Bambu Lab printer comparison
We sell the full Bambu Lab range. The big choices are open frame or enclosed (which decides the materials you can print), build size, and how many colours or materials you want in one print.
By GRP 3D, Aberbeeg · Updated · Facts from Bambu Lab, sources below
Every printer side by side
| Printer | Frame | Build size (mm) | Top speed | Nozzle | Bed max | Materials | Multi-colour | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| A1 mini | Open | 180 × 180 × 180 | 500 mm/s | Stainless steel, 300 °C | 80 °C | PLA, PETG, TPU, PVA | AMS lite (Combo) | from £149 |
| A1 | Open | 256 × 256 × 256 | 500 mm/s | Stainless steel, 300 °C | 100 °C | PLA, PETG, TPU, PVA | AMS lite (Combo) | from £209 |
| A2L | Open | 330 × 320 × 325 | 500 mm/s | Stainless steel, 300 °C | 80 °C | PLA, PETG, TPU, supports | Up to 4 AMS + 1 AMS lite | from £319 |
| P1S | Enclosed | 256 × 256 × 256 | 500 mm/s | Stainless steel, 300 °C | 100 °C | PLA, PETG, TPU, ABS, ASA | Up to 4 AMS units | from £329 |
| P2S | Enclosed | 256 × 256 × 256 | 600 mm/s | Hardened steel, 300 °C | 110 °C | Also PA, PC and carbon/glass fibre filaments | Up to 4 AMS 2 Pro + 4 AMS HT | from £529 |
| H2S | Enclosed, heated chamber to 65 °C | 340 × 320 × 340 | 1000 mm/s | Hardened steel, 350 °C | 120 °C | Engineering materials incl. PC, PA, PPS | Up to 4 AMS 2 Pro + 8 AMS HT | from £1,024 |
| H2D | Enclosed, heated chamber to 65 °C | 325 × 320 × 325 (one nozzle) | 1000 mm/s | Two hardened steel nozzles, 350 °C | 120 °C | Engineering materials incl. PPA-CF, PPS-CF | Up to 4 AMS 2 Pro + 8 AMS HT | from £1,364 |
| H2C | Enclosed, heated chamber to 65 °C | 325 × 320 × 320 (left nozzle) | 1000 mm/s | Two nozzles + Vortek hotend changer, 350 °C | 120 °C | Engineering materials | Up to 4 AMS 2 Pro + 8 AMS HT | from £1,974 |
| H3C | Enclosed, heated chamber to 65 °C | 330 × 320 × 325 | 1400 mm/s | Up to 9 PrintTools, hardened steel, 350 °C | 120 °C | Widest range, incl. PP, PE and 2.85 mm TPU | AMS 3H (9 spools) included | from £2,274 |
Which one is right for you?
- First printer, small desk, lowest cost: A1 mini. Very quiet, calibrates itself, prints PLA, PETG and TPU.
- First printer, full size: A1. Both A1 models come as a Combo with the AMS lite for 4-colour printing.
- Big prints on a budget, mainly PLA and PETG: A2L. Optional blade cutter and pen.
- Enclosed all-rounder for ABS and ASA too: P2S – the newer replacement for the P1S.
- Large prints in engineering materials, optional 10 W laser: H2S.
- Two materials at once (for example soluble supports), 10 W or 40 W laser option: H2D.
- Lots of colours with very little waste: H2C, which swaps hotends automatically.
- Bambu Lab's most advanced multi-material printer: the H3C tool changer.
Open frame or enclosed?
The A1 mini, A1 and A2L are open frame. They're made for PLA, PETG and TPU. Bambu Lab doesn't recommend ABS, ASA, PC or nylon on them – those need an enclosed, filtered printer such as the P1S, P2S or H series. The A series also moves the bed back and forth, so leave space in front and behind.
Carbon and glass fibre filaments
Fibre-filled filaments such as PLA-CF and PETG-CF need a hardened steel nozzle. The P2S and the H series have one as standard. The A series and P1S come with stainless steel; you can fit a hardened steel hotend from our hotends range.
Multi-colour
Every printer here can print in several colours with an AMS. See which AMS fits which printer. Combos include an AMS and are usually the simplest way in.
Used printers
We sometimes have tested, used printers such as a used P2S or a used A1 mini. Used units may show light cosmetic wear.
Questions we get asked
P1S or P2S?
The P2S is the newer replacement for the P1S, with the same 256 mm build size. It adds a 5 inch touchscreen, a full HD camera, a hardened steel nozzle as standard, a faster top speed (600 against 500 mm/s), a hotter bed (110 against 100 °C) and dual-band Wi-Fi. A P1S can't be upgraded into a P2S.
A1 mini, A1 or A2L?
All three are open-frame printers for PLA, PETG and TPU with automatic calibration. The main difference is size: 180 mm cube for the A1 mini, 256 mm cube for the A1 and 330 × 320 × 325 mm for the A2L. The A1's bed goes to 100 °C; the A1 mini and A2L to 80 °C.
Can the A1 or A1 mini print ABS?
Bambu Lab doesn't recommend it. The A series is open frame; ABS and ASA need an enclosed printer such as the P2S.
What's the difference between the H2S, H2D and H2C?
They share the same large enclosed body, 350 °C nozzles and 65 °C heated chamber. The H2S has one nozzle and a 10 W laser option. The H2D has two nozzles and a 10 W or 40 W laser option. The H2C adds the Vortek system, which swaps hotends automatically on the right-hand side for many colours with less waste.
Which Bambu Lab printers can laser engrave?
The H2S (10 W) and the H2D and H2C (10 W or 40 W) with the Laser Edition or the Laser Upgrade Kit. The A2L has a blade cutting and pen kit but no laser.
Related
Still not sure?
Call us on 01495 820215 (Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm), email hello@grp3d.shop, or visit our shop in Aberbeeg.
Sources
- Bambu Lab product and specification pages (bambulab.com): A1 mini, A1, A2L, P1S, P2S, H2S, H2D, H2C, H3C
- Bambu Lab UK store product pages
- Bambu Lab Wiki – P2S FAQ
- Bambu Lab Wiki – A1 mini and A1 FAQ
- Bambu Lab Wiki – H2C FAQ
- Bambu Lab Wiki – H3C filament compatibility guide
Specifications are Bambu Lab's own figures. Prices and stock come live from our shop and can change.