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A1 vs P2S

Last updated daily price tracker

$190 more at current street prices buys an enclosure, faster speeds, and the ability to print engineering materials

Which one should I buy?

Get the A1 ($259) if you print PLA and PETG and want to save money. Get the P2S ($449) if you want an enclosure for ABS/ASA. At current prices that's $190 more.

Specs: Bambu Lab A1 tech specsBambu Lab P2S tech specs, checked November 3, 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)P2S 01.03.00.00 (September 21, 2026)All Bambu firmware

US storeA1 $259 (typical price $299)P2S $449 (typical price $549)checked November 3, 2026Price history

Strengths: A1 vs P2S

A1

  • $190 cheaper at its current $259, meaningful savings for PLA-only use
  • Open design, easy filament loading and print monitoring
  • AMS Lite gives you 4 colors; up to 16 with box AMS units via the A Series AMS Hub
  • Simpler machine with less to go wrong

P2S

  • Enclosed, with ABS, ASA and PA on Bambu's filament list
  • 600mm/s max speed, 20% faster than the A1
  • CoreXY kinematics, better for tall and heavy prints
  • AMS 2 Pro and AMS HT connect directly (the A1 needs the A Series AMS Hub)
  • Newer platform with longer software support expected

Specs at a glance

FeatureA1P2S
Price$259 $299$449 $549
Build volume256 × 256 × 256 mm256 × 256 × 256 mm
Max speed500 mm/s600 mm/s
KinematicsBed-slingerCoreXY
EnclosureNoYes
ChamberNone (open)Passive (~50°C)
Max nozzle temp300°C300°C
AMS typeAMS Lite or AMS via hubAMS, AMS 2 Pro, AMS HT (up to 20 slots)
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 P2S, both 256 by 256 by 256 millimeters 256 mm 256 mm 256 mm A1 and P2S 16.8 L each Build volume of the A1 and the P2S, both 256 by 256 by 256 millimeters 256 mm 256 mm 256 mm A1 and P2S 16.8 L each
Fig. 1A1 and P2S share the same build volume, 256 × 256 × 256 mm (16.8 L).
Top outlines of the A1, 465 by 410 millimeters, and the P2S, 392 by 406 millimeters, schematic, side by side to the same scale 465 mm 392 mm 410 mm 406 mm A1 P2S Top outlines of the A1, 465 by 410 millimeters, and the P2S, 392 by 406 millimeters, schematic, side by side to the same scale 465 mm 410 mm A1 392 mm 406 mm P2S
Fig. 2Top outlines to the same scale: A1 465 × 410 mm, P2S 392 × 406 mm (width × depth); the A1 is 73 mm wider and 4 mm deeper.
  • Bambu does not label the axes of these outer dimensions (A1 465 × 410 × 430 mm, P2S 392 × 406 × 478 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 bambulab.com/en-us/p2s/specs, retrieved 2026-10-16

A small price gap, a big capability gap

The A1 and P2S are $190 apart ($259 vs $449 in the Bambu US store, checked November 3, 2026), and the build volume is identical. The speed difference (500 vs 600mm/s) is real but rarely the deciding factor. What actually matters is the enclosure.

If you ever want to print ABS or ASA, even occasionally: the A1 will frustrate you with warping and layer separation. The P2S enclosure traps ambient heat and solves this completely.

Get the A1 if...

  • You only print PLA, PETG, or TPU
  • You want to spend $190 less
  • You prefer open access for monitoring
  • You already own an A1 and are considering an upgrade (don't bother)

Get the P2S if...

  • You want to print ABS, ASA, or PA
  • You want faster prints and CoreXY stability
  • You're buying your first printer and want room to grow
  • You want AMS 2 Pro or AMS HT without an extra hub

Full specs and review:A1 pageP2S page

Is the jump to the P2S worth it?

Usually yes. The P2S is the better all-rounder, and the gap is $190 ($259 vs $449). If you know with certainty you'll only ever print PLA, the A1 is fine. But most people's filament interests expand over time, and the P2S enclosure future-proofs you without breaking the bank.

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), P2S $449 (was $549).
  2. Spec table: the P2S chamber value is back, now listed as passive at ~50°C (was enclosed, not actively heated).
  3. Added current US store prices (checked Sep 29) and the current firmware of both printers; AMS rows now say the P2S takes AMS, AMS 2 Pro and AMS HT directly (up to 20 slots), the A1 only via the A Series AMS Hub.

Earlier changes

Earlier changes

2 older entries, Jul 5, 2026 to Jul 19, 2026.

ShowHide
  1. Prices now street prices: A1 $299 (list $399) against the P2S at $549, a $250 gap (list gap $150).
  2. Chamber row corrected: the P2S is enclosed but not actively heated (was "passive ~50°C").
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A1 vs P2S
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