Bambu Lab A1 vs Prusa Research Original Prusa MINI+
Researched by Riley Hart · prices checked Nov 4, 2026
As of Nov 4, 2026, the Bambu Lab A1 costs $359 and the Prusa Research Original Prusa MINI+ costs $549, so the Bambu Lab A1 is $190 cheaper. Pick the Bambu Lab A1 for beginners who want full size multi color prints. Pick the Prusa Research Original Prusa MINI+ for beginners who want small, clean prints and Prusa support. The Bambu Lab A1 wins 5 of 5 points we can measure.
Who wins, point by point
The Bambu Lab A1 wins 5 of 5 points we can measure. Built from today's prices, the specs and independent tests for these two robots.
| A1 | Original Prusa MINI+ | Winner | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Price today | $359 | $549 | A1 |
| Warranty | 2 years | 1 year | A1 |
| Build volume | 256 x 256 x 256 mm | 180 x 180 x 180 mm | A1 |
| Max nozzle temp | 300°C | 280°C | A1 |
| Release year | 2023 | 2020 | A1 |
- You want to spend less (saves $190)
- You care most about warranty (2 years vs 1 year)
- You care most about build volume (256 x 256 x 256 mm vs 180 x 180 x 180 mm)
- Best for beginners who want full size multi color prints
- Best for beginners who want small, clean prints and Prusa support
- 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
- 180 x 180 x 180 mm
- Max speed
- No max speed published
- Multicolor
- No
- Enclosure
- No
Compact semi assembled Prusa for small, high quality prints
Full Prusa Research Original Prusa MINI+ review, pros and cons →Side by side
| Bambu Lab A1 | Prusa Research Original Prusa MINI+ | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $359 | $549 |
| 3 year cost | $359 | $549 |
| Our score | Not scored yet | Not scored yet |
| Rank in 3D printers | #36 | #43 |
| Status | on sale | on sale |
| Warranty | 2 years (Bambu Lab US store product page) | 1 year for buyers outside the EU, including the US (Prusa knowledge base) |
| Build volume | 256 x 256 x 256 mm | 180 x 180 x 180 mm |
| Print speed | Up to 500 mm/s toolhead speed, 10,000 mm/s2 acceleration (Bambu Lab) | No max speed published; Prusa says Input Shaper and Pressure Advance make it faster than before |
| Multi color | Up to 4 colors with one AMS lite (Combo version); AMS units need the AMS HUB accessory | No |
| Enclosure | No, open frame; Bambu Lab does not recommend enclosing it | No, open frame; the store listing is named Enclosure Bundle |
| Auto leveling | Yes, full auto calibration of Z offset, bed level, vibration and nozzle pressure before each print | Yes, automatic mesh bed leveling with the SuperPINDA probe |
| Max nozzle temp | 300 C | 280 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, ASA, ABS, PC, CPE, PVA, PVB, HIPS, PP, Flex, nylon and filled materials (Prusa) |
| Connectivity | Bambu cloud service or LAN only mode; app and PC control | USB port, RJ-45 Ethernet, optional Wi-Fi module; Prusa Connect |
| Camera | Yes, low frame rate camera up to 1080p with timelapse | n/a |
| Noise | As low as 49 dB (Bambu Lab claim) | n/a |
| Assembly | Ships mostly assembled | Semi assembled; includes a free beginner 3D printing course |
| Weight | 8.3 kg net; 465 x 410 x 430 mm | 4.5 kg; 380 x 330 x 380 mm without spool holder and external PSU |
| Best for | beginners who want full size multi color prints | beginners who want small, clean prints and Prusa support |
| Skip if | you print ABS or ASA often | you want a bigger build or multi color for less |
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
Prusa Research Original Prusa MINI+
- Tom's Hardware: Called it professional quality on a small scale and good for newcomers. A torture test model ran over 20 hours without problems; print issues traced back to damp filament. Source
- All3DP: Called it an easy recommendation with exceptional print quality and a great interface. Cons were Bowden extruder problems, no carry handle and Wi-Fi not yet available at review time. Source
Questions buyers ask
Which is better, the Bambu Lab A1 or the Prusa Research Original Prusa MINI+?
Pick the Bambu Lab A1 for beginners who want full size multi color prints. Pick the Prusa Research Original Prusa MINI+ for beginners who want small, clean prints and Prusa support.
Which is cheaper?
The Bambu Lab A1 at $359, versus $549 for the Prusa Research Original Prusa MINI+, checked Nov 4, 2026.
What is the difference between the A1 and the Original Prusa MINI+?
Build volume: 256 x 256 x 256 mm on the A1, 180 x 180 x 180 mm on the Original Prusa MINI+. Print speed: Up to 500 mm/s toolhead speed, 10,000 mm/s2 acceleration (Bambu Lab) on the A1, No max speed published; Prusa says Input Shaper and Pressure Advance make it faster than… on the Original Prusa MINI+. Multi color: Up to 4 colors with one AMS lite (Combo version); AMS units need the AMS HUB accessory on the A1, No on the Original Prusa MINI+.
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