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A1

Last updated

Bambu Lab A1
Image: Bambu Lab.

The A1 mini with room to grow. Same easy setup, same print quality, but 256mm of build volume instead of 180mm. The sweet spot for most beginner-to-intermediate users.

Should I buy the A1?

Yes, if you want more print volume than the A1 mini for $60 more. The 256mm build covers most hobby use cases comfortably, and the AMS Lite combo at $359 is the cheapest Bambu multi-color combo with a bed of 256mm or more (only the smaller A1 mini Combo, $299, costs less).

Price
$259
Build
256 mm cube
Speed
500 mm/s
Enclosed
No
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Store price and the 90-day low

Official Bambu Lab US store, checked November 3, 2026.

ConfigurationUS store price
A1$259 $299
A1 Combo$359 $399
90-day low, A1Oct 27 to Nov 6, 2026$259

The 90-day low is the lowest price in our daily log of the US store, Aug 9 to Nov 6, 2026.

Price history

Black Friday 2026

Bambu lists the A1 Combo at $359 from October 27 to December 1, against a typical price of $399. Our log has had it at $399 every day since October 4.

All eight Black Friday deals against our 2026 lows

Firmware

Current firmware 01.08.01.00 (June 3, 2026)

Full historyBambu release notes

Full specifications

Isometric drawing of the build volume of the A1, 256 by 256 by 256 millimeters, with 20 millimeter calibration cubes to the same scale 256 mm 256 mm 256 mm 12 cubes Isometric drawing of the build volume of the A1, 256 by 256 by 256 millimeters, with 20 millimeter calibration cubes to the same scale 256 mm 256 mm 256 mm 12 cubes
Fig. 1Build volume to scale: 256 × 256 × 256 mm, that is 10.1 × 10.1 × 10.1 in (width × depth × height).
Motion and print
Build volume256 × 256 × 256 mm (10.1 × 10.1 × 10.1 in)
Max speed500 mm/s
Acceleration10,000 mm/s²
Motion systemBed-slinger
Layer height (0.4 mm nozzle)0.08–0.28 mm (Bambu Studio default range)
ExtruderDirect drive
Nozzle (stock)0.4mm stainless steel
Temperature and enclosure
Nozzle max300°C
Bed max100°C
EnclosureNo
Heated chamberNone (open)
Machine
Bed surfaceTextured PEI (magnetic)
Auto levelingYes (strain gauge)
Vibration comp.Yes
Flow calibrationYes (automatic)
HEPA / carbon filterNo
AMSAMS Lite (4 colors); AMS, AMS 2 Pro or AMS HT via A Series AMS Hub (up to 4 units)
CameraBuilt in, low frame rate (up to 1080p), timelapse
Display3.5" touchscreen
ConnectivityWi-Fi 2.4 GHz, Bambu-Bus, microSD card
Machine dimensions465 × 410 × 430 mm
Weight8.3 kg
Power supply100–240V AC, max 1300W at 220V / 350W at 110V
Noise levelUnder 48 dB in Silent Mode (Bambu)

Who should buy the A1?

  • PLA and PETG hobbyistGood fit

    Bambu rates PLA, PETG, TPU and PVA as ideal, and 256 × 256 × 256 mm is the same build volume as the P1S, P2S and X1 Carbon. A1 vs P2S (Bambu A1 specs)

  • MulticolorGood fit

    One AMS lite adds four colors, or the A Series AMS Hub (sold separately) connects up to four AMS, AMS 2 Pro or AMS HT units instead. A1 vs P1S (Bambu wiki)

  • ABS, ASA and engineeringLook elsewhere

    The bed reaches 100°C, but Bambu rates ABS, ASA, PC, PA and fiber-filled filament as not recommended on the open A1; the enclosed P2S handles them. A1 vs P2S (Bambu A1 specs)

  • Upgrading from the A1 miniGood fit

    Same open design, materials and AMS options, with 256 × 256 × 256 mm instead of 180 × 180 × 180 mm and a 100°C bed instead of 80°C. A1 vs A1 mini

Known issues

  • US recall: A1 printers sold before January 30, 2024 (letter A as the sixth digit of the serial number) can have a damaged heatbed cable; Bambu offers a refund or a replacement heatbed and cable. Check the serial number on a used A1. (Bambu recall notice)
  • Updating offline from 01.04.00.00 or older to 01.08.01.00 can show garbled text; Bambu's fix is to run the offline update again or connect the printer to the network. (Bambu release notes)
  • Only one AMS lite per printer, and it cannot be combined with the AMS, AMS 2 Pro or AMS HT. (Bambu wiki)

Known issues only from Bambu's own wiki, firmware release notes, FAQ, blog and recall pages, checked October 2, 2026. Specs: our table above and Bambu's spec pages.

Verdict

The A1 is the A1 mini with a bigger plate and a slightly higher price. Everything good about the Mini translates directly: auto-calibration, reliable first prints, good ecosystem integration, and AMS Lite for multi-color. The 256mm build volume is the standard Bambu footprint shared with the P1S, P2S, and X1C, a practical size that handles most hobby printing comfortably.

The AMS Lite combo at $359 is the cheapest way into Bambu's multi-color ecosystem with a bed of 256mm or more; only the smaller A1 mini Combo ($299) costs less. Still no enclosure, so ABS and ASA are off the table even though the bed reaches 100°C. If you need engineering materials, spend more on the P2S.

Pros & Cons

Pros

  • Excellent out-of-box experience
  • 256mm build volume covers most use cases
  • Full auto-calibration suite
  • AMS Lite combo makes multi-color accessible
  • Good Orca Slicer integration (LAN+Dev mode)
  • Compact for its volume
  • Active community, lots of help available

Cons

  • No enclosure. ABS/ASA not reliable
  • AMS Lite holds 4 spools; full AMS types need the separate A Series AMS Hub and cannot be mixed with it
  • Camera is low frame rate, not a live video feed
  • No activated carbon filtration
  • Cloud-dependent by default (workaround exists)

Material compatibility

Filled circle: works well. Half: capable, or only with upgrades. Empty: not recommended.

MaterialSupportNotes
PLA / PLA+NativeExcellent. Default material.
PETGNativeWorks well. Use glue stick on PEI to prevent over-adhesion.
TPU (90A–95A)SupportedDirect drive handles TPU. Print at about 35–40 mm/s (Bambu Studio's Generic TPU profile caps flow at 3.2 mm³/s); TPU 85A is not compatible with the A1 series.
PLA-CF / PLA-GFNot recommendedBambu's rating for fiber-filled filament on the A1. Abrasive: if you try it, swap to a hardened nozzle first.
ABSNot recommendedWarping without enclosure.
ASANot recommendedSame as ABS.
PA / NylonNot recommendedBambu's rating for the A1 (PA and PC).

Setup tips

First boot
Run auto-calibration before your first print (~10 minutes). Sets vibration compensation and flow correctly.
LAN mode
Enable LAN Only + Developer Mode in Settings for Orca Slicer. Use the access code and local IP.
Bed adhesion
Textured PEI grips PLA without glue. Wash it with warm water and dish soap when adhesion drops (Bambu); a 90%+ IPA wipe between washes is fine. For PETG, use glue stick as release agent.
AMS Lite
Start with one spool, add AMS Lite when you want multi-color. It connects easily after the fact.

Common questions

A1 or A1 mini?

Mini for small prints under 180mm. A1 if you're unsure or want headroom. The $60 difference ($259 vs $199) is worth it.

A1 or P2S?

Same build volume, but the P2S ($449) is enclosed, 600 mm/s, and has an activated carbon filter. Get the P2S if you want ABS/ASA. Get the A1 if you only print PLA/PETG and want to spend less.

Can the A1 use the full AMS?

Yes, with the A Series AMS Hub (sold separately) and firmware 01.07.00.00 (October 2025) or later: up to four AMS, AMS 2 Pro or AMS HT units in any combination; select the type under Settings → AMS Options → AMS Type. The AMS Lite cannot be combined with them. Needs Bambu Studio 2.3.0 and Bambu Handy 3.8.0 or later.

Orca Slicer?

Yes. Enable LAN + Developer Mode, connect via IP. Works fully with the A1.

Starter accessories for the A1

What we would add to a new A1 in the first month.

  • UniTak Double-Sided PEI

    UniTak Double-Sided PEI

    Double-sided 257 mm plate that fits the A1. Smooth side for glossy bottoms, textured side for easy release.

    Amazon

  • TEQStone Bed Adhesive

    TEQStone Bed Adhesive

    Keeps PETG from over-bonding to the A1's textured plate and helps tricky first layers on large flat parts.

    Amazon

  • Bambu Hotend A1/A2, hardened steel

    Bambu Hotend A1/A2, hardened steel

    Bambu's own hotend in hardened steel for the A1 (also fits the A1 mini and A2L). It replaces the whole stock hotend, since nozzle and heatsink are one part, and is what abrasive CF and GF blends need.

    Bambu Lab

  • SUNLU FilaDryer S2

    SUNLU FilaDryer S2

    The open-frame A1 exposes filament to room humidity. A dryer keeps PETG and TPU printing cleanly.

    Amazon

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Related reading

Sources

4 sources, including Bambu Lab product pages and Bambu Lab wiki. Last checked November 3, 2026.

ShowHide

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. Daily price log now includes the Black Friday prices of October 27.
  2. Bambu US store price update: A1 Combo $359 (was $399), A1 mini Combo $299 (was $329), A1 $259 (was $299), A1 mini $199 (was $219), P2S $449 (was $549).
  3. Black Friday 2026: Bambu's sale price for the A1 Combo (October 27 to December 1) against the lowest price in our log.

Earlier changes

Earlier changes

11 older entries, Jul 8, 2026 to Oct 9, 2026.

ShowHide
  1. A1 mini prices back at $219 and $329 for the Combo (was $209 and $315.50); the gap to the A1 is $80 again.
  2. Spec table: layer height is now 0.08 to 0.28 mm, the Bambu Studio default for the 0.4 mm nozzle (was 0.05 to 0.35 mm); A1 mini prices now $209 and $315.50 for the Combo; hardened nozzle pick is now Bambu's Hotend A1/A2.
  3. TPU row corrected to 90A to 95A (was 85A to 95A), as TPU 85A is not compatible with the A1 series; print at about 35 to 40 mm/s (was 30 to 40 mm/s).
  4. Added Who should buy and Known issues, including Bambu's US heatbed cable recall, plus the firmware and price lines; noise corrected to under 48 dB in Silent Mode (was about 35 dB). Estimated accessory prices removed.
  5. Full AMS answer corrected to yes (was no): with the A Series AMS Hub and firmware 01.07.00.00 or later, up to four AMS, AMS 2 Pro or AMS HT units, not combined with the AMS Lite.
  6. Specs checked against Bambu: machine dimensions 465 × 410 × 430 mm (was 389 × 389 × 458 mm), power max 1300W at 220V and 350W at 110V (was 500W); PLA-CF and PLA-GF now not recommended.
  7. Price gap to the A1 mini now $80, $299 vs $219 (was $100); the $399 AMS Lite combo is no longer called the cheapest way into Bambu multi-color, as the A1 mini Combo costs $329.
  8. Specs corrected: bed max 100°C (was 65°C), weight 8.3 kg (was about 13.2 kg), camera built in (was optional); AMS Lite combo price now $399 (was $499).
  9. Filter spec corrected: the P2S has an activated carbon filter, no HEPA (was listed as HEPA filtration).
  10. Price now $299 with the $399 list price struck through (was $399).
  11. Added Starter accessories for the A1 with four picks (UniTak double-sided PEI plate, TEQStone Bed Adhesive, IdeaFormer hardened nozzles, SUNLU FilaDryer S2); display corrected to a 3.5" touchscreen (was 2.7" touch LCD).
Model
A1
Page
Type
Best value
Last updated
Editor
BambuHub editorial
Sources
Listed above
Status
Not affiliated with Bambu Lab