Get the Bambu Lab A1 if:
- You print parts bigger than 220 mm.
- You want a built-in camera.
- You want the lighter printer.
The short answer
Our overall pick: the Flashforge AD5X, because it includes 4-color printing and wins more spec rows.
Multi-color printing without buying add-ons? AD5X
Bigger prints and a built-in camera? A1
The AD5X wins 6 spec rows to 3. It comes with a 4-color filament system, and it has the hotter bed, higher acceleration, bigger screen, Ethernet and a smaller footprint. The A1 prints bigger parts (256 mm against 220 mm), has a built-in camera and weighs less. Both are open-frame printers with 300°C hot ends.
Best for bigger prints
Pick the Bambu Lab A1 if
- You want the bigger build volume: 256 x 256 x 256 mm.
- You want a built-in camera (up to 1080p) and tangle and odometry sensors.
- You mostly print one color, or will add the AMS lite later.
The Amazon listing (model PF002-A) is sold by Bambu Lab Store and ships from Amazon. Pick the plain A1, not the A1 Combo + LED Kit. The plain A1 doesn’t include the AMS lite.
See the A1 on AmazonBest for multi-color out of the box
Pick the Flashforge AD5X if
- You want 4-color printing included: the IFS system comes standard.
- You want the higher 110°C bed and 20,000 mm/s² acceleration.
- You want Ethernet, 8GB built-in storage and a 4.3 in screen.
Seller check: when we looked, the Amazon listing was sold by FilaBeesFLASHFORGE and shipped from Amazon. Check the seller and return terms before you order.
See the AD5X on AmazonBefore you buy: the AD5X’s “600mm/s” headline is travel speed; Flashforge lists print speed up to 300 mm/s. Its camera and chamber lighting are optional add-ons, and it has no enclosure. The plain A1 needs the AMS lite, sold separately, for multi-color printing.
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Key specs
3A1
spec rows won
spec rows won
6AD5X
spec rows won
spec rows won
11even or
unclear
unclear
The AD5X wins on bed temperature, acceleration, multi-color, screen, connectivity and footprint. The A1 wins on build volume, camera and weight.
A green check marks the clearly better spec: more than 5% apart, or a feature only one has. No check means a tie, specs stated differently, or a spec marked Unknown. Figures come from the makers’ spec pages and the AD5X manual.
| A1 | AD5X | |
|---|---|---|
| Build volume | 256 x 256 x 256 mm | 220 x 220 x 220 mm |
| Speed | 500 mm/s max | Print up to 300 mm/s (600 mm/s is travel) |
| Acceleration | 10,000 mm/s² | 20,000 mm/s² |
| Max flow | 28 mm³/s | Unknown |
| Hot end | All-metal, up to 300°C | Up to 300°C, quick-release nozzle (type Unknown) |
| Max bed temp | 100°C | 110°C |
| Nozzle | 0.4 mm stainless (0.2/0.6/0.8 optional) | 0.4 mm (0.25/0.6/0.8 optional); material Unknown |
| Extruder | Unknown | Single |
| Frame | Steel and extruded aluminum, open | CoreXY, open; material Unknown |
| Build plate | Textured PEI, Cool, High Temp, Dual-Texture PEI | PEI flexible steel sheet |
| Multi-color | AMS lite (sold separately or in the Combo) | 4-color IFS included |
| Filaments | PLA, PETG, TPU, PVA | PLA, PETG, TPU, PLA-CF, PETG-CF |
| Camera | Built in, up to 1080p (low frame rate) | Optional add-on |
| Other sensors | Runout, odometry, tangle, power-loss recovery | Pressure-sensor auto leveling, runout, power-loss recovery |
| Screen | 3.5 in touch | 4.3 in color touch |
| Connectivity / storage | Wi-Fi / microSD | Wi-Fi, Ethernet, USB / 8GB built in |
| Size | 465 x 410 x 430 mm | 363 x 402 x 448 mm with screen |
| Weight | 8.3 kg (18.3 lb) | 11.4 kg (25.1 lb) |
| Noise | Unknown (Amazon titles say ≤48 dB, Amazon only) | Unknown |
| Warranty | Unknown | 1 year (3 months on extruder parts) |
Spec notes and unknowns
- Speed is stated differently: Bambu Lab gives one max speed; Flashforge separates print speed (300 mm/s) from travel speed (600 mm/s). No check is given.
- AD5X max flow, frame material, nozzle material and noise: Unknown. They aren’t on Flashforge’s pages we checked.
- A1 warranty and extruder type: Unknown. They aren’t on Bambu Lab’s pages we checked.
- Flashforge recommends TPU95A for single-color printing only. Its IFS isn’t compatible with the AD5M or AD5M Pro.
- The AD5X camera (“Remote Monitoring”) and chamber lighting are listed as expandable add-ons.
Where the sources disagree
- AD5X speed: the “600mm/s Max Speed” headline is travel speed; Flashforge’s spec table and manual list print speed up to 300 mm/s. We use 300 mm/s.
- A1 weight: Amazon lists 10 kg (22 lb). We use Bambu Lab’s 8.3 kg.
What it can do
Common print jobs, judged only from the makers’ build volume, filament and multi-color specs.
- Can do the maker’s specs cover it
- Just barely possible, with a limit or add-on the maker states
- Can’t the maker’s specs rule it out or don’t list it
| Job | A1 | AD5X |
|---|---|---|
| Print size | ||
| Part up to 220 mm | Can do256 mm build volume. | Can do220 mm build volume. |
| Part up to 250 mm | Can do256 mm build volume. | Can’tOver 220 mm. |
| Filaments | ||
| PLA, PETG or TPU | Can doListed as ideal. | Can doListed; TPU95A single-color recommended. |
| Carbon-fiber PLA or PETG | Can’tNot recommended by Bambu Lab. | Can doPLA-CF and PETG-CF listed. |
| Extras | ||
| Multi-color prints | Just barelyNeeds the AMS lite. | Can do4-color IFS included. |
| Watch prints by camera | Can doBuilt-in camera. | Just barelyCamera is an add-on. |
Notes and sources
Sources: bambulab.com US A1 tech-spec page (checked October 16, 2026); flashforge.com AD5X product page, the AD5X user manual (2025-03-12) and wiki.flashforge.com (checked October 20, 2026).
Who should buy which
Get the Flashforge AD5X if:
- You want 4-color printing in the box.
- You print carbon-fiber PLA or PETG.
- You want Ethernet and built-in storage.
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Skip it if
Skip the A1
Skip it if you want multi-color printing without buying the AMS lite or the Combo.
Skip the AD5X
Skip it if your parts are bigger than 220 mm or you want a camera without buying an add-on.
Questions about this pair
Is the AD5X faster than the A1?
Flashforge lists print speed up to 300 mm/s; its 600 mm/s headline is travel speed. Bambu Lab lists 500 mm/s max speed. The two are stated differently, so we don’t call a winner. The AD5X lists higher acceleration: 20,000 against 10,000 mm/s².
Which one prints in multiple colors out of the box?
The AD5X: its 4-color IFS is included. The plain A1 needs the AMS lite, sold separately or in the A1 Combo.
Does the AD5X have a camera?
Not included. Flashforge lists remote monitoring as an add-on. The A1 has a built-in camera up to 1080p.
Is either one enclosed?
No. Both are open-frame printers.