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A1 vs P1P

Last updated daily price tracker

Two different philosophies, and only one of them is still sold new

Which one should I buy?

A1 for new buyers. P1P is discontinued. If you want enclosed CoreXY, get the P2S ($449) instead.

The A1 currently costs $259, is still in production and has a touchscreen. Get the P1P only if you find a good used deal and want CoreXY with an enclosure upgrade path.

Specs: Bambu Lab A1 tech specsBambu Lab P1P tech specs (PDF), checked October 2, 2026

Where to buy

P1P
Discontinued, see the P2S
Day-one accessories
Build platesFilament dryers

Daily price historyLinks to Amazon are affiliate links. We may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.

Strengths: A1 vs P1P

A1

  • $259 new and still in production; the P1P is only available used
  • Touchscreen for on-printer control. No app required for basic operation
  • Quick-swap nozzle system, faster material and size changes
  • Simpler bed-slinger design with fewer moving parts to maintain

P1P

  • CoreXY kinematics, bed only moves in Z, more stable for tall prints
  • One box AMS connects without a hub; up to 4 AMS units (16 colors) need Bambu's X1/P1 AMS Hub, while the A1 needs the A Series AMS Hub even for one unit
  • Upgradable with Bambu's P1P Enclosure Kit (panels plus the required control-board fan) for ABS/ASA
  • CoreXY motion system handles higher speeds on tall prints with less ringing

Caution

P1P is discontinued. Bambu Lab no longer sells the P1P new. If you're choosing between these for a new purchase, the P2S ($449) is the better alternative to the P1P. This comparison is useful for used market decisions.

Specs comparison

FeatureA1P1P
Price$259 $299$699
Build volume256 × 256 × 256 mm256 × 256 × 256 mm
KinematicsBed-slingerCoreXY
Max speed500 mm/s500 mm/s
Touchscreen3.5" colorNo (2.7" screen, buttons)
Quick-swap nozzleYesNo
EnclosureNoNo (open frame)
AMS compatibleAMS Lite or AMS via hubAMS (up to 4 units)
LidarNoNo

US store prices, struck-through = Bambu's "Typical Price" (median store price on at least 7 of the last 90 days, excluding promotions); P1P: launch price (discontinued)

Build volume of the A1 and the P1P, both 256 by 256 by 256 millimeters 256 mm 256 mm 256 mm A1 and P1P 16.8 L each Build volume of the A1 and the P1P, both 256 by 256 by 256 millimeters 256 mm 256 mm 256 mm A1 and P1P 16.8 L each
Fig. 1A1 and P1P share the same build volume, 256 × 256 × 256 mm (16.8 L).
Top outlines of the A1, 465 by 410 millimeters, and the P1P, 386 by 389 millimeters, schematic, side by side to the same scale 465 mm 386 mm 410 mm 389 mm A1 P1P Top outlines of the A1, 465 by 410 millimeters, and the P1P, 386 by 389 millimeters, schematic, side by side to the same scale 465 mm 410 mm A1 386 mm 389 mm P1P
Fig. 2Top outlines to the same scale: A1 465 × 410 mm, P1P 386 × 389 mm (width × depth); the A1 is 79 mm wider and 21 mm deeper.
  • Bambu does not label the axes of these outer dimensions (A1 465 × 410 × 430 mm); read as width × depth × height. Schematic outline; only the outer dimensions are Bambu's figures. While printing, the bed moves front to back and can stick out beyond this outline; Bambu gives no figure for it.
  • Source: Bambu bambulab.com/en-us/a1/tech-specs, retrieved 2026-10-16; Bambu public-cdn.bambulab.com/…/bambulab-P1P-tech-specs.pdf, retrieved 2026-10-16

The real differences

Kinematics: bed-slinger vs CoreXY

The A1 is a bed-slinger: the bed moves in Y, the print head moves in X and Z. The P1P is CoreXY: the bed only moves in Z; the print head moves in X and Y. CoreXY is generally better for tall prints because the bed doesn't shake. For most prints under 150mm tall, the difference is minimal. The A1's bed-slinger design is simpler and has fewer failure modes.

AMS system differences

The A1 uses AMS Lite, a simplified multi-filament system that works well for 4-color printing. Both can also run the full AMS with up to four units (16 colors): the A1 through the A Series AMS Hub, the P1P through the P1-series filament buffer or AMS Hub. The AMS Lite itself cannot be combined with other AMS units.

Touchscreen & upgrade path

The A1 has a touchscreen for on-printer control. The P1P has only a small 2.7-inch screen with buttons. The P1P can be enclosed with Bambu's official P1P Enclosure Kit (P1S panels, glass door and lid, plus control-board, chamber and auxiliary fans). Bambu requires the control-board fan in an enclosed P1P, especially for high-temperature filaments such as ABS/ASA. The kit was out of stock in Bambu's US store on October 3, 2026. The A1 has no enclosure upgrade path.

Get the A1 if...

  • You want a touchscreen for on-printer control
  • You want quick-swap nozzles
  • Simpler operation matters more than CoreXY
  • You want a lower price and a new unit

Get the P1P used if...

  • You want CoreXY reliability for tall prints
  • You plan to enclose it later with Bambu's P1P Enclosure Kit (incl. the required control-board fan)
  • You primarily print tall objects
  • Or consider the P2S ($449) new instead

Full specs and review:A1 pageP1P page

More comparisons

What changed

Newest first, from this page's version history. Only changes to text you can read here; date refreshes and reshuffled reading links are left out.

  1. Bambu US store price update: P2S $449 (was $549), A1 $259 (was $299).
  2. AMS note corrected: one AMS connects to the P1P without a hub, up to 4 units need Bambu's X1/P1 AMS Hub, and the A1 needs the A Series AMS Hub even for one unit.
  3. Enclosure upgrade corrected: the P1P needs Bambu's P1P Enclosure Kit with the required control-board fan, not just P1S panels; the kit was out of stock in Bambu's US store on Oct 3.

Earlier changes

Earlier changes

4 older entries, Jul 19, 2026 to Oct 1, 2026.

ShowHide
  1. AMS section corrected: both printers can run up to four AMS units (16 colors), the A1 through the A Series AMS Hub; the AMS Lite cannot be combined with other AMS units.
  2. Specs corrected: the A1 touchscreen is 3.5" (was 2.4"), and the P1P has a 2.7" screen with buttons (was listed as app control only).
  3. Estimated used P1P price (~$499) removed; the P1P is now described as only available used, with its $699 marked as launch price.
  4. Prices: A1 now $299 street (list $399), around $200 below a used P1P (~$499); the price table shows the P1P at $699 (was ~$499 used).
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A1 vs P1P
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