026, the Bambu Lab A1 costs $359 and the Creality Hi Combo costs $449, so the Bambu Lab A1 is $90 cheaper. Pick the Bambu Lab A1 for beginners who want full size multi color prints. Pick the Creality Hi Combo for cheap multi color PLA printing. The Creality Hi Combo wins 2 of 5 points we can measure (2 tied).
Who wins, point by point
The Creality Hi Combo wins 2 of 5 points we can measure (2 tied). Built from today's prices, the specs and independent tests for these two robots.
| A1 | Hi Combo | Winner | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Price today | $359 | $449 | A1 |
| Build volume | 256 x 256 x 256 mm | 260 x 260 x 300 mm | Hi Combo |
| Top print speed | 500 mm/s | 500 mm/s | Tie |
| Max nozzle temp | 300°C | 300°C | Tie |
| Release year | 2023 | 2025 | Hi Combo |
- You want to spend less (saves $90)
- Best for beginners who want full size multi color prints
- You care most about build volume (260 x 260 x 300 mm vs 256 x 256 x 256 mm)
- You want the newer model (2025 vs 2023)
- Best for cheap multi color PLA printing
- Build volume
- 256 x 256 x 256 mm
- Max speed
- Up to 500 mm/s toolhead
- Multicolor
- Up to 4 colors
- Enclosure
- No
Full size starter printer with optional 4 color AMS lite
Full Bambu Lab A1 review, pros and cons →- Build volume
- 260 x 260 x 300 mm
- Max speed
- Up to 500 mm/s
- Multicolor
- Yes
- Enclosure
- No
Budget multi color bed slinger with a 4 spool CFS and RFID
Full Creality Hi Combo review, pros and cons →Side by side
| Bambu Lab A1 | Creality Hi Combo | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $359 | $449 |
| 3 year cost | $359 | $449 |
| Our score | Not scored yet | Not scored yet |
| Rank in 3D printers | #36 | #41 |
| Status | on sale | on sale |
| Warranty | 2 years (Bambu Lab US store product page) | n/a |
| Build volume | 256 x 256 x 256 mm | 260 x 260 x 300 mm (Tom's Hardware) |
| Print speed | Up to 500 mm/s toolhead speed, 10,000 mm/s2 acceleration (Bambu Lab) | Up to 500 mm/s (Creality); All3DP says about 300 mm/s is typical |
| Multi color | Up to 4 colors with one AMS lite (Combo version); AMS units need the AMS HUB accessory | Yes, 4 colors with the included CFS, up to 16 with four chained units (Creality); single nozzle, so it purges on each swap |
| Enclosure | No, open frame; Bambu Lab does not recommend enclosing it | No, open bed slinger; All3DP notes a covered design that hides moving parts |
| Auto leveling | Yes, full auto calibration of Z offset, bed level, vibration and nozzle pressure before each print | Yes, automatic Z leveling with an optional pre print recheck (Tom's Hardware) |
| Max nozzle temp | 300 C | 300 C (Tom's Hardware, All3DP) |
| Heated bed | Yes, up to 100 C | Yes, 1,000 W bed that heats in about a minute (All3DP); bed max temperature not stated |
| Filament types | Ideal: PLA, PETG, TPU, PVA. ABS, ASA, PC, PA and fiber filled types only for small, low infill parts | PLA and PETG; Tom's Hardware found it cannot print TPU even with the CFS bypassed |
| Connectivity | Bambu cloud service or LAN only mode; app and PC control | USB, LAN, Creality Cloud and app; RFID readers on printer and CFS (Tom's Hardware) |
| Camera | Yes, low frame rate camera up to 1080p with timelapse | Yes; All3DP notes it is on and streams to Creality Print by default |
| Noise | As low as 49 dB (Bambu Lab claim) | Quiet in standard mode, louder in ultra fast mode, and the metal purge wiper is loud (Tom's Hardware) |
| Assembly | Ships mostly assembled | Partial setup; All3DP found CFS and filament buffer setup unclear |
| Weight | 8.3 kg net; 465 x 410 x 430 mm | 11.58 kg; 409 x 392 x 477 mm without CFS (Tom's Hardware); over 700 mm wide with the CFS beside it (All3DP) |
| Best for | beginners who want full size multi color prints | cheap multi color PLA printing |
| Skip if | you print ABS or ASA often | you need TPU or low purge waste |
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 Hi Combo
- Tom's Hardware: Benchy in 32 min 33 s at standard settings with no ringing. A 4 color PETG fairy door used 32.32 g of filament and wasted 23.25 g in purge. A 2 color PLA fidget took 9 h 20 min with 0.64 g waste. Could not print TPU. Source
- All3DP: Called it a by the books single nozzle multicolor printer worth the price, with early adopter caveats. A multicolor test took just over 10 hours and about 260 g of filament, where a Prusa MK4 with MMU3 used under half the filament. Saw clogs, firmware bugs and limited third party filament support. Source
Questions buyers ask
Which is better, the Bambu Lab A1 or the Creality Hi Combo?
Pick the Bambu Lab A1 for beginners who want full size multi color prints. Pick the Creality Hi Combo for cheap multi color PLA printing.
Which is cheaper?
The Bambu Lab A1 at $359, versus $449 for the Creality Hi Combo, checked Nov 4, 2026.
What is the difference between the A1 and the Hi Combo?
Build volume: 256 x 256 x 256 mm on the A1, 260 x 260 x 300 mm (Tom's Hardware) on the Hi Combo. Print speed: Up to 500 mm/s toolhead speed, 10,000 mm/s2 acceleration (Bambu Lab) on the A1, Up to 500 mm/s (Creality); All3DP says about 300 mm/s is typical on the Hi Combo. Multi color: Up to 4 colors with one AMS lite (Combo version); AMS units need the AMS HUB accessory on the A1, Yes, 4 colors with the included CFS, up to 16 with four chained units (Creality); single… on the Hi Combo.
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