Bambu Lab A1 vs Creality K2
Researched by Riley Hart · prices checked Nov 4, 2026
As of Nov 4, 2026, the Bambu Lab A1 costs $359 and the Creality K2 costs $399, so the Bambu Lab A1 is $40 cheaper. Pick the Bambu Lab A1 for beginners who want full size multi color prints. Pick the Creality K2 for budget enclosed multi color printing. The Creality K2 wins 3 of 6 points we can measure (1 tied).
Who wins, point by point
The Creality K2 wins 3 of 6 points we can measure (1 tied). Built from today's prices, the specs and independent tests for these two robots.
| A1 | K2 | Winner | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Price today | $359 | $399 | A1 |
| Warranty | 2 years | 1 year | A1 |
| Build volume | 256 x 256 x 256 mm | 260 x 260 x 260 mm | K2 |
| Top print speed | 500 mm/s | 600 mm/s | K2 |
| Max nozzle temp | 300°C | 300°C | Tie |
| Release year | 2023 | 2025 | K2 |
- You want to spend less (saves $40)
- You care most about warranty (2 years vs 1 year)
- Best for beginners who want full size multi color prints
- You care most about build volume (260 x 260 x 260 mm vs 256 x 256 x 256 mm)
- You care most about top print speed (600 mm/s vs 500 mm/s)
- You want the newer model (2025 vs 2023)
- Best for budget enclosed multi color 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 260 mm
- Max speed
- Up to 600 mm/s
- Multicolor
- Yes
- Enclosure
- Yes
Affordable enclosed CoreXY printer with optional 4 color CFS
Full Creality K2 review, pros and cons →Side by side
| Bambu Lab A1 | Creality K2 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $359 | $399 |
| 3 year cost | $359 | $399 |
| Our score | Not scored yet | Not scored yet |
| Rank in 3D printers | #36 | #38 |
| Status | on sale | on sale |
| Warranty | 2 years (Bambu Lab US store product page) | 1 year (Creality store) |
| Build volume | 256 x 256 x 256 mm | 260 x 260 x 260 mm (Creality) |
| Print speed | Up to 500 mm/s toolhead speed, 10,000 mm/s2 acceleration (Bambu Lab) | Up to 600 mm/s (Creality) |
| Multi color | Up to 4 colors with one AMS lite (Combo version); AMS units need the AMS HUB accessory | Yes with the CFS (included in the Combo), 4 spools per unit and up to 16 colors with four units (Creality); CFS cannot feed TPU and has no active drying (Notebookcheck) |
| Enclosure | No, open frame; Bambu Lab does not recommend enclosing it | Yes, enclosed chamber without active heating (Notebookcheck) |
| Auto leveling | Yes, full auto calibration of Z offset, bed level, vibration and nozzle pressure before each print | Yes, smart auto leveling of the target print area (Creality) |
| Max nozzle temp | 300 C | 300 C (Notebookcheck, The Gadgeteer) |
| Heated bed | Yes, up to 100 C | Yes, up to 100 C, double sided textured PEI plate (Notebookcheck) |
| Filament types | Ideal: PLA, PETG, TPU, PVA. ABS, ASA, PC, PA and fiber filled types only for small, low infill parts | PLA, PETG, ABS, PLA CF (The Gadgeteer); TPU only through the external feed (Notebookcheck) |
| Connectivity | Bambu cloud service or LAN only mode; app and PC control | Wi-Fi, USB Type A; Creality Print desktop, web and phone apps (Notebookcheck) |
| Camera | Yes, low frame rate camera up to 1080p with timelapse | No nozzle camera, per Notebookcheck; Creality lists print failure detection |
| Noise | As low as 49 dB (Bambu Lab claim) | Creality says it runs as quietly as typing on a laptop; The Gadgeteer measured about 46 dB across its K2 series test units |
| Assembly | Ships mostly assembled | Ready to print in about an hour including calibration and a software update (Notebookcheck) |
| Weight | 8.3 kg net; 465 x 410 x 430 mm | 18.3 kg without CFS; 404 x 436 x 545 mm (Notebookcheck, The Gadgeteer) |
| Best for | beginners who want full size multi color prints | budget enclosed multi color printing |
| Skip if | you print ABS or ASA often | you need a heated chamber |
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 K2
- Notebookcheck: Ready to print in about an hour. A 20 mm calibration cube measured within 0.005 mm, threads worked down to M3 and overhangs to 70 degrees printed without supports. Auto filament changes were reliable; one clog cleared in minutes. Cons were no heated chamber and no CFS drying. Source
- The Gadgeteer: Tested alongside the K2 Pro. A fidget, a fine loop mesh and a PLA pirate ship (with noticeable stringing in the sail gaps) printed fine, but a chainmail style print failed twice. Called it a strong pick for buyers who want a cheaper feature rich printer. Source
Questions buyers ask
Which is better, the Bambu Lab A1 or the Creality K2?
Pick the Bambu Lab A1 for beginners who want full size multi color prints. Pick the Creality K2 for budget enclosed multi color printing.
Which is cheaper?
The Bambu Lab A1 at $359, versus $399 for the Creality K2, checked Nov 4, 2026.
What is the difference between the A1 and the K2?
Build volume: 256 x 256 x 256 mm on the A1, 260 x 260 x 260 mm (Creality) on the K2. Print speed: Up to 500 mm/s toolhead speed, 10,000 mm/s2 acceleration (Bambu Lab) on the A1, Up to 600 mm/s (Creality) on the K2. Multi color: Up to 4 colors with one AMS lite (Combo version); AMS units need the AMS HUB accessory on the A1, Yes with the CFS (included in the Combo), 4 spools per unit and up to 16 colors with… on the K2.
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