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Comparing the Bambu Lab A1 and Prusa MK4
Bambu Lab A1
(~10.25 x 10.25 x 10.25 in)
Vs.
Prusa MK4
(~10 x 8.25 x 8.75 in)
About the Bambu Lab A1
The Bambu Lab A1 is a midrange 3D printer that offers fast print speeds, advanced sensors, and above-average print quality. Its 256 x 256 x 256 mm build volume is slightly larger than machines such as the Creality Ender 3 series, and matches that of the Bambu P1P and X1C. It's notably larger than the 180 x 180 x 180 mm build volume of the A1 Mini, making it a clear upgrade from that machine. The A1 uses a Cartesian "bedslinger" design, in which the X axis raises on a gantry and the bed moves back and forth along the Y axis. This design is shared with many other 3D printers in the A1's price range, but is unusual for Bambu Lab--most of their other machines use the CoreXY motion system instead. The motion system on the A1 uses linear rails to decrease vibration, allowing for high print speeds. Similar to Bambu's other printers, the A1 includes a direct drive extruder with an all-metal hot end capable of heating to 300°C, allowing it to print most standard filament types, including flexible filament. However, since the printer isn't enclosed, it won't be an ideal choice for printing materials such as ABS and ASA that benefit from an enclosure. The A1 includes advanced firmware features and sensors that should improve its print quality and ease of use compared to other 3D printers in its price class. In addition to automatic bed leveling and Z offset calibration (which is starting to become a common feature in printers in this class), the A1 includes a sensor in the hot end which allows it to calibrate the flow rate of the filament to further improve print quality. Like the rest of Bambu's lineup, the A1 includes WiFi connectivity and has an integrated camera. These features allow you to monitor and control the printer remotely using the Bambu Studio computer application or the Bambu Handy smartphone app. The A1 is also available in a bundle with the Bambu Lab AMS Lite, a multi-material system that allows the A1 to print with up to 4 different filament spools at once. The Bambu A1 shares many of its fundamental specs with a number of 3D printers from other manufacturers, many of which come in at a lower price. However, its advanced firmware features, overall build quality, and convenience features such as the integrated camera and flow rate sensor give it a few key advantages over its competition that may make it worth a look as a more premium option in its class.
A close up of the hot end shows the convenient breakout board for the hot end components, making replacement much easier than previous models. (Image from prusa3d.com)
About the Prusa MK4
The Prusa MK4 is the newest addition to Prusa's line of 3D printers, introducing various enhancements compared to the MK3S+. It has a build volume of 210 x 210 x 250 mm and is designed for reliable and precise prints. The MK4 features an improved auto-bed leveling system, employing a strain system with a Hall sensor, which is faster and more reliable than the previous model. The direct drive extruder of the MK4 incorporates a Nextruder Planetary Gear System (10:1 gearbox ratio) for increased precision and performance. Although the blower-style fan is not a new feature, it continues to provide effective part cooling for better quality overhangs. The MK4 also simplifies filament feeding with a fully automated process, removing the need to navigate the user interface. Additionally, the user experience is enhanced with a 3.5-inch touchscreen interface, an improvement over the MK3S+'s. Connectivity options in the MK4 have been expanded to include USB, SD card, Ethernet, and optional Wi-Fi support. The Prusa community continues to provide resources, troubleshooting tips, and user-created upgrades. Note: As of April 17, 2024, Prusa has released a new version of firmware for the MK4 and other models that adds capability to the printer without the need for any hardware changes or upgrades. A feature was improved that allows users to cancel a single object on a print job that contains several different objects, which is useful to partially salvage a multi-object print if one happens to come loose during printing. The printer also now can be used in “Stealth Mode”, which will adjust parameters to create less noise while taking slightly longer to complete the print. In the extruder, a detection parameter was added to determine if filament is stuck, which is again very useful to catch this failure early on and avoid making a mess or damaging hardware. The biggest update, however, is the fact that the MK4 is now touch screen enabled. Prusa included touchscreen hardware in the printer from the very beginning, but did not make that capability a priority in development. This should make navigating the printer’s menus quicker and more user friendly, which was previously a huge drawback of the MK4’s display.
Click here to view the Bambu Lab A1 on the Bambu Lab website.
Click here to view the Prusa MK4 on Prusa3d.com.
You can find a side-by-side comparison of the specifications for these two printers in the table below:
Details & Specifications
Bambu Lab A1
Prusa MK4
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.
Prusa
Prusa Research is a well-known brand in the 3D printing industry, focusing on high-end, premium 3D printers at moderate to high cost. The company is one of the original 3D printer manufacturers, basing their designs on the early open-source RepRap project. They are known for well-made, top-performing, and innovative 3D printers, with extensive documentation and excellent customer support.