Best Build Plates and Bed Adhesion for Bambu Lab (2026)

Will it fit your printer?

This is where most bad purchases happen. Both plates above are 257×257 mm, sized for Bambu's 256×256 mm machines. Bambu's other printers use different plate sizes, and a 257 mm plate physically will not work on them.

A1 mini, A2L, and H-series owners: stick with Bambu's own plates for now; the third-party selection in those sizes is thin. The TEQStone adhesive above works regardless of plate size. P2S and X2D: at print start the camera checks the plate type and pauses the print on a mismatch, and a plate without Bambu's marker gets a "build plate marker not detected" error (Bambu wiki); the check can be switched off. Details in our PyroGrip vs CryoGrip comparison. Full printer specs in our comparison tool.

Textured vs smooth PEI: which surface when

Textured and smooth PEI

UniTak3D Double-Sided PEI, one side each

Cold plate

BIQU CryoGrip Pro Frostbite, PLA and PETG only

Textured PEI: the default

Textured PEI is the workhorse surface and handles the widest range of materials: PLA, PETG, ABS, ASA, and TPU, with ABS/ASA gripping well at 90–100°C bed temperature. PLA needs no glue on a clean textured plate. The texture leaves a matte, slightly grainy bottom surface, which most people prefer for functional parts because it hides first-layer imperfections.

Longevity bonus: when a textured plate glazes over from repeated printing, light sanding with 400-grit wet/dry paper restores the texture. Smooth plates are harder to restore and typically need replacement once worn.

Smooth PEI: for glossy bottoms

Smooth PEI gives a flat, glossy bottom finish, the better choice for display pieces where the bottom face is visible. The trade-off is upkeep: fingerprint oils kill adhesion faster on smooth surfaces, and deep scratches cannot be repaired.

One critical rule: never print PETG on smooth PEI without glue. PETG bonds so aggressively to bare PEI that it can tear chunks of the coating off when you remove the print. A thin glue layer acts as a release agent, not an adhesive. This is the main reason the double-sided UniTak3D plate makes sense: textured side for everyday PETG and functional prints, smooth side for PLA display pieces.

Cold plate: PLA and PETG only

The BIQU CryoGrip Pro Frostbite 257×257 is a third-party cold plate that BIQU rates for PLA and PETG only, so no TPU. Keep the bed low: BIQU gives 30–50°C for PLA and 50–70°C for PETG, and owners warn that at 65°C the coating can come off with a PLA part. Let prints cool before you remove them, and use a plastic scraper instead of the metal one. Clean it with water and soap only: BIQU warns that alcohol and other solvents can permanently damage the surface. Full comparison with the PyroGrip: PyroGrip vs CryoGrip Frostbite. Per the listing it fits the 256 mm machines (A1, P1P, P1S, P2S, X1C, X1E, X2D), not the A1 mini, A2L or H-series. On the P2S and X2D, BIQU says to turn off build plate detection in the print options. View on Amazon

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A dirty plate causes more adhesion failures than any plate choice. For textured PEI, Bambu's cleaning guide recommends a wash with dish soap (without oils or moisturizers), a sponge or plastic brush and warm water, then drying with a paper towel: on a textured surface, alcohol may only spread finger oils around. Never use acetone on textured PEI, and touch the plate only by its edges. The CryoGrip Frostbite gets water and soap only, never alcohol (BIQU). Resurfacing a worn plate and when to replace one: build plate maintenance guide.

When you actually need glue

Glue on a Bambu plate serves two opposite purposes, and knowing which one you need matters:

• As a release agent: PETG on PEI. PETG over-bonds to PEI, especially smooth PEI. A thin, even glue layer lets the print release cleanly instead of ripping the coating. Let the plate cool fully; PETG releases on its own at room temperature.
• As an adhesion promoter: engineering materials. Bambu lists Nylon (PA) and PC on the Engineering, Smooth PEI and Textured PEI plates at 100–120°C (not on the old Cool Plate or the Cool Plate SuperTack, which Bambu lists for PLA and PETG). A glue stick improves adhesion and protects the plate; add a brim, for Nylon it is almost always necessary.
• Against warping corners: ABS and ASA. A dab on warp-prone corners holds them down while hot and releases once cool. Combine with a closed enclosure and a 5–8 mm brim; our warping guide walks through the full fix order.

What you do not need glue for: PLA on a clean textured PEI plate. If PLA is not sticking, the plate is dirty or worn; clean it first. See first layer problems if cleaning does not solve it.

Bambu has discontinued the Cool Plate. Its successor, the Cool Plate SuperTack, takes PLA and PETG without glue and never TPU.

Plate compatibility and bed temperatures: Bambu Lab filament guide. Current plates, the discontinued Cool Plate (glue for PLA) and the SuperTack: Bambu's build plate overview, Cool Plate page and Cool Plate SuperTack page, checked October 7, 2026.

Related reading

• Build plate care and cleaning: plate types, resurfacing, what not to do and when to replace a plate
• Fix warping and bed adhesion: step-by-step troubleshooting when corners lift
• First layer problems: diagnosis when nothing sticks
• Materials guide: bed temperatures and plate requirements per material
• All recommended accessories: plates, dryers, tools, and upgrades in one place