When Bambu Lab announced the A1 Mini with AMS color system, it was fair to say the 3D printing community was surprised. The Mini is aimed directly at the beginner market, with a low price tag, small footprint and easy setup. The biggest complaint about it, though, was the smaller bed size. Bambu Lab has addressed that with the launch of the A1, a full-size version of the A1 Mini.
I’ve spent a few weeks with the A1. Not enough time for a full review, but enough to know I like what I’m seeing. There aren’t any big differences between the A1 Mini and the A1, so don’t expect huge changes. For a beginner who wants color printing, a 256mm cubed print area, and the easiest setup imaginable, the A1 is spot on.
The table shows that almost every metric for the A1 series, whether the Mini or the A1, is the same. Both machines use the same swappable hot-end system, have a theoretical top speed of 500mm/s and use the same software to run. The only differences between these machines seems to be the bed size, the cost, and that the A1 can reach the 100C bed temperature needed to print ABS.
Bambu Lab A1 Mini Combo vs. A1 Combo
A1 Mini Combo | A1 Combo | |
---|---|---|
Build volume | 180 x 180 x 180 mm | 256 x 256 x 256 mm |
Hot end | Swappable | Swappable |
Extruder type | Direct Drive AMS (Color system) | Direct Drive AMS (Color system) |
Nozzle diameter | 0.4mm | 0.4mm |
Nozzle max temperature | 300C | 300C |
Build plate max temperature | 80C | 100C |
Official max speed | 500 mm/s | 500 mm/s |
Supported material | PLA, PETG, TPU, PVA | PLA, PETG, TPU, PVA, ABS |
Auto bed leveling | Yes | Yes |
Filament run out sensor | Yes | Yes |
Connectivity | Wi-Fi, App enabled | Wi-Fi, App enabled |
Time-lapse camera | Monitor only | Yes |
Slicer | Bambu Slicer | Bambu Slicer |
Like the Mini Combo, the A1 was incredibly easy to set up, requiring about 10 screws, two plugs and four pieces of tubing. Unlike the Mini, the A1 has a detached power cable — something that should be standard — and a cool LCD screen that can flip away when you move it around. It has the same software as the Mini as well, so if you…
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