Comparing the Bambu Lab P1S and Bambu Lab X1 Carbon Combo

About the Bambu Lab P1S

The Bambu Lab P1S is an upgraded version of the Bambu Lab P1P, adding an integrated enclosure with a see-through glass door, along with an air filter and additional fans to aid in part cooling and build chamber temperature management. These features allow the P1S to more effectively print temperature-sensitive filament types such as ABS and ASA. The P1S offers high-speed 3D printing in a robust CoreXY design with a print volume of 256 x 256 x 256 mm (10" x 10" x 10"). It includes a direct drive extruder with an all-metal hot end capable of heating up to 300°C, enabling it to use all 3D printing filament types including PLA, PETG, TPU, ABS, ASA, and more. The P1S includes firmware features such as vibration compensation and pressure advance to maintain print quality at speeds of up to 500 mm/s. Although it lacks the Lidar sensor and AI camera features of the Bambu Lab X1-Carbon, the P1S does include an automatic bed leveling system as well as an integrated camera for monitoring prints. The display on the P1S is a monochrome text-only display with a button controller, which is unusually limited for its price point. However, it also includes WiFi and can be controlled using the Bambu Studio computer application or Bambu Handy smartphone app, giving users the ability to monitor and control the printer remotely. Files can be loaded over WiFi or using a microSD card. The downside to the P1S is that repair parts are only available from the manufacturer, meaning you will need to trust Bambu Lab to continue to support the hardware and software of the P1S over the lifetime of the machine. Fortunately, Bambu Lab does offer a wide selection of repair parts on their site. Our overall take on the Bambu Lab P1S is that it's a compelling choice for users who want a capable 3D printer that doesn't require assembly or extensive calibration. In many ways, this is the same printer as the popular Bambu Lab P1P, but with the added enclosure and air filter. Those features aren't critical for 3D printing, but give the P1S added capability to print more materials as well as reducing noise and smell during printing. We've seen many users upgrade the P1P with an enclosure, so it's likely worth it to pay the added price for the P1S. However, the P1S is limited in a few ways--it doesn't have as many ease-of-use features as the X1-Carbon, and its proprietary hardware and firmare mean you are reliant on Bambu Lab for continued support of the machine. For users who want a 3D printer that feels high-end but want to stay within a budget, the Bambu Lab P1S is an excellent choice.

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About the Bambu Lab X1 Carbon Combo

The Bambu Lab X1-Carbon is a premium 3D printer that offers extremely fast print speeds, an enclosed build chamber, and automated calibration and monitoring features enabled by AI vision and Lidar sensors. The X1-Carbon pushes the envelope of both performance and ease of use for consumer FDM 3D printers, making it a compelling choice for users who are willing to pay for a higher-end machine. The X1-Carbon Combo includes the Bambu Lab Automatic Material System (AMS), which allows the 3D printer to switch between 4 different filament types during the print. This enables multi-color printing, automatic switching when one roll is depleted, or using special breakaway support material. The AMS is an add-on unit that can be purchased separately for the Bambu Lab X1-Carbon, P1P, or P1S, but the X1-Carbon Combo bundles the X1-Carbon and AMS for a lower price. The X1-Carbon has a slightly above-average print volume of 256 x 256 x 256 mm (10" x 10" x 10") and features a direct drive extruder with an all-metal hot end and a hardened steel nozzle, enabling it to print all available filament types. Its CoreXY motion system and advanced firmware features such as pressure advance and vibration compensation allow it to attain print speeds of up to 500 mm/s while maintaining high print quality. One differentiating feature of the Bambu Lab X1-Carbon is the Lidar sensor, which allows it to precisely measure the height of the first layer of the print. This serves as an additional bed leveling calibration tool, but also enables the X1-Carbon to analyze the flow rate of the filament, allowing it to automatically calibrate its extrusion parameters for different filament types. This is a feature we haven't seen on any other consumer FDM 3D printer. In addition, a camera in the build chamber uses AI image processing to detect failed prints. The X1-Carbon has an integrated 5" touchscreen controller, but can also be controlled wirelessly with the Bambu Studio computer application or the Bambu Handy phone app. The apps allow you to remotely monitor and control the X1-Carbon. Files can be loaded wirelessly from the Bambu Studio app, or by using a microSD card. The downsides to the Bambu Lab X1-Carbon are its high price and lack of third-party repair parts. The MSRP of the X1-Carbon is higher than many other 3D printers with comparable key specifications, making it a premium option for buyers who prioritize ease of use and advanced features over affordability. And because of its automated calibration features and custom design, almost all repair parts are sold only by Bambu Lab. Although there is a wide range of repair parts available on Bambu Lab's site, this does mean that the longevity of the X1-Carbon is dependent on Bambu Lab's continued support of the machine. Our overall take on the Bambu Lab X1-Carbon is that its advanced printing capabilities and ease-of-use features make it an excellent option for users who are willing to pay a premium price for one of the highest-end FDM 3D printers currently available. But for users who are just getting started with 3D printing and want to stick to a lower budget, there are other machines which provide excellent print quality at a much lower price.

Click here to view the Bambu Lab P1S on the Bambu Lab website.

Click here to view the Bambu Lab X1 Carbon Combo on Matterhackers.

You can find a side-by-side comparison of the specifications for these two printers in the table below:

Brand 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.

Learn more about Bambu Lab.