Bambu Lab A1 vs P1S: Which 3D Printer Should You Buy in 2025?

The Bambu Lab A1 and P1S are two of the most popular 3D printers on the market—but which one is right for you?

Whether you’re a beginner looking for an easy-to-use machine or an advanced user needing high-performance printing, this in-depth comparison will help you decide.

🔍 Key Differences at a Glance

Feature	Bambu Lab A1	Bambu Lab P1S
Design	Bed-slinger (moving bed)	CoreXY (stationary bed)
Enclosure	Open-frame (optional)	Fully enclosed
Max Speed	500mm/s	500mm/s
Acceleration	10,000 mm/s²	20,000 mm/s²
Hotend Flow Rate	28 mm³/s	32 mm³/s
Build Plate Temp	100°C	110°C
AMS Support	1 AMS Lite (4 colors max)	Up to 4 AMS (16 colors)
Material Compatibility	PLA, PETG, TPU	ABS, ASA, PC, PA, CF
Price (Combo)	$559	$949

🚀 Performance & Print Quality

Speed & Precision

Both printers max out at 500mm/s, but the P1S accelerates twice as fast (20,000 mm/s² vs. 10,000 mm/s²).
CoreXY design (P1S) reduces vibrations, improving print quality at high speeds.
A1’s input shaping helps compensate for bed-slinger limitations but still lags behind CoreXY in precision.

Material Compatibility

A1: Best for PLA, PETG, TPU (open frame limits high-temp materials).
P1S: Handles ABS, ASA, PC, PA, and carbon fiber (enclosure prevents warping).

Winner: P1S for advanced materials, A1 for basic filaments.

🔄 Multi-Color Printing (AMS Support)

A1 Combo: Only supports 1 AMS Lite (4 colors max).
P1S Combo: Supports up to 4 AMS units (16 colors).

If you’re serious about multi-color printing, the P1S is the better long-term investment.

🛠️ Ease of Use & Features

A1 Advantages

✔ Better touchscreen UI (easier file navigation, thumbnails).
✔ Tool-less nozzle swaps (faster maintenance).
✔ Cheaper entry price ( $559 C o mb o v s .$ 949 for P1S).

P1S Advantages

✔ Enclosure = better temperature control.
✔ Higher flow rate (32mm³/s) for faster printing.
✔ Expandable AMS system (up to 16 materials).

Winner: A1 for beginners, P1S for power users.

💰 Price & Value Breakdown

Model	Standalone Price	Combo Price	Best For
A1	$399	$559	Budget users, beginners
P1S	$699	$949	Advanced users, professionals

Is the P1S worth the extra $400?
✅ Yes, if you need:

ABS/ASA/PC printing
Faster acceleration
Expandable AMS
Better large-print reliability

❌ No, if you only print PLA/PETG and want to save money.

🎯 Who Should Buy Which?

Choose the A1 if:

✔ You’re a beginner or hobbyist.
✔ You mostly print PLA, PETG, or TPU.
✔ You want multi-color but don’t need more than 4 materials.
✔ You prefer a lower upfront cost.

Choose the P1S if:

✔ You print ABS, ASA, PC, or carbon fiber.
✔ You want faster, more precise prints.
✔ You plan to expand beyond 4-color printing.
✔ You need better large-print reliability.

🔮 Future-Proofing & Upgrades

The P1S is more upgrade-friendly (supports hardened nozzles, more AMS units).
The A1 is limited to one AMS Lite (no expansion possible).
Rumors of a “P2S” in 2025? If you can wait, Bambu might release an upgraded model.

🏆 Final Verdict

Printer	Best For	Biggest Limitation
A1	Beginners, budget users	No ABS/ASA, limited AMS
P1S	Pros, advanced users	Higher price

If you can afford it, the P1S is the better long-term choice. But if you’re just starting out, the A1 Combo delivers incredible value.

Which one are you getting? Let us know in the comments! 🚀

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