Bambu Lab refill or filament on a spool?

Most Bambu Lab filament in our shop comes two ways: filament on a spool, ready to load, or a refill – the same filament without the plastic spool. Here's how to choose, and how to fit a refill.

By GRP 3D, Aberbeeg · Updated 7 November 2026 · Facts from Bambu Lab, sources below

The short answer

A refill is the filament coil only. It goes onto a Bambu reusable spool that you already have.
Filament on a spool comes on a reusable spool, ready to load. Buy this if you don't have a spool yet, or want to keep more colours loaded.
Once a refill is on a reusable spool, it is used just like a spool you bought filled.

Prices today

Live prices from our shop. Prices can change; the product page is always right.
Filament	Refill	On a spool
Bambu Lab PLA Basic	£15.99	£19.99
Bambu Lab PLA Matte	£15.99	£19.99
Bambu Lab PETG Basic	£15.99	£19.99
Bambu Lab PETG HF	£15.99	£19.99
Bambu Lab TPU for AMS	£29.99	£32.99

An empty Bambu reusable spool costs £10.99. We sometimes have used reusable spools too.

Which reusable spool do I need?

Bambu Lab makes two reusable spools. Check the temperature rating against the filament you want to put on it.

Bambu reusable spools (Bambu Lab figures).
Spool	Made from	Use it for
Low Temp (up to 70 °C), white	ABS	PLA, PETG
High Temp (up to 90 °C), black	ABS + PC	PLA, PETG, ABS, ASA, PA6-GF, ABS-GF, PAHT-CF, PET-CF, PA6-CF, PC, TPU

Both are sold as options on our Bambu Reusable Spool page. Several Bambu Lab filaments – including ABS, ASA, TPU for AMS and PVA – come on the high-temperature spool when you buy them on a spool.

How to fit a refill

This is Bambu Lab's method, in short. Their wiki has a video.

Take the refill out of its packaging. If it has a clear plastic strap, leave it on for now.
Open the reusable spool by turning it anticlockwise. The wide half has a clip.
Line up the notch in the refill's cardboard core with the clip, press the filament firmly onto the wide half, then put the narrow half back on.
Turn the narrow half clockwise until you hear a soft click, so the spool is locked.
Peel the strap back near the filament end, push the end into the round hole on the spool, then take the rest of the strap off.
Check both sides. If there's a gap between the coil and the spool, press the coil in by hand so it can't tangle.
Swap the old label on the spool for the one that came with the refill.

Refills, the AMS and drying

Bambu Lab's AMS units take spools 50–68 mm wide and 197–202 mm across – the size of a Bambu reusable spool.
Bambu Lab recommends plastic spools that fit the AMS properly. If you use cardboard spools from other brands, use a spool adapter ring.
To dry a refill (in an AMS 2 Pro, AMS HT or on a heated bed), fit it on a reusable spool first.

Less plastic waste

Bambu Lab says building its filament system around a reusable spool cuts plastic waste in filament use by at least 20%. Every refill you buy is one less spool.

Questions we get asked

Does a Bambu Lab refill come with a spool?

No. A refill is the filament only. You fit it onto a Bambu reusable spool, which we sell separately.

Is a refill the same filament as the spool version?

Yes. For example, Bambu Lab PLA Basic is 1 kg of the same filament whether you buy the refill or the filament on a spool. Only the spool is different.

Which reusable spool do I need for ABS, ASA or TPU?

The High Temp reusable spool (black, up to 90 °C). The Low Temp spool (white, up to 70 °C) is for PLA and PETG only.

Can I use a refill in the AMS?

Yes, once it is fitted on a Bambu reusable spool. Check that the filament itself is listed as compatible with your AMS.

Can I dry a refill?

Yes, but Bambu Lab says to fit it on a reusable spool first, then dry it in an AMS 2 Pro, AMS HT or on a heated bed.

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

Specifications are Bambu Lab's own figures. Prices and stock come live from our shop and can change.