Head to head
Bambu Lab A1 vs P1S (2026)
Bambu Lab A1 vs P1S compared: open vs enclosed, price, filaments, and which printer you should buy.
#1 in our rankings · Best overall
Bambu Lab A1
Best for: First-time buyers who want fast, reliable FDM printing without calibration headaches.
#2 in our rankings · Best enclosed
Bambu Lab P1S
Best for: Makers who print engineering filaments and want multi-color without an open frame.
Our recommendation
Buy the A1 if you print PLA and PETG and want the simplest, most affordable path to great prints. Buy the P1S if you print ABS or ASA, want full AMS multi-color, or run long unattended sessions where the enclosure and filtration matter.
Enclosure and filaments
The P1S is fully enclosed with an activated carbon filter; the A1 is open. This is the fundamental split: ABS, ASA, and nylon print reliably in the P1S and warp on the A1. For PLA and PETG, both are excellent.
Speed and quality
Both reach 500 mm/s with the same compensation systems, and print quality is very close on common filaments. The P1S has a small edge on warp-prone materials thanks to chamber heat.
Interface and multi-color
The A1 has a touchscreen; the P1S uses a dial plus app. For multi-color, the A1 takes the cheaper AMS lite while the P1S takes the full AMS with more capacity and filament backup.
Choose Bambu Lab A1 if…
- You print PLA and PETG almost exclusively
- You want the lowest cost of entry to quality printing
- You prefer a touchscreen and simpler setup
Choose Bambu Lab P1S if…
- You print ABS, ASA, or nylon
- You want full AMS multi-color with filament backup
- You run long prints and value filtration and enclosure
Spec-by-spec comparison
| Spec | Bambu Lab A1 | Bambu Lab P1S |
|---|---|---|
| Price tier | Mid-range | Premium |
| Technology | FDM, CoreXY-style bed slinger | FDM, enclosed CoreXY |
| Build volume | 256 x 256 x 256 mm | 256 x 256 x 256 mm |
| Max speed | 500 mm/s | 500 mm/s |
| Calibration | Fully automatic | — |
| Multi-color | Optional AMS lite | AMS compatible |
| Filtration | — | Activated carbon filter |
| Best for | First-time buyers who want fast, reliable FDM printing without calibration headaches. | Makers who print engineering filaments and want multi-color without an open frame. |
| Skip if | You need an enclosed chamber for ABS or ASA. | You only print PLA and want the simplest setup. |
Strengths and limitations
Bambu Lab A1
Strengths
- Prints at up to 500 mm/s with excellent quality
- Fully automatic calibration and flow compensation
- Optional AMS lite adds affordable multi-color printing
Limitations
- Open frame limits high-temperature filaments
- Requires notable desk space
- Cloud-dependent features need a Bambu account
Bambu Lab P1S
Strengths
- Enclosed chamber handles ABS and ASA well
- Same 500 mm/s performance as the flagship line
- Full AMS support for up to 16 colors
Limitations
- No touchscreen, controlled via app or dial
- Louder than open-frame printers
- Heavier and less portable
How they fit the wider field
- Bambu Lab A1: ranked #1 (Best overall) in The Best 3D Printers. Read the full Bambu Lab A1 review.
- Bambu Lab P1S: ranked #2 (Best enclosed) in The Best 3D Printers. Read the full Bambu Lab P1S review.
Neither one quite right? The full rankings cover 10 picks matched to different buyers.
Made your call?
Questions, answered
Can I upgrade the A1 to an enclosure later?
No official enclosure exists for the A1. If you think you will need one, buy the P1S from the start.
Which is quieter?
The A1 is generally quieter in normal use; the P1S enclosure contains noise but its fans work harder. Both have quiet modes.