Get the Bambu Lab A1 if:
- You print PLA, PETG and TPU.
- You want the lighter, open-frame printer.
- You don’t need ABS or ASA.
The short answer
Our overall pick: the Bambu Lab P1S, because its enclosure and filter let it print more filament types.
PLA and PETG on an open, lighter printer? A1
ABS, ASA and an enclosed printer? P1S
Both print up to 256 x 256 x 256 mm at up to 500 mm/s with an all-metal 300°C hot end and a 100°C bed. The P1S adds an enclosure with an activated carbon filter, doubles the acceleration and lists ABS, ASA and PET as ideal filaments, with PA and PC as capable. The A1 is the lighter open-frame printer for PLA, PETG and TPU.
Best for PLA and PETG
Pick the Bambu Lab A1 if
- You mostly print PLA, PETG, TPU or PVA, the filaments Bambu Lab lists as ideal for it.
- You want the lighter printer: 8.3 kg against 12.95 kg.
- You want the camera with up to 1080p plus tangle and odometry sensors.
The Amazon listing (model PF002-A) is sold by Bambu Lab Store and ships from Amazon. It also offers an A1 Combo + LED Kit; pick the plain A1 if you don’t want the bundle.
See the A1 on Amazon Check the A1 at BambuBest for ABS, ASA and enclosed printing
Pick the Bambu Lab P1S if
- You want to print ABS and ASA, which Bambu Lab lists as ideal for the P1S.
- You want an enclosure with an activated carbon filter.
- You want the faster 20,000 mm/s² acceleration and AMS support for up to 16 colors with 4 AMS units.
The Amazon listing (item model P1S) is sold by Bambu Lab Store. It also offers a P1S Combo with AMS; pick the plain P1S if you don’t want the AMS.
See the P1S on Amazon Check the P1S at BambuBefore you buy: Bambu Lab suggests leaving 500 x 500 x 950 mm of space for the P1S. Multi-color printing needs an AMS (P1S) or AMS lite (A1), sold separately or in a Combo. Listings change, so check the model and what’s in the box before you order.
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. I may also earn a commission from Bambu Lab links.
Key specs
3A1
spec rows won
spec rows won
4P1S
spec rows won
spec rows won
10even or
unclear
unclear
The P1S wins on acceleration, max flow, enclosure and filaments. The A1 wins on sensors, screen and weight. Build volume, top speed, hot end and bed temperature are the same.
A green check marks the clearly better spec for most people. No check means a tie, a gap that depends on how you work, or a spec marked Unknown. Figures come from Bambu Lab’s spec pages, US store page, wiki and P1S Quick Start guide; Amazon-only facts are labeled.
| A1 | P1S | |
|---|---|---|
| Build volume | 256 x 256 x 256 mm | 256 x 256 x 256 mm (Bambu Studio default height 250 mm) |
| Max speed | 500 mm/s | 500 mm/s |
| Acceleration | 10,000 mm/s² | 20,000 mm/s² |
| Max flow | 28 mm³/s (Bambu ABS test) | 32 mm³/s (same ABS test, Bambu wiki) |
| Hot end | All-metal, up to 300°C | All-metal, up to 300°C |
| Max bed temp | 100°C | 100°C |
| Nozzle | 0.4 mm stainless (0.2/0.6/0.8 optional) | 0.4 mm stainless (0.2/0.6/0.8 optional) |
| Extruder | Hardened steel gears; filament cutter (drive type not listed) | Direct drive; steel gears (Bambu wiki) |
| Enclosure | Open frame | Enclosed, activated carbon filter |
| Multi-color | One AMS lite (4 colors); full AMS units need the AMS Hub | AMS, up to 16 colors with 4 units; AMS 2 Pro compatible |
| Ideal filaments | PLA, PETG, TPU, PVA | PLA, PETG, TPU, PVA, PET, ABS, ASA (PA, PC capable) |
| Sensors | Camera up to 1080p (low frame rate), runout, odometry, tangle, power-loss recovery | Camera 1280 x 720 at 0.5 fps, runout, power-loss recovery (odometry with an AMS) |
| Screen | 3.5 in touch (320 x 240) | 2.7 in, 192 x 64, button control (plus app and PC) |
| Max power at 110 V | 350 W | 350 W |
| Size | 465 x 410 x 430 mm | 389 x 389 x 458 mm (500 x 500 x 950 mm space suggested) |
| Weight | 8.3 kg (18.3 lb) | 12.95 kg (28.6 lb) |
| Warranty | 2 years (US) | 2 years (US) |
Spec notes and unknowns
- P1S network and storage specs: Unknown. They aren’t on the maker pages we checked.
- Max flow for both is Bambu Lab’s own test: a 150 x 150 mm single wall in Bambu ABS at 280°C.
- A1 extruder drive type: not listed. The A1 spec page lists hardened steel extruder gears and a filament cutter.
- The A1 FAQ says to fit a hardened steel nozzle for carbon- or glass-fiber filament, and Bambu Lab still lists those filaments as not recommended for the A1.
- Warranty: 2 years for US consumers under Bambu Lab’s warranty policy (updated September 22, 2026). Some parts have a 3-month term, and consumables have no warranty term. Units bought from the Bambu Store US/CA that were still in their original 1-year window on August 14, 2026 were extended to 2 years.
- The P1S lists carbon- and glass-fiber filaments as not recommended without a hot end and extruder upgrade.
- The P1S chamber isn’t actively heated; it warms from the heatbed (P1 FAQ).
- Noise: the A1 FAQ lists around 48 dB in silent mode. Bambu Lab doesn’t publish a P1S figure on the pages we checked.
Where the sources disagree
- P1S weight and size: Amazon lists 17.7 kg (38.9 lb) and package-like dimensions that don’t match each other. We use Bambu Lab’s 12.95 kg and 389 x 389 x 458 mm.
- A1 weight: Amazon lists 10 kg (22 lb). We use Bambu Lab’s 8.3 kg.
- P1S build height: the store page lists 256 mm, with a footnote that Bambu Studio defaults to 250 mm.
- P1S height: the US store and P1 FAQ list 458 mm; the wiki unboxing table lists 457 mm. We use 458 mm.
- P1S filaments: the US store lists PLA, PETG, TPU, PVA, PET, ABS and ASA as ideal and PA and PC as capable; the wiki unboxing table lists all of them as ideal. We use the store table.
What it can do
Common print jobs, judged only from Bambu Lab’s build volume, enclosure and filament lists.
- 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 | P1S |
|---|---|---|
| Print size | ||
| Part up to 250 mm | Can do256 mm build volume. | Can do256 mm build volume; Bambu Studio defaults to 250 mm height. |
| Filaments | ||
| PLA, PETG or TPU | Can doListed as ideal. | Can doListed as ideal. |
| ABS or ASA | Can’tNot recommended by Bambu Lab. | Can doListed as ideal. |
| PA or PC | Can’tNot recommended by Bambu Lab. | Just barelyListed as capable, not ideal. |
| Carbon-fiber filament | Can’tNot recommended. | Just barelyNot recommended without a hot end and extruder upgrade. |
| Extras | ||
| Multi-color prints | Just barelyNeeds the AMS lite. | Just barelyNeeds an AMS; up to 16 colors with 4 units. |
| Filtered enclosure | Can’tOpen frame. | Can doEnclosed with an activated carbon filter. |
Notes and sources
Sources: bambulab.com US A1 tech-spec page; us.store.bambulab.com P1S page; the Bambu wiki P1S unboxing page, P1 FAQ and A1 FAQ; Bambu Lab’s US warranty policy (updated September 22, 2026); bambulab.com/en-us/p1 and Bambu Lab’s P1S Quick Start PDF. Checked November 11, 2026.
Who should buy which
Get the Bambu Lab P1S if:
- You want ABS and ASA, or PA and PC.
- You want the enclosure and carbon filter.
- You can leave the 500 x 500 x 950 mm space Bambu Lab suggests.
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. I may also earn a commission from Bambu Lab links.
Skip it if
Skip the A1
Skip it if you want to print ABS, ASA, PC or PA: Bambu Lab lists them as not recommended on the A1.
Skip the P1S
Skip it if you only print PLA and PETG and want the lighter printer; the A1 matches its build volume and top speed.
Questions about this pair
Is the P1S faster than the A1?
Both top out at 500 mm/s. The P1S lists 20,000 mm/s² acceleration against 10,000 mm/s² for the A1.
Can the A1 print ABS?
Bambu Lab lists ABS, ASA, PC, PA, PET and carbon- or glass-fiber filaments as not recommended for the A1. It lists ABS and ASA as ideal for the P1S, with PA and PC as capable.
Do they have the same build volume?
Yes, 256 x 256 x 256 mm. Bambu Lab notes that Bambu Studio defaults the P1S to 250 mm height.
Does the P1S have a touchscreen?
No. The Bambu wiki lists a 2.7 in, 192 x 64 screen on the P1S, controlled with buttons, the Bambu app or a PC. The A1 has a 3.5 in touchscreen.
How many AMS units can each use?
The P1S takes up to 4 AMS units, for 16 colors. The A1 takes one AMS lite (4 colors); full-size AMS, AMS 2 Pro and AMS HT units need Bambu Lab’s AMS Hub.
Is the P1S chamber heated?
No. Bambu Lab’s P1 FAQ says the chamber isn’t actively heated; it warms from the heatbed and can’t be precisely controlled.
How loud is the A1?
Around 48 dB in silent mode, per Bambu Lab’s A1 FAQ. Bambu Lab doesn’t publish a P1S noise figure on the pages we checked.
What warranty do they have in the US?
2 years for US consumers under Bambu Lab’s warranty policy (updated September 22, 2026). Some parts have a 3-month term, and consumables have no warranty term. Units bought from the Bambu Store US/CA that were still in their original 1-year window on August 14, 2026 were extended to 2 years. The same policy covers both printers.
How is the P1S different from the P1P?
The P1S adds a full enclosure, an activated carbon filter and auxiliary, chamber and control-board fans as standard, and lists ABS and ASA as ideal. Bambu Lab says the P1P reached end of life on February 10, 2026.