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A1 vs P1S

Last updated daily price tracker

Open bed-slinger vs enclosed CoreXY; $90 apart

Which one should I buy?

Get the A1 ($259) if you only print PLA or PETG. Get the P1S ($349) if you need to print ABS, ASA, or other materials that require an enclosure.

TPU belongs on that list too: get the A1 if you only print PLA, PETG or TPU.

Specs: Bambu Lab A1 tech specsBambu Lab P1S tech specs (PDF), checked October 2, 2026

Where to buy

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.

FirmwareA1 01.08.01.00 (June 3, 2026)P1S 01.10.00.00 (March 30, 2026)All Bambu firmware

US storeA1 $259 (typical price $299)P1S $349 (typical price $399)checked November 3, 2026Price history

Strengths: A1 vs P1S

A1

  • $90 cheaper ($259 vs $349), and you keep the open frame
  • Easier to load and monitor prints. No enclosure panels to open
  • Same build volume as the P1S (256 mm cube)
  • AMS Lite gives you 4 colors; up to 16 with box AMS units via the A Series AMS Hub

P1S

  • Enclosed: Bambu rates ABS and ASA ideal, PA and PC capable
  • CoreXY kinematics. No bed movement, better for tall parts
  • Enclosed (not actively heated), reduces thermal stress and warping on prints
  • Takes box AMS units without the extra A Series AMS Hub

Specs at a glance

FeatureA1P1S
Price$259 $299$349 $399
Build volume256 × 256 × 256 mm256 × 256 × 256 mm
Max speed500 mm/s500 mm/s
KinematicsBed-slingerCoreXY
EnclosureNoYes
ChamberNone (open)Passive (not actively heated)
Max nozzle temp300°C300°C
AMS typeAMS Lite or AMS via hubAMS (up to 4 units)
LidarNoNo
Auto calibrationYesYes

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

Build volume of the A1 and the P1S, both 256 by 256 by 256 millimeters 256 mm 256 mm 256 mm A1 and P1S 16.8 L each Build volume of the A1 and the P1S, both 256 by 256 by 256 millimeters 256 mm 256 mm 256 mm A1 and P1S 16.8 L each
Fig. 1A1 and P1S share the same build volume, 256 × 256 × 256 mm (16.8 L).
Front outlines of the A1, 465 by 430 millimeters, and the P1S, 389 by 458 millimeters, schematic, side by side to the same scale 465 mm 389 mm 430 mm 458 mm A1 P1S Front outlines of the A1, 465 by 430 millimeters, and the P1S, 389 by 458 millimeters, schematic, side by side to the same scale 465 mm 430 mm A1 389 mm 458 mm P1S
Fig. 2Front outlines to the same scale: A1 465 × 430 mm, P1S 389 × 458 mm (width × height); the A1 is 76 mm wider, the P1S 28 mm taller.

The real question: do you print engineering materials?

The A1 and P1S print identically for PLA, PETG, and TPU. The enclosure on the P1S exists for one reason: to retain heat and prevent warping when printing ABS, ASA, PA, or PC. If your filament drawer only holds PLA, the P1S advantage evaporates.

The CoreXY system on the P1S also helps with tall prints: the bed doesn't move on the Y axis, so heavy tall parts aren't thrown around. For anything under ~150mm tall this makes no practical difference.

Get the A1 if...

  • You print PLA, PETG, or TPU exclusively
  • You want to save $90 (street) and put it toward filament
  • You prefer open access for easy monitoring and loading
  • You're buying your first Bambu printer

Get the P1S if...

  • You need to print ABS, ASA, PA, or PC
  • You print tall parts and want stable CoreXY motion
  • You want box-AMS multicolor without buying the extra A Series AMS Hub
  • You expect to expand into engineering materials later

Full specs and review:A1 pageP1S page

Is the P1S worth the premium?

Only if you use the enclosure. The P1S costs $90 more than the A1: $349 against $259, and that premium buys exactly one thing: a box that holds heat in and keeps fumes contained. For PLA and PETG it does nothing for you, and the A1 is the smarter buy. If you expect to print ABS or ASA even occasionally, the P1S pays for itself in avoided warping and failed prints. Worth knowing: back when both machines sold at their old list prices the gap was $300, which made this a far harder call than it is today.

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: A1 $259 (was $299), P1S $349 (was $399).
  2. P1S price back at $399 after the $369 cut, checked Oct 9; the gap to the A1 is $100 again.
  3. P1S price now $369 (was $399), checked Oct 6, shown next to Bambu's typical price of $399; the gap to the A1 is $70.

Earlier changes

Earlier changes

8 older entries, Jul 5, 2026 to Oct 2, 2026.

ShowHide
  1. Added current US store prices (checked Sep 29) and the current firmware of both printers; the AMS rows now say the A1 reaches 16 colors with box AMS units via the A Series AMS Hub.
  2. Material claim checked against Bambu: the P1S is rated ideal for ABS and ASA and capable for PA and PC (was "prints ABS, ASA, PA, PC without warping").
  3. P1S price back at $399 after the $359 Fall Sale price; the gap to the A1 is $100 again.
  4. P1S price now $359 in the Fall Sale (list $399); the gap to the A1 is $60.
  5. P1S price back at $399 (was $369), a $100 gap; the worth-it answer now says the enclosure does nothing for PLA and PETG and pays off if you expect to print ABS or ASA.
  6. P1S price now $369 (was $399); the gap to the A1 is $70.
  7. Prices now street prices: A1 $299 (list $399), P1S $399 (list $699), a $100 gap (list gap $300); the worth-it answer now calls the enclosure cheap insurance at $100.
  8. Chamber row corrected: the P1S is enclosed but not actively heated (was "passive ~45°C").
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A1 vs P1S
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