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Comparing the Bambu Lab A1 Mini and Creality Ender 3 V3 SE
Bambu Lab A1 Mini
(~7.25 x 7.25 x 7.25 in)
Vs.
Creality Ender 3 V3 SE
(~8.75 x 8.75 x 10 in)
About the Bambu Lab A1 Mini
The Bambu Lab A1 Mini is an entry-level 3D printer with advanced sensors and printing features that are typically only found on machines in higher price tiers. Its build volume of 180 x 180 x 180 mm (7.1" x 7.1" x 7.1") is smaller than average, and the single Z column design doesn't offer the same physical stability of the standard 2-column or enclosed frame designs found on many other printers. However, the calibration and monitoring features of the A1 Mini may make up for these shortcomings. The A1 Mini includes a direct drive extruder with an all-metal hot end that can heat up to 300°C, allowing it to print most standard filament types, including flexible filament. However, the PEI build plate can only heat up to 80°C, which will limit the printer's ability to print certain materials such as ABS. The Bambu Lab A1 Mini includes advanced firmware features such as vibration compensation and pressure advance, improving print quality. The A1 Mini also includes automatic bed leveling and Z offset calibration to simplify the calibration process. A new flow rate sensor in the hot end allows it to calibrate the flow rate of the filament to further improve printing performance. Similar to other Bambu Lab printers, the A1 Mini includes WiFi connectivity, allowing users to monitor and control the printer with the Bambu Studio computer application or the Bambu Handy smartphone app. A camera mounted in the Z gantry allows for remote monitoring of prints. Our take on the Bambu Lab A1 Mini is that its unconventional design and small build volume may be hard for some users to accept, but the advanced printing features make it worth considering as an entry-level machine. The A1 Mini is more expensive than other entry-level 3D printers, and can't print items as large as some of those machines, but its sensors and firmware features should make it capable of producing higher-quality prints.
The Ender 3 V3 SE has a sleeker appearance than previous Ender 3 Models
About the Creality Ender 3 V3 SE
The Creality Ender 3 V3 SE is an entry-level 3D printer released in 2023. It combines the best features of the Ender 3 V2 Neo and the Ender 3 S1 at a lower price point. This printer stands out for its impressive feature set, especially considering its price. It includes stability improvements such as dual Z-axis leadscrews, CR-touch auto bed leveling, and linear rails on the Y-axis. The Sprite direct drive extruder is another standout feature, making it a preferable choice for printing with flexible filaments like TPU. The printer also includes a modernized control screen that offers detailed insights, such as a graph of the hotend temperature. Overall, the Creality Ender 3 V3 SE offers a good experience for a low price point, although it may lack some premium features. One of the standout features of the Creality Ender 3 V3 SE is its direct drive extruder, which provides better filament control and compatibility with flexible materials. The printer also includes auto bed leveling, ensuring perfect first layers and reducing issues with bed adhesion. The stability improvements, such as dual Z-axis leadscrews and linear rails, contribute to higher printing speeds without sacrificing quality. However, it is worth noting that the printer does not include a touch screen interface, which may be a drawback for some users. Additionally, while the PC coated bed offers great adhesion, removing parts can be difficult, although it is easy to swap for a PEI coated bed for easier part removal. Overall, the Creality Ender 3 V3 SE offers a good entry-level 3D printing experience at an affordable price.
Click here to view the Bambu Lab A1 Mini on the Bambu Lab website.
Click here to view the Creality Ender 3 V3 SE on Amazon.
You can find a side-by-side comparison of the specifications for these two printers in the table below:
Details & Specifications
Bambu Lab A1 Mini
Creality Ender 3 V3 SE
General
Extruder & Hot-end
Physical Characteristics
Usability
Electronics
Where to Buy
Brands Overview
Bambu Lab
Bambu Lab, based in Shenzhen, China, and founded by five ex-DJI engineers, has made notable strides in the 3D printing arena with their unique combination of innovation and user-friendly interfaces. They launched their journey with a successful Kickstarter campaign in 2022, securing over $7 million in funding. Their printer lineup, from the flagship Bambu X1-Carbon to the more affordable Bambu P1P, showcases their commitment to high-performance features while ensuring ease of use, making them a rising competitor in the 3D printing industry.
Creality
Creality is the largest manufacturer of consumer 3D printers, and is a well-known brand in the 3D printing industry, offering a range of printers for various budgets and needs. Creality, based in Shenzhen, China, was founded in 2014. Their initial product was the CR-3, followed by the CR-10 in 2017 with a much larger build volume than anything else in the same price range. The Creality Ender 3, released in 2019, greatly expanded the market for low cost 3D printers. Creality has an extensive lineup of 3D printers, covering budget, midrange, premium, and professional categories. Their cost-effective approach includes using off-the-shelf components, open design, shipping printers in kit form, and aluminum extrusions for frames and gantries. Creality offers so many options that it can be overwhelming to choose between all of the available models, so its important to have an understanding of what features are important to you when shopping for a Creality 3D printer.