Bambu Lab A1 vs Bambu Lab A1 mini
Two of the open-frame 3d printers in our best open-frame 3d printers: bambu a1, prusa mk4s, kobra, neptune, sovol sv08 comparison, lined up spec by spec. Every figure comes from the manufacturer pages linked below, and the scores use the same published formula as the full ranking.
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Best for: A 256 mm bed-slinger with full auto-calibration and AMS lite
Check price at AmazonBest for: A 180 mm desk-size printer with AMS lite
Check price at AmazonSpec-by-spec comparison
Green marks the better published figure. "Not listed" means the manufacturer doesn't publish it.
| Spec | Bambu Lab A1 | Bambu Lab A1 mini | Weight |
|---|---|---|---|
| Build volumeWidth × depth × height from the spec table, in liters. Anything over 45 L gets full marks; see the large-format guide for the giants. | 16.8 L | 5.8 L | 25% |
| Multi-color system offeredYes when the maker sells or builds in a multi-filament system for this printer. | Yes | Yes | 20% |
| Max accelerationHigher acceleration shortens real print times more than headline top speed. Prusa doesn't publish it, so its models get the category median. | 10000 mm/s² | 10000 mm/s² | 20% |
| Max nozzle temperature300 °C or more lets an open printer handle PETG-CF, TPU and short ABS runs. | 300 °C | 300 °C | 15% |
| Max bed temperatureHotter beds hold PETG and ABS flat on bigger plates. | 100 °C | 80 °C | 10% |
| Built-in camera listedYes when a camera ships built in. Optional add-ons count as No. | Yes | Yes | 10% |
| Build volume | 256 × 256 × 256 mm | 180 × 180 × 180 mm | info |
| Max hotend temp | 300 °C | 300 °C | info |
| Max bed temp | 100 °C | 80 °C | info |
| Max speed / acceleration | 500 mm/s / 10,000 mm/s² | 500 mm/s / 10,000 mm/s² | info |
| Max flow | 28 mm³/s | Not listed | info |
| Multicolor | AMS lite | AMS lite | info |
| Camera | Low-rate camera (up to 1080p) | Low-rate camera | info |
| Noise | Silent mode under 48 dB | Not listed | info |
| Net weight | 8.3 kg | 5.5 kg | info |
| Max power | Not listed | 150 W | info |
| LayerPick score | 5.5/10 | 4.3/10 | 100% |
Where each one comes out ahead
Bambu Lab A1
Better published figure on: Build volume, Max bed temperature.
What we like
- Calibrates Z-offset, bed, vibration and flow for every print
- AMS lite multicolor
Watch out for
- Bambu lists ABS/ASA/PC as not recommended
Bambu Lab A1 mini
No scored spec where it is strictly ahead; its case rests on the strengths below.
What we like
- Smallest footprint here
- Same auto-calibration as A1
Watch out for
- 180 mm bed
- 80 °C bed limits PETG on big parts
Verdict
A1 has a 256 mm cube and a 100 °C bed; A1 mini is 180 mm with an 80 °C bed. Same hotend, acceleration and AMS lite.
- Bambu Lab A1: Bambu Lab: A1 tech specs
- Bambu Lab A1: Bambu Lab: A1
- Bambu Lab A1 mini: Bambu Lab: A1 mini tech specs