Bambu Lab A1 vs Original Prusa MK4S
- The A1 has 45% more build volume (16.8 L against 11.6 L).
- Per litre, the A1 is the cheaper space at $18 against $86.
- Only the MK4S publishes a flow rate (24 mm³/s, roughly 300 mm/s of line speed), so the other's speed claim cannot be checked.
Bambu Lab
A1
~$299 · 16.8 L
Someone who wants a big, quiet, no-fuss printer and prints mostly PLA and PETG.
PrusaMK4S
Prusa
MK4S
~$999 · 11.6 L
Someone who wants a fast printer they can repair and modify rather than a sealed appliance.
| A1 | MK4S | |
|---|---|---|
| Approx. price | ~$299 | ~$999 |
| Build volumex × y × z converted to litres, so three numbers become one comparable one | 16.8 L | 11.6 L |
| Dimensions | 256 × 256 × 256 mm | 250 × 210 × 220 mm |
| Per litre | $18 | $86 |
| Type | FDM bedslinger | FDM bedslinger |
| Motion | bedslinger | bedslinger |
| Max flowthe hotend's rated volumetric flow — what actually caps print speed | not published | 24 mm³/s |
| Real line speedestimated from flow at a 0.4 mm nozzle and 0.2 mm layer | not published | 300 mm/s |
| 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 | 100 °C | 120 °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 | MMU3, 5 slots |
| True multi-material priceprinter plus the changer it is photographed with | ~$439 | ~$1,298 |
| Firmware | Bambu | PrusaFirmware |
| LAN-only mode | Yes | Yes |
| Camera | Yes | No |
| Assembly | Pre-assembled | Pre-assembled |
| Noise | 48 dB | — |
| Released | 2023 | 2024 |