Compare › A1 Mini vs P2S

A1 Mini vs P2S

The cheapest entry vs a proper all-rounder. $250 and an enclosure apart.

Which one should I buy?

Get the A1 Mini ($299) to start cheap and print PLA. Get the P2S ($549) if you know you'll want to print ABS or ASA, or if you want more build volume and speed from day one.

A1 Mini

  • $250 cheaper, most affordable Bambu printer
  • Compact footprint, fits easily on a small desk
  • Simple and approachable for first-time 3D printer owners
  • AMS Lite for 4-color PLA printing

P2S

  • Enclosed, prints ABS, ASA, and PA without warping
  • 256mm³ build volume vs 180mm³, 42% more capacity
  • 600mm/s vs 500mm/s, faster throughput
  • CoreXY. No moving bed, better for tall prints
  • AMS 2.0, more reliable multi-material than AMS Lite

Specs at a glance

FeatureA1 MiniP2S
Price$299$549
Build volume180 × 180 × 180 mm256 × 256 × 256 mm
Max speed500 mm/s600 mm/s
KinematicsBed-slingerCoreXY
EnclosureNoYes
Chamber tempAmbientPassive ~50°C
Max nozzle temp300°C300°C
AMS typeAMS LiteAMS 2.0
LidarNoNo
Auto calibrationYesYes

Two different entry points into Bambu

The A1 Mini is Bambu's cheapest printer. It's excellent for PLA hobbyists, miniature painters, and anyone who wants a reliable plug-and-play machine without spending much. The P2S is the cheapest enclosed Bambu printer. It can do everything the A1 Mini can and more, with a bigger build plate and support for engineering materials.

The key question is whether you know what you want to print. PLA and small objects? A1 Mini. Anything bigger, faster, or requiring an enclosure? P2S.

Get the A1 Mini if...

  • Budget is the top priority
  • You print miniatures, figurines, or small objects
  • You have limited desk space
  • It's your first 3D printer and you want the simplest start

Get the P2S if...

  • You think you might eventually print ABS or ASA
  • You want the full 256mm build volume from the start
  • You're not sure what you'll print, more capability is safer
  • You want AMS 2.0 reliability over AMS Lite

Some do, some don't. Users who only print small PLA objects love the A1 Mini and never feel limited. Users who discover they want to print larger parts or ABS often upgrade within a year. If you genuinely don't know yet, $250 extra for the P2S is cheap insurance. If you know exactly what you'll print and it's small PLA work, the A1 Mini is a great choice.

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