P1S vs X1 Carbon
The $500 question: Lidar and AI detection, or not?
Is the X1C worth $500 more?
Only if you run long unattended prints. The Lidar + AI failure detection saves material on complex jobs. For watched prints in standard materials, the P1S is enough.
P1S
- $500 cheaper at $699, saves significant money for users who don't need automation features
- Full enclosure with HEPA + carbon filter, handles ABS and ASA just as well for supervised prints
- Same CoreXY kinematics and 256mm³ build volume as the X1C
- Full AMS compatible, identical multi-color capability up to 16 colors
X1 Carbon
- Lidar auto-calibration, fully automated Z-offset, flow rate, and vibration compensation
- AI failure detection, pauses and notifies you when a print is failing unattended
- Active 50°C chamber heating vs passive, more consistent results for PC and demanding materials
- Carbon fiber rods and included hardened nozzle, better at high speeds and abrasive filaments
Specs comparison
| Feature | P1S | X1 Carbon |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $699 | $1,199 |
| Build volume | 256 × 256 × 256 mm | 256 × 256 × 256 mm |
| Kinematics | CoreXY | CoreXY |
| Max speed | 500 mm/s | 500 mm/s |
| Enclosure | Yes (HEPA + carbon filter) | Yes (HEPA + carbon filter) |
| Lidar | No | Yes |
| AI failure detection | No | Yes |
| Chamber heating | Passive | Active (up to 50°C) |
| Carbon fiber rods | No | Yes |
| Hardened nozzle | Optional | Included |
| AMS compatible | Full AMS | Full AMS |
| Ethernet port | No | Yes |
Lidar calibration: Z-offset, flow rate, and first-layer compensation calibrated automatically. More consistent results without manual tuning.
AI failure detection: Detects spaghetti prints, layer shifts, and poor first layers. Pauses and notifies you: the biggest practical difference for long or overnight prints.
Active chamber heating: 50°C stable chamber. The P1S warms passively from bed and nozzle. In cold environments or for PC, this difference matters.
Carbon fiber rods: Lighter gantry = higher effective acceleration at the same quality level. Subtle in practice, measurable in testing.
Most users: if you're a hobbyist who watches your prints and doesn't run overnight jobs, the P1S serves you as well as the X1C for 95% of prints.
P1S is enough if...
- You're comfortable with manual calibration
- You watch your prints most of the time
- You print PLA, PETG, ABS, ASA, not PC or CF
- You want to save $500
X1C is worth it if...
- You run long or unattended prints regularly
- Print failures cost you significant time or material
- You print PC, CF, or other demanding materials
- You're running a small production operation