Bambu Lab A1 vs Flashforge AD5X
Researched by Riley Hart · prices checked Oct 27, 2026
As of Oct 27, 2026, the Bambu Lab A1 costs $299 and the Flashforge AD5X costs $349, so the Bambu Lab A1 is $50 cheaper. Pick the Bambu Lab A1 for beginners who want full size multi color prints. Pick the Flashforge AD5X for cheap 4 color printing in a small space.
- 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 220 mm
- Max speed
- Up to 300 mm/s print
- Multicolor
- Yes
- Enclosure
- No
The AD5X is one of the cheapest ways to print in four colors, with a small footprint and quick change nozzles. Print quality is excellent for the price. Skip it if you want a camera, an enclosure out of the box or polished software, since reviewers hit slicer crashes.
Full Flashforge AD5X review →Side by side
| Bambu Lab A1 | Flashforge AD5X | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $299 | $349 |
| 3 year cost | $299 | $349 |
| Our score | Not scored yet | Not scored yet |
| Rank in 3D printers | #9 | #11 |
| Status | on sale | on sale |
| Warranty | 2 years (Bambu Lab US store product page) | 1 year limited; 3 months on extruder parts |
| Build volume | 256 x 256 x 256 mm | 220 x 220 x 220 mm |
| Print speed | Up to 500 mm/s toolhead speed, 10,000 mm/s2 acceleration (Bambu Lab) | Up to 300 mm/s print, 600 mm/s travel, 20,000 mm/s² acceleration |
| Multi color | Up to 4 colors with one AMS lite (Combo version); AMS units need the AMS HUB accessory | Yes, 4 colors with the built in IFS |
| Enclosure | No, open frame; Bambu Lab does not recommend enclosing it | No, open frame; DIY enclosure kit sold separately |
| Auto leveling | Yes, full auto calibration of Z offset, bed level, vibration and nozzle pressure before each print | Yes, one click auto leveling |
| Max nozzle temp | 300 C | 300 °C |
| Heated bed | Yes, up to 100 C | Yes, up to 110 °C, PEI steel sheet |
| 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, TPU 64D to 75D, PLA-CF, PETG-CF |
| Connectivity | Bambu cloud service or LAN only mode; app and PC control | Wi-Fi, Ethernet, USB |
| Camera | Yes, low frame rate camera up to 1080p with timelapse | None (Tom's Hardware notes no camera) |
| Noise | As low as 49 dB (Bambu Lab claim) | About 58 dB without the enclosure (ProToolReviews) |
| Assembly | Ships mostly assembled | Three steps: screen, filament holder and multi color module |
| Weight | 8.3 kg net; 465 x 410 x 430 mm | 11.4 kg (Tom's Hardware) |
| Best for | beginners who want full size multi color prints | cheap 4 color printing in a small space |
| Skip if | you print ABS or ASA often | you want a camera or enclosed printing |
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
Flashforge AD5X
- Tom's Hardware: Excellent print quality across PLA, PETG, TPU and ASA, but the Orca based slicer crashed about every third print. A 33 frog plate wasted 11 g over 23 color swaps. Source
- ProToolReviews: Called it a well rounded multicolor printer with sharp prints and reliable runs. Noted about 58 dB noise unless enclosed and suggested the optional enclosure. 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
Flashforge AD5X
Pros
- Low price for 4 color printing
- Compact, spools mount on the side
- Quick change nozzles up to 300 °C
- Wi-Fi and Ethernet built in
Cons
- No camera or built in lighting
- Open frame; enclosure costs extra
- Slicer crashed often in Tom's Hardware testing
- Louder than enclosed printers
Questions buyers ask
Which is better, the Bambu Lab A1 or the Flashforge AD5X?
Pick the Bambu Lab A1 for beginners who want full size multi color prints. Pick the Flashforge AD5X for cheap 4 color printing in a small space.
Which is cheaper?
The Bambu Lab A1 at $299, versus $349 for the Flashforge AD5X, checked Oct 27, 2026.
What is the difference between the A1 and the AD5X?
Build volume: 256 x 256 x 256 mm on the A1, 220 x 220 x 220 mm on the AD5X. Print speed: Up to 500 mm/s toolhead speed, 10,000 mm/s2 acceleration (Bambu Lab) on the A1, Up to 300 mm/s print, 600 mm/s travel, 20,000 mm/s² acceleration on the AD5X. 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 built in IFS on the AD5X.
Also consider
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