Bambu Lab A1 mini vs Bambu Lab A1
- The A1 has 188% more build volume (16.8 L against 5.8 L).
- Per litre, the A1 is the cheaper space at $18 against $38.
- Neither manufacturer publishes a volumetric flow rate, so neither speed claim can be checked against what the hotend can melt.
Bambu Lab
A1 mini
~$219 · 5.8 L
A first printer for someone who wants colour prints without learning to tune a machine first.
Bambu Lab
A1
~$299 · 16.8 L
Someone who wants a big, quiet, no-fuss printer and prints mostly PLA and PETG.
| A1 mini | A1 | |
|---|---|---|
| Approx. price | ~$219 | ~$299 |
| Build volumex × y × z converted to litres, so three numbers become one comparable one | 5.8 L | 16.8 L |
| Dimensions | 180 × 180 × 180 mm | 256 × 256 × 256 mm |
| Per litre | $38 | $18 |
| Type | FDM bedslinger | FDM bedslinger |
| Motion | bedslinger | bedslinger |
| Max flowthe hotend's rated volumetric flow — what actually caps print speed | not published | not published |
| Real line speedestimated from flow at a 0.4 mm nozzle and 0.2 mm layer | not published | not published |
| Max speedthe manufacturer's claim — gantry movement, not extrusion | 500 mm/s | 500 mm/s |
| Hotend max temp | 300 °C | 300 °C |
| Bed max temp | 80 °C | 100 °C |
| Enclosure | Open frame | Open frame |
| Extruder | direct drive | direct drive |
| Auto level | strain-gauge | strain-gauge |
| Hardened nozzle | No | No |
| Multi-material | AMS lite, 4 slots | AMS lite, 4 slots |
| True multi-material priceprinter plus the changer it is photographed with | ~$339 | ~$439 |
| Firmware | Bambu | Bambu |
| LAN-only mode | Yes | Yes |
| Camera | Yes | Yes |
| Assembly | Pre-assembled | Pre-assembled |
| Noise | 48 dB | 48 dB |
| Released | 2023 | 2023 |