Top pick

Bambu Lab P1P

Year Released:

2022

Build Volume:

256 x 256 x 256 mm (~10.25 x 10.25 x 10.25 in)

Price Range:

$575 - 600

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About the Bambu Lab P1P

The Bambu Lab P1P 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 almost all 3D printing filament types including PLA, PETG, and TPU. Although the P1P does not come with an enclosed print chamber, you can print side panels for the machine to enclose the chamber for printing temperature-sensitive materials such as ABS and ASA. The P1P 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 P1P does include an automatic bed leveling system as well as an integrated camera for monitoring prints. The Bambu Lab P1P has 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 P1P 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 P1P 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 P1P is that its high-end feature set makes it a compelling choice for users who want a capable 3D printer that doesn't require assembly or extensive calibration. Its print quality and speed are comparable to the Bambu Lab X1-Carbon, but at a much lower price point that is competitive with offerings from other manufacturers. However, the P1P 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 P1P should be a front-runner choice.

Benefits of the Bambu Lab P1P

Modern mainboard features - Many 3D printer features relate to the version of the mainboard and firmware, including features like resuming prints after a power failure and support for silent stepper motor drivers for quieter printing. Newer boards also include safety features like thermal runaway protection which shuts the printer down if it detects issues with overheating.

Auto bed leveling - auto bed leveling will ensure your prints have perfect first layers every time and greatly reduce issues with bed adhesion. When using an auto-leveling system, the probe allows better tolerances for slightly warped print beds by measuring and compensating for any inconsistencies. Without this feature, you'll need to adjust the bed level manually using nuts on each corner of the print bed.

Large online community - A large online community is important when it comes to any questions that come up as you learn how to use your 3D printer. A larger community typically means that you'll be able to find answers already posted to the most common questions, and you'll be able to find slicing profiles and printable upgrades online.

Premium components - This printer is known for using the highest quality components, and prioritizes this over providing a lower price point on their printers.

Fully assembled - This 3D printer is shipped completely assembled, and is ready to plug in and start using as soon as you unbox it. You will still need to follow the included calibration procedures, but this will not take a significant amount of time.

Direct drive extruder - Direct drive extruders are mounted right above the hot end, and push the filament directly into it, as opposed to a side mounted bowden extruder setup. We prefer direct drive extruders to bowden since they are less prone to jamming and typically require less maintenance. they also are much easier to use with flexible materials

PEI build surface has good balance of adhesion and part removal - PEI beds are one of the more premium build surface options, and for good reason. They offer great first layer adhesion with no spraysor other treatments, and can be flexed to quickly remove parts. You'll need to clean the bed with a solvent like acetone or IPA every so often to maintain the bed's adhesion.

Generous Build volume - A larger than average build volume means that you will be able to print larger parts without the need to split them into pieces and attach them together, which is especially useful with functional parts. If you have the room for the larger footprint, we definitely recommend going with a larger 3D printer, since you can always print small parts on a larger printer.

Wireless printing - In addition to the standard USB and SD card connections, you can connect wirelessly to this printer to print from your computer or mobile device.

Linear rail motion system - Linear rails provide added stability to the moving parts of the printer, allowing higher printing speeds without sacrificing quality. Keep in mind that the most important factor to consider when optimizing for print speed is the flow rate of filament, which depends on the hot end and nozzle size moreso than the motion system.

All-metal hot end - An all-metal hot end allows for printing at high temperatures up to 300C, while standard hot ends are capped at 260C before the PTFE material begins to degrade. All-metal hot ends are also less susceptible to jamming, and do not degrade as fast.

CoreXY Kinematic System - A CoreXY 3D printer kinematic system uses two stationary motors to move the print head in the X and Y directions, resulting in faster and more precise movements compared to traditional printers. By separating the movement of the print head from the movement of the build plate, the CoreXY system is able to avoid the added weight and momentum of a moving build plate. This results in less vibration and better control of the print head, allowing for faster and more precise movements. Additionally, the CoreXY system can print at higher speeds compared to H-bot systems because it only needs to move one motor for each axis of movement, reducing the overall weight and inertia of the system.

Dual gear extruder - A dual gear extruder grips filament from both sides and can exert much more force on the filament before slipping. It helps with all filaments but especially with flexible, slippery TPU.

Disadvantages to consider

No touch screen - having a touch screen isn't a deal-maker or breaker, but it is a convenient feature that makes it easier to navigate the interface when you are printing files and configuring 3D printing settings.

High price tag - While this printer includes a lot of premium features, they come with a price. This printer is one of the more expensive consumer printers, and may not be worth the cost if you are willing to sacrifice some of the high end features.

Dated LCD Screen - The printer's LCD screen is a more basic monochrome interface with limited resolution and no support for graphical components. While this does not detract much from using the printer, it can take a bit longer to navigate through the text only menus, and gives the printer a less premium feel.

Where to buy the Bambu Lab P1P

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Brand Summary: Bambu

Bambu Lab, founded by ex-DJI engineers in Shenzhen, has made waves in the 3D printing industry with its focus on speed, innovation, and user-friendliness. While it began its journey through a successful Kickstarter campaign, raising $7 million in a month, the brand has since had its share of growing pains, including shipping issues and firmware bugs. The company's commitment to creating intuitive, precalibrated 3D printers like the X1-Carbon and P1P is commendable, but some users have found limitations with the proprietary components and software. Despite these challenges, Bambu Lab boasts a large community of dedicated users across various platforms and continues to evolve in its offerings and customer service.

Learn more about Bambu.