We’ve got our sights set on Amazon Prime Day, which is running from June 23-26, 2026, and the bargains for some of the best 3D printers are hot! But Amazon is not the only place to snag a great deal. Manufacturers are holding fantastic sales on their own websites, and most are offering free shipping along with can’t-miss filament bundles.

Even if you’re not in the market for a new 3D printer, Prime Day brings out the best sales on filament and accessories. Not to be left out, Bambu Lab is celebrating its 4th anniversary, Creality is honoring Father’s Day until the end of June, and Elegoo is running sales on its already budget-friendly 3D printers.

Anycubic Kobra X

The Anycubic Kobra X is one of the best, most affordable 3D printers you can buy, and it’s currently on sale for $299.99 on Amazon for Prime members. We love its space-saving design with top-mounted spools and a compact multimaterial handler packed right in the tool head. It also has a quick swap nozzle and a roomy 260 x 260 mm build plate.

By keeping the material mere centimeters from the nozzle at all times, the Kobra X has a competitive speed advantage. During our testing, it could swap colors in about 35 seconds from cut to purge, while the Bambu A1 took as long as 90 seconds to swap. Those seconds can really stack up over hundreds of layers of multicolor printing.

Because it only needs to retract filament a very short distance, the Kobra X is one of the few machines that can mix standard TPU and PLA in one print.

Bambu Lab A1 and A1 Mini

Bambu Lab only offers three of its older model 3D printers on Amazon: the A1, A1 Mini, and P1S. It’s not surprising, as these are also its most popular, budget, and beginner-friendly machines.

The A1 Mini is our favorite recommendation for kids starting a 3D printing hobby. Its compact size, ease of use, and full access to Bambu Lab’s ecosystem make it a machine that can grow with you as you level up your skills. It’s currently $349 with a four-color AMS Lite, or $234 as a single-color machine on Amazon.

The A1, with its standard-sized 256x256mm build plate, is a no-brainer for beginners who want to start with a full-size machine. This machine is currently the most cloned 3D printer, but its print quality, speed, and simple interface are hard to beat. Bambu’s full-service ecosystem isn’t quite a walled garden, but it’s certainly a cozy place to stay for beginners learning the ropes. Amazon currently has the A1 Combo for $394, but you can get a better price, along with discounted filaments, at Bambu’s own website. The A1 Combo is $379 with a build-your-own filament bundle that lists spools at 45% off.

Bambu Lab P1S

A fan favorite workhorse since the day it was launched in 2023, the P1S is Bambu Lab’s bargain, no frills, fully enclosed 3D printer. It’s currently on sale for $499 on Amazon as a four-color combo unit that includes the original AMS.

The P1S has all the print quality you’d expect from a Bambu Lab machine, but has a few old-school quirks. Swapping the nozzle involves minor surgery with a screwdriver, thermal paste, and a steady hand. It has an extremely basic “dumb screen” interface on the printer, which can be easily avoided if you use either the Bambu Handy mobile app or simply operate from your PC, as I do.

Elegoo Centauri Carbon

Elegoo’s single color, fully enclosed, Centauri Carbon is holding steady as a value leader with a $299.98 price tag on Amazon. You can also get it on the Elegoo website, but you’ll have to pay extra for shipping.

The Centauri Carbon is a bare-bones enclosed 3D printer that handles a wide variety of filaments, from PLA, PETG, and ASA to TPU, quite well, without the need for a heated chamber. It has a standard bed size of 256 x 256mm, which means 3rd party build plate upgrades are easy to find. Our only complaint was the dim light, which, when combined with a smoked glass door, makes watching your prints difficult.

Though Elegoo did recently come out with a $55 four-color CANVAS upgrade for the Centauri Carbon, if you really want a four-color machine, I’d recommend the Centauri Carbon 2, only available on the Elegoo website, for $449 at the time of this writing. The upgrade kit is a nice gesture for CC1 owners, but it requires about 2 to 3 hours to mod your printer.

Creality SparkX i7

If you're looking for an affordable entry into multi-color printing, the Creality SPARKX i7 Color Combo is a fantastic pick. What really seals the deal is the CFS Lite spool manager, a low-maintenance, incredibly adaptable “magic box” that handles every size and type of spool I could throw at it, including quarter-sized mini spools and spoolless coils, during testing.

The SPARKX i7 Combo is currently $369 on Amazon. It has a 260 x 260 x 255mm build volume, which is a bit bigger than Creality’s old Ender 3s without moving into Plus size territory. The Creality Cloud mobile app is a worthy addition for new users who want to pick fun models from their phone, run them through an easy slicer, and send them directly to their printer without needing to log onto a PC.

Flashforge AD5X and Creator 5

The single-nozzle/multicolor Flashforge AD5X is a solid entry to four-color, Core XY printing on a budget. The machine is currently on Amazon for $322 as an open-frame machine. The enclosure seen on our review unit was a DIY kit sold for $50 that includes panes of acrylic and a bag of screws: you print the rest yourself.

The AD5X does a great job with standard filaments, soft TPU, and can handle ASA when enclosed. The simple material handler is similar to Elegoo’s CC2, which keeps each filament a few inches from the top of the toolhead and doesn’t need to retract back onto the spool. Sometimes keeping it simple really is the best.

Unfortunately, the Creator 5 tool changer is not on Amazon for Prime Day, but it is currently on sale for $699 on Flashforge’s own website. We recently finished testing the Creator 5 and found it to be one of the best 3D printers of the year, which we hope is filled with even more toolchangers to come.

More Prime Day Tech Deals

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Also, you can join the Tom's Hardware deals Discord for up-to-the-minute hardware deals.

Bambu Lab is running a big sale all through the Amazon Prime Day week, meaning you can grab big discounts on its popular line of 3D printers at Amazon for the next few days.

It's also running its big anniversary sale event on its website/. Savings of up to 52% are possible on the best Bambu Lab 3D printers right now, both at its own store and from Amazon. That's important to mention, because we're seeing varied discounts across both sites, thanks to these deals running concurrently.

We're expecting the Prime Day deals to finish by the end of the week, but Bambu Lab's anniversary sale is set to run until July 15, 2026. That doesn't mean it's worth waiting around, however. These are popular printers, and past experience tells us that the best discounts will sell out well before that happens.

If you need or want a new Bambu Lab 3D printer, now is the perfect time. There are record-low prices to take advantage of across the entire Bambu Lab printer family, including deals on the Bambu Lab P1S, P2S, A1, and H2D.

● Check out Bambu Lab's Prime Day deals at Amazon

● See all Bambu Lab sale deals

Struggling to decide? Here are the best Bambu Lab Prime Day deals that you can pick up right now. This comes with direct advice on the best 3D printer models, with links to the Bambu Lab printers that we've previously reviewed, where you can read about our full and thorough testing of each printer's performance, which will help you to choose between them.

Bambu Lab Prime Day Deals on 3D Printers

Automatic Material Systems Attachment Deals

AMS addons (Automatic Material Systems) for Bambu Lab printers unlock the ability to print with multiple different colors in the same price, as well as help with filament drying and storage.

Depending on the 3D printer combination and compatibility, you can link multiple units together, too.

Bambu Lab Filament Deals

Filament is a must-buy when you're buying a 3D printer (unless it's a resin printer), as you're going to need the actual material to start printing with. Bambu Lab have discounts on its own range of filament spools right now, with some great bundles on sale for beginners to pick up below.

More Prime Day Tech Deals

Best Tech and PC deals | Best gaming PC deals | Best RAM combo deals | Best 3D printer deals | Best RAM deals | Best gaming laptop deals | Best monitor deals | Best Wi-Fi Router deals | Best GPU deals | Best SSD deals | Best hard drive HDD deals | Best CPU deals | Best gaming chair deals | Best PC building tool deals | Best PC peripherals deals | Best filament and resin deals | Best motherboard deals | Best CPU cooler deals | Best PC case deals | Best Dell and Alienware deals | Best USB charger deals | Best gaming and productivity laptop deals under $1,000 | Best laptop PC deals

Also, you can join the Tom's Hardware deals Discord for up-to-the-minute hardware deals.

Bambu Lab announced a new line of PLA filament that might just be too good to be true. It’s PLA Pure, a new family-friendly, clean printing, and “food safe” material that’s UL Greenguard certified. PLA Pure is available now at Bambu Lab’s Official Store. It comes in three soft pastel colors, plus black and white, and retails for $24.99 on a spool or $21.99 as a refill.

The company says PLA Pure is the answer to rising concerns from new makers who want to keep a 3D printer in their family room, and share the space with children and pets. The concern is quite real, now that 3D printers have made the move from geeky garage lairs and workshops into the home itself. Only the manufactures know what’s actually in 3D printer filament, and few scientific studies have been conducted to analyze how printers affect air quality. Most makers shrug it off and crack a window, or purchase an air purifier to park next to their printer.

• Bambu Lab PLA Pure: $24.99 1kg spool

Manufacturers aren’t required to list the ingredients of their filament on the box or website. Even the Safety Data Sheet (SDS), which declares a product’s chemical makeup, is incredibly vague. For example, the SDS for Bambu Lab’s Basic PLA says it contains 95 to 99 percent Polylactic Acid (PLA) and 1 to 5 percent “additive.” These additives are mixed in to give the filament extra strength, flexibility, or cosmetic finishes and are a closely guarded secret.

Bambu Lab’s PLA Pure peels back the curtain a little bit and lists the five ingredients: polylactic acid, acrylic copolymer, color pigments, ethylene bis-stearamide, and talc. They further explain that polylactic acid (PLA) is from corn and sugarcane, the acrylic copolymer is also found in children's toys, the pigments are the same used in baby tableware, EBS is from food packaging, and the talc is verified asbestos-free.

The asbestos-free line ends up raising more questions than it answers. First, if this new line proudly features asbestos-free talc for the matte finish, does that mean standard matte PLA does not? And if there are five ingredients in a “pure” PLA, what on earth could be hiding in the tough PLA, the silks, or the variants with glitter?

If you’re wondering why talc could contain asbestos in the first place, the reason is sadly simple. Both are minerals that naturally form under the same conditions, and these deposits mingle together. Talc is so abundant that it's incredibly cheap, but keeping it separate while mining can be nearly impossible, especially at a commercial scale.

While this new PLA successfully passes muster as a non-toxic material, the lab tests can only speak for the spool of unprinted plastic. Once printed, you’re back to the age-old problem of tiny cracks formed by the layer lines that harbor germs and bacteria on plastic that can not survive the sanitizing heat of the dishwasher.

We should also note that raw PLA, which is derived from corn or sugarcane, is a non-toxic, food-safe material. It is only the things manufactured and added to raw PLA that raise concerns.

Bambu Lab says PLA Pure carries UL 2904 Greenguard certification, which measures particulate matter and Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) for indoor air quality impact. These levels during printing fall below what's typically present in an average kitchen, living room, or office.

The company says that its PLA Basic also holds indoor air quality certification under the same standard, but PLA Pure's cleaner ingredient profile yields even lower emission levels. Testing was conducted on Bambu Lab A1 and A2L printers, without enclosure or filtration to reflect an average home setup.

The real reason Bambu Lab may have introduced this family-friendly filament is the toy safety aspect. PLA Pure passed a European safety standard, EN 71-3 certification, that governs the migration of harmful heavy metals from toy materials. This includes notably lead, cadmium, and chromium, which can be dangerous if a child puts a contaminated toy in their mouth.

Obvious PLA Pure won’t prevent toys from becoming choking hazards, and germ-trapping layer lines still exist. Bambu Lab warns that PLA can’t be used for liquids or exposed to temperatures above 60°C (like your dishwasher).

Prusa Research has announced a new open-source ColorMix engine for both PrusaSlicer and its web-based EasyPrint slicer, joining Snapmaker and Bambu Lab in the race to see who can best implement “Full Spectrum” color printing. Prusa Research recently went into detail on its development in a video and blog post.

Full Spectrum is a method of visually blending FDM filaments to create an endless color palette. The technique is gaining popularity with the rise of toolchangers and similar multimaterial 3D printers. The method works best when you print at ultra-thin layer heights, which toolchangers can achieve with relative speed and minimal waste.

We doubt that color mixing will replace having individual spools of precise color anytime soon. Besides the extra time, Full Spectrum colors can exhibit rather obvious banding, especially when using opaque materials. But it can create subtle shades and hues that are otherwise difficult to find. On the Benchy’s below, I used the same 75% white with 25% purple. The boat on the left used a translucent “high speed” white, which blended much better than the standard opaque white on the right.

We tested ColorMix on a 3D Benchy using a Prusa MK4 with an MMU3, and it took over 7 hours to create a 66-gram purge tower. On a Prusa XL toolchanger, the time was reduced to 2 hours and 46 minutes, with only 22 grams of waste. Prusa’s new INDX should be able to increase print speed while reducing waste to nearly nothing.

Originally developed by Radu (aka Ratdoux) using OrcaSlicer and a Snapmaker U1 toolchanger, his technique is very much like HueForge’s color painting. While HueForge images are super thin and meant to be viewed from the top down, Full Spectrum can be applied to ordinary models and is best viewed from the side.

The challenge to "filament painting” an FDM print is that plastic filaments can’t mix together like paint or ink. Instead, you need to create the illusion of color by tricking the eye. The team at Prusa Research noticed a similarity between Ratdoux’s method and halftoning, which produces color images by spacing small dots. If you've ever looked closely at printed comic books, newspapers, or magazine photos, you’ve seen halftones at work.

Paper printing presses use what’s known as CMYK, with four standard colors of ink: cyan, magenta, yellow, and black. White is provided by the underlying paper. ColorMix uses five filament colors, which the team at Prusa Polymers is currently working to standardize as part of its method. If you want to try ColorMix right now, they suggest using Prusament Azure Blue, Ms. Pink, and Pineapple Yellow. We expect Prusament’s CMYKW to be a bit translucent as well, which will further help blend the color.

Prusa Research built on ideas started by others in the open-source 3D printing community: Ratdoux’s OrcaSlicer-FullSpectrum, Justin H. Rahb’s filament mixer, and the PeggyPalette model, which makes it easy to compare results. Prusa Research is also utilizing its Open Tag project, a library full of thousands of filaments from dozens of brands, and has created the Prusa FDM Mixer to virtually create new colors from filaments you already have.

We expect PrusaSlicer 3.0 to include tools that will make ColorMix even simpler to use. At the moment, you can use ColorMix by downloading a PrusaSlicer beta version 2.9.6 and using Prusa FDM Mixer separately to estimate your color values.

PrusaSlicer has always been a little clunky to use with its multicolor machines, as it was developed for the single-color MK line. While it allows you to select colors using a Windows-style color picker (RGB and HSL values), it does not let you enter filament color by name on the spool. If you want a more precise estimate, you need to manually transfer the RGB color values from the FDM Mixer to the PrusaSlicer filament selection.

Bambu Lab is launching a new, larger-sized bed slinger, the A2L, with a 330 × 320 × 325 mm build volume similar in size to the H2 lineup, but at half the price of the similarly equipped H2S. This new printer will have a more approachable $569 price tag for the combo, with a single color A2L going for $469. Bambu has already nicknamed this machine the “H2S Lite.”

• Bambu Lab A2L 3D Printer from $469

The A2L’s 330x320mm build plate is twice the size of its standard 256 x 256mm plate featured in the A1, P1S, P2S, X1, and X2D. This makes the new machine a decent-sized printer for cosplayers, as anything over 300x300 is considered a “helmet class” 3D printer. For comparison, this is a smidge bigger than Creality CR-10, and a touch smaller than a Prusa Research XL. Our current pick for Best Cosplay printer is the Anycubic Kobra 3 Max, which boasts a whopping 420 x 420mm build plate. Once our full review is finished, we’ll need to revisit that ranking.

To compensate for the printer’s extra mass, Bambu Lab swapped out traditional stepper motors for closed-loop PMSM servo motors, which actively track position to eliminate the layer shifts that are too common on oversized bed-slingers. Additionally, it features a new adaptive vibration compensation system that runs a multi-point calibration to dynamically adjust to tall, heavy prints. Combined with two physical granular dampers embedded directly into the frame to absorb vibration, Bambu claims the A2L can achieve clean, ghosting-free surfaces that rival Core-XY print quality.

The A2L nozzle can hit 300 °C, while the bed can only reach 80 °C, a concession to its massive size and the excessive power that would be required to maintain high temperatures without an enclosure. Because this is an open-frame printer, it would not be able to reliably print ABS, ASA, or other high-temperature filaments, so the lower heat levels will not be missed. Bambu Lab does not advise putting any of the A-series printers inside an enclosure to protect the printer’s electronics, which are tucked into the base, directly underneath the heated bed. Trapping the mainboard inside a warm box would cause overheating and shorten the lifespan of the electrical components.

The A2L can be upgraded with a Blade Cutting kit, similar to what we first saw on the Bambu Lab H2D. This will include a cutting blade, pen holder, and cutting plate for the bed. Being an open-frame printer, there will be no laser upgrade.

Bambu Lab is positioning the A2L as the ultimate family 3D Printer, capable of printing home decor and the types of large crafts that delight children. The addition of a cutting tool and plotting pen will make paper crafting, sticker making, and vinyl t-shirt iron-ons a breeze.

Combos will be paired with the traditional AMS Lite, but the A2L will also be able to run an AMS or AMS 2 Pro with the addition of an AMS Hub, available for $19.99. This hub provides not only the appropriate data cable, but also a one-to-four filament switcher.

Bambu Lab dropped a teaser Thursday morning, announcing the A2L, a mysterious new 3D printer launching on June 1. Normally, Bambu Lab sends Tom’s Hardware review units well in advance of printer launches, but today we are just as surprised as you to hear about this machine, so let’s engage in a little friendly speculation, shall we?

Bambu Lab has been refreshing its original lineup of 3D printers, starting with the popular P2S and most recently the X2D, which we still consider to be the best all-around 3D printer you could buy. It’s a no-brainer that the A1 would be next on the list, which could put to rest concerns over design flaws in a machine that is one of the most affordable entry points for new makers wanting a color 3D printer.

I popped over to the Bambu Lab forum to see what fans were saying about the bare bones announcement, which did not show a machine but only a six-color 3D printed “baby announcement” popping out of an envelope, complete with stickers and markers.

Among the wild speculation that the new machine could have a laser, cutter, Vortek, dual nozzles, and even an open frame CORE XY build, was one user, Professional3D, who claimed to have wrung info from the Bambu Lab chatbot.

We were unable to duplicate Professional3D’s chatbot shenanigans, so it’s unknown if this is an actual leak or just someone feeding the trolls on the forum with hearsay. However, the notion that the L in A2L stands for LARGE, and using a 330x320 build plate similar in size to the H2 lineup, would follow with Bambu Labs current scheme of standardizing parts across various models. For example, the quick swap nozzle currently in use in the X2D, P2S, and H2 lines all started with the original A1 nozzle.

Fans of Bambu Lab have long pined for a larger machine, while the H2S’s massive 325x320x325mm build volume soothes that need; it comes with a noticeably larger price tag. The H2S Combo is $1499, $1100 more than the very affordable A1 Combo’s $399. For years, other manufacturers have offered super-sized bed slingers, like Anycubic’s four-color Kobra 3 Max, Elegoo’s Neptune 4 Max, and Creality’s Cr-M4.

Some forum users focused on the “creative playground” headline and the animated sticker placement, wondering if this machine could have a laser or cutter like the H2D. A laser would be out of the question for an unenclosed bed slinger, but a plotter-style cutting blade (which the H2D also has) could definitely work. The H2D toolhead, and more importantly, the underutilized Bambu Suite, can easily hold a knife or pen for carrying out Cricut-style crafting.

Other users noticed that six colors were used in the announcement and wondered if the A2L could have a Vortek nozzle swapping system like the H2C. That would be highly unlikely, unless the A2L is also a CoreXY machine. A bed slinger (like the A1) simply has no place to hang the rack needed for a Vortek. It's more likely that the A2L can use two or more AMS systems, which would expand its range to 8 colors and beyond.

Bambu Lab is once more in hot water after user Moreiras3D posted a video of a melted A1 3D printer to Instagram. The footage shows an A1 with its side completely melted down to the metal chassis, but some of the key details behind the incident remain unknown. The resulting heat appears to have been powerful enough that another A1 sitting next to it has a damaged cord.

The video itself does not explain what happened, and plays a Contemporary Brazilian gospel soundtrack. The second half of the video shows a young boy unboxing a new A1 while watching an assembly video by StlFlix, who also hails from Brazil. The comments are mostly in Portuguese, but sifting through them with the help of Google Gemini to translate, we get some of the story.

“My machine has been in use for 3 months and already has recent reports from several others that the same thing happened,” said Moreiras3D. In a follow-up reply, he notes the printer was on a surge protector, but that the fire started on the machine itself, not the outlet.

At first glance, it would appear this is the result of a faulty NTC thermistor we reported on in January. At that time, YouTuber Grant Posner (3D Musketeers) was finding an alarming number of A1 printers with charred or melted cases, but none appeared as severe as this one from Moreiras3D.

The known issue stems from the A1’s AC power distribution board operating above normal temperatures and posing a risk of fire. The AC power board uses an NTC thermistor to limit inrush current and is active only while the printer is rapidly warming up. Bambu Lab responded that no fires had been reported at that time, and that its printers comply with applicable safety standards and use flame-retardant materials. The company also said it would fix the issue on printers going forward.

The red arrow in the image points to the NTC on the A1’s power board.

Some disgruntled community members on BambuLab’s Reddit are of the opinion that the A1 needs to be recalled, with Louis Rossmann echoing their sentiments with a video titled “Bambu Lab PR Dumpster fire is turning into a literal one”.

However, others are doubtful that Moreiras3D’s A1 caught fire due to the same NTC thermistor issue. For one thing, the machine is relatively new and most likely from the stock that Bambu manufactured after correcting the faulty part.

While Bambu told Tom’s Hardware in January that conditions causing the NTC thermistor to fail were rare, they had changed the hardware in Q3 2025, which could be well over 8 months ago.

Furthermore, some sharp-eyed Redditors questioned the video, filmed well after the fire, but showing a large melted plastic object under a dish towel. Below, we pieced together a series of images from the Instagram reel to give a clearer view of the whole desk layout.

“So that burned mess between the two A1 printers would point to something really big going on there, and the damage to the side of the A1 on the right could be caused by proximity to whatever happened in the middle. Without any video evidence of the fire happening, we're left to speculate with the video we have available (and some mildly annoying music). I'm not saying the A1 didn't have a failure, but I'm not going to make the evidence fit the narrative; it has to be the other way around for this to work,” said Redditor Spyglass.

Grant Posner, posting under his Reddit handle Mobius1ace5, confirmed he has reached out to the owner of the burnt machine in hopes of solving this mystery.

“Yes I am assuming it's stemming from the NTC. The rags there likely factor in some too. And no, it's at the same place I believe. It's why we have contacted the user to not only get more info but to try and buy the machine so we can have it tested. Anything else is pure conjecture,” he said.

The Software Freedom Conservancy, a non-profit organization dedicated to legally protecting open-source software, said that Bambu Lab has violated the licenses that its slicer used as it looked into the company after the 3D printer manufacturer threatened to sue independent developer Paweł Jarczak.

Jarczak built an OrcaSlicer fork (called OrcaSlicer-bambulab) that bypassed the company’s Bambu Connect service, and was soon served with a cease-and-desist and a demand for the removal of their work from GitHub. According to the SFC, the company’s restrictions violate AGPLv3, the license its software is based on, which says one cannot put additional limitations on the rights granted under the copyleft agreement.

The company’s troubles began when it accused Jarczak’s fork of impersonating Bambu Studio, bypassing their authorization controls, and violating their Terms of Use. The 3D printer manufacturer also alleged that the developer used “reverse engineering” of its closed-source software and said it “could allow modified forks to send arbitrary commands to printers.” The company says that the bambu_networking plugin included in Bambu Studio, which handles all communication for the slicer, is proprietary. Because of this, it says reverse engineering the protocol that the plugin used, which Jarczak did to create their own Rust implementation, violates Bambu’s Terms of Service.

The company told All3DP in a statement, "The AGPL, the DMCA, and Bambu Lab’s terms do not permit reverse engineering that violates applicable protocols, rules, or circumvents technical protection measures protecting our cloud services." It also added, "From the beginning, our preference has been dialogue, not confrontation. At this stage, rather than escalating conflict, we are focusing on strengthening our own infrastructure and protection measures moving forward. Interim measures have already been implemented. Security will continue to be strengthened in future releases, and we recommend that users update to the latest version in a timely manner."

On the other hand, the SFC contends that because bambu_networking is required to run the Bambu Studio, it falls under AGPLv3, which the Bambu Lab’s slicer is licensed under. Bambu Studio itself is a fork of PrusaSlicer, which was also based on Slic3r. The original Slic3r uses AGPLv3, meaning every derivative under it, including Bambu Studio, must use the same license. The fact that bambu_networking is flagged as proprietary breaks the copyleft license and violates several clauses in the license agreement.

This has been going on for years now, but it’s the company’s actions against Jarczak that finally caused an uproar in the 3D printing community. Joseph Prusa himself, the chief of Prusa Research and the creator of PrusaSlicer on which Bambu Studio is based on, said that it was violating the AGPLv3 license, and that Bambu Lab’s actions raise red flags when it comes to security. Right-to-repair advocates are also rallying behind the developer, with YouTuber Louis Rossman saying that he will support Jarczak up to $10,000 for their legal expenses, with Gamers Nexus matching that amount. Furthermore, Rossman said that he’ll host the fork on his own FULU (Freedom from Unethical Limitations) Foundation GitHub and dared the company to take legal action against him.

Bambu Lab is one of the biggest names in the 3D printing industry, with the company reportedly boasting a valuation of billions of dollars and having overtaken Creality as the world’s best-selling budget 3D printer brand. This is why many enthusiasts are concerned, as it apparently moves away from open-source software and towards proprietary apps. But as long as it uses software based on AGPLv3-licensed components, it has no choice but to comply with those requirements.

As for the trouble that Bambu Lab's response on Jarczak's fork stirred, the company said to All3DP: "We nonetheless regret that our reference to Terms of Service, legal context and a potential C&D understandably came across as a legal threat. That was not the outcome we wanted."

More people are taking a stand against Bambu Lab and its opposition to open source firmware, as Louis Rossmann posted yet another YouTube video taunting the 3D printing juggernaut into taking legal action. In the video, he stated the contentious fork of OrcaSlicer-BambuLab was now hosted on his own FULU (Freedom from Unethical Limitations) Foundation GitHub. This is the version of OrcaSlicer that promised to restore the direct cloud connectivity that the company stripped away in early 2025, a move that many in the 3D printing community saw as the first step in locking the garden gates for Bambu Lab users.

Bambu Lab, a company with estimated revenue approaching $1 billion USD, threatened Independent developer Pawel Jarczak with a cease-and-desist over the free program. He then took the project down.

Rossmann, an advocate for Right to Repair and fully owning the products one purchases. He offered $10,000 in legal aid to Jarczak if he would keep his code posted, and encouraged his 2.5 million YouTube followers to contribute to the cause as well. Gamers Nexus followed suit by also hosting Jarczak’s OrcaSlicer-BambuLab code on its GitHub and pledging an additional $10,000 to the legal fund.

Jeff Geerling, a respected Open Source software engineer, fan of Raspberry Pi’s, and owner of a Bambu Lab P1S, posted a YouTube video to his one million subscribers the same morning, saying that he would not purchase another Bambu Lab printer after this incident.

Jarczak was crowdfunding a modest $500 donation to buy a Klipper-based 3D printer for project testing. Despite Jarczak’s insistence that his fork relied entirely on publicly available AGPL-licensed code from Bambu’s own repository, he expressed no desire to tangle with the massive 3D printer company and took down the software.

Snapmaker has since stepped in with a donation of a Snapmaker U1 tool changer, which runs open-source Klipper, for Jarczak’s continued work. “We support creators, developers, and makers who contribute to the mission of democratizing the art of creation, develop open-source projects, and push the boundaries of 3D printing and maker hardware,” Blayne Sapelli, Snapmaker’s Head of PR, told Tom’s Hardware in a Discord private message. “We welcome them into our ecosystem and have provided machines, financial support, and engineering resources to a wide range of projects. You can expect to hear much more about these efforts in the near future.”

Bambu Lab maintains that this whole issue is a matter of structural vulnerability and stability for their cloud servers. In a blog post titled “Setting the record straight on Cloud Access and Community,” the company attempted to clarify its take on software modification. The company admitted that Bambu Studio is an open-source project under the AGPL-3.0 license, which is free to modify as users see fit.

“At the same time, a license for code is not a pass to our cloud infrastructure,” the company said. These are two separate things, and the company insists that Jarczak’s fork crossed the line by injecting falsified identity metadata into its network communication. “In simple terms: it pretended to be the official Bambu Studio client when communicating with our servers.”

The post closed with a reminder that Bambu Studio can be run in LAN Mode or Developer Mode for those who do not wish to interact with its cloud network. They also invited the community to participate in its “Bug Bounty Program,” which rewards users for reporting security vulnerabilities in either its hardware or software through the proper channels. The amount of the rewards was not listed.

Louis Rossmann has officially pledged $10,000 to cover the initial legal fees for an independent software developer threatened with a cease and desist letter from Bambu Lab. He posted a video on Saturday to mobilize the Right to Repair community to back the developer and crowd-fund his legal defense. Rossmann is quite unhappy with Bambu Labs, giving the company the middle finger several times in the video and then ending it with, “And if you're watching this, Bambu Labs, go f*** yourself. Pick on somebody your own size.”

The developer in question, Pawel Jarczak, voluntarily shuttered his “OrcaSlicer-BambuLab” project, which would have restored direct control between Bambu Lab 3D printers and OrcaSlicer. Last year, Bambu Lab deemed these types of third-party integrations a risk to its infrastructure, saying its cloud servers were inundated with roughly 30 million “unauthorized” requests per day. OrcaSlicer was singled out as the main source of the rogue traffic.

“If Bambu Labs goes after you for keeping up your code, I am so confident in your case that I will pay the first $10,000,” Rossmann said in his video. “Before Pawel makes a decision, I want him to see the overwhelming support that he has from the members of the community if he goes through with this decision.” You can see the video directly below.

Rossmann is asking Jarczak to put his fork of OrcaSlice back on GitHub in defiance of Bambu Lab’s threats. “How many of you, if push came to shove, if Bambu Labs was (bleeping) stupid enough to actually take the garbage case they have to court, how many of you would be willing to put up a dollar, $2, or $5 to defend Pawel? I'm willing to say $10,000,” Rossmann said.

Rossmann’s video contained a link to the Consumer Rights Wiki to explain the issue at hand to his audience, who may not be familiar with 3D printing but are avid defenders of Right to Repair. Right to Repair is a global consumer rights movement built on the principle that if you bought it, you own it. And if you own a thing, like a Bambu Lab 3D printer, you should have the freedom to fix, modify, or maintain the product as you see fit. Manufacturers shouldn’t be allowed to gatekeep the ability to fix a product, and they should provide manuals, schematics, and diagnostic software to allow end users to fix their own machines.

Bambu Lab printers are difficult to mod and/or repair yourself, with parts that are often glued in place. The original Bambu Lab X1 Carbon was notorious for its non-replaceable carbon rods that could wear out, and a hotend nozzle that needed a screwdriver and a tube of thermal paste to swap out if you wanted to avoid buying a $35 hotend just to change the nozzle size. These difficult parts were notably replaced with more user-friendly parts with the introduction of the H2D and subsequently, the X2D.

Rossman has not started a crowdfunding site yet, stating in the comments that he wants to prove to Jarczak that he has supporters willing to put their money where their mouth is. The video had over 54,000 views so far, with commenters vowing to back the case as requested.

@sonicsam41 commented: “I'd throw in $20. Don't even have a 3D printer, just hate bullies.”

@abirvandergriff8584 commented: “I'm in for $100 - I have an X1 from before they revealed how evil they are.”

Given the immediate reaction from his fans, it appears that Rossmann may, in fact, drum up plenty of support.

Independent software developer Pawel Jarczak has voluntarily shuttered his popular “OrcaSlicer-BambuLab” project following legal threats from Bambu Lab, ending one man’s fight to restore direct control to the popular third-party slicer. Jarczak’s fork of OrcaSlicer would have allowed users to bypass Bambu Connect, a middleware application that severely limits OrcaSlicer’s access to remote printer functions in the name of security.

Jarczak said in a note on GitHub that Bambu Lab threatened him with a cease and desist letter and accused him of reverse engineering its software in order to impersonate Bambu Studio. He said he was also accused of violating Bambu’s Terms of Use and bypassing authorization control. He chose to voluntarily remove the software. He insists he did nothing wrong as his fork of Orca only used publicly available source code.

“I explicitly pointed out that, according to Bambu Lab's own explanation, the reason the method still worked was simply that they had not disabled that path yet. In other words, the behavior they objected to was, by their own description, still possible within the Linux-side workflow they had not yet changed,” Jarczak wrote.

He also pointed out that Bambu Studio is publicly released under the AGPL-3.0 license, a “copyleft” Open Source license that PrusaSlicer uses. As Bambu Studio uses PrusaSlicer’s code as its foundation, it must allow the core program to remain open source.

Bambu Studio is closed-sourced at the Networking Plugin, which is the critical component that allows Bambu printers to phone home and access the company’s cloud servers.

Jarczak also maintains firmware for the Bambu Multi-Color Unit (BMCU), a DIY alternative to Bambu’s AMS. He said there is a growing risk that the BMCU will also be locked out of Bambu Lab’s ecosystem and is pivoting to Klipper-based printers. He is currently crowdfunding that project through Ko-Fi and Revolut, with links on his Git Hub page.

Bambu Lab had customer security in mind back when it labeled third-party integrations as a risk to its infrastructure in January 2025. The company reported that its cloud servers were inundated with roughly 30 million “unauthorized” requests per day, threatening system stability. The main culprit? Orca Slicer is an open source and independently maintained third-party slicer.

For many, brand-agnostic Orca Slicer was THE gold standard of 3D printing slicers. It’s a fork of Bambu Studio (which is itself a fork of Prusa Slicer), developed by SoftFever in 2022 when Bambu Lab was a young company with only one printer line, the X1, to its name. Because Orca was community-driven, it was quick to develop wild new features and offer them to users to test before they were fully stable and corporate-approved. Things like scarf seams, crosshatch infill, mouse ears, and a built-in suite of calibrations were introduced by Orca Slicer first.

It was a death blow to Orca users when Bambu Lab removed direct access to its cloud servers. Unlike other printers, Bambu Lab machines rely on cloud access to support their advanced features like remote monitoring and reading the filament in the AMS. In fact, it wouldn’t be until three months later, in March 2025, that a Bambu Lab printer would have a USB drive to facilitate moving print files without the internet. The X1, P1, and A1 series were all limited to hard-to-access microSD cards not intended for frequent access.

Though Bambu Lab offered up “Bambu Connect” to allow OrcaSlicer to send files, it severely limited users’ access to their own machines. OrcaSlicer could “see” your printer’s and AMS’s settings, but could not change anything. Changing the speed, temperature, or colors in the AMS required users to manually input data directly into the printer.

Bambu Lab claimed the top spot in global entry-level 3D printer shipments during 2025, overtaking longtime leader Creality, according to full-year market data from intelligence firm Context reported by All3DP on Saturday.

The Shenzhen-based company held a 37% share of the sub-$2,500 segment, with Creality, Elegoo, and Anycubic rounding out the top four. Entry-level shipments rose 47% year over year in Q4 and 26% across all of 2025, driving the broader 3D printing market out of a prolonged downturn.

In contrast, when Context published its Q1 2025 data, Creality still led the entry-level category with a 39% share despite a slight dip in unit sales, while Bambu Lab trailed in second place with 64% year-over-year shipment growth. Over the following three quarters, that growth rate widened the gap enough for Bambu Lab to take the lead. The company's MakerWorld model-sharing platform had reached approximately 10 million monthly active users by the end of 2025, with an 83% user retention rate after one year, according to data published by Bambu Lab on its WeChat channels in February.

Context's findings align with separate data from AM Research, which pegged the total global 3D printing market at $16 billion in 2025 with roughly 10% year-over-year growth. AM Research's Q4 report described the year as split into two distinct halves: the first mirrored the sluggish conditions of 2023 and 2024, while the second saw momentum return, with total market revenue growing from $4 billion in Q3 to $4.26 billion in Q4.

Chinese manufacturers accounted for more than 90% of global entry-level 3D printer shipments in 2025, according to the Context data, with China’s concentration increasing even as the market attracts more outside capital. Creality is preparing for an initial public offering, and All3DP reported that other major players in the segment are drawing investment from Chinese financial firms.

Contrasts with the professional market

The professional 3D printer segment, covering systems priced between $2,500 and $20,000, moved in the opposite direction. Shipments fell 12% in Q4 and 15% for the full year, with Formlabs holding 38% market share in that category. Midrange systems, priced from $20,000 to $100,000, also declined, dropping 6% in Q4 and 12% for the year. Context attributed part of that decline to consolidation and mergers during 2025.

Context expects growth across every price segment in 2026, with entry-level systems forecast to expand the fastest and industrial shipments expected to post near double-digit percentage increases. The firm cited loosening U.S. interest rates, strength in China's domestic market, and continued momentum in aerospace and defense as factors behind that outlook.

Bambu just released an update for the Bambu Studio app that gives users much more flexibility when it comes to color. According to the company’s X post, the Color Mixer Studio will let you combine two to three different filaments to create a totally new shade. Aside from that, you can also use it to print gradients across two colors, allowing you to give your 3D prints a unique look. This isn’t a new technique, and some have been experimenting with this method of color mixing for a few years now. However, Bambu acknowledged that it used Ratdoux’s approach, found on the OrcaSlicer-FullSpectrum fork available on GitHub, as the basis for the color prediction part of this new feature.

This color mixing feature is similar to the halftoning technique used in printing, wherein printers lay CMYK dots in patterns that vary in size and spacing on a flat surface to trick the eye into seeing new tones, hues, and shades. The difference here is that instead of using ink dots, Bambu 3D printers use different filaments to produce the optical illusion of a new color on a 3D surface.

“The useful concept here is often called Transmission Distance: if the printed layers are thin enough, or the filament is translucent enough, light can pass through multiple-colored layers before reflecting back to the viewer,” Ratdoux told All3DP. They also added, “When that happens, the eye does not see only a red layer or only a blue layer, for example; it sees light that has interacted with both, and the result is perceived as a mixed color.”

This technique is possible with both single- and multi-nozzle 3D printers, but it isn’t recommended to use it with the former. That’s because you’ll have to purge every time you change filament, which uses up a lot of the material and is also time-consuming. On the other hand, it would give some of the best multicolor 3D printers additional functionality, potentially even allowing you to print an unlimited number of colors with a set of CMYK filaments.

There are some limitations to this technique, though — sloped surfaces and top/bottom layers might deliver unpredictable results because of how the effect works. It’s recommended that you stick with near-vertical walls or do a test print first before committing to a final print. Furthermore, color reproduction might be inaccurate, so you might need to fine-tune your settings based on sample prints.

The Bambu Studio V2.5.3 Release Note says that a base layer height of 0.12mm and a mixed layer height of 0.2mm are recommended for a 0.4mm nozzle to get uniform color mixing results. Extreme layer height ratios should also be avoided to reduce the risk of trigger melt fracture and degraded print quality.

It’s hard to believe it's only been four years since Bambu Lab introduced its freaky fast X1 Carbon 3D printer and shook the industry out of its stupor. Just a few weeks ago, the legendary X1 line was officially retired to make way for a new machine: the X2D.

Priced at a surprisingly approachable $899, the X2D Combo enters the market $550 cheaper than its predecessor’s Kickstarter debut. It fits snugly between the larger H2 printers and the budget-friendly P2S. Rather than trying to top the X1 Carbon’s advanced performance capabilities, the X2D focuses on ease of use.

Though not a toolchanger, the X2D’s dual-nozzle setup is incredibly effective at saving time, filament, and frustration. Bambu Lab is highlighting the second nozzle as an aid for easy-to-remove supports: by mixing two filaments that do not stick, supports are much easier to remove without scarring the model’s surface.

The X2D takes an unusual approach for its toolhead. It pairs a normal direct-drive extruder on the main nozzle with an old-school Bowden extruder on the auxiliary, with its motor mounted onto the back of the machine. This, combined with a mechanical switching system for the nozzles, lightens the toolhead’s weight and keeps it nimble. While print speeds are the same as the lightning-fast X1 Carbon, the X2D squeezes out a bit more with a faster acceleration rate.

The toolhead is also much easier to maintain than the X1 Carbon or the overly complex H2 dual-nozzle setup. It uses the same tool-free, quick-release nozzles pioneered on the A1, and refined for the H2 and P2 machines. Other improvements include more durable hardened steel rods, a thermal system to keep the printer hot or cool as needed, a three-layer filtration system to remove both odor and VOCs, an AI camera for monitoring, and upgraded lighting for improved video.

Bambu Lab has perfected its formula for quality, speed, and ease of use. Combined with its $899 price point for the X2D Combo and $649 for the standalone machine, this is one of the best 3D printers we’ve seen this year.

Specifications: Bambu Lab X2D

Bambu Lab X2D: Included in the Box

The Bambu Lab X2D comes with everything you need to get your printer set up, as well as a few extra parts. You get tools to maintain the printer, spare nozzle and nozzle wiping pads. No filament was included with the machine as part of the retail package, though our test unit did come with several spools for testing.

The printer comes with test models loaded in its memory, such as a scraper you can print and assemble with parts included in the toolbox. It does NOT come with a USB stick, which you will need to take time-lapse videos. There’s a getting-started guide and instructions on how to access the slicer and phone app. The box has a QR code printed on the inside flap that directs you to an unpacking video.

Design of the Bambu Lab X2D

The most obvious improvement to the X2D is the dual nozzle, which is similar, but not the same as, the H2D. The X2D uses the same quick swap nozzles, originally inspired by the A1 but improved for faster flow. This means that all manually changed Bambu Lab nozzles are now compatible across the entire X2, H2, and P2 lineup.

Unlike the H2D and H2C, the right side nozzle is the "auxiliary," and it's got a weird little secret: it's not direct drive. Bambu Lab has gone old school and given the Aux nozzle a true Bowden extruder, which I expect to confuse the crud out of makers who started with any “modern” direct drive printer from the last 4 or 5 years. I’ll admit that even I puzzled over the mysterious gray box after opening the package. As an early reviewer, I was coming in completely blind and naturally didn’t stop to dig out the manual first.

The extruder is slapped onto the back of the printer and screwed into place, which leads me to suspect the X2 and P2 share a good bit of chassis. The new H2 style filter is also screwed into the back. Fortunately, this mess can face the wall and never be seen again.

Bambu Lab says the extruder is placed on the back of the machine to remove weight from the toolhead and remove vibrations. But that’s not all that has changed. First, the toolhead glides on steel rods, instead of the X1 Carbon’s dubious carbon fiber rods. Steel rods, which started showing up with the H2 series, should be more robust and easier to maintain.

The dual nozzles have mechanical switching, which removes yet another motor from the tool head. And, as previously stated, Bambu Lab is tripling down on the new style of A1 adjacent nozzle, which can be installed without tools. This means Bambu only needs to manufacture one kind of nozzle for multiple printers, and customers can avoid confusion when ordering replacement parts.

The X2D has a “smart thermal control system” which, like the H2 before it, can keep the chamber cool or warm to suit your needs. This solves one of my personal pet peeves: leaving the door open while printing PLA. Many new users think the door is there to keep children/cats/dust out of the printer, rather than provide a controlled environment for high temperature printing. The airflow system feeds cooler air from the room to the auxiliary part cooling fan on both sidewalls. During testing, the chamber temperature hovered around 32 °C, and I had no issue with nozzle clogs or overhangs.

When you print high-temperature filaments, the heat mode is activated automatically. The vents close and the heater kicks on, allowing warm air to circulate in the chamber.

Speaking of circulating air, the X2D has a triple-stage air filtration system with a HEPA filter and coconut shell activated carbon. The print chamber is vented through this system to trap odors and particulates.

The X2D also gets a USB port, which is one of those simple features that we appreciate. Having a USB port allows you to easily transfer files without the need for an internet connection. It's also where the X2D stores timelapse footage.

The live view camera has also been improved to a full HD 1920 x 1080 high frame rate camera, and combined with upgraded chamber lighting, gives much better results. The camera is also part of a new AI computer monitoring system that makes sure you have the same plate installed as the slicer settings and watches for nozzle blobs and spaghetti printing.

Nozzle pressure is measured with an eddy current sensor, and the machine automatically adjusts the flow rates for you. The main (left side) nozzle has the new direct drive system we’ve seen on the H2 and P2, with a PMSM servo delivering 8.5kg max extrusion force. That’s about 70% more than the old X1C. The printer also monitors the system to detect filament grinding or clogs on the main nozzle. The auxiliary (right side) nozzle uses a standard stepper motor.

Another huge improvement over the X1C is the removal of the dead zone in the forward left corner. The older machine reserved this space for a permanently mounted prong to push the cutter. Now the filament cutter levers are pointed backward, with a small metal prong mounted in the center back of the chamber to depress a button that pushes the cutter. It’s still a manual system, but now it’s much smaller and doesn’t eat up any build volume space.

The rest of the printer is largely the same: a 256mm cubed build volume and a speedy, highly accurate motion system. In case this is your first Core XY, the motion system uses a combination of belts to move the X and Y axes in tandem for smoother, faster printing. The print head stays at the top of the machine while the build plate slowly lowers. When combined with vibration-damping input shaping, the results are exceptionally smooth, high-quality prints.

The X2D Combo comes standard with the new AMS 2 Pro, a four-color Automatic Material System. This new AMS can double as a filament dryer with active venting to maintain low humidity when the lid is kept closed. It still needs desiccant packs to keep moisture at bay because the dryer doesn’t run while it prints.

The AMS 2 Pro is now easier to maintain, with the tubes exposed. This makes it a lot easier to fish out scraps of filament that might snap inside the unit.

Like all the other Bambu Lab machines, X2D needs a collection bucket for its inevitable pile of filament poops. There are various community-designed solutions to the problem, or you can just put an empty filament box back there. I do wish Bambu would address this issue.

Bambu Lab says the X2D can obtain a top speed of 1,000mm/s and 20,000 mm/s acceleration, which is twice the default speed of the slicer and likely only used for travel moves. We still have the “sport” and “ludicrous” speeds, which is 124% and 164% faster than normal, with somewhat sketchy quality results. It’s fine for a quick draft, but I’d still stick with standard speed.

When the X2D has an error, the touchscreen can show us the same helpful assistant as the higher-end machines. It will offer up a QR code you can scan with your phone and get troubleshooting advice from the Bambu Wiki, a knowledge base for operating any Bambu printer. The Wiki will help you identify and fix the problem, often with short video tutorials.

Bambu Lab Automatic Material System (AMS)

The X2D Combo comes standard with Bambu Lab’s new AMS2 Pro system: a four-spool feeder that unlocks the ability to print in four, eight, twelve, and even sixteen colors. The units cost $299 each and can be placed on top or next to the printer. You can also attach an older AMS if you have an extra or just want to save a couple of bucks.

The auxiliary nozzle comes with a basic rack, but can use another AMS 2 Pro or the single spool AMS HT.

You can program the filament colors using the touchscreen, and also change the colors or spool placement on sliced files.

The AMS unit is able to read RFID ID tags that the company installs on each roll of its own filament for easy identification. These tags tell the printer what type and color of material you have installed, and then match it with presets in Bambu Studio. If you use 3rd party filament, you’ll have to fill that information in by hand.

The AMS has pockets for descant and seals tightly, allowing you to use the AMS as a drybox for temperamental filament like Nylon. The AMS 2 Pro does double duty as a filament dryer, though only while it is not printing.

There’s also a “backup” option for the AMS, which will allow it to automatically switch from one slot to the next instead of tripping a run-out sensor. This could be handy for using up partial spools or prints that will need more than one spool. To use this setting, you’ll need to have identical spools loaded.

Assembling the Bambu Lab X2D

The Bambu Lab X2D comes mostly assembled and only needs a few things mounted onto the back, and the screen plugged into the front. You’ll probably spend more time removing all the packing screens and zip ties. The printed guide walks you through each step.

Leveling the Bambu Lab X2D

The Bambu Lab X2D has an excellent auto-leveling system combined with vibration compensation, pressure advance, and automatic belt tensioning. A thorough self-test is run after unpacking the machine to make sure everything is in working order.

Once you’re up and running, the machine will automatically run a bed leveling check before each print. This takes a few minutes, but you’re free to uncheck the option if you don’t want to take the time.

There is no need to set the Z height or Z offset. In fact, there’s no option or button to do so, because the X2D handles this setting on its own.

Loading Filament on the Bambu Lab X2D

The X2D comes with two single spool racks if you didn’t opt for an AMS. If you order the combo, you’ll get an AMS 2 Pro and one spool rack for the auxiliary nozzle. If you’re upgrading from an X1 Carbon or a P1, the side-mounted rack is so much easier to deal with than the old rear-mounted spool.

TPU is problematic. Bambu Lab recommends their harder “TPU for AMS” for the main nozzle and none at all for the auxiliary nozzle. If you want to run “regular” soft TPU, you’ll have to gerry rig a top-mounted spool and bypass all the tubing, but this is not supplied.

The X2D automatically unloads filament when it’s done printing.

Preparing Files / Software for Bambu Lab X2D

Bambu Studio is the custom slicer for the X2D and its fellow 3D printers. It’s largely based on PrusaSlicer, though the layout is a bit different. If you find the settings overwhelming, it’s generally fine to run with the default presets.

The device tab is where you can send files via LAN or the Cloud, watch videos from your camera’s timelapse and remotely tweak the speed and temperature of your printer.

A link to MakerWorld is on the homepage, which allows you to easily search for models designed to work on Bambu machines. While signed in to MakerWorld (and using the Cloud), you can also send presliced files directly back to your printer.

Printing on the Bambu Lab X2D

The X2D doesn’t come with any filament, so you’ll definitely want to check out our guide to the best filaments for 3D printing for suggestions.

The printer came with several pre-sliced files to print, like this functional scraper with a cap. The metal blade (not sharp) comes with the machine, along with screws for assembly. I printed it in Bambu Lab black and white ABS, and it turned out great.

I printed the Maker’s Muse Clearance Castle in five random colors of PLA that were hiding in my closet. The print turned out very good, with none of the parts binding up and just a bit of slop at the worst part of the drawbridge’s overhang test.

The X2D will tell you which filament to put in the aux nozzle for the best filament savings. In this case, it suggested putting the main color (orange) on the aux nozzle, which it claims saved me 111 grams of material. It still had to waste 143.4 grams in printer poop, and 46 grams in an unavoidable prime tower.

I was curious if there was a noticeable quality difference between the main and aux nozzles, so I ran two of the calibration cubes from Bambu Studio. The green PLA print is from the bowden aux nozzle and the black PLA is from the main, direct drive.

Both prints are using a 0.2 mm layer height and default PLA settings. I use Matterhacker’s Green Build Series PLA and Bambu Lab Basic PLA in Black.

The main nozzle printed the cube perfectly in 20 minutes and 35 seconds. The aux nozzle took twice as long, at 41 minutes and 59 seconds, and has a very subtle bit of waviness to the side walls. This is probably why Bambu Lab is leaning heavily on using the aux nozzle for disposable supports.

If you don’t mind the tiny hit to quality, the dual nozzle setup is a huge time and filament saver for two-color prints. I hate using a single-nozzle machine to print black and white objects due to the waste, but the X2D was able to print this herd of tiny zebras without any purge waste. The eyeballs, which are printed on the aux nozzle, look a tiny bit rougher on camera than they do in person.

This herd of 15 minis printed in 13 hours and 54 minutes, using a standard 0.2 mm layer height and default settings, wasting only 11.5 grams of filament in the prime tower. I saved 101 grams by using the dual nozzle setup. This was printed in Bambu Lab black and white PLA Basic.

The X2D was not built for printing normal TPU. The AMS 2 Pro can only handle stiff “TPU for AMS,” and it's not recommended to run soft TPU through the Bowden side for the same reason you don’t run it through the AMS. (It’s like pushing a wet noodle through the tubing.) You can rig up a top-mounted spool holder and load directly into the top of the direct drive main nozzle, but I didn’t have time to print one.

Instead, I used the suggested Bambu Lab TPU for AMS in yellow to print a purse I found in Makerworld. The purse had some design issues, making it too stiff for this kind of hard TPU, but the TPU itself printed flawlessly. I also used this model to test out Bambu’s Support for PLA, which also works with TPU. The support material can be printed while directly touching the TPU and won’t stick. It’s also a brittle material that snaps off the print easily.

To test out high-temperature filaments, I ran this part of a giant top launcher we’re working on. This piece will be under a good deal of stress, as the launcher is powered by a scooter motor. This ran in Bambu Lab’s PA6-GF, which is Nylon 6 filled with glass fiber. The fiber makes the nylon more stable and less likely to warp. It’s also heat-resistant and could be used to print parts installed in your car engine. The textured surface on this part is from the glass fiber.

This was printed with four walls for extra strength, but otherwise with default settings and a 0.2mm layer height. It took 2 hours and 10 minutes to print, one at a time.

I also ran this Rocky pen holder in PET filament by Fusion Filament, which is probably overkill, but the gold color is perfect, and the model is extremely strong. PET (without the G) is the same material soda bottles are made of, and needs to be run extra hot, but without a fan. This was printed at 285 °C, with a bit of stringing, but otherwise turned out great. This used a .2mm layer height, not that you can tell from the smooth sides of this print. The arms are a little scruffy from the stringing, but would improve after tuning. This took one hour and 43 minutes to print.

Note, the model is Chinese, where the movie “Project Hail Mary” was translated to Saving Plan, and Rocky is known as Luòjī.

Bottom Line

The Bambu Lab X2D is a wonderful example of strategic refinement while keeping costs in check. It’s a great 3D printer for the home or office, offering convenience and simplicity with a robust set of features and none of the over-the-top extras.

The dual-nozzle hybrid toolhead is an unusual solution, letting the X2D keep the speed of its predecessor while having the advantage of a waste-free second color and easy-to-remove supports when you apply a little material science.

Retailing at $899 for the Combo model, the X2D is a strong choice for anyone wanting to upgrade their 3D printing experience or start a new hobby on the right foot. You can save a bit of cash by going with the single-nozzle P2S, which currently retails for $799, or grab a real bargain by picking up the still awesome A1 Combo for only $399. If you need more build volume and four colors, the H2S Combo is our favorite large-scale pick from the Bambu lineup and retails at $1,499.

Bambu Lab has struck a deal with toymaker Pop Mart over the intellectual property dispute of Labubu fan art on its file-sharing site MakerWorld. If not settled, the two companies would have gone to trial in China on April 2. The case could have set a precedent for 3D model sites around the globe. Currently, file-sharing sites in the West, like Printables and Thingiverse, operate under safe harbor rules, which hold the digital platform responsible for the acts of its users.

Bambu Lab published an apology on its official Weibo account, a Chinese social media platform, on March 16. No statement has been made to Western media or on its English-language blog.

“Recently, issues regarding the MakerWorld platform under Tuozhu Technology (Bambu Lab) and Pop Mart IP copyrights have drawn widespread attention and discussion from all sectors of society. This has caused impact and distress to Pop Mart and the vast number of users; we express our most sincere apologies to everyone.

Currently, we have engaged in friendly consultations with Pop Mart and reached a settlement. The relevant problematic content has been fully removed from the platform. Tuozhu Technology will continue to be committed to maintaining a healthy creative ecosystem and providing users with a higher-quality creation and printing experience.”

All Labubu files had been removed from MakerWorld when we first reported on this dispute on March 5th. Furthermore, we did not find any Labubu files on any other Chinese manufacturer's site, though models can still be found on Printables, Thingiverse, Thangs, and MyMiniFactory, which are all based in Western countries. We have not heard of any take-down requests from those sites.

This case highlights the growing concern regarding IP protection in the 3D printing market as it evolves from a niche hobby to a mainstream manufacturing tool. 3D printers are capable of producing quality goods for pennies a part, and even a small home-based print farm can prove profitable.

We’ve seen large-scale print farms successfully compete and outmaneuver traditional manufacturing plants. For example, ZB Designs recently won Collectible Toy of the Year, mass-producing flexi “Wigglitz” toys with a fleet of 3000 Bambu Lab 3D printers in Utah. ZB Designs grew from a craft fair side hustle to a mass-produced toy found in Target’s toy aisle. Their success proves that 3D printers are capable of producing quality products that customers are eager to buy and cannot discern from injected-molded parts.

What really bothers companies like PopMart is not legitimate businesses like ZB Designs, which use their own IP, but rather the counterfeit manufacturers. CinderWing3D’s popular Crystal Dragon, which is available for a $10 subscription fee on Thangs, has flooded online marketplaces and crossed over to retail shops. Cheaply made dragon knockoffs have turned up at gas stations, gift stores, and even Walmart to such an extent that social media posters have started calling them “3D slop”.

In an ironic twist, MakerWorld announced in February that its copyright protection program for exclusive designers was entering the beta stage. The program aims to help users combat IP theft on other file-sharing sites and online markets, with the primary caveat being that the designs be original works exclusively posted on MakerWorld.

Bambu Lab is back at it with an awesome deal on one of its best 3D printers, and you won't have to wait for it to be delivered. This Bambu Lab P1S printer is back in stock, ready for delivery within days, and with a price that'll save you $300 on its MSRP. The $399 sale price for this Bambu Lab P1S 3D printer is a brilliant one for the specs you're seeing, and one that makes it a must-have buy if you're thinking about a new printer purchase. Our Bambu Lab P1S review will show you the value you're getting here, gaining a near-perfect star score for its troubles.

• Grab this deal at Bambu Lab

One thing to point out, however, is that price isn't a brand new development. We've seen Bambu Lab slash the cost of the P1S several times over recent months, including over Black Friday, and even back at the start of the year. However, it's now back in stock, with no backorder to contend with, and $399 makes it a seriously impressive bargain, even if it isn't likely to hit its $699 list price again anytime soon.

One big advantage of the Bambu Lab P1S over some of its other budget-friendly rivals is how easy it is to set up. As our review will explain, the P1S arrives semi-assembled, ready to get up and running within 15 minutes. It also comes equipped with features like automatic bed leveling and easy-to-apply presets in the slicer software that make it a much more approachable option for 3D printer novices.

The P1S features a fully enclosed environment for printing, so it's a good option if you're thinking about advanced, high-temperature prints. It has a max build volume of 256 x 256 x 256 mm, which is a large bed size, especially on a budget-conscious printer, although larger print areas can be found elsewhere. It uses a textured PEI spring steel sheet bed, which, in our experience, should help you to remove your models once the print process finishes.

Bambu Lab uses a proprietary 0.4mm nozzle for this printer, attached to a direct drive extruder. Extruders like this are great for pressure control while you print, which should help improve the accuracy of your prints and avoid wasting any filament. That includes during fast printing, too, with the P1S able to achieve a 20,000 mm/s² acceleration limit.

You'll see plenty of wireless connectivity with the Bambu Lab P1S if you don't want to be chained to your desk, with both Wi-Fi and Bluetooth options available. You can also load your models directly onto the printer using the supplied microSD card slot, with the P1S's built-in screen and controls letting you navigate through your desired print options and settings. It also has a time-lapse camera built in so you can watch (and rewatch) the print process later.

Our best 3D printer guide might list the Bambu Lab's successor, the P2S, as our overall favorite, but there's still plenty for novices and pros alike to love about the OG model here. The $399 sale price for this Bambu Lab P1S printer makes it a serious option to consider on a budget, but with stock levels only just recently replenished, there's no guarantee that either the stock or the price will be around for very long, so jump on this deal quickly if you want it.

If you're looking for more savings, check out our Best PC Hardware deals for a range of products, or dive deeper into our specialized SSD and Storage Deals, Hard Drive Deals, Gaming Monitor Deals, Graphics Card Deals, Gaming Chair, Best Wi-Fi Routers, Best Motherboard, or CPU Deals pages.

The Bambu Lab H2C is the latest machine to tackle the frustrating problem of filament waste when printing in multicolor. The new Vortek system eliminates waste in a novel way, by assigning each color (or material) its own nozzle/hotend. However, it is not quite what we expect in a true tool changer, as each nozzle still shares one tool head and one AMS in the standard configuration. This does the job of eliminating nearly all the wasted filament left behind when your printer switches color, but it is not as quick at making those swaps as the Snapmaker U1 or the Prusa Research XL.

But we can’t overlook that when compared to other Bambu Lab AMS printers, the H2C is twice as fast. Not spending time purging seriously speeds up the process. In our testing, the H2C took a nearly 24-hour, five-color print from the H2D and slashed the print time down to less than 12 hours.

Normally, when a Bambu Lab 3D printer (with an AMS) needs to swap colors, it will cut the filament off inside the tool head, retract what it can back onto the spool, then push the old color out the nozzle in the form of “poop.” For several years, this spoiled filament has been brushed aside as the cost of doing color 3D printing. The amount of poop produced can be toned down, but not avoided. The only serious solution to the filament waste problem is tool changers, which give each spool of filament its own dedicated tool head. Since the filament doesn’t need to be removed from the nozzle, the only waste is a smallish amount needed to prime the flow. The Snapmaker U1 and the Prusa XL are true tool changers, which give each spool its own tool head with nozzle and extruder for color swaps that take seconds.

The Vortek can hold six nozzles, two more than needed for a standard setup. The “extra” nozzles can be dedicated to a high-temperature filament, which avoids clogs that can happen if you don’t sufficiently clean the nozzle between jobs. Or they can be different sizes, waiting for that time you really need a .2 or .8 nozzle.

The H2C also has a dual nozzle tool head, with the same A1 style left-hand nozzle as the H2C. We assume this was a cost-saving measure – who knows, maybe 2026 will see a machine with a Vortex rack on both sides?

The machine is a flashy technological wonder, but only time will tell if the Vortek system is perhaps TOO complex. It will need many hours of serious testing before we know if hands-free hot-swapping nozzles are worth the cost.

Which brings us to price. The H2C comes with a hefty $2,399 price tag, $400 more than the comparable H2D. Part of the expense is due to the generous 330 x 320 x 325 mm build volume, but the rest is paying for Bambu Lab precision. The H2 lineup is top of the line, with a plethora of sensors, cameras, and premium perks.

The only thing the H2C lacks is the speed of a true tool changer, which is a real shame considering what the competition has been cooking up. It’s still one of my favorite printers of 2025, and definitely one of the best 3D printers we’ve seen.

Specifications: Bambu Lab H2C

*Build Volume for Dual Nozzle printing is 300 x 320 x 325 mm.

Bambu Lab H2C: Included in the Box

The Bambu Lab H2C comes with everything you need to get your printer set up, as well as a few extra parts. You get tools to maintain the printer, a spare “normal” hotend, and two spare nozzle wiping pads. There’s also a 4-in-1 PTFE adapter in case you buy additional AMS units later.

The printer is preloaded with test models, and practical prints for crafting tools. A razor blade and screws are included to make a DIY scraper. There’s also a paper getting started guide and instructions on how to access the slicer and phone app. The box has a QR code printed on the inside flap that leads to an unpacking video.

Design of the Bambu Lab H2C

The H2C is the 3rd member of the new, massively sized, premium H2 lineup. It is a fully enclosed printer with an aluminum and steel chassis, and sides made of plastic and glass windows. The 5-inch touchpad is identical to the ones on the H2D, H2S, and P2S.

The H2C has many of the same features as the H2D. It comes as either a “stock” non-laser printer or a “laser combo”. Both machines share the same 3D printer capabilities, and the stock version can be upgraded to a laser model if you wish. For this review, we were sent an H2C with no laser and only a four-color AMS 2 Pro.

The Vortek System

The biggest difference between the H2C and every other 3D printer on the market is the Vortek hotend system, which allows the printer to use 5 to 7 different filaments without waste. Why such an odd number? The H2C has the dual nozzle tool head inspired by the H2D, plus a Vortek rack that holds six nozzles for the right side. When purchased as a H2C Combo, you’ll get one AMS that holds four spools. This automatically gives you access to five spools (one on the left, four on the right). If you hook a second AMS to the right side, you can fill all six Vortek nozzles for seven color, no waste printing. Of course, you can fill all the AMS slots for nine total colors, but two will need to share nozzles and create filament waste.

The H2C can command up to 24 colors if equipped with four standard AMS units and eight single HT AMS units.

Why use Dual Nozzles on the H2C?

The H2C keeps two nozzles on the tool head, just like the H2D. While the H2C has very little filament waste thanks to the Vortek system, the AMS will slow it down. However, the machine is able to more rapidly switch between the left and right nozzles, so there is a speed advantage when you combine these two.

I’m going to assume we still have a “standard” nozzle as a cost saving measure, as the new nozzles are packed with wireless technology and induction heating.

Does the H2C use A1 Nozzles?

Bambu Lab has adopted the A1 style nozzle for the H2 lineup. Compared to the X1C, these nozzles are much easier to change as they are held on with a clasp and magnet. All the wiring remains on the tool head. The H2 nozzles have been improved, so it is not recommended to use old A1 nozzles on any of the H2 models. You can, however, use H2 nozzles on the A1.

What Nozzle does the Vortek Use?

While the left side uses the standard H2 nozzle, the right side uses a new H2C Induction Hotend. These nozzles are more cylindrical, and contain a contactless interface. They also heat up in 8 seconds, so you’re not waiting around for preheating. The tool head is able to grasp these nozzles without human assistance and one you place them on the rack, the machine does all the swapping on its own. Priced at $39.99 for standard and $69.99 for high flow, these nozzles are $18 to $19 more expensive than regular H2 nozzles.

When not printing, the Vortek nozzles are held magnetically on a rack on the right side of the chamber. There is space for six nozzles, three up and three down.

At the moment the slicer does not support mixing nozzle sizes, so you can not use a .6 and .4 nozzle on the same print.

How Big is the Bambu Lab H2C?

The H2C is a larger machine, with a 330 x 320 x 325 mm total build volume.

Does the Vortek and Dual Nozzles effect the H2C build size?

Yes, the dual nozzles and the Vortek system affect how big you can print. The heated bed is a tad smaller than the H2D and H2S to make room for the nozzle rack.

The left nozzle can use the entire build plate, while the right nozzle can not reach the extreme left side. Build volume for the left nozzle is 325 x 320 x 320 mm, while dual nozzle printing is 300 x 320 x 325 for dual nozzle printing.

What is the Bambu Lab AMS 2 Pro and AMS HT?

Bambu improved their signature Automatic Material System for the H2D last spring, adding a heater and vents, allowing it to dry your filament. The AMS 2 Pro is now standard. It has a vent that automatically opens during drying cycles to release damp air and can remain closed to maintain a dry environment during storage or printing. The drier does not operate during printing, and instead depends on a tight seal and a packet of desiccant to keep your material cozy. When you set up the drying function, the screen will ask you to tuck the filament ends into the spool’s sides and give you the option of rotating the filament while drying.

The AMS 2 Pro is the four spool model, while the AMS HT is a single spool device. The AMS 2 Pro can heat up to 65C, and the HT can go to 85C. The HT unit also has a bypass allowing you to feed soft TPU or gritty carbon fiber without going through the feeder motor – instead it simply freewheels and allows the tool head to pull the filament through. Oddly enough, the H2C doesn’t allow you to feed TPU to the left-hand nozzle at this time, so I’m a bit flummoxed.

I also didn’t get an AMS HT for the H2C and had to deal with manual loading. I would highly recommend purchasing an AMS HT for your printer if it’s in your budget.

The AMS 2 Pro also winds spools noticeable faster, and keeps the Bowden tubes in the open for easier access should filament break while in the AMS.

How many cameras does the Bambu Lab H2C have?

The H2C has three cameras, plus a fourth for the laser combo.

The main three are all 1920 x 1080: one for live monitoring, one on the nozzle for AI detection, and one on the tool head.

The live preview is for the user and shows up in Bambu Studio on the device page and on your Bambu Handy app. It can also capture timelapses.

The nozzle camera can detect “spaghetti”, air printing, nozzle clumping and when the poop chute is getting clogged.

The tool head camera is for checking accuracy during calibration and reading the codes on the build plates.

The fourth camera is a more detailed, eight megapixel (3264 x 2448p) and comes with the laser combo. It’s optional for the stock printer. This “Birds Eye” camera is used to position materials for cutting.

What kind of Ventilation does the H2C have?

The H2C has automatic vents and fans to do a number of things. An intake vent on the top pops open when it needs cool air for PLA or PETG, or to push air into the filtration system. A rear vent is likewise automatic and can open or close as needed. The H2C can close the vents to retain heat for high-temperature printing.

The machine comes with a HEPA activated carbon filter to keep particles and VOCs out of your room. An active chamber heater can boost the interior temperature to 65 °C.

This means the H2C can run anything and everything with the door closed. I love seeing this in new printers, because I run a lot of PLA and hate having all my doors hanging open. Being able to keep the door closed is also great for families with small children or curious pets.

The H2C comes with a standard PEI flex sheet.

An optional “vision encoder” plate is for 3D printing with exceptional precision. It is covered in a tiny grid that the tool head reads for special optical measurement tracking. Bambu says this plate can ensure an XY-axis calibration solution with a 50µm motion accuracy.

Assembling the Bambu Lab H2C

The Bambu Lab H2C comes fully assembled and only needs to be unpacked.

Leveling the Bambu Lab H2C

The Bambu Lab H2C has an excellent auto-leveling system combined with vibration compensation and pressure advance. Due to the dual nozzle system, the initial self-check and leveling will take a good 45 minutes. Thankfully, the machine handles this itself, and you can go get a sandwich and come back when it’s done.

The H2C will check the bed level before prints like the X1-Carbon, and I haven’t had any issues with the Z height during my tests.

Loading Filament on the Bambu Lab H2C

Every H2C comes with an AMS 2 Pro because there is no “single color” option for this machine. Loading filament is a snap with the AMS as you only need to push the filament into the feeding port about an inch and the machine takes care of the rest. If you are using Bambu Lab materials, a sensor will read the spools’ RFID tag and automatically tell the system what color and type of material you are using. Otherwise, manually programming in the filament type and color only takes a few button pushes on the printer’s touch screen.

However, Bambu Lab only sent the AMS 2 Pro for this review, which meant having to load the left side manually. The manual spool holder is on the side, which is better than the rear mounted spool of the first machines. However, there’s only a few inches between the spool and the intake tube, which makes loading three feet of filament tedious. Pressing “load” from the print screen is a long, drawn out process, with the machine making you peer into the tiny gap between the nozzle and the poop chute to confirm that filament is loaded before it continues to purge.

I found it much quicker to load filament through the tool head controls, with the nozzle in the center of the build area where I can see it. If you don’t opt for an AMS for the left side, I would recommend loading the printer with a color you use a lot and leaving it there.

Bambu Lab recommend only using the right side nozzle for TPU. The slicer will not let you run it on the left. They also suggest running it through the top without tubing and letting it have a dedicated Vortek nozzle. This requires removing the AMS from the top, taking off the glass lid and placing an elevated spool holder next to the machine.

The Wiki shows a top mounted spool holder you can print to straddle the opening. I happened to have a couple dry boxes on hand and make a tower of boxes instead. This is enough trouble that I will probably not use this machine to run ordinary TPU ever again, as I have other printers that are less needy. Bambu Lab does make a stiff TPU for AMS that can be printed in the normal fashion.

Preparing Files / Software for Bambu Lab H2C

Bambu Studio was overhauled for the H2D, which also benefits the H2C. The slicer now shows you visual representations of the printer, and it’s build plate, making it easier to see you’re on the right settings. Syncing the printer and AMS now work much smoother, however remapping the Vortek’s filament is janky and never worked for me.

The H2C triggers the “filament saving mode” that is only really needed for the H2D. You’re not going to save a noticeable amount of filament by using the dual nozzle instead of a Vortek one, but you will save some time.

Printing on the Bambu Lab H2C

Our H2C didn’t have any sample filament packed with it, though we did receive a generous box of filament for testing that arrived later. If you decide to order an H2C, I would make sure you select a bundle that comes with filament. Check out our guide to the best filaments for 3D printing for more suggestions to keep your AMS 2 Pro happy.

I started off with a “speed” Benchy” model, with the standard 2 walls, 3 top/bottom layers, 10% infill, and used a .25 layer height and .5 layer width. I then let her rip with Ludicrous mode and got a 16-minute and 37-second print. The print is nearly perfect, with just a rough patch on the bow where it ran too fast for cooling. The camera picks up a few lines, but there’s no ringing, and the smoke stack looks good. This was printed in Polymaker’s Black Hyper PLA.

The Vortek system does a great job of saving filament, putting it on par with Prusa Research’s MMU3, but with easier spool management. It uses a prime tower to keep the plastic flowing smoothly, but it only purges filament poops at the beginning of the print when it sets up the nozzle.

The H2C has no problem with PLA, as expected, and I really like that it has enough cooling and ventilation to run with the door shut.

This single color yarn bowl printed flawlessly in CookieCad Pumpkin Spice PLA, which has to be my favorite filament to stand in for real wood. It’s scented with “pumpkin spice,” so it actually smells like cookies baking when you print it. Unfortunately, the smell doesn’t last after the plastic has cooled. Only the main swirl pattern was supported. The decorative holes ran fine on their own. Notable are the layer lines on the main swirl, which are only visible to the camera. This printed in four hours and 37 minutes, using default settings and a .2 mm layer height.

I wanted to run a five-color calibration test on various printers to see how they compare, so naturally I turned to the Maker’s Muse Calibration Castle. This printed in 11 hours 13 minutes, with only a 41g purge tower.

And though the problem of purge has been solved, it is still dealing with an AMS, so it will need time to spool up four (or more) of its colors. I ran the same castle print on the dual nozzle H2D and the 5 tool head Prusa XL.

The results are interesting:

• Bambu H2D: 23 hours and 30 minutes, 70g purge tower and 279g of waste.
• Bambu H2C: 11 hours and 13 minutes, 41 g purge tower, no waste.
• Prusa XL: 6 hours, with a 37 g purge tower, no waste.

And if you’re wondering, yes, you need the purge tower. If you look at the photo below, you’ll see all the stray bits of filament flying off the edge. If you try to print without the purge tower, that mess will be on your print. I tried it, and the print didn’t even make it halfway before it completely failed.

For PETG, I printed a box I made myself using MakerWorld’s parametric model maker on MakerLab. I really like being able to just give the program the dimensions I need and getting a clean, functional print. I needed a box to hold my wax seal kit, so I measured all the things it would hold, punched in the numbers into MakerLab, and got the perfect size. I also whipped up a vase mode inner compartment in Tinkercad to keep it organized. The box is printed with Octogram Spiral as the top surface and gyroid infill to give it a more interesting appearance.

This was mostly printed in Greengate American Blue recycled PETG, but then I ran out and finished it with Greengate Deepwater Blue, which has a similar shade with added glitter. It was perfectly smooth and gorgeous. The sparkles on the vase mode insert really pop.

The print took about seven hours altogether to print. Each piece was printed on its own, as this was a rather large (200 x 160 x 70 mm) project.

For TPU, I tried something new: Siraya Tech’s 95A PEBA. This is a rubbery TPU with more energy return. I’ve been seeing people print basketballs with it, but I settled for a quicker “air tennis ball” and was not disappointed. It still was a bit wispy, even after drying, and supports are difficult to remove. I attempted one with PETG supports, which immediately failed. This may take a bit more research.

Bambu is now saying that TPU should be run directly from the top, without tubing, into a dedicated Vortex nozzle. This is to avoid cross contamination, but you can still clean the nozzle out with a bit of high temp filament (I used PETG) and go on about your business. However, the slicer will not let you put TPU in the left nozzle without pulling a major fake out on it. This was a bit of a production, so I doubt I will be running TPU in this machine again.

The Airless Tennis Ball V2 was found on Printables by Kimmehead. It took 4 hours and 47 minutes to print with a .4 nozzle and standard TPU settings. I printed it without supports, only a brim. It’s a tiny bit messy, but better than clipping off the supports. It bounces just like a real store bought ball.

I ran a bunch of things in high temp materials, but here’s a fun one I’m working on. This is a dashboard hula girl I’m trying to sort out for my truck driving son. I used all Ambrosia Filament ASA filament, so it will be able to be displayed inside a vehicle without risk of melting. The custom model is by Wekster, who owed me a favor. I then made a skirt inspired by the classic “hairy lion” in Tinkercad. Once I figure out how to 3D print a spring, I’ll share the finished model.

This example isn’t perfect. The supports failed on the flower in her hair, after printing great a half dozen times in PLA while I prototyped it. I think the ASA is a little harder to get to stick to the plate. The failed support put some ripples on her face, so I’ll need to reprint this one later.

Otherwise, it was pretty cool being able to print five colors of ASA. I used a .12mm layer height to bring out the details, so this print took a rather slow 19 hours and 39 minutes to print just her upper half. The legs only took 3 hours and 49 minutes to print, since it was a simpler paint job.

Bottom Line

Bambu Lab’s H2C is a great printer, with its timing spoiled by the competition. Though the Vortek system certainly fixes the filament waste problems, putting it on the most expensive machine is troubling to me. I would very much like to see a “normal” sized printer with a Vortek or, better yet, a full tool changer that takes advantage of Bambu Lab’s full Core XY speed.

With a retail price of $2,399 for the H2C Combo – and, for obvious reasons, no “single color” version – this is not a printer I’d recommend for anyone with a tight budget. But if a large, premium machine is in your future, this is it.

If the Bambu Lab H2C seems out of reach, I’d suggest checking out the Creality K2 Plus, a larger format Core XY with a standard AMS on sale for $1,199. The Snapmaker U1 is the most affordable tool changer on the market right now, and though it is smaller and only has four colors, the $849 price tag looks very nice. If you want a true five-color tool changer, then the Prusa Research XL is the way to go…at least until the INDX is released in 2026.

If you're looking to dive into a new hobby for the new year, or you're already thinking about upgrading your setup, then this Bambi Lab 3D printer must be on your January shortlist. The Bambu Lab P1S is 43% off right now, bringing the price back down to below $400 for 2026.

• Grab this deal at Bambu Lab

A $399 sale price for the Bambu Lab P1S is an awesome one for a printer with these specs, and one that saves you $300 in the process. Our Bambu Lab P1S review confirms just how good value this printer is for a beginner, winning a near-perfect star score in the process.

This isn't the first time we've seen this printer drop to this price in recent months, with big discounts over Black Friday, but to see it this low again, especially after the holidays, is a real treat for techies. While it probably isn't going to hit its $699 list price too often, especially with the P2S replacing it, you're still getting a real bargain on a seriously impressive 3D printer.

There's a huge advantage to the Bambu Lab P1S, especially compared to several of its budget-friendly rivals, and it's the assembly. As our review shows, the P1S arrives semi-assembled, making it easy to get it working out-of-the-box, with features like automatic bed leveling and easy-to-apply presets in the slicer software making it more approachable for beginners.

The P1S comes with a fully enclosed print environment, making it a good option for high-temperature prints, with a max build volume of 256 x 256 x 256 mm. That's a pretty large bed size for a budget-friendly printer, even if it isn't the largest out there. The bed itself is made from a textured PEI spring steel sheet, which should help with finished print removals.

It also uses a proprietary 0.4mm nozzle attached to a direct drive extruder. A direct drive extruder offers better pressure control while printing, helping to improve print accuracy, even when it's printing fast — no wasted filament here. Fast is the key word, too, thanks to the P1S' 20000 mm/s² acceleration limit.

The Bambu Lab P1S features plenty of wireless options for remote printing, offering Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connectivity. You can also load your print models directly using the microSD card slot, with the built-in LED screen and controls allowing you to navigate the various options and settings. There's even a built-in timelapse camera to help you watch the full print from start to finish.

While its successor, the P2S, has stolen its crown on our best 3D printer guide, the P1S is still a brilliant option for either a beginner or seasoned pro to consider. Bambu Lab stock continues to be low after the holiday season, so don't expect this incredible $399 P1S 3D printer to be in stock for long.

If you're looking for more savings, check out our Best PC Hardware deals for a range of products, or dive deeper into our specialized SSD and Storage Deals, Hard Drive Deals, Gaming Monitor Deals, Graphics Card Deals, Gaming Chair, Best Wi-Fi Routers, Best Motherboard, or CPU Deals pages.

Concerns are being raised within the 3D printing community regarding the Bambu Lab A1 after a recent video by YouTuber Grant Posner (3D Musketeers) revealed a possible safety issue. Posner has seen an alarming number of A1 printers with charred or melted cases, which suggests that the A1’s AC power distribution board may be operating above normal temperatures, posing a risk of fire. The AC power board uses an NTC thermistor to limit inrush current and is active only while the printer is rapidly warming up. Posner claims this thermistor is being pushed too close to its rated limits.

Posner hosts the popular Print Fix Friday series on YouTube, where he analyzes 3D printing fails and offers practical advice. He told Tom’s Hardware that he has operated his Tampa, Florida-based business for 15 years, offering 3D prototyping, scanning, manufacturing, and printer repair services.

Several subreddits are echoing Posner’s concerns. One user on r/BambuLab reported “my A1 melted” with a photo of a small bulge on the printer's bottom near the NTC thermistor, while another showed a puddle forming on the top of an A1’s case. Meanwhile, Redditors on another thread suggest that Posner simply has an ax to grind with Bambu. A quick check of the 3D Musketeers channel reveals dozens of videos critical of the company.

During a recent 3D Musketeers livestream, Posner examined an A1 printer with a thermal camera and clocked the NTC thermistor at 140° C, which he said was unacceptable for an electronic component.

After doing further research, Posner found out that the NTC thermistor is rated for 200C. He said the real problem is whether the surrounding components and the case itself can also withstand these elevated spikes in temperature that occur while the machine is heating up.

“While the component in question is rated for the temps we have directly measured,” Posner said, “it is clear there are some issues with part quality, consistency, or local power that are causing machines to catastrophically fail.”

Bambu Lab Responds to Allegations

We reached out to Bambu Lab for a statement on the melting A1 printers. A representative was quick to acknowledge the issue, but insisted that failure rates were extremely low (around .052%), directly connected to preventable power surges, and were fixed in Q3 of 2025 when the NTC was removed and the board redesigned. All customers who reported problems with the power board were provided with repairs or replacements.

The company stressed that no fires have been reported and that all Bambu Lab printers comply with applicable safety standards and use flame-retardant materials. “While a damaged NTC may generate sufficient heat to deform or melt adjacent plastic, it does not lead to ignition or sustained combustion. As a result, the risk of fire is considered extremely low.”

Bambu Lab said safety issues are taken very seriously and that an engineering team “conducted a detailed analysis of the affected units. We observed that these cases often correlate with regions and time periods experiencing severe thunderstorms, though other sources of grid surge cannot be fully excluded.”

“After reviewing field data and considering that the inrush current of the printer is relatively modest, we determined that the benefits of the NTC-based inrush protection were limited compared to the potential downsides under rare surge conditions. As a result, we implemented a design change in Q3 2025 that removes the NTC from the circuit in newer production units.”

I opened up my original Bambu Lab A1, a machine with nearly a thousand print hours, and found no signs of damage or overheating.

The red arrow below points to the NTC on the A1’s power board if you want to inspect your own printer. The Bambu Lab Wiki includes directions for replacing the AC board, which is a user-serviceable part.

Posner said that he has been in contact with Bambu Lab, and despite his conversation with the team at Formnext, he still believes the printer is a fire hazard and should be recalled. He suggests that anyone with an A1 should place a fireproof paving stone underneath the machine.

Bambu Lab told us that all 3D printers, like any valuable household electronic device, should be used with a surge protector to prevent damage from power spikes.

This would not be the first time the A1 came under scrutiny for safety-related issues. The 3D printer was subject to an official recall we reported on in January 2024. That recall was related to a cable design that could stress and arc when the machine was tilted backward.

2025 is nearly over, and Bambu Lab is seeing the new year in with one final, massive deal on its range of 3D printers and accessories throughout December. The company's end-of-year sale gives Brits the chance to score a top-range 3D printer or bundle, along with filament spools and accessories, for an epically good price.

This UK-focused sale is live, right now, running from 5th December until 06:59 am on 5th January, 2026. Don't sit and wait, however, as there's no guarantee that the stock will last until then. There are already waitlists for some Bambu Lab 3D printers and accessories, with a wait until February in some cases before they'll go back on sale.

You can save up to 20% on a new Bambu Lab 3D printer right now, with similar savings of up to 35% savings on accessories and 45% on new filament bundles site-wide. If you decide to buy the filament separately, you can also bulk-buy and save even more, with 30% off if you buy 4 rolls, and up to 46% off if you buy 14 rolls.

• See all Bambu Lab UK End of Year deals

3D printing doesn't have to be an expensive hobby to get into, especially if you jump into this Bambu Lab UK sale. With the entry-level A1 mini costing just £149 right now, you can set yourself up with your new 3D printer before Christmas or the New Year, with deliveries typically taking three to five business days. However, with logistical disruptions over Christmas, you might want to consider making your order ahead of time if you want it to arrive before the big day.

To help you choose, we've put together some of our favourite Bambu Lab 3D printer deals below. We've also had the opportunity to review all of these printer models ourselves, so we can provide an extensive and authoritative report of the performance of the models listed. If you're unsure which model to choose, make sure to dive into our reviews to help you decide.

Bambu Lab 3D Printer Deals

Automatic Material Systems Attachment Deals

AMS addons (Automatic Material Systems) for Bambu Lab printers add the abilities to perform multi-color prints, or help with filament drying and storage. Depending on the 3D printer combination and compatibility you can link multiple units.

Filament Deals

Unless you're using a resin 3D printer, you're going to need filament to actually print your models. Bambu Lab have discounts on its own range of filament spools right now, with some brilliant bundles on sale for beginners.

You can save big on the bundles themselves, but these have proven popular so far, with only one bundle currently in stock. They are expected to be replenished imminently, however. You can also pick up the individual filament rolls, and if you bulk buy, you can save between 30% and 46%, depending on the amount you buy.

If you're looking for more savings, check out our Best PC Hardware deals for a range of products, or dive deeper into our specialized SSD and Storage Deals, Hard Drive Deals, Gaming Monitor Deals, Graphics Card Deals, Gaming Chair, Best Wi-Fi Routers, or CPU Deals pages.

Bambu Lab, one of the biggest names in 3D printer manufacturing, and one of our favorites, is having an all-out end-of-year sale to top the year off. The company has rolled straight into December with huge discounts on its entire range of 3D printers, accessories, and bundles, and you could score a huge saving on one of these deals. The sale is running until January 5, 2026, but there's no guarantee that the stock will last until then, so don't sit on these bargains for too long.

There are discounts of up to 35% off Bambu Lab products that you can take advantage of site-wide. You can also subscribe to the Bambu Lab newsletter for an extra $10 off voucher on goods over $100, which you can put towards filament spools, accessories, maker's supplies, spare parts, and materials, and even towards a 3D printer itself.

• See all Bambu Lab End of Year deals

This is a huge sale for the holidays, and to help you choose, we've put together some of our favorite deals and listed them below. We've also had the opportunity to review all of these printer models, so we can provide an extensive and authoritative review of the performance of the models listed, so if you're unsure, make sure to dive into our reviews to help you decide which 3D printer to pick.

Bambu Lab 3D Printer Deals

Automatic Material Systems Attachment Deals

AMS addons (Automatic Material Systems) for Bambu Lab printers add the abilities to perform multi-color prints, or help with filament drying and storage. Depending on the 3D printer combination and compatibility you can link multiple units. Unfortunately, only one AMS unit (listed below) is on sale right now, with the others out of stock until February at the earliest.

Filament Starter Bundle Deals

Unless you're using a resin 3D printer, you're going to need filament to actually print your models. Bambu Lab have discounts on its own range of filament spools right now, with some brilliant bundles on sale for beginners to pick up below.

If you're looking for more savings, check out our Best PC Hardware deals for a range of products, or dive deeper into our specialized SSD and Storage Deals, Hard Drive Deals, Gaming Monitor Deals, Graphics Card Deals, Gaming Chair, Best Wi-Fi Routers, or CPU Deals pages.

China’s rapidly growing consumer 3D printing sector has entered a VC funding arms race, with rumors of major tech investors taking notice. In August, we reported that Creality submitted an IPO prospectus for the Hong Kong Stock Exchange, and last month, news broke that drone maker DJI has invested in Elegoo. Rumors are swirling that multimedia tech giant Tencent is eyeballing a stake in Bambu Lab.

Today, Snapmaker confirmed it has secured “tens of millions in US dollars” in Series B funding. The round was co-led by Hillhouse Ventures and Meituan, with additional participation from Shunwei Capital, Longzhu Capital (Meituan), Nanshan Innovation Investment, and continuing support from existing shareholders Cowin Capital and Orient Securities Capital.

Shunwei Capital is notable for being the investment firm co-founded by Lei Jun, the billionaire co-founder, Chairman, and CEO of Xiaomi Corporation, and one of China’s most respected entrepreneurs. Xiaomi is the world’s third-largest smartphone manufacturer, behind Samsung and Apple. Often called the “Steve Jobs of China,” Lei Jun is well regarded as an angel investor.

Snapmaker announced in a press release that its new funding will be directed toward core technology R&D, global talent acquisition, and ecosystem expansion. The company has been producing 3D printers since 2016 and has twice broken Kickstarter records: first with the Snapmaker 2.0 in 2019 and again with the U1 tool changer this year. The Snapmaker 2.0 raised over $7.85 million, while the U1 brought in over $20 million, becoming the highest-funded 3D printing project in crowdfunding history. Over 20,000 people backed the tool changer, which will be coming to retail shelves in Q1 2026.

Snapmaker is something of a dark horse in the 3D printing world. Despite success with the Snapmaker 2.0 Kickstarter, its machines have been bulky, expensive, niche products designed for makers who want a 3D printer that can also laser-cut and CNC mill. The U1 tool changer flipped the script, offering a faster solution to multicolor printing that doesn’t waste filament and is cheaper than industry leader Bambu Lab’s flagship Core XY machines.

Priced around $750 during the Kickstarter, U1 flew off the shelves and proved that consumers crave a speedy machine that respects their time, budget, and recycling can. It also spurred renewed interest in tool changers. Before the U1, the only consumer tool changer was Prusa Research’s prosumer XL, priced at $ 3,099 for a semi-assembled unit.

Shortly after the U1’s launch, Bambu Lab announced the seven-nozzle, filament-saving P2S, followed by Prusa Research revealing a partnership with Bondtech to turn its new CORE One into a more affordable eight-color tool changer.

Snapmaker’s founder, Daniel Chen, said its new fundraising efforts will allow the company to pivot from a product leader to a global provider of a fully developed ecosystem. He said Snapmaker will “lower the barriers to creation and make 3D printing a universal tool accessible to everyone.” He plans to do this by recruiting top talent to research hardware R&D, AI software, and a content ecosystem.

This sounds like Snapmaker is not only planning to develop more tool changers, but is also going after Bambu Lab’s MakerWorld, a website that provides everything from filament and model files to spare parts for its users. Since Snapmaker is currently using Open Source OrcaSlicer for its software, we hope that Mr. Chen takes a page from the West and keeps the garden gate open to all makers.

Formnext in Frankfurt, Germany, is the place to be for new 3D printer launches, and 2025 did not disappoint. Both Bambu Lab and Prusa Research introduced new printers they had been teasing for months, attracting large crowds eager to see the shiny new tech around their booths.

Anycubic and Creality have breathed new life into their classic bed slingers, BIQU showed off a tasty mod for the Bambu A1, and FlashForge teased an affordable full color resin coming in 2026.

Editor’s Note: Bambu Lab provided travel accommodations for this trip. Coverage remains editorially independent.

Bambu Lab H2C: Seven Nozzles, No Waiting

Bambu Lab officially unveiled the H2C, a dual-nozzle machine with a Vortek nozzle swapper that eliminates the 3D printer “poop” plaguing users since the launch of the X1 Carbon and its AMS system. Tom’s Hardware currently has the H2C under review – you can see a sneak peek here. Like other members of the H2 lineup, the H2C has two nozzles on one head. The left nozzle is a standard H2 nozzle, fastened with a buckle and fed by a single spool holder. The right nozzle is a new design; the printer can automatically swap from a rack of six wireless, induction-heated nozzles and is fed by the AMS system. When kept under seven colors (one on the left and up to six on the right), it produces no “poop”, though it does still require a small purge tower.

Each nozzle can store detailed filament information, so you can dedicate nozzles to high-temperature material to avoid clogging.

The H2C is available for presale right now, with a retail price starting at $2399. You can also bundle the machines with a single HT AMS or make it a laser combo for an additional cost. Printers will start shipping to the US around December 2, 2025.

Prusa Research CORE One INDX: Eight Slender Heads

Josef Prusa held a press conference to announce a partnership with Bondtech to produce a CORE One-compatible tool changer mod. The INDX is a traditional tool changer, with four to eight heads stationed along the front of the CORE One, each fed by a dedicated spool mounted on the side of the printer. This allows for rapid tool changes as each tool head has filament at the ready. The carriage holds the extruder, an induction heater, and parts cooling fans, leaving only the nozzle and Bowden tube on the slender tool heads.

Prusa said the INDX will first be sold as a CORE One compatible kit on the Bondtech site for €499 for 4 tools and €699 for 8 tools. US pricing will be announced after the INDX is available on the Prusa Research site in 2026. An initial run of 1000 specially priced “Founders Editions” kits immediately sold out shortly after the launch.

Prusa said they would release a kit for the CORE One L that could go up to ten heads. Because the INDX is attached to the coreXY’s front bar, the INDX will only be compatible with the CORE One lineup. Bondtech will also sell a DIY INDX kit compatible with Voron and other Klipper printers.

Prusa Research also released an upgrade to the CORE One, making it the CORE One +, which adds a few minor upgrades like the vent opener and TPU switch. Current owners of the CORE One can purchase the upgrade for $9.99 or print the parts yourself for free.

Additionally, a new donut-shaped filament dry box was introduced for $34.99. Injection molded by Prusa Research out of hydrophobic polypropylene (PP), the box fits on the Core One’s spindle, holds a desiccant pack and hygrometer, and allows access to the filament without opening the box.

Snapmaker U1: Four Colors out of Kickstarter

Snapmaker showed off its U1, a four-color tool changer introduced earlier this year that smashed Kickstarter records to sell over $20.6 million worth of printers. The printer has a core XY speed and prints flawless multicolor with very little waste. Tom’s Hardware reviewed the U1 and declared it the “best multicolor 3D printer of 2025”. The machine is now available for pre-order with a retail cost of $849 and a delivery time after March 20, 2026.

During the show, Snapmaker collected funds for a local children’s charity, raising €850. The fundraiser was organized by Snapmaker beta tester Rüdiger Neuweb (in green).

WonderMaker ZR Ultra : Four Color Kickstarter

We also found WonderMaker on the floor with its fresh out of Kickstarter WonderMaker ZR Ultra $639 four color tool changer. The machine has faced some controversy on social media after Beta testers ended their cooperation with WonderMaker on a sour note. Tom’s Hardware was not invited to review this machine, so unfortunately, we can’t say much about it as yet. However, it does look to be a tool changer in the same style as the Snapmaker U1, but on an open frame.

Anycubic Kobra X: More than it looks

Anycubic has made a huge improvement to its color bedslinger with the announcement of the Kobra X. The machine has internalized the multimaterial system, with all the filament handling done inside the tool head. The system is expected to be much faster and less wasteful. Pricing and the release date were not available, though we suspect this machine will remain in the budget category.

Anycubic was also showing off a bigger Kobra S1 Max Combo and a resin printer with twin tanks for printing with two materials at a time.

Creality Ender 3 v4: Back for Beginners

Creality is keeping their classic beginner line going with a colorful refresh that looks very friendly for younger makers (and the young at heart). The affordable Ender 3 v4 was introduced as a slimmed-down bedslinger combo with a Creality CFS multimaterial box. There are attachment points for your own 3D printed decorations, plus LED lights, which are sure to be a hit on TikTok.

We don’t have pricing or a launch date as yet, so stay tuned.

Creality is also very proud of their new “CubeMe”, an AI-powered tool on Creality Cloud’s Make Now site that will turn your photograph into a 3D printable chibi-style figure. They ran my social media headshot through the program and made a pretty cute little avatar.

Elegoo Centauri Carbon 2: Now in Color

Elegoo showed off the Centauri Carbon 2 Combo, a four color version of the wildly successful Centauri Carbon. A review unit of the CC2 is in the mail as we speak, so all I know is this one is the same size as the Centauri Carbon, but has “smart temperature control” so you can keep the door closed, a hardened steel nozzle rated to 350°C, and a CANVAS system to handle multicolor printing.

Elegoo’s rep said the multicolor system for the first Centauri Carbon was still being worked on and would be made available once it is ready. He also would not confirm the rumors swirling that DJI has invested in the company in order to compete with Bambu Lab, but Tom’s Hardware dug up some clues confirming the rumors ourselves.

BIQU: Enter the (Delicious) Panda Verse

BIQU brought everything, including the kitchen sink, to Formnext to accessorize Bambu Lab printers. BIQU has created a host of clever accessories for any 3D printer, but they have really honed in on Bambu users. Some accessories are incredibly practical, like Frostbite CryoGrip build plates and custom cabinets with built-in printer poop collecting drawers, while others are a bit more whimsical, like the Panda Knomi Smart Display that puts a digital smiley face right on your tool head.

The Panda Treat might just be the most popular device they’ve invented: a full color, food-safe ink printer for your A1. The device attaches to your print head and can quickly print anything under the nozzle with food-safe dye. BIQU was printing on coffee froth for the crowd, and I had a cup. The dye prints in just a few passes and is completely tasteless. It uses a print head similar to an inkjet paper printer, and prints in Cyan, Magenta, and Yellow, which blend into nearly any color. While I was there, a guy stuck his arm under the printer for a “temporary tattoo,” so it’s fairly harmless. The Panda Treat should be ready in a couple of months and will be around $150. It will launch first on the Bambu Lab A1 series and will be compatible with many more printers if it proves to be popular. A BIQU rep said they would like to come out with a regular ink version that could permanently print on regular plastic.

Best of all, the Panda Treat is a removable attachment, so you do not need a dedicated kitchen printer.

FlashForge: Desktop MJP Coming Soon

FlashForge brought a sneak peek of its upcoming MultiJet Printer, which could be the world’s first, truly full color, desktop 3D printer. MJP is an inkjet printing process that deposits thin layers of colorful resin to build up a model. Flashforge said its machine will have 10 million colors and use a water-soluble support material for easy post-processing.

I only saw a handout and a couple of sample prints, but if this comes in under $5000, it could be a real game changer. Right now, this technology is limited to incredibly expensive industrial machines.

The Bambu Lab P2S, a 3D printer that we recently reviewed and gave an Editor's Choice Award to, is now available in the United States after previously launching in other parts of the world last month. The omission was caused by "logistics" in the form of tariffs, which would've made the printer prohibitively expensive. But it seems that this has been overcome, and the price has not been impacted by tariffs, with the printer now on sale for $549, or as part of a combo with the new AMS2 Pro for $799.

• Bambu Lab P2S now available for $549
• Bambu Lab P2S AMS2 Pro combo $799

We reached out to Bambu Lab back in October and were informed that there was a problem with shipping on the Saturday before launch. Bambu Lab also confirmed an expected price point of $549 USD for the standalone machine and $799 for the P2S Combo; however, it warned that those prices may change if tariffs go up. Just the day before the conversation took place, U.S President Trump declared he would impose an additional 100% tariff on China before November 1st. This likely made Bambu Lab hesitant to launch the P2S in the U.S, as it would be unable to promise a price to its customers. But it looks like all is well now, and the P2S is finally available in the United States.

Specifications: Bambu Lab P2S

In our review, we loved the unboxing experience; everything was there to enable us to get printing. The only omission was a USB flash drive to record timelapses, but we all have spare USB flash drives, so this wasn't an issue. With the printer on the bench, you have clear instructions via a paper manual and a video to get printing. Setup and calibration are all done automatically, but you can choose to repeat the setup yourself; in fact, this is something that we should do for all our 3D printers from time to time.

Print volume is the familiar 256 x 256 x 256mm, and the Core XY framework means that your prints will be done quickly and precisely. The chamber has no dedicated heater; instead, the heated print bed is used to warm the chamber for those more technical filaments. In our review, we tested PLA, PETG, ABS, and TPU, with no issues.

The new color touchscreen, first added to the H2 series printers, is a big improvement over the P1S, which had a simple LCD screen and D-Pad controls.

The AI camera has been upgraded to 1080P, and the AI aspect of the camera can detect "spaghetti monsters" and stop the print before you waste a lot of filament and time.

Bambu Lab P2S Combo - Print in multi-color

The ability to print in multiple colors or filaments comes via the $799 P2S Combo package. In that package, you get the Bambu Lab P2S and the new AMS2 Pro. This box sits on top of the P2S and feeds filaments down multiple tubes into the P2S. The custom slicing software, Bambu Studio, is largely based on Prusa Slicer, and it is used to set up the filaments in the AMS. You just tell Bambu Studio what filament is in which slot and then tell it where to use the filaments in the print. This is great for multi-color prints or for those projects where multiple filaments are used.

The Bambu Lab P2S is a low-cost printer for the maker who wants to get projects out of the door. The price, speed, quality and ease of use are all examples of why this printer received an Editor's Choice award. US readers can now grab their own P2S and start printing big and while spending small.

Bambu Lab announced the long-awaited seven-nozzle H2C this week at FormNext, the world’s largest additive manufacturing expo. The printer was recently sent to us for review and is currently undergoing testing.

The price revealed to Tom’s Hardware starts at $2399 US for a basic H2C with an AMS 2 Pro. This is the model we are reviewing. You can also pick up an Ultimate combo that comes with an additional single spool AMS HT for $2999. Like the H2D and H2S, you can opt for a Laser Combo starting at $2999 for the basics and up to $4199 for the whole enchilada.

The machine looks great, but U.S. buyers will have to wait until an undisclosed date in December. It’s another Lucy-and-the-football moment: an exciting launch yanked away at the last second thanks to “logistics,” a phrase that usually translates to tariff headaches. We were hoping that after a recently announced tariff truce between the U.S. and China, roadblocks keeping American consumers from the latest Chinese 3D printers would vanish.

But since the embargo has officially dropped, we thought we’d give you a behind-the-scenes look at our in-process review. The tech on this one is very, very interesting. I can’t wait to really dig into it, but here’s what we’ve sorted out after a couple of days with the H2C.

The toolhead is a modified version of the H2D, with the same left-hand nozzle, but a new right-hand nozzle that the machine can change out itself. It can’t use two different nozzle sizes at the same time (yet?), so for now you’ll need FIVE matching nozzles.

The new nozzles have inductive heaters and are held onto the Vortek Hotend Change System (attached to the right side of the chamber) with magnets. The Vortek can hold six nozzles, but only four of them are assigned to the AMS. The other two are spares? We haven’t quite sorted this part out, but we’re going to question the Bambu Lab team about the system and learn all its tricks at Formnext. I’m assuming we can hook up another AMS to this and run all seven nozzles, or maybe even more. I haven’t had time to tinker with it yet.

The Vortek system, bolted to the side of the chamber, takes up a lot of real estate. The H2D and H2S have the same-sized heat beds, 350mm wide. The H2C heat bed is only 340mm wide. This means that to convert an already expensive H2D or H2S, you will need at least a new tool head, a new heat bed, and the Vortek system itself.

The Vortek system has two racks, each holding three nozzles. The racks jump up and down when they need to swap. It’s only swapping out the right-hand nozzle. One space needs to be left empty for the nozzle in play (on the tool head) so it has a place to park it. The Vortek system moves insanely fast.

It handles purge waste like a champ, so if your main concern is saving filament, you will be impressed. But it’s not tool-changer impressive yet; it still needs a sizable purge tower, but like the Prusa Research MMU3, it does not make any “poop.” And in case you’re wondering, I did try printing without a purge tower and got a giant pile of spaghetti. So the purge tower is definitely needed.

And though the purge problem has been solved, it is still dealing with an AMS, so it will need time to spool up four (or more) of its colors. During my preliminary testing, I found the H2C could print a five-color Maker’s Muse castle in 11 hours, with only a 43g purge tower. The H2D can print the exact same tower in twice the time with twice the purge tower and an additional 279g of waste. The Prusa XL, a five-color tool changer, makes the same exact print in 6 hours, with a 41g purge tower and no additional waste.

TL’DR: the H2C is twice as fast as an H2D, but twice as slow as a Prusa XL.

As I’ve said before, the machine is still in testing. I’ll be back with full results later.

We're getting closer and closer to Black Friday, but that doesn't really matter here, as 3D printer manufacturer Bambu Lab is already deep into its early Black Friday sales. The Bambu Lab P1S is one of our favorite 3D printers we've reviewed, a winner of an Editor's Choice award, and an almost perfect star score. Bambu Lab has brought out the latest P2S to replace the P1S, but unfortunately for 3D printing hobbyists and especially fans of Bambu Lab in the US, the P2S is unavailable to purchase at the moment.

• Grab this deal at Bambu Lab

Go to the Bambu Lab website, and you can find the Bambu Lab P1S 3D printer for $399, the all-time low price for this printer. The list price for the P1S was previously $699, but we have seen the printer for less quite frequently over the last 6 months with various sales events and clippable coupon codes.

We had the chance to review the Bambu Lab P1S and noted how the P1S came semi-assembled for an easy setup out of the box, with the printer featuring automatic bed leveling, an abundance of presets in the slicer software, and exceptional print speeds with up to a 20000 mm/s² acceleration limit. The P1S comes with a fully enclosed print space, making the P1S perfect for high-temperature prints, and has a build volume of 256 x 256 x 256 mm.

The P1S uses a proprietary .4mm nozzle attached to a direct drive extruder. The print bed is made from a PEI textured spring steel sheet for hassle-free print removals. Bambu Labs' P1S has multiple wireless options, including both Wi-Fi and Bluetooth support. Load prints locally thanks to an available microSD card slot, and navigate all the menus and settings with the bright LED screen.

If you're looking for more savings, check out our Best early Black Friday PC Hardware deals for a range of products, or dive deeper into our specialized SSD and Storage Deals, Hard Drive Deals, Gaming Monitor Deals, Graphics Card Deals, or CPU Deals pages.

One of our favourite 3D printer manufacturers, Bambu Lab, has dropped its big Black Friday and Cyber Monday sale, and we're excited to see discounts on our favourite printers. Taking place from Tuesday, October 28, to December 5, 2025, the Bambu Lab Black Friday sales extravaganza will feature discounts on all of their most popular 3D printers, accessories, and bundles.

You can grab savings of up to 31% off Bambu Lab products site-wide. Plus, if you subscribe to the Bambu Lab newsletter, you are entered into a competition to win a free H2C printer, with the draw taking place on December 5, 2025.

We have selected our favourite 3D printer deals and listed the Black Friday sale pricing below. We've also had the opportunity to review all of these printer models, so we can provide an extensive and authoritative review of the performance of the models listed.

• See all Bambu Lab Black Friday Sale deals

These are the best deals on the standalone 3D Printers from Bambu Lab, with some printers having up to a staggering £200 price reduction in this sale. There's never been a better time to get into maker hobbies, and 3D printing is one of the most enjoyable for making some fantastic projects.

Bambu Lab 3D Printer Deals

Automatic Material Systems Attachment Deals

These AMS addons (Automatic Material Systems) for the Bambu Lab printers add the abilities to perform multi-color prints, or help with filament drying and storage. Depending on the 3D printer combination and compatibility you can link multiple units. All of the following AMS units are discounted in the Bambu Lab Black Friday sale.

Bambu Lab launched an excellent “refreshed” version of their popular P1S earlier this week, the P2S, but it's not flying off the shelves. At least, not in the United States, where it is nowhere to be found due to “logistical” issues that likely boil down to tariffs.

The P2S is tantalizingly in stock everywhere else around the globe: Canada, Europe, Australia, Japan, and the whole of Asia. But you can’t get it here from there.

Tom’s Hardware received a P2S for review in September, delivered right to America’s Heartland, along with dozens of other reviewers around the globe. We gave it 4.5 Stars, and we’re considering putting it at the top of our Best 3D Printer list. Except it's really hard to recommend a product to our readers that they can not purchase.

I reached out to Bambu Lab and asked for a shipping update. I was told the company has no idea when it will be able to ship units to its US warehouses. On X, the printer is being advertised with a price tag in Euros, which is somewhat jolting to American sensibilities. A tiny grey footnote declares the machine is “coming soon” to the U.S.

The company stated on X: “We’re running into some logistics delays, so the P2S will be listed but not yet available to buy on our site. We’ll share the official availability date as soon as it’s locked. Hang tight!”

I was informed there was a problem with shipping on the Saturday before launch, and given an expected price point of $549 USD for the standalone machine and $799 for the P2S Combo. However, those prices may change if tariffs go up.

On Oct 10th, the day before my chat with Bambu Lab’s communications department, President Trump declared he would impose an additional 100% tariff on China before November 1st. It looks like this announcement made Bambu Lab pump the brakes on their US launch.

Like many global merchants, Bambu Lab stockpiles 3D printers and other goods in a US warehouse, making them easier to ship to customers. The cost of tariffs and international freight is then baked into the retail price tag we see on the website, leaving only local taxes and domestic shipping to be calculated. These prices are generally the same as what you might find at a local retailer like MicroCenter.

It would seem Bambu Lab did not wish to promise a price to US customers it could not keep. During this turbulent season of tariff wars on Chinese goods, we’ve noticed that several companies would rather have 3D printers out of stock than priced exorbitantly high. For example, Elegoo’s Centauri Carbon did not budge from its rock bottom $300 price tag, but it did disappear from virtual store shelves for a time.

We’ll keep an eye on the trade war for you. But in the meantime, Bambu Lab is offering free shipping and $100 off the price of a P1S printer, knocking it down to $549 for a standalone machine or $749 for a combo.

Bambu Lab has recently added the latest addition to its mid-tier range of printers to its storefront, and with the new addition comes some tasty price cuts to the older models. Bambu Labs' superb P1S 3D printer is making way for the improved P2S (see our latest review of the Bambu Lab P2S), and because of this, the older P1S printer has had a hefty chunk of change knocked off the list price, plus the addition of a further $100, thanks to a clippable coupon code.

Go to the Bambu Lab website, and you can find the Bambu Lab P1S 3D printer for $449 when you use the code: 3DPP1S at checkout. The list price for the P1S was previously $699, but we have seen the printer for less quite frequently over the last 6 months. There is no list price for the P2S on the Bambu Lab website at the time of writing this article, but we do expect it to be around or only slightly above the current P1S pricing.

• Grab this deal at Bambu Lab

We had the chance to review the Bambu Lab P1S, and awarded this printer an Editor's Choice award. The P1S came semi-assembled for an easy setup out of the box, with the printer featuring automatic bed leveling, an abundance of presets in the slicer software, and exceptional print speeds with up to a 20000 mm/s² acceleration limit. The P1S comes with a fully enclosed print space, making the P1S perfect for high-temperature prints, and has a build volume of 256 x 256 x 256 mm.

The P1S uses a proprietary .4mm nozzle attached to a direct drive extruder. The print bed has automatic leveling, essential for an easy setup process, and is made from a PEI textured spring steel sheet for hassle-free print removals. Bambu Labs' P1S has multiple wireless options, including both Wi-Fi and Bluetooth support. A microSD card slot is available, as well, for loading prints locally. Navigate the menus and settings with the LED screen. This Bambu Labs printer is well-known as a superb 3D printer in the space, and it's a steal at this price. But you might want to wait and see how much the P2S will cost, as it does improve on the P1S, but we aren't 100% sure on the price yet.

If you're looking for more savings, check out our Best PC Hardware deals for a range of products, or dive deeper into our specialized SSD and Storage Deals, Hard Drive Deals, Gaming Monitor Deals, Graphics Card Deals, or CPU Deals pages.

Bambu Lab has updated its “Goldilocks” 3D printer, the P1S, for 2025. When launched, the P1 series sat right between the budget A1 bed slinger and the more deluxe X1 Carbon. With the H2D taking over as Bambu Lab’s high end 3D printer, it’s only fitting that the mid-range machines get a refresh.

Enter the Bambu Lab P2S Combo, a machine that borrows some of the best features from its siblings while remaining an affordable option in four-color printing. It took the color touch screen from the X1 and the swappable nozzle from the A1 – or rather, the H2’s improved versions of the screen and nozzle. It has a better camera, a USB port, an upgraded cooling system, AI camera monitoring to prevent spaghetti monsters, and it comes standard with the new AMS 2 Pro.

Like the P1S, it has everything you need while leaving some of the high end perks on the table. This printer still has the traditional Bambu Lab 256 mm cubed build volume, but has no lasers, no dual nozzles, no fancy air flaps, and definitely no LiDAR. And best of all, it doesn’t need any of that.

At the time of this review, the P2S retails at $549 for the standalone machine and $799 for a combo, only $50 more than its predecessor. It's nearly half the price of the H2S and less than a quarter the cost of a fully loaded H2D.

The P2S maintains Bambu Lab’s exceptional level of speed, quality, and ease of use, making it one of the best 3D printers we’ve seen this year.

Specifications: Bambu Lab P2S

Bambu Lab P2S: Included in the Box

The Bambu Lab P2S comes with everything you need to get your printer set up, as well as a few extra parts. You get tools to maintain the printer, spare nozzle wiping pads, and a .5KG full full-sized (refillable) spool of white PLA.

The printer comes with test models loaded in its memory, including a scraper that you can print and assemble with parts provided in the toolbox. It does NOT come with a USB stick, which you will need to take time-lapse videos. There’s a paper getting-started guide and instructions on how to access the slicer and phone app. The box has a QR code printed on the inside flap that leads to an unpacking video.

Design of the Bambu Lab P2S

The most obvious improvement to the P2S is the touch screen, which is the same as the high end H2 series. The previous machine had a barely functional D-Pad LCD screen that drove its users nuts and made the P1 feel cheap.

The tool head also takes a page from the H2 series and uses the same steel-tipped A1-but-not-an-A1 nozzle. Confused? Me too. The new nozzle looks similar to the removable A1 nozzle and is held on with the same buckle and magnet system. The P2 and H2 nozzles have higher flow rates to match their faster Core XY machines. Bambu says you can use the new nozzle in the A1, but doesn’t recommend putting an A1 nozzle in an H2 (and I assume P2). I wouldn't be surprised if Bambu phases out the old A1 nozzle for more efficient stocking. Either way, I’m happy to see this style in the P2S, as it is way easier to remove for troubleshooting or just swapping sizes.

The P2S also gets a new Active Airflow system, which solves one of my personal pet peeves: leaving the door open while printing PLA. Many new users think the door is there to keep children/cats/dust out of the printer, rather than provide a controlled environment for high-temperature printing. The airflow system feeds cooler air from the room to the auxiliary cooling fan on the sidewall. During testing, the chamber temperature hovered around 33C and I had no issue with nozzle clogs or overhangs.

The printer does not have active heating. But instead, it relies on the bed heater to do all the work. It makes this easier by shutting down internal flaps and only pushing air out of the chamber through a carbon filter. I was able to run ABS without issue.

The P2S also gets a new USB port, which is one of those little things that really means a lot. Having a USB port allows you to easily transfer files without going through the internet, something the older micro SD card made challenging. It's also where the P2S stores timelapse footage.

The camera has also been upgraded to a 1080 high frame rate model, and when combined with enhanced chamber lighting, it delivers much better results. The camera is also part of a new AI computer monitoring system that makes sure you have the same plate installed as the slicer settings and watches for nozzle blobs and spaghetti printing.

Nozzle pressure is measured with an eddy current sensor, and the machine automatically adjusts the flow rates for you. Flow rate is also backed up by the new extruder system, with a PMSM servo delivering 8.5 kg max of extrusion force. That’s about 70% more than the old system. The printer also monitors the system to detect filament grinding or clogs. Combined with a tangle sensor in the filament hub, the P2S is well-equipped to keep printer failures at bay.

Another small, but important improvement is the removal of the dead zone in the forward left corner. The older machines reserved this space for a permanently mounted prong to push the cutter. Now the machine deploys a foldable prong from the side of the frame.

And the much maligned carbon fiber rods for the X gantry are gone, replaced with a more easy to clean steel.

The rest of the printer is largely the same: a 256 mm cubed build volume and a speedy, highly accurate motion system. In case this is your first Core XY, the motion system uses a combination of belts to move the X and Y axes in tandem for smoother, faster printing. The print head stays at the top of the machine while the build plate slowly lowers. When combined with vibration-damping input shaping, the results are exceptionally smooth, high-quality prints.

The printer’s highly sensitive auto bed leveling system makes for a perfect first layer. There is no need to adjust the Z height. After a few minutes of auto calibration, the printer just works.

The P2S Combo comes standard with the new AMS 2 Pro, a four-color Automatic Material System. This new AMS can double as a filament dryer with active venting to maintain low humidity when the lid is kept closed. It still needs desiccant packs to keep moisture at bay because the dryer doesn’t run while it prints.

The AMS 2 Pro is now easier to maintain with the tubes exposed. This makes it a lot easier to fish out scraps of filament that might snap inside the unit.

Like all the other Bambu Lab machines, P2S needs a collection bucket for its inevitable pile of filament poops. There are various community-designed solutions to the problem, or you can just put an empty filament box at the back of the machine. I do wish Bambu would address this issue.

Bambu Lab says the P2S can obtain a top speed of 600mm/s and 20,000 mm/s acceleration, which is still twice the default speed of the slicer. We still have “sport” and “ludicrous” speed modes, which are 124% and 164% faster than normal, but with somewhat sketchy quality results. It’s fine for a quick draft, but I’d still stick with standard speed.

When the P2S has an error, the touch screen can show us the same helpful assistant as the higher-end machines. It will provide a QR code you can scan with your phone, offering troubleshooting advice from the Bambu Wiki, a knowledge base for operating any Bambu printer. The Wiki will help you identify and fix the problem, often with quick video tutorials.

Bambu Lab Automatic Material System (AMS)

The P2S comes standard with Bambu Lab’s new AMS2 Pro system – a four-spool feeder that unlocks the ability to print in four, eight, twelve, and even sixteen colors. Each unit costs $359 and can be placed on top of or next to the printer. It can still use an older AMS if you have extra or just want to save a couple of bucks.

The new screen (love that screen) lets you program filament colors while standing next to the printer, and also lets you change the colors or spool placement on sliced files.

The AMS unit can read RFID ID tags that the company installs on each roll of its own filament for easy identification. These tags tell the printer what type and color of material you have installed, and then match it with presets in Bambu Studio. If you use 3rd party filament, you’ll have to fill that information in by hand.

The AMS has pockets for descant and seals tightly, allowing you to use the AMS as a drybox for temperamental filament like Nylon. The AMS 2 Pro does double duty as a filament dryer, though only while it is not printing.

There’s also a “backup” option for the AMS, which will allow it to automatically switch from one slot to the next instead of tripping a run-out sensor. This could be handy for using up partial spools or prints that will need more than one spool. To use this setting, you’ll need to have identical spools loaded.

Assembling the Bambu Lab P2S

The Bambu Lab P2S comes mostly assembled and only needs to be unpacked. You only need to attach the spool holder if you need it, pop on the touch screen and connect the cords and tubes. The printed guide walks you through each step.

Leveling the Bambu Lab P2S

The Bambu Lab P2S has an excellent auto-leveling system combined with vibration compensation, pressure advance, and automatic belt tensioning. It runs a thorough self-test after unpacking the machine to make sure everything is in working order.

Once you’re set up, the machine will also automatically run a bed leveling check before each print. This takes a few minutes, but you’re free to uncheck the option if you don’t want to take the time.

There is no need to set the Z height or Z offset. In fact, there’s no option or button to do so, because the P2S handles this setting on its own.

Loading Filament on the Bambu Lab P2S

The P2S comes with a single spool rack if you didn’t opt for an AMS, or for running TPU, which can’t go through an AMS. The single spool is mounted on the side and is much easier to deal with than the old rear-mounted P1S spool.

The AMS 2 Pro, which comes with the combo, works the same as the old AMS. Just insert the filament and walk away.

The P2S automatically unloads filament when it’s done printing.

Preparing Files / Software for Bambu Lab P2S

Bambu Studio is the custom slicer for the P2S and its fellow 3D printers. It’s largely based on PrusaSlicer, though the layout is a bit different. If you find the settings overwhelming, it’s generally fine to run with the default presets.

The device tab is where you can send files via LAN or the Cloud, watch time-lapse videos from your camera, and remotely tweak the speed and temperature of your printer.

A link to MakerWorld on the homepage allows you to easily search for models designed to work on Bambu machines. While signed in to MakerWorld (and using the Cloud), you can also send presliced files directly back to your printer.

Printing on the Bambu Lab P2S

Our P2S review unit came with a partially filled spool of while Bambu Lab PLA. This is great to get you started, but you’ll want to check out our guide to the best filaments for 3D printing for more suggestions.

The printer came with several pre-sliced files to print, like this phone stand I printed using Epax PLA Magic, and it turned out pretty nice.

Of course, the first real print had to be a Poop Chute. Otherwise, the P2S was going to spray filament waste all over the floor behind its shelf. Unfortunately, the P2S is a tiny bit larger than the P1P, and as this printer is not public at the time, the chute I printed didn’t quite fit. It could probably be scaled up a bit on the X axis to work.

This chute is very basic and was designed to be super thin, making it a quick print. I further sped up the process by using a .28 layer height. This was printed using Polar Filament Black PLA for four hours and 30 minutes.

More impressive is this Analog Tetris game, which I printed in batches using lots of different filaments. Each plate of blocks took about 2 hours and 40 minutes to print, using standard settings and a .2mm layer height. The blocks use a mix of Bambu Lab PLA and a spool of Flashforge Aurora Red PLA, which has an amazing sparkle.

The game board was a longer print and was designed in two sections with tabs to snap it together. This was printed using Bambu Lab PETG Carbon Fiber, and was Glooped together. I used a .2 layer height, default speeds, and a 15% gyroid infill. The print took 20 hours and came out absolutely perfect.

ABS was super easy to print. This fighting top was printed in PolyLite Galaxy Purple ABS and PolyLite Blue ABS. I wanted it to be very strong, so I used 4 walls and 20% gyroid infill. It took 3 hours and 12 minutes to print. The blue dots were added in Bambu Slicer with the paintbrush. The print is definitely strong, but there was a tiny gap in the layers on one side. It’s less noticeable with the naked eye. The two parts have no trouble fitting together.

This print is a mash-up of Nozzle Spinning Top by Rayjizza and the Spinning Top by KasKap.

TPU ran like a dream, but I did have trouble with the spool holder. You’re supposed to take the lid off and run TPU without the Bowden tube directly into the extruder. I didn’t feel like taking the lid off, so I got out a spare spool holder and ran it through the entry point on the right side of the machine (the yellow part). This avoided about half the Bowden tube, but still used the tubes inside the printer. It worked fine. The eternal spool provided by Bambu was on the wrong side of the printer for this set up to work, but in their defense, filament is meant to go through the tangle sensor located in the buffer.

The purse took 6 hours and 46 minutes to run, using a .8mm nozzle with a .2mm layer height, 4 walls and otherwise standard TPU settings. The pyramid pattern got a little bit wispy, but otherwise the purse looks great and has been very functional as my everyday bag for about a month now. It’s printed in CookieCad Sunset TPU.

Bottom Line

Bambu Lab is continuing to innovate its Core XY printers and stay competitive in a tough market full of copycats. I’m impressed that Bambu was able to keep the price of the P2S so close to the first P1S while adding so many new features.

Retailing at $799 for the Combo, the P2S is a strong choice for anyone wanting to upgrade their 3D printing experience. Its simple setup and ease of use make it an excellent first printer for a newbie or the 10th printer for a farm.

The original Bambu Lab P1S will continue to be sold, and is currently still priced at $749, but I wouldn’t be surprised if that goes on sale soon. If you’re looking for a more affordable entry point into the world of color printing, Bambu Lab’s A1 Mini is still my favorite recommendation for first-timers and is only $399 for a combo unit. And if you want more space with full color, the Bambu H2S for $1,999 is hard to beat.

This month, the 3D printing community has seen the announcement of four different tool-changing FDM printers. First was Snapmaker’s U1, a machine we received for review while still in beta testing. Then slipping under the radar was newcomer AtomForm with a 12-nozzle system and a desire to keep things low-key while it tested the waters. This week, Bambu Lab and Prusa Research made surprise announcements of their own.

Prusa Research didn’t invent the tool changer, but it certainly ignited a desire in the 3D printing community for a more efficient solution to color FDM printing. Announced in 2021, the Prusa XL is a beast of a machine that costs over $4,500 when fully loaded with all five tool heads and an enclosure. That’s quite a stretch for the hobby market, so the XL remained an elite machine for a more professional crowd.

It took several years, but Snapmaker countered Prusa with an “affordable” tool changer, priced as low as priced as $649 for eager early birds armed with a special rebate. Launched last week, the U1 took Kickstarter by storm, with over 14,000 people backing the Kickstarter to date, pledging over $13 million for a desktop-sized tool changer.

Bambu Lab, either emboldened by Snapmaker’s success or bothered by possible competition from newcomer Atomform, rushed an announcement of its own tool changer-like machine, the H2C. The announcement was oddly timed, just one hour after the launch of the Bambu Lab H2S, the company’s largest Core XY machine with a single nozzle.

The H2C is perhaps “tool changer adjacent” as it only swaps out the nozzle, and will still need to use an AMS system to feed filament. This method is also being used by AtomForm, a Chinese company backed by MOVA Tech, a manufacturer of LiDAR-guided robotic lawn mowers. The Palette 300, a 300 x 300 x 300 mm 12-color-nozzle swapper, will launch on Kickstarter soon. Pricing for that machine will start at $1,499, though no one has yet seen a live demonstration. We're seeking an interview with AtomForm and will have details on this new machine as soon as they are available.

Bringing the tool changer story full circle is Josef Prusa, with a simple post on X of a popcorn emoji and a close-up photo of a CORE One with six tool heads. The post has garnered over 179,000 views, along with hundreds of likes, comments, and reposts.

Bondtech followed up the post with a tease of its own, confirming a collaboration between the companies. Bondtech’s latest project is the INDX, a DIY tool changer kit that we’ve been seeing this year at 3D printing shows, usually attached to a Voron. Bondtech was scheduled to release the INDX in November.

The INDX uses a wireless system and induction-based heating. The tools are promised to be simple and light. A CORE One with this high-tech tool changer system could put Prusa Research back on top of the consumer 3D Printer wish list.

Currently, the CORE One can be adapted to color printing with the addition of an MMU3, a complex and unwieldy five-color system. We’ve used the MMU3 on a Prusa MK4 and found that once set up, it works beautifully and with very little wasted filament. Since the MMU3 does not have a cutter, it yanks back as much filament from the hotend as it can, then pushes the rest into a purge tower, leaving no printer poop. We are currently setting up a CORE One with MMU3 for review, but the build will take some time.

Bambu Lab dropped a bombshell announcement just one hour after the release of its newest 3D printer, the H2S. The company revealed the H2C, a tool changer-like system that it says will hit the shelves before Christmas.

The H2C promises to tackle the problem that plagues every Bambu Lab 3D printer with an AMS: printer poop. This “poop” is the waste purged from the nozzle as it is cleaned between color changes. Most color systems for 3D printers have multiple spools connected to one tool head, with one shared nozzle. Because it’s impossible to remove all the melted plastic from a hot nozzle, a certain amount is pushed through the nozzle as waste.

Prusa Research’s MMU system minimizes waste by yanking back the majority of the old color. The other option is a tool changer, like Prusa Research’s XL or the Snapmaker U1. Tool changers solve the problem by having multiple tool heads, with one for every color.

Bambu Lab proposes a new system, similar to a tool changer, that swaps only the nozzle. This system builds on the easily swappable nozzle design introduced with the A1 and carried over to the H2D and H2S. These machines use nozzles that are attached magnetically, and already uses thermal induction to heat up. All that was left was figuring out how to remove the wires needed for the thermistor, which regulates the temperature.

This is where Bambu Lab’s research gets truly innovative: Engineers have added a chip to the nozzle to transmit all the data the printer needs wirelessly. This allows the 3D printer to change its own nozzle robotically.

The new Bambu Lab H2S is the machine a lot of makers have been waiting for – a single nozzle, premium Core XY with a bigger build volume. It’s not quite a “max” sized machine, but it's pretty darn big and certainly what you might call “helmet class” with its 340 x 340 mm build plate. And yes, it is simply an H2D without the fancy dual nozzle. It has all the 2nd-generation tech of its big brother, like a servo motor extruder, an advanced airflow system, and AI detection along the entire filament path.

The machine Bambu Lab sent for review is the basic H2S Combo, without laser or cutter capability. An H2S Laser Combo is available, but only with the less expensive 10W laser. It’s also no surprise, as this model was leaked back in July. The plain Jane H2S without an AMS will be released in October.

Though you can upgrade the H2S Combo to operate a laser, there is no upgrade to a dual nozzle, despite having the same back panel as the H2S with the second port plugged. This machine is also limited to the 10-watt laser only. Bambu kindly suggests that if you think you want a dual nozzle, you should get the dual nozzle.

Having grown accustomed to the filament savings afforded by the H2D, Prusa MMU3, and the Snapmaker U1, I find the H2S a step backwards. Sure, it’s a great machine, and yes, Bambu Lab probably felt compelled to make it after the user backlash to the feature-bloated H2D Laser Combo. But I’m holding out hope for a glorious future of poop free, colorful 3D printing.

However, I’ve run into many serious makers who never print in color and only use an AMS to hold massive amounts of filament to run in succession. If that sounds like you, then the H2S is going to make you very happy.

The pricing for the H2S is only a bit more than an X1C, which is rumored to be nearing retirement age. The H2S Combo, which includes the new filament drying AMS 2 Pro, is set at $1,499. The H2S Laser Full Combo, with a 10-watt laser, is available for $2,099. The H2S without AMS will be out in October for the lower price of $1,249. For comparison, the X1C with an AMS 2 Pro is currently on sale for $1,369, and the H2D non-laser combo is $2,299.

The H2S is perfect for makers who crave extra room for their projects, while the H2S Laser Combo is for crafters who are tight on space and want a multipurpose machine. It's fast, precise, and the heated chamber, combined with a dry box AMS, makes short work of high-temperature filaments. Plus, you can print with the door closed, to keep out curious fingers and paws. While this is a very good machine, it's not going to knock the H2D off our list of the best 3D printers.

Specifications: Bambu Lab H2S

Bambu Lab H2S: Included in the Box

The Bambu Lab H2S comes with everything you need to get your printer set up, as well as a few extra parts. You get tools to maintain the printer, a spare hotend, two spare nozzle wiping pads, and a USB stick.

The printer is preloaded with test models and practical prints for crafting tools. A razor blade and screws are included to make a DIY scraper. There’s also a paper getting started guide and instructions on how to access the slicer and phone app. The box has a QR code printed on the inside flap that leads to an unpacking video.

Design of the Bambu Lab H2S

The H2S is the single nozzle version of Bambu Lab’s remarkable H2D 3D printer. It is a fully enclosed printer with an aluminum and steel chassis with a plastic outer shell. It can reach greater temperatures than the previous X1C, with a 350C nozzle and bed that can hit 120C. The air filter is also improved to cut down on airborne particulates floating around your room. My favorite improvement to the H Series is subtle: the machine has Adaptive Airflow that allows it to cool the chamber as well as heat it. This means you can finally close the door on PLA and other “low temperature” filaments.

The H2S can be ordered as either a “stock” printer or a modified “laser combo”. Both machines share the same 3D printer capabilities. We didn’t review the Laser Combo for the H2S, but we did check it out on the H2D. The stock H2S can be upgraded to the laser edition, which means our stock unit has the same fire retardant inner chamber.

While the H2D’s stand out feature was the dual nozzles on one hotend, this unique feature also ate up some of the build space. The H2S can use the full 340 x 340 mm space, making it the largest machine Bambu Lab has made so far.

Bambu Lab has adopted the A1 style nozzle for the new H Series, but it’s not quite the same. This style of nozzle is much easier to change as they are held on with a clasp and magnet. All the wiring remains on the toolhead. The H series nozzles have been improved, so it is not recommended to use old A1 nozzles on the H2S. You can, however, use H2S nozzles on the A1.

The H2S Combo comes with the new AMS 2 Pro, which adds a heater and vents, so the box can do double duty as a filament drier as well. The vent automatically opens during drying cycles to release damp air and can remain closed to maintain a dry environment during storage or printing. The drier does not operate during printing, and instead depends on a tight seal and a packet of desiccant to keep your material cozy. When you set up the drying function, the screen will ask you to tuck the filament ends into the spool’s sides and give you the option of rotating the filament while drying.

The AMS 2 Pro also winds spools noticeable faster, and keeps the Bowden tubes in the open for easier access should filament break while in the AMS.

The older Bambu Lab AMS is compatible with the H2S, which is great news for people upgrading from older Core XY units. If you want to experiment with a 16 color print, you can just borrow the AMS off an X1C or P1S.

The H2S has three cameras, plus a fourth for the laser combo. The three main ones are all 1920 x 1080: one for live monitoring, one on the nozzle for AI detection, and one on the toolhead. The live preview is for the user and shows up in Bambu Studio on the device page, on your Bambu Handy app, and on the screen itself – helpful on the Laser Combo as the dark green glass is difficult to see through. It can also capture time lapses.

The nozzle camera can detect “spaghetti”, air printing, nozzle clumping, and when the poop chute is getting clogged. The toolhead camera is for checking accuracy during calibration and reading the codes on the build plates. The fourth (optional) camera is a more detailed, 8 megapixel (3264 x 2448p) and comes with the laser combo.

The Laser Combo comes with a 10-watt laser, a blade tool, and a pen holder with two sample makers. Many round barrel thin markers with stiff tips will work, though Bambu Lab will have markers available in their store.

The automatic vents and fans do a number of things. An intake vent on the top pops open when it needs cool air for PLA or PETG, or to push air into the filtration system. A rear vent is likewise automatic and can open or close as needed. The H2S can close the vents to retain heat for high-temperature printing, or in the event of a fire, shut off air flow to smother any flames.

An active chamber heater can boost the interior temperature to 65 °C. This means the H2S can run anything and everything with the door closed. While we’re on the topic of ventilation, both versions of the H2S have a HEPA-grade, activated carbon filter to keep particles and VOCs out of your room.

The H2S comes with a standard PEI flex sheet. If you opt for the Laser Combo, you’ll also get a sturdy metal tray for the laser that can hold slats, and a sticky metal plate for the cutter or pen. Both of these work plates fit on top of the heated bed and use magnets to hold them in place.

An optional “vision encoder” plate is for 3D printing with exceptional precision. It is covered in a tiny grid that the toolhead reads for special optical measurement tracking. Bambu says this plate can ensure an XY-axis calibration solution with a 50µm motion accuracy.

Assembling the Bambu Lab H2S

The Bambu Lab H2S comes fully assembled and only needs to be unpacked.

Leveling the Bambu Lab H2S

The Bambu Lab H2S has an excellent auto-leveling system combined with vibration compensation and pressure advance. The initial self-check and leveling will take a good 45 minutes. Thankfully, the machine handles this itself, and you can go get a sandwich and come back when it’s done.

The H2S will check the bed level before prints like the X1-Carbon, and I haven’t had any issues with the Z height during my tests.

Loading Filament on the Bambu Lab H2S

The H2S Combo comes with an AMS 2 Pro, so I didn’t even bother with manual spool holders. Filament loading and unloading is a breeze when handled by the machine. You only push filament 2 cm into the feeder, and it automatically slurps it into the system.

If you want to use TPU, it will need to be placed on a standard spool holder and run through a separate port in the back to bypass the standard filament feeding system. I used a 3rd party dry box to hold the spool, and it had no problems feeding.

Preparing Files / Software for Bambu Lab H2S

Bambu Studio has recently been overhauled, with new visual representations of the printer and its build plate, so it's easier to make sure you’re on the right settings. Syncing the printer and AMS now works much smoother, and remapping the filament is easier.

Bambu Studio also gives you access to your printer’s camera on the device tab, where you can see and edit the filament you have loaded and operate the printer remotely. The Home tab will show you recent files you’ve used and give you direct access to MakerWorld, Bambu Lab’s file-sharing website.

Printing on the Bambu Lab H2S

Our H2S didn’t have any sample filament packed with it, so I would make sure you select a bundle that comes with filament. Check out our guide to the best filaments for 3D printing for more suggestions to keep your AMS 2 Pro happy.

The printer came with several pre-sliced files to print, but I’m most interested in how the printer worked with files I sliced myself.

Here’s a “speed Benchy” model, which is the popular 3D Benchy sliced according to the official #speedboatrace contest rules. This boat has 2 walls, 3 top/bottom layers, 10% infill, and uses a .25 layer height and .5 layer width. This was printed using default speed settings, and came out in 25 minutes and 28 seconds, which is pretty respectable. There’s no rings, the walls are smooth (much smoother to the naked eye than this photo) and the smoke stack is perfect. This was printed in ordinary Inland Black PLA.

For PLA, I printed a half dozen four color articulated owls. The prints are crispy with no color bleeds, and you can really tell how the glitter complete hid the layers lines. There’s an ever so slight drip on the bird's face where the white could have used a bit of support. It took 15 hours and 29 minutes to print using default settings with a .2mm layer height and an average 220mm/s speed. The printed wasted 169 grams of filament over 375 filament changes, which is more than the weight of all six owls. This could be improved by tuning the flush volume, or using a purge object. In comparison, the H2D could have printed these 5 hours quicker and with half the waste. These figures are using Inland PLA + White, Polymaker Panchroma PLA Brown, and Bambu Lab’s Basic Black PLA and Sparkle Gold PLA.

I did a practical print for PETG and made a Gridfinity hardware storage unit for screws. The case and drawers are printed separately, taking 26 hours and 17 minutes across two plates, using a more chonky .24 mm layer height and otherwise default settings. The average speed for this was about 150 mm/s. The print looks incredibly good with even lines and very sturdy feel. This was printed using Prusament Jet Black PETG.

I also ran some high temperature filaments through the H2S. This mini tripod is printed using Elegoo’s PAHT-CF, a high temp carbon reinforced polyamide, AKA Carbon Fiber Nylon. It has a beautiful matte, naturally fuzzy skin finish that complete hides layer lines and is strong enough to hold more than just this little camera light. The feet are printed separately in TPU, which looks like it needed a trip through the drier first. The nylon part was printed in parts with .16mm layer heights and default settings, with an average speed of 100mm/s. It was then assembled using only 3D printed pieces.

After drying the Inland Gray TPU, I printed a collapsible water bottle from MakerWorld. This bottle is a fun print, that can hold 600mL of water and when empty collapses down to pocket size. The lid was printed in Inland Black PLA on a separate pass. The TPU has a sturdy 6 walls and appears quite water tight. It took 10 hours and 2 minutes to print using .2mm layer height and default settings. The lid screws on nicely and holds water even if you squeeze it hard. It took an additional 58 minutes to print with a .2mm layer height and PLA settings.

Note, there is some debate on whether 3D printed items are food safe, so use your best judgment on prints like these.

Bottom Line

The H2S has a generous build volume that makers have been craving, but skipping the dual nozzle of the H2D seems like a waste. Rumor has it that the X1 Carbon will be discontinued soon, though the firmware and spare parts will be maintained for quite some time. If you’re in the market for a full-featured Bambu Lab, with core XY speed and all the perks, then the H2S is a smart choice.

This machine is a good bit less expensive than its H2D equivalent. For comparison, the dual nozzle H2D non laser combo is $2,299, and this single nozzle, non laser variant is $1,499. That’s $800 less. The AMS 2 Pro is standard with the H series printers and is definitely worth the upgrade. Besides being able to double as a filament dryer, the AMS 2 Pro is faster and easier to maintain with easily accessible parts.

If the Bambu Lab H2S still seems out of reach, I’d suggest checking out the Bambu Lab P1S, which is still a solid choice for four-color printing. The P1S Combo is currently $849. If you want an entry-level color printer, then the Bambu Lab A1 Mini is a crowd favorite, with a price tag of $399 for the combo. And if you want single-color Core XY speed at a budget price, take a look at the Elegoo Centauri Carbon, which retails at $299.

Snapmaker returned to Kickstarter with a new 3D printer, the U1, and raised an astonishing $7.8 million on its first day, underscoring an eager market for 3D printing tool changers. Unlike traditional AMS-style color 3D printers, where all the spools share one filament path and one nozzle, a tool changer has a separate tool head for each spool loaded into the machine. This results in very little material wasted between color swaps, the ability to mix materials with different temperature requirements, and avoids cross-contamination of filaments.

Tool changers aren’t especially new, but they are rare and, until now, fairly expensive. The Prusa Research XL, a five-head tool changer we reviewed last year, is aimed squarely at the professional market with a $3,499 price tag. By contrast, Snapmaker is appealing to the average consumer with a special early bird price of $649 and a regular Kickstarter price of $749. The four-color machine has an MSRP of $999.

We’ve reviewed the Snapmaker U1 and found it to be a remarkable machine worthy of our Best of 2025 3D Printer List.

Tuesday’s launch surpassed Bambu Lab’s Kickstarter debut in September 2022, which sold $7,047,538 worth of X1 and X1-Carbons to 5575 backers. At that time, a brand new X1-Carbon combo was priced as low as $999 for lucky early birds.

As of this writing, the Snapmaker U1 has 9304 backers, with over $8.5 million pledged. We should note that backers will not be charged until the Kickstarter completes on Sept. 29th, and backers do have the option to change their minds.

At this pace, it could beat AnkerMake’s Kickstarter record for the launch of its high-speed printer, the M5, in 2022. That printer raked in $8.8 million with over 11,000 backers. Sadly, AnkerMake failed to impress consumers once Bambu Lab entered the fray, delivering a Core XY machine that made the noisy M5 bed slinger, and later the screenless M5c, look like old tech. They disappointed backers by never producing a proposed six-color engine, and the company recently abandoned 3D printing entirely in favor of 2.5D UV printing. AnkerMake is now called EufyMake and hopes to wow a slightly different market of crafting enthusiasts.

The Snapmaker U1 could very well mark a shift in the 3D printing market toward tool changers. Go onto any forum for people who are new to 3D printing, and you’ll see utter dismay at the amount of waste that multicolor printing produces. This is not only bad for your filament budget, but bad for the environment, as 3D printing plastic is not easy to recycle or accepted by most community waste management companies.

Early-bird backers are still in luck: the U1 is available at $749, with a special $30 refundable reservation deposit that unlocks $100 cashback, bringing the effective price down to $679—a strong incentive for those ready to support the future of tooling right now, snapmaker.com.

Bambu Lab launched an innovative new tool on its MakerWorld website: Crowdfunding. MakerWorld Crowdfunding allows the Bambu Lab community to directly support designers as they create larger, complex 3D printing projects. In return for a small cash investment, supporters can earn exclusive files, special rewards, or insider access to the creative process.

If this sounds a lot like Kickstarter, it is. But unlike Kickstarter, MakerWorld’s program is limited to 3D printing projects with primarily digital assets as the reward. Designers also receive a home-field advantage: their projects are hosted on one of the biggest 3D printing file-sharing sites, where everyone visiting is a potential backer.

The program launched on July 30th with 13 designers handpicked by MakerWorld. Their projects have something for nearly everyone, from crazy toys and games, modular lamps, a printable keyboard, and a TPU handbag. There’s even a full-size pinball machine.

One of the games, Relic Rush, is a cube-shaped mechanical “board game” where players move their mini adventurers across obstacles and traps that can be triggered remotely, including a tiny belt-driven stream of light-up “lava.” It looks as fun to build as it would be to play. The game was funded in three and a half hours, and as of this writing, reached two stretch goals.

Bambu Lab stated in a blog post that Crowdfunding was introduced as a way to support designers working on big, ambitious projects. It’s also a new way for designers to earn money from their work on MakerWorld. In February, designers were able to launch Commercial License Memberships, which allow them to charge makers for the right to sell printed models.

Since its launch in 2023, MakerWorld has been a site for free models, with all models defaulting to a non-commercial, personal use only license. Crowdfunded models can be released for free at a later date if the designer chooses, or remain exclusive to supporters.

MakerWorld Crowdfunding has an all-or-nothing funding model. Designers can choose a funding goal between $500 and $50,000 USD and set a fundraising time limit from 7 to 60 days. If the goal is not raised within the time allowed, the project fails. Supporters are only charged for their pledges when a project reaches the goal amount and the fundraising successfully concludes. Designers are also allowed to scuttle their project early and restart at a later date.

Like Kickstarter, MakerWorld Crowdfunding allows designers to set various pledge levels and add stretch goals. MakerWorld only collects a fee from the project when it is successfully funded, which is 10% of the total raised, plus payment processing fees from Stripe, which range from 3 to 8%. In return, MakerWorld will feature Crowdfunding projects prominently on its homepage

Currently, Crowdfunding is only available by invitation. Designers interested in submitting a model can send MakerWorld an email at models@makerworld.com with "[Crowdfunding project application]" in the subject line, along with a brief introduction to your project and any visuals or renders you have. You can learn more about crowdfunding on MakerWorld’s FAQ page.

3DQue Systems wants to make 3D print farming easier and more hands-free. The company has developed both hardware and software, such as AutoFarm3D, to replace manual workflows. This includes auto ejection, where prints can be popped right off the bed by the printer itself, and also an automated door opening and closing mod that enables prints to be ejected from the machine before another print is started.

The concept isn’t new, and we’ve seen YouTubers in the past add a bit of g-code that makes the print head push a finished print off the bed. In 2021, 3DQue introduced Quinly3D for bedslingers, which added a toolhead shield, tilted platform and slide to the concept. The contraption allowed the print time to cool and loosen from the heated bed, then instructed the 3d printer to push the print forward. The tilted base lets gravity do the rest of the work.

However, Bambu Lab’s Core XY printers pose a unique problem: doors. You can’t just tilt a P1S – one of the most popular 3D printers used by print farms – and keep the door closed.

Enclosed printers are used to maintain a stable temperature for engineering-grade materials, so removing the door is not an option if you’re printing in something like ASA, Nylon, or a PC blend material. 3DQue created an automatic opener for these printers that attaches to the corner of the door and opens it on command.

The automatic door opener works with 3DQue’s AutoFarm 3D farm management software. The system detects when the print is finished, opens the door, clears the print using the toolhead, then closes the doors and resets.

You can see AutoFarm3D in action with a P1S on this YouTube short.

The AutoFarm 3D system isn’t just a fancy bit of coding. The system also uses a specialized bed surface called VAAPR (Variable Adhesion for Automated Part Release) to provide frictionless part release once the surface has cooled. It works with PLA, PETG, ASA, ABS, Nylon, Polypropylene, Polycarbonate, HIPS, and supports.

Not all parts of the system are high-tech. Installation instructions also advise taping the Bambu’s magnetically attached fan to the toolhead to prevent it from popping off.

The AutoFarm 3D door opener is available for pre-sale at 3DQue for $129, and is designed specifically for the P1S, X1C, and X1E. It requires AutoFarm 3D software to run, which starts at $9.99 a month for small print farms under 10 machines.

3DQue has auto-eject systems for many consumer-grade printers used in print farms: Artillery, Bambu Lab, Creality, and Prusa Research. Customers have also modded the system to work with Anycubic, Elegoo, Sovol, and Voxelab machines.

Through the recent four-day Amazon Prime Day sales event and beyond, Bambu Lab was running its big 3rd-Anniversary sales event across the range of excellent 3D printers on their website, including multicolor AMS printing accessories. We saw some amazing price reductions on several of our favorite 3D printers, including the $399 Bambu Lab P1P 3D printer that had an outstanding 43% knocked off the $699 list price. This was a standout deal, and great value for money.

The good news for all 3D printing deal hunters is that all the Bambu Lab deals we discovered in the sales are pretty much still available. So you can still get your hands on the Bambu Lab P1P, P1S, A1, A1 mini, and X1C 3D printers at sales pricing; for how long, we don't know. This is a great opportunity to pick up a deal on a 3D printer for students looking to work on school or college projects where a 3D print can help in the workflow.

The Bambu Lab P1P comes with everything you need to get your printer set up, as well as a few extra parts. Included in the box are tools to maintain the printer, a spare hotend, two spare nozzle wiping pads, and a microSD card. There’s also a roll of white PLA and screws to attach the DIY side panels should you wish to print them. This 3D printer offers print speeds up to 20,000 mm/s² acceleration for fast prints on its 256 x 256 x 256 mm print bed.

• Check out the deal at Bambu Lab

Our 3D printing expert had the chance to review the Bambu Lab P1P and awarded this printer an Editor's Choice award. The P1P came semi-assembled and was easy to set up. The printer comes with automatic bed leveling, an abundance of presets in the slicer software, and features exceptional print speeds. As noted in our review, the P1P is a stripped-down version of Bambu Lab’s deluxe X1-Carbon 3D printer.

All of the discounted Bambu Lab printers that I've listed in this deal post have been tested and reviewed by our 3D printing expert editor, and you can find all of the individual reviews listed against each printer deal if you would like to know more detailed information on any of these Bambu Lab printers.

If you're looking for more savings, check out our Best PC Hardware deals for a range of products, or dive deeper into our specialized SSD and Storage Deals, Hard Drive Deals, Gaming Monitor Deals, Graphics Card Deals, or CPU Deals pages.

More leaks from Bambu Lab reveal that a new single-nozzle sister to the H2D is coming soon. The H2S was accidentally included in a manual for the cutter module in the Bambu Lab wiki.

We reported in June on a leaked photo that appeared on X, with a blurry image they claim to be the next Bambu Lab 3D printer. That image showed a 3D printer roughly the size of the H2D, but with only one nozzle.

We have no further information on the H2S (H2 Single?) as it has not been released for review yet. The manual slip-up only covers the cutter attachment, which shows how to install it on both the H2D and the H2S.

The drawing of the tool head confirms the earlier leaked photo, showing a single rotating extruder wheel. This happens to be similar to the A1 tool head, which has a compatible nozzle.

Fans of Bambu Lab have been pleading for a 3D printer larger than the X1C or P1S, and were disappointed with the high cost of the feature-stuffed H2D, which goes for $3649 with the works. The H2D does have a build volume of 350x320x325 mm³, significantly bigger than the typical 256 x 256 x 256mm build volume of the X1C.

Although the H2D already has a less expensive model that ships without an AMS for $1,999, it's a far cry from the $819 P1P. Why? Because the H2D is laser capable. Even if you don’t buy the laser attachment, the H2D is ready for one, with all the extra safety precautions, sensors, camera, and flame-resistant coating. We still believe that a larger, less expensive 3D printer without any possible way to attach a laser could be just the printer the market is looking for.

Since we don’t have any insider information, let’s take another look at the leaked photo from June together. We adjusted the contrast on the photo and placed a few arrows at the most interesting parts of the leaked image.

First, we can see that this is a single-nozzle machine, with the same yellow rotating extruder wheel as the A1 behind a similar bubble window on the tool head shroud. Lower on the right-hand side is the same tool head camera from the H2D, used to read printed codes and perform printer calibration. What we can see of the nozzle and fans looks very much like an H2D tool head with a single nozzle.

The edge of the built platform only shows one number: 340mm. The last number is always the build height, so this printer is 15mm taller or has a little more headroom than the H2D’s 325mm build height.

Finally, there is a faint white timestamp in the lower right corner: 2025.04.2? This would suggest the photo is recent.

Here is a photo of the Tom’s Hardware H2D Laser Combo for comparison. I tried to capture a similar angle.

Armchair internet sleuths are predicting the leaked photo is of a stripped-down H2D, perhaps a less expensive model with a single nozzle and larger build volume. This would fit the pattern of Bambu Lab releases: after the launch of the flagship X1 Carbon, we saw the cheaper P1P and P1S. The P1 line of printers shares the same print quality due to its use of the same build volume, motion system, and hotend; however, it is more affordable due to a simpler user interface.

If you're looking for 3D printer deals, then we have to highlight some of the fantastic deals on these Bambu Lab 3D printers. Thanks to Bambu Lab's 3rd Anniversary sale is an amazing time to jump on a 3D printer purchase and save up to a whopping 43% off one of these fantastic devices.

We have a selection of the best printer deals available, and to top it off, we've also had the opportunity to review all of these models, so we can also provide an extensive and authoritative review on the performance of the models listed. TL:DR all of these printers were pretty great, and also support multicolor printing if you combine a 3D printer with an AMS (Automatic Material System) attachment.

The AMS attachment comes in several flavors: the AMS Lite, AMS, and AMS Pro. The AMS Lite and standard AMS attachments are also discounted separately, or you can grab them in bundle deals with compatible printers.

These are the best deals on the standalone 3D Printers from Bambu Lab's, with some printers having up to a staggering 43% price reduction in this sale. There's never been a better time to get into maker hobbies, and 3D printing is one of the most enjoyable for making some fantastic projects.

Bambu Lab 3D Printer Deals

Automatic Material Systems Attachment Deals

We are working hard to find the best computer hardware deals for you this Amazon Prime Day. We cover the hottest deals in real-time at our Best Amazon Prime Day Deals Live page. If you're looking for more savings, check out our Amazon Prime Day deals for a range of products, or dive deeper into our specialized SSD and Storage Deals, Hard Drive Deals, Gaming Monitor Deals, Graphics Card Deals, or CPU Deals pages.

Buyer beware: you’re not the only one attracted to Bambu Lab’s current 3rd Anniversary sale. The deep discounts are enticing Facebook scammers as well.

These con artists plan to trick Facebook users out of their hard-earned money by posing as Bambu Lab with fake Facebook pages offering links to artificially sweet deals. The fake pages usually misspell or truncate Bambu Lab’s name and can lead to copycat websites that look incredibly real. The point of the scam is to trick people into buying 3D printers and filament that will never appear.

After YouTuber Angus Deveson (Maker’s Muse) issued a warning about the scam, Bambu Lab took to Facebook to explain that it has been taking legal action against scammers for months.

“We’ve noticed an increase in fake websites and Facebook ads impersonating Bambu Lab. These scams trick users into paying for products they won’t receive, often through look-alike domains or fake discounts,” said Bambu Lab.

The process of reporting fake ads to Facebook can be time-consuming, and companies need your help. Scammers can easily trick Facebook into putting up fake sites with page names and urls that are almost correct. Facebook has billions of users and is one of the most visited websites on the internet, and it relies on users to report false pages and ads to trigger human review.

But recognizing a scam site takes a sharp eye and a deeper knowledge of Bambu Lab than many new to the hobby simply don’t have. For example, did you know that Bambu Lab would never call itself “Bambu”? That nickname is exclusively used by fans. Bambu Lab also never uses grungy photos from a warehouse or a print farm. Real images from Bambu Lab always show 3D printers in perfect condition, placed in impeccably styled settings.

It’s helpful to know Bambu Lab’s real web address, which is BambuLab.com. Simply typing “Bambu Lab” into your search engine will get you to the real site. This “blmake.pro” came from a scammy Facebook ad.

Scammers have no problem scraping a website and putting up a duplicate. This portion of a knock off website even used our Tom’s Hardware Editor’s Choice award on the Bambu Lab P1P. However, these ridiculously low prices should be immediate red flags.

It can be hard to verify if a Facebook page is real. However, if you click the page name and check under “About” you can see a listing for “Page transparency.” This will let you know when the page was created. Another red flag is the fact that a three-year-old company with the most popular 3D printer for beginners only has 3 followers?

What can you do if you encounter a scam? Report the ad directly on Facebook by clicking the menu option and selecting "Report ad," then choosing "Scam, fraud, or false information". If you’re not sure if the ad is a scam, simply look up the manufacturer’s website on your browser. Sales advertised on Facebook should be easy to find on the website.

Below is a real ad by the real Bambu Lab. This is pulled from my personal Facebook page, so it is showing me a few friends that also like Bambu Lab at the top, it uses the proper “Bambu Lab 3D” page name, the correct URL for the company website and uses clean, idealized images of the printers. The $219 starting price is for the A1 Mini without an AMS, which is a pretty good deal, but not over the top.

Today, Bambu Lab released free software to manage your 3D print farm without needing the Cloud or any third-party services. Called Bambu Farm Manager, the software can control an unlimited number of X1 Carbon 3D printers, as well as machines from the P1 and A1 lineups. By Q3, the company will have the system working for the X1E, and the H2D will be ready by Q4.

Bambu Lab said in a press release that its goal is to provide a system with privacy, control, and simplicity in mind. “This setup appeals to print farms, businesses, educators, and institutions with strict IT policies or data protection requirements, as well as makers who simply want more control over their setup.”

A blog post on Bambu Lab’s website outlined how the system could solve data security and privacy issues for professional users who need to keep their models away from prying eyes. They present beta tester Korneel Bullens, who has managed a print farm in the Netherlands for over a decade, as a typical user. He has clients who need proof that their files never leave the building, require NDAs, all while being GDPR compliant.

Instructions on how to use the software and a free download link are on the Bambu Wiki. It currently only runs on Windows 10 or higher, with Linux and Mac OS to be added later.

The program does require initial internet access to perform activation, printer verification, and firmware downloads. Once set up is complete, it operates entirely on your local network (LAN) and is cloud-free.

Because it operates independently of Bambu Lab’s Cloud network, it is incompatible with the Bambu Handy mobile app. It does, however, allow you to monitor all your Bambu Lab printers from one screen.

Bambu Lab has been beta testing the management software since July 2024. The program offers real-time monitoring, batch control to send commands to groups of printers simultaneously, and smart job queuing to assign jobs based on which machine is free at the moment. It can also organize your files and manages power use so all your 3D printers don’t heat up at once and overload the electrical system.

The program is free to use and will remain so. Bambu Lab plans to release more advanced features at a paid tier, but is still exploring customer needs.

It was just earlier this week that Bambu Lab shared an exciting sale for some of their leading products. If you missed it and wanted to pick up something like the Bambu Lab P1S printer, you're in luck. You can find it right now at Best Buy for just $699, down from its usual MSRP of $899.

For a consumer 3D printer, this one is definitely top of the line. It bears a relatively hefty price tag thanks to its performance and high quality specs. As far as 3D printers in its class go, we loved our experience with the Bambu Lab P1S. We gave it a rating of 4.5 out of 5 stars and bestowed upon it our "Editors Choice" label because we were so pleased with it.

Today, we’re starting a series of 3D printer showdowns, starting with the Princes of Polymers: Bambu Lab and Prusa Research. In one corner, we have the Prusa MK4S with an MMU3, Team Orange’s favorite European workhorse. In the other corner, the challenger to the crown, the sleek Bambu Lab A1 Combo.

The philosophies of these two companies reflect the founders of each. Joseph Prusa famously bootstrapped his company as a college student, shipping his first products in pizza boxes. Bambu Lab was started by former engineers from drone maker DJI, who hold doctorates in fluid dynamics and automation. Prusa Research stands for Open Source, community, and DIY tinkering, while Bambu Lab leans into proprietary software, plug-and-play machines, and AI technology.

Both Prusa Research and Bambu Lab have diehard fans, rich ecosystems, and excellent, high quality machines.

The Prusa MK4S is a classic, with roots going back to the RepRap movement. It’s locked into its form and styling, due to Prusa’s commitment to upgradability. Rather like the Ship of Theseus, it is entirely possible to have bought an MK2 in 2016 and continuously upgraded it to a present day MK4S.

Going toe-to-toe with Prusa is the stylish and affordable Bambu Lab A1, one of the most popular 3D printers for those new to the hobby. Released in 2023, it brought color printing to the masses.

We have taken an in-depth look at both of these 3D printers with detailed reviews, but we have never put them head-to-head. Can the $549 Bambu Lab A1 Combo take on the $1,269 Prusa Research MK4S with MMU3? Let’s put these two mighty bed slingers into the ring and decide which 3D printer you should buy this summer.

Reliability and Maintenance

Any 3D printer can work perfectly out of the box, but how a machine fares after months or years of service is just as important.

Prusa Research nudges out the competition on reliability and maintenance, with machines that are designed to be assembled and serviced by the user. Even if you buy your MK4S fully assembled, you’ll get a bag of tools and replacement parts. Plus, many parts of the MK4S can be printed at home with PETG – not that it helps if your printer is already down for maintenance, but it's the thought that counts.

Prusa Research also provides around-the-clock customer service available by phone, chat, and email, with English speakers burning the midnight oil in Prague to talk to North American customers. Live chat is your best bet for technical help, with friendly humans on the other end of the line able to receive photos of your broken parts to help diagnose problems.

Prusa also has an incredibly thorough Wiki, with comments left by the community. Unfortunately, it's primarily for those assembling their printers, but it can come in handy.

Not to be outdone, Bambu Lab has leaned into technology to provide support for its 3D printers. They have an expansive support Wiki full of clear photos and detailed guides that can be searched for nearly any answer. Bambu Lab machines, like the A1 combo, will provide error codes when they falter. The codes are accompanied by a QR code that can be scanned with your mobile device for on-the-spot troubleshooting through Bambu’s Handy app.

Live chat is only available for billing and sales. Technical support can only be reached through email, which may involve a potential 24-hour delay for a response.

Bambu Lab machines like the A1 combo are designed for basic owner maintenance, and spare parts must be ordered online, rather than printed. A perk for Bambu Lab owners who live near a MicroCenter: many common spare parts are available in store.

🏆 Winner: Prusa MK4S

Though Bambu Lab has an excellent system with the Bambu Handy app, it's not always accurate. It’s also difficult to diagnose problems when you don’t know what to call the thing you’re looking at, which makes live chat with a technician invaluable.

Plus, though Prusa’s MMU3 looks complex, it has fewer moving parts and motors to fail, making the MMU3 more robust and easier to maintain.

Material Handling

The first question you should ask when buying a multicolor printer is: How well does it handle color?

Prusa Research literally wrote the book on color slicing, having developed an earlier version of the MMU before the A1 was a sparkle in its designer’s eye (in 2017).

Prusa Research did have some bumps along the road. The MMU has yet to become as popular as its rival, partially thanks to cost but also due to an awkward design and early glitches. The MMU3 has finally become a reliable tool, but it still looks like an unfinished science project. Thankfully, the CORE One is getting a more polished edition, but that’s for another match.

The Prusa MMU3 has a couple of things going for it that make it worth the hassle: it can load five colors (instead of 4), it doesn’t care what size your spool is as long as it's round, and it doesn’t mind filament. Upon changing colors, the Prusa bed slinger yanks filament out of the hotend rapidly, leaving only a tiny drizzle to be cleared out on the prime tower.

The Bambu Lab made the first multicolor printer embraced by the masses, and with the A1, made it affordable as well. Simply stated, it just works. Filament is easy to load, and Bambu’s RFID tagging system lets the printer tell your slicer what colors and materials are in use, eliminating the huge hassle involved with tracking colors.

The only real problem with the A1’s AMS Lite is the waste it can produce by needing to purge filament through the hotend when swapping colors. Another minor issue is that the spool holders don’t accept all spools, since they need to be gripped by the spool holder. However, Bambu Lab has an amazing variety of home-grown filament, so many users probably never notice this flaw.

🏆 Winner: Tie

Pick your poison. Do you want a machine that loads easier and has RFID tags, or one that looks like a rat's nest and prints like a dream?

Speed

This one is a shocker. On paper, the A1 Combo looks to be the faster machine, with a 6000mm/s² average acceleration rate and a normal print speed of 250mm/s. The Prusa’s MK4S is a slower 4000mm/s² average acceleration rate and a normal print speed of 170mm/s.

But the Bambu A1 needs to be slowed down to produce glossy surface finishes, and it takes an average of one minute and 30 seconds to swap colors. The MK4S doesn’t need to be slowed much more than normal for the best shine, and its swaps only need 54 seconds on average. Multiply by hundreds of colors swaps per print, and the MK4S is often hours faster than the A1 Combo.

🏆 Winner: Prusa

Slow and steady really does win the race.

Pricing

The price of a 3D printer is an important factor, especially if you’re on a budget. But if cost is no object, is a premium printer worth the premium price tag?

The Prusa Research MK4S with MMU3 is $1,269 assembled or $999 as a kit, and one of the more expensive bed slingers we’ve reviewed.

The Bambu Lab A1 Combo is $549, which includes the color unit. It is only sold as a mostly assembled machine, requiring only a few screws and plugging in a couple cables to put together.

But is the initial cost the only factor when defending your wallet? The engineers at Prusa Research have refined the science of color swapping to an art and devised a system that retracts nearly all the filament from the tool head, leaving only millimeters of waste to be wiped from the nozzle on the prime tower.

Bambu Lab has certainly worked hard to improve its machine’s color swapping methods, allowing the user to tune the flushed amounts and fill purge objects with otherwise wasted material. But in the end, it still poops, making the A1 more costly on your filament budget.

🏆 Winner: Bambu Lab

I will curse every ounce of wasted filament, but I have to admit it would take a very long time to burn up the nearly 17 kg of wasted material to make up the cost difference between an MK4S with an MMU3 and an A1 Combo.

Bottom Line: Prusa Research MK4S vs Bambu Lab A1 Combo

The score is two for the MK4S with MMU3, one for Bambu’s A1 Combo, and a tie, making this a surprising win for the more expensive Prusa Research machine.

Though Bambu Lab’s A1 Combo seems like an easy favorite with its affordable price point and widespread adoption, Prusa Research still comes out on top with superior customer service, maintenance, and filament swaps that are speedy and efficient.

Both machines are true champions, with excellent quality, so it’s hard to go wrong with either choice. Are you Team Orange or Pro Panda?

A user on X posted a blurry image they claim to be the next Bambu Lab 3D printer, leaked from WeChat on June 4th (expand the above tweet to see the image). Internet gurus immediately began the time-honored sport of image dissection to determine the type of printer that had been leaked.

When the H2D leaked in March 2025, we did not report on it because Tom’s Hardware was under embargo and already had the H2D in our workshop. This time around, there is no embargo, because we haven’t been told of the next release yet. Nothing is alarming about this chain of events, as we saw it happen with the P1P, Bambu Lab’s budget follow-up to the X1 Carbon in 2022. It was released without fanfare, and only a few units were sent to reviewers before the announcement.

I recently spoke with one of Bambu Lab’s PR people for a brief catch-up call to see how I liked the H2D’s laser after spending more time with it. We also spoke of new filament lines, the successful launch of Bambu’s CyberBrick modular RC vehicles, and new tools coming to MakerLab. When I asked if there was a new printer in the pipeline, she shrugged it off. Maybe later.

There are always more printers coming out later. Bambu Lab is clearly determined to dominate the 3D printing landscape, with offerings for both home and business users at several price points. The A1 Mini is our favorite 3D printer for beginners and the H2D tops our list for professionals.

Since we don’t have any insider information, let’s take a look at the leaked photo together. We adjusted the contrast on the photo and placed a few arrows at the most interesting parts of the leaked image.

First, we can see that this is a single-nozzle machine, with the same yellow rotating extruder wheel as the A1 behind a similar bubble window on the tool head shroud. Lower on the right-hand side is the same tool head camera from the H2D, used to read printed codes and perform printer calibration. What we can see of the nozzle and fans looks very much like an H2D tool head with a single nozzle.

The edge of the built platform only shows one number: 340mm. The last number is always the build height, so this printer is 15mm taller or has a little more headroom than the H2D’s 325mm build height.

Finally, there is a faint white timestamp in the lower right corner: 2025.04.2? This would suggest the photo is recent.

Here is a photo of the Tom’s Hardware H2D Laser Combo for comparison. I tried to capture a similar angle.

Armchair internet sleuths are predicting the leaked photo is of a stripped-down H2D, perhaps a less expensive model with a single nozzle and larger build volume. This would fit the pattern of Bambu Lab releases: after the launch of the flagship X1 Carbon, we saw the cheaper P1P and P1S. The P1 line of printers shares the same print quality due to its use of the same build volume, motion system, and hotend; however, it is more affordable due to a simpler user interface.

The photo would seem to back this up. The back wall has the same structure with an internal filter, the left wall curtain fan is the same, and so is the gantry sliding on a steel rod. There is no green tint to the window, suggesting a non-laser model. An A1-style extruder is not surprising, as the H2D and the A1 share a similar nozzle.

Other details are obscured or confusing: is there a poop chute? We hope so, as a cheaper H2D with only one color would be absurd. Why is the extruder window oval? Is it hiding an attachment point for a cutter and plotter? Does it have the same build width? It's hard to say, but it would make a lot of sense.

Although the H2D already has a less expensive model that ships without an AMS for $1,999, it's a far cry from the $549 P1P. Why? Because the H2D is laser capable. Even if you don’t buy the laser attachment, the H2D is ready for one, with all the extra safety precautions, sensors, camera, and flame-resistant coating. A larger, less expensive 3D printer (perhaps an H1D or P1D) without any possible way to attach a laser could be just the printer the market is looking for.

Anycubic joined the Core XY party with a worthy entry of its own, the Kobra S1. After hundreds of hours of printing, this machine has joined a select group of printers I trust to just set it and forget it. I’ve had very few print fails, and those were mostly caused by filament color bleeding due to insufficient purge. This is quite remarkable because one of my concerns with this machine is the massive amount of filament it wastes while changing colors.

The slicer is the weakest link. I could forgive it for wasting extreme amounts of filament – after all, so do my Bambus' if I don’t tweak them – but it won’t tell me how much filament is being purged during color changes. This is extremely problematic as it can easily burn through the same amount of filament in “poop” as it does with print. Loading up a big multicolor print becomes a gamble. Will I have enough material? I have no clue.

Like Bambu Lab machines, the Kobra S1 cuts filament before retracting it, which creates chunks of melted filament in the nozzle that have to be pushed out before the new color can start. Light colors need more purge than dark colors. Bambu Studio and Orca Slicer both give the user fine control over these settings from the slicer, where as Anycubic only lets you change the overall amount from the printer itself. This is not as useful as you might think.

The slicer also lacks the ability to use a “purge object,” which is an extra model made entirely of color swaps to soak up some of that wasted material. The poop problem could be solved with an update to the Anycubic Slicer or by making it compatible with third-party OrcaSlicer.

The Kobra S1 works very well as a single-color printer, and the heated spool holder has been extremely useful for running engineering materials. The Kobra S1 is currently on sale for $699, with a retail price of $829, but the slicer flaws keep this printer off our list of the best 3D printers.

Specs

Included in the box: Anycubic Kobra S1

The Anycubic Kobra S1 we received was mostly assembled and securely packaged. The ACE Pro is shipped inside the printer body. Included are two power cords, one for the printer and one for the ACE Pro, a signal cable, and four Bowden tubes for connecting the printer to the ACE Pro. There is a filament hub with two screws, an optional single-spool holder with two screws and hex keys to install them. Also included are an activated carbon filter, nozzle cleaner, grease, spare nozzle cleaners, cable organizers, a USB drive with a copy of the slicer for Windows and Mac, and a paper copy of the manual.

We also received a printable AC Wireless Speaker Kit.

Assembling the Anycubic Kobra S1

The Anycubic Kobra S1 came mostly assembled. Two screws need to be removed from the front to unlock the ACE Pro which is removed through the top of the unit. There are then four screws to remove the ACE Pro cushioning from over the bed and three screws to unlock the bed. All of these are well marked with red arrows, making removal simple.

The filament hub is keyed to install correctly and attached to the back of the printer with two m2.5x25 screws. The attached Bowden tube from the print head is inserted into the top of the buffer, while the filament tubes from the ACE Pro attach to the four ports at the bottom of the hub. The most annoying part of the assembly is removing the four blue clips from the ports in the back of the ACE Pro. Needle-nose pliers make the job a little less fiddly. This makes for a tidier installation than the Kobra 3 and Kobra 3 MAX (currently under review), which have all four Bowden tubes from the ACE Pro running to the tool head. The four-pin cable from the filament hub plugs into a keyed port near it on the back of the printer. The six-pin signal cable to the ACE Pro plugs in next to it. Given the difference in size, it is impossible to choose the incorrect port. The activated carbon filter is installed inside the printer.

Leveling the Anycubic Kobra S1

Leveling the Anycubic Kobra S1 is done automatically with the initial calibration, including resonance compensation and PID tuning. Anycubic’s LeviQ3.0 auto leveling works fine as it taps the bed and set the Z-axis offset perfectly. The initial prints showed good first layers across the board. At the start of each print, the software allows you to re-level and set AI-spaghetti detection. I did not see the need to re-level often. The AI detection is overly sensitive and given the lack of print failures I did not enable it often.

Loading Filament in the Anycubic Kobra S1

The Anycubic Kobra S1 has a direct drive tool head with a reverse Bowden and a built-in filament runout sensor. When using a single spool on the spool holder, you disconnect the Bowden tube from the top of the filament hub and run filament directly to the toolhead.

When using the ACE Pro (Anycubic Color Engine), spools are placed in any of the four slots. The filament is then inserted into the holes in the front of the machine. Getting the filament to feed is often a bit tricky. Inserting filament into slots 3 and 4 specifically can take multiple attempts, with the ACE Pro feeding additional filament into the adjacent slot instead of the one you’re trying to load. It will eventually work, but it can be frustrating.

Anycubic filament has RFID tags to automatically identify the filament type and color. When using third-party filament, you need to enter the material’s information from the printer’s screen and sync it to the slicer.

Design of the Anycubic Kobra S1

The Anycubic Kobra S1 with an ACE Pro perched on top looks very similar to a Bambu Lab X1 or P1S. The Kobra S1 has a clear polycarbonate door and top lid. The printer has a steel frame covered by plastic panels. The door closes solidly with magnets, and there is no sensor to stop the printer if the door is opened. The touch screen comes preinstalled and can tilt from full vertical to full horizontal. The combo comes with one ACE Pro, but if a second ACE Pro is added, it can print up to eight colors.

The design of the ACE Pro is unique. It offers active filament drying – even while printing – up to 55C, which is enough to dry PLA and TPU. PETG, ASA, and ABS require more heat, as do more technical filaments like Nylon and PC. However, the ACE Pro can keep these dry while running if they are already in good shape.

The system does an excellent job detecting tangled filaments and will pause a print if user intervention is needed. It can be set to continue a print with another spool if the current filament runs out.

While the Anycubic Kobra S1 is enclosed and does maintain chamber heat well, it does not have active chamber heating. Despite this, it was able to print technical filaments like PC amazingly well when heating the ACE Pro to 55 °C and running the dryer while printing. This led to perfect PC prints on par with the Qidi X Plus 4. PC was run through a drying cycle on a standalone dryer prior to printing.

The Anycubic Kobra S1 has a fast CoreXY motion system with linear rods and a single z-axis stepper motor driving three belted lead screws and running on three guide poles. The S1 has a parts cooling fan in the tool head, a large cooling fan mounted to the side of the case, and a rear-mounted case fan vented out the back with an activated carbon filter. There was enough cooling to run PLA with the door closed, though I prefer to keep it open just in case.

The hotend with the nozzle releases from the tool head with a simple lever, but the heater and thermistor are attached with screws and wiring going up to the toolhead. The brass nozzle appears glued into the heater block, which also houses the aerospace-grade ceramic composite throat tube. Based on the Anycubic website, it looks like the entire hotend can only be replaced as a unit, rather than just swapping out the nozzle tip.

The printer has a pretty good camera which enables monitoring from the workbench tab on the slicer software, and can be used for timelapse photos. In the workbench, the camera is given a tiny window, and there doesn’t appear to be a way to make it larger.

If you don’t mind using the cloud, Anycubic’s app lets you monitor your prints remotely and stop them if problems occur.

The ACE (Anycubic Color Engine) looks similar to a Bambu Lab AMS design, but lacks individual feeders motors for each slot. The single motor feed mechanism can only load one filament at a time and will occasionally have problems with filament not feeding or misfeeding when trying to load.

The machine also has sensors in the ACE Pro and the rear mounted buffer to detect nozzle clogs, spool tangles, and filament runout. Unfortunately, when the filament does run out or is set to auto refill from another spool in the ACE Pro, all of the filament between the rear buffer and the tool head must be pushed out of the system a wasted poop before continuing. When an error is detected, the printer will pause the print and alert you via the printer’s screen and the Anycubic app.

I successfully tried several different brands of filament in the ACE. Like the Bambu AMS, it can’t use small sample spools, some cardboard spools that are too light, and larger than standard spools like Prusament or Jessie PLA.

Preparing Files / Software

The Anycubic Kobra S1 came with a copy of Anycubic Slicer, which is based on Orca Slicer. If you are familiar with Orca or Bambu Studio, you should feel at home here. As with the earlier versions of Anycubic Slicer, the elephant in the room is the poop. When I reviewed the Kobra 3 bedslinger, I was told that missing features would be added with updates. The Kobra S1 did come with a new slicer, but the features are still missing.

First, it does not display how much filament it needs to purge. This is less noticeable on smaller prints, but when you do something large – and with light colors – it becomes a serious issue. It is impossible to predict how much filament you will need for prints. It will tell you how much is in the purge tower and the supports, it will even tell you how much TIME it takes to flush. The dragon model here weighed 312 grams but wasted 730 grams of filament in supports, purge tower and poop. I only found this number by weighing the scraps after the print was done. If I had taken the slicer at face value, and given the printer a half spool of filament, I would have run out.

Second, the slicer has few tools to control the waste. It can flush into infill and flush into support, but there is no option to flush into a purge object.

More importantly, you can not adjust the purge amount from the slicer. You can only adjust this setting while standing in front of the printer while it is running, and only globally for all filaments. Since the printer doesn’t remember this setting from print to print, you will need to run a test to see if you like the purge setting, write that number down, then adjust each print after they get going. Tuning on the fly isn’t practical. If I had tried turning down the purge on the dragon shown below, I could have messed up a large print with streaks of pink. And last, without the slicer showing you the math, you have no idea if tweaking the flushing volume a point or two will save you one gram or a hundred.

I did run some testing on a smaller model and found that the S1’s high flow hotend really needs to flush a lot of filament to print light colors cleanly.

Printing on the Anycubic Kobra S1

The review unit came with a tiny sample spool of filament, which was promptly dropped in the recycle bin. To fill up that ACE, you’ll want to check out our guide to the best filaments for 3D printing for suggestions.

I started off with a Benchy, using the printer’s default speeds and standard Speed Benchy parameters: 2 walls, 3 top and bottom layers, 10 % grid infill, a .25 layer height and .5 layer width. I also turned off minimum layer times to give it a bit more pep. It took 24 minutes and 15 seconds.

This boat is a little rough, but its shape is well-defined, with no signs of ringing. This was printed in ordinary gray Inland PLA, so none of the defects are hidden.

The Kobra S1 came with a kit to build a miniature S1 Bluetooth speaker, with files on Makeronline. This was printed with a .2 layer height at an average speed of 130 mm/s. All of the pieces together took less than an hour to print and it came out flawless. This is printed in Matterhackers Black Build Series PLA and Prusament Galaxy Silver, with an orange base in Matterhackers Build Series Translucent PETG.

For a showy multicolor print, it's hard to imagine anything better than CraftyKid3D’s dragon book nook. This printed in two parts: a solid color box in Bambu Lab PLA Sparkle Black and a three color dragon printed in Printed Solid Jessie Elixer Royal Ruby, Inland Glass Orange PLA for the eye and Creality Hyper White PLA. The box took 6 hours and 54 minutes using a .2 layer height and average print speed of 160mm/s.

The head and claw are printed separately, with the head taking a whopping 56 hours and the claw taking 8.5 hours to print at a .2 layer height and average print speed of 100 mm/s. The prints wasted an obscene amount of filament. While overall pretty clean, the print did have a few couple spots where specks of red dripped on the white horn. This could possibly be cleaned up with a bit of tuning.

As I mentioned early, this print has 987gram of wasted filament between the two prints. I understand I could have saved about 140g of material if I had run the head and the claw together, but this was my first large multicolor print and I had not completely grasped the amount of filament it was going to burn through. (Don’t worry about the waste too much, I’m saving it for another project.)

For PETG I printed this articulated shrimp which prints flat on it’s back. With a point 2 layer height and average speed of 90 mm/s it finished in 2 hours and 12 min. There were just a few wisps of stringing but otherwise it printed great. This is printed in Bambu Translucent Green with Prusa Research Jet Black PETG for the eye.

Since the Kobra S1 is enclosed, I had to try ABS. It does a remarkable job with high temperature filaments, and I had no issue with bed adhesion. This cube prints as several pieces and it then assembled, which proved that tolerances on this print were excellent. This is printed in Polymaker Galaxy Orange with a .2mm layer height and default settings and an average speed of 200mm/s, taking about four hours and 10 minutes to print.

Perhaps the best print to show off the filament dryer in the ACE Pro and the capabilities of the Kobra S1 is the clamp dock headphone holder I printed out of Polymaker Polycarbonate and a small bit of random red TPU that was printed separately. Using a .2 layer height and 50 mm/s print speed, the clamp dock took 5 hours 18 minutes to print with the headphone holder attachment taking 2 hours and 18 minutes. Starting with dry filament and running the dryer on the ACE Pro at 55C lead to fantastic smooth prints with nearly invisible layer lines.

For TPU I ran my favorite Taco Bell bag in vase mode with a .28 layer height and .6 layer width. With an average print speed of 50 mm/s the print took 5 hours and 41 minutes. Print quality was pretty good with just couple areas of rough surface finish which should be fixable with a little tweaking. Printed in Fiberlogy Red FiberFlex TPU.

Bottom Line

Anycubic’s first Core XY printer is, mechanically speaking, a wonderful addition to its printer lineup. Its reliability to this point compares favorably to the Bambu Lab P1P I use as my default multicolor printer. The ACE Pro is perfectly functional, but a tiny bit slow to swap filaments. These extra seconds really add up over larger prints, and I found it to be several hours slower than my Bambu Lab machine.

Having a built-in filament dryer on the ACE Pro is a nice touch that I’d love to see more often. I’m not sure if PLA needs to be dried, but running the dryer while printing and adding new filament has become my MO.

Since the ACE Pro was launched, purge waste has been a concern. Not being able to adjust it in the slicer is problematic. You probably heard this before, but this is an excellent printer, limited by the software.

The Kobra S1 Combo is currently on sale for $699, which is cheaper than the Bambu Lab P1S Combo, which is $1049 and has better purge control and faster color swaps. If you want a massive color Core XY, I’d suggest checking out the Creality K2 Plus Combo, which is currently priced at $1649. Of course, the best deal in color printing is still the Bambu Lab A1 Mini Combo, which is currently priced at $549.

The tech industry is facing some headwinds. Manufacturers, sellers, and consumers are more concerned than ever about prices and stock as a global trade war upends the supply chain.

But, even as we face these challenges, many companies continue to innovate in ways that surprise and delight us. It’s time to celebrate those who move the ball forward, even in tough times.

That’s why, as we do at this time of year, we present to you the 2025 Tom’s Hardware Innovation Awards: a set of products that set or expand the standard for others. This year’s list includes laptops with rollable screens, the fastest-ever consumer GPU, and a 3D printer that doubles as a laser cutter, among many others.

Nvidia RTX 5090

The Nvidia Blackwell RTX 50-series launch has been both incredibly exciting and horribly disappointing, and nowhere is that more apparent than with the halo GeForce RTX 5090. It comes with all the Blackwell architectural enhancements, which admittedly can feel more than a bit overhyped — looking specifically at Multi Frame Generation (MFG). But the GB202 chip at the heart of the 5090 offers clear generational improvements.

It comes packing 170 Streaming Multiprocessors (SMs), a 33% increase from the prior generation RTX 4090's 128 SMs. It also comes with a 512-bit memory interface and 32GB of VRAM, another 33% increase. Except that memory is now 28 Gbps GDDR7 instead of 21 Gbps GDDR6X memory, which means the net improvement in memory bandwidth is an impressive 78%. To help the GPU reach its full performance potential, the power limit also got a big 28% bump to 575W.

That's all good for performance, but the 5090 isn't without controversy. Deja vu: All that power, through the 16-pin 12V-2x6 connector, has again resulted in some melting adapters. As frustrating and concerning as that might be, the real problem has been a lack of availability and skyrocketing retail prices. Ostensibly carrying a $1,999 starting MSRP, retail cards have routinely been selling for closer to twice that much. Still, it's the dream GPU that gamers would love to own, assuming they could afford it and find it in stock.

—Jarred Walton

AMD Ryzen 9 9950X3D

AMD’s 16-core 32-thread Ryzen 9 9950X3D is designed to provide no-compromise leadership performance in both gaming and productivity application performance, and it delivers. Courtesy of its game-boosting 3D V-Cache technology, the 9950X3D ties the best CPU for gaming, the Ryzen 7 9800X3D, in 1080p gaming performance, and even beats Intel’s flagship Core Ultra 9 285K by an incredible 37%, planting AMD’s flag as the uncontested leader in gaming.

Perhaps most impressively, the 9950X3D also preserves the full performance of the standard models’ performance in productivity applications, a first for the company’s 3D V-Cache models. That allows it to outperform the competing Intel chips in a multitude of workloads.

The Ryzen 9 9950X3D costs a hefty $699, but it justifies the price tag with the performance served up from the 16 Zen 5-powered cores paired with the voluminous 128MB of L3 cache. The chip is also comparatively easy to cool, borne of its reasonable 170W TDP rating. The CPU cores also boost to 5.7 GHz, a surprising peak for this core-heavy model. AMD also enabled its full suite of overclocking bells and whistles for the 9950X3D, a first for its 16-core 3D V-Cache models, giving enthusiasts a plethora of options to tweak performance.

If you’re focused specifically on gaming, the lower-tier $480 Ryzen 7 9800X3D ramians the best option for most users. However, if you’re looking for fantastic performance in heavily-threaded applications and multitasking without compromising on gaming performance, the Ryzen 9 9950X3D is the best option on the market.

Read: AMD Ryzen 9 9950X3D review

—Paul Alcorn

Micron 4600 SSD / Silicon Motion SM2508

Two years is a long time to sit at the top, but that's precisely what Phison's E26 controller that powers some of the best SSDs has done. Now, thanks to drives like the Micron 4600, it finally faces some competition courtesy of the Silicon Motion SM2508 controller (which we previewed last September). It delivers equal to or better performance than the incumbent Crucial T705 in nearly every test we ran. Most critically, it also trims down the average and maximum power consumption by several watts.

The key advantage, for the time being, is that the SM2508 uses TSMC's N7 process node, while Phison's E26 uses the older TSMC 12nm FinFET node. Phison is readying its E28 controller built on TSMC N6/N7, but it's not out quite yet — the company appears to have prioritized its lower power DRAM-less E31T controller.

Competition benefits consumers, and the SM2508 brings a healthy rivalry back to the top-tier SSD realm. The biggest issue right now: There are no retail SM2508 drives available, as the Micron 4600 chiefly targets OEMs and system integrators. That means you can't actually buy the 4600 right now, as far as we're aware.

—Jarred Walton

AMD Radeon RX 9070 XT and RDNA 4

Nvidia may control the lion's share of the GPU market, but the AMD RDNA 4 architecture and Radeon RX 9070 XT promised to bring some real competition to the upper-mainstream market segment. On paper, everything looks good, and our testing definitely showed real potential for AMD to recapture some lost ground. The problem, as with Nvidia's GPUs, has been retail availability and pricing.

The RX 9070 XT carries an official $599 starting MSRP, but such prices haven't been seen in the U.S. Even now, nearly two months after the initial launch, the lowest prices we've seen tend to be in the $850–$900 range — and those often go out of stock. It's not really worse than what we've seen from the competing RTX 5070 Ti, but neither is it clearly better.

AMD finally brought some real improvements to the Navi 48 GPU, with greatly improved ray tracing and AI performance. Nvidia still holds onto a raw performance and support lead in those areas, but FSR 4 looks promising and native RT performance ends up being competitive. Now we just need to see cards selling for closer to $599, rather than the 40% or more 'markups' that have plagued recent GPU launches from all the involved parties.

—Jarred Walton

Lenovo ThinkBook Plus Gen 6

When you’re at home or at the office, you can connect your laptop to one, two or even four external monitors for more screen real estate. But when you’re on the road, you either need to lug one of the best portable monitors or live with a single screen. Lenovo’s ThinkBook Plus Gen 6 offers a different way to get more pixels of workspace.

The ThinkBook Plus Gen 6 features a rollable screen that, with the press of a button, uses a motorized interface to grow from 14 to 16.7 inches, adding a significant amount of additional real estate along the way. You can use those pixels for an additional window or two, but Lenovo also has a utility to help you take advantage of them.

ThinkBook Workspace, an app which comes preloaded, lets you pin widgets such as a to-do list to the bottom of your screen, where that extra space lies. It also allows you to create a virtual display (a window that the OS treats as a separate monitor) or view Smart Copy – a history of your clipboard. You can even put any individual app you want – the browser for example – into a tab in Workspace so it stays pinned to the bottom of your screen while you perform other work at the top.

Read: Lenovo ThinkBook Plus Gen 6 Hands-On

– Avram Piltch

Intel Battlemage and Arc B580

Intel has fallen on hard times, with massive layoffs and underwhelming new CPUs. It's not down and out by any means, but it faces an uphill battle. GPUs have taken over the data centers, powering huge AI clusters, and Intel has finally entered the dedicated GPU market with its Arc graphics cards. Too little, too late? Perhaps, but the second generation Intel Arc Battlemage takes a step in the right direction.

Headlined by the Intel Arc B580, it kicked off the current generation of new GPU architectures in late 2024. Oh, how naive we now look, praising the $249 starting MSRP — that was before we realized just how bad things could get, though there were definitely tremors already. Nearly five months later, the lowest price we can find is the $329 Onix Lumi Arc B580 (that's made by a sibling company to Sapphire, if you're wondering).

Generationally, the Arc B580 delivers an impressive 20% average performance improvement over the Arc A770 16GB, while using about 40W less power on average. That shows real progress, and when coupled with an attractive price, it proved almost too good to be true. It's still faster and costs less than Nvidia's prior-gen RTX 4060, thanks to having 12GB of VRAM. Let's hope Intel can improve the supply and continue to compete in the GPU realm.

—Jarred Walton

Asus ROG Ally X

Perhaps the best way to innovate is to straight up improve. The Asus ROG Ally X took everything its predecessor, the ROG Ally, did, and largely did it better.

While the Ally X uses the same AMD Ryzen Z1 Extreme chip and 7-inch display, it has more, faster RAM to improve graphics performance, adds higher power profiles, a larger battery, and better build quality. All of these in combination make it the best PC gaming handheld that runs Windows out of the box.

The RAM is the biggest deal. Because the Z1 Extreme uses the same RAM for both the system and graphics, it lets the integrated GPU shine, and beat out the regular Ally in all of our gaming tests.

There was no successor to the Z1 Extreme when Asus released the Ally X. It could've let the original continue to sell unchanged. But the Ally X, if you can afford its $799.99 price point, feels so much better in every way.

Read: Asus ROG Ally X review

— Andrew E. Freedman

Mac Mini

Wow, is the Mac Mini tiny. The latest redesign is just 5 x 5 inches wide and deep and a petite 2 inches tall, taking up very little space on a desk. And starting at $599, with an M4, 16GB of RAM and 256GB of storage, this is the first value Mac we've seen in a long time.

Shrinking down the Mac Mini didn't come without issues. The power button is on the bottom of the desktop, which is irksome to some, while others say they never shut their Macs off anyway.

There are some smaller Windows PCs out there, but they're often more expensive and come without RAM, an SSD, or an operating system.

Those looking for a family machine that don't need a laptop have a competitive choice in the Mac Mini, which is small, quiet, and stays out of the way so you can focus on your work.

Read: Mac Mini (M4 Pro) tested: Tiny titan

— Andrew E. Freedman

Tryx Panorama 360 AIO cooler

How do you innovate as an AIO cooler company when the latest generation of CPUs just aren’t as hard to keep cool as previous-gen flagships like the 14900K? If you’re Tryx, you borrow a page from high-end phone makers and slap a massive 6.5-inch curved AMOLED screen on your cooler to make sure it stands out, while also delivering excellent cooling performance (thanks to Asetek’s latest Gen8 pump). Not bad for a company I’d never heard of before seeing this cooler at Computex 2024.

While the screen on your AIO might not be your first priority, our reviewer was quite impressed, noting that the curved screen and absolute black levels created a “striking anamorphic 3D effect” using the pre-loaded visuals. You can of course add your own media using the company’s Kanali software.

A VRM fan is included to help chill components around the CPU, and when we tested it last September, the Tryx Panorama was in most ways the best-performing cooler we’d tested to date. But of course, class-leading performance and a curved screen don’t come cheap. The Tryx Panorama sells for around $350.

Read: Tryx Panorama 360 ARGB review

— Matt Safford

Be Quiet Light Base 900

At a Computex 2024 that was overflowing with multi-sided glass cases, Be Quiet’s Light Base stood out for its tasteful, almost retro-style RGB light strip, and for its ability to be oriented three different ways, horizontally, or vertically with the motherboard on the left or right edge. This is accomplished by some clever internal design and removable feet.

When we got it in for testing, we also appreciated its pre-installed ARGB and PWM hubs, as well as its support for back-connector motherboards. It’s solidly built, as we’ve come to expect from Be Quiet. Its thermal performance wasn’t the best, but we found it to be good enough for the vast majority of PC builders, especially gamers and general-purpose users.

Read: Be Quiet Light Base 900 DX review

— Matt Safford

Lian Li EDGE EG1000 ATX 3.1 power supply

Between rear-connector motherboards, the rise in popularity of dual-chamber setups, and the ever-increasing demands of modern GPUs, PC is still continuing to evolve — which is why we're glad to see products like the Lian Li Edge ATX 3.1 PSU evolving along with it. Designed for dual-chamber cases, its L-shaped, fully modular design gives you much easier access to key (and often tough to connect or disconnect) power cables.

The Edge also has a built-in USB header hub so you can connect more internal accessories, and its internals are well designed, as we saw in testing. It's also quiet until you tax it with a heavy load, and efficient. It won't work well for every case, but for dual-chamber designs where the PSU is mounted vertically, it can make building, cable routing, and maintenance much easier.

Read: Lian Li EDGE EG1000 ATX 3.1 power supply review

— Matt Safford

Corsair EX400U external SSD

After years of limited external storage advances, 2025 has brought us both the first Thunderbolt 5 SSD to land on our test bench, as well as the first truly great USB4 drive we’ve tested, Corsair’s EX400U. And while TB5 drives like LaCie Rugged SSD Pro5 can be faster, unless you own a recent Mac, TB5 ports are exceedingly rare, while USB4 is much more common. That, plus the fact that Corsair’s EX400U is small and designed to magnetically attach to the back of your MagSafe or Qi2-ready phone, makes the Corsair drive feel a lot more innovative.

The EX400U also blasted past every other USB-based SSD in our testing, and sometimes even beat the technically faster Thunderbolt 5 drive in Windows over USB4. In our Crystal DiskMark sequential testing, it edged above 4,000 MB/s reads, and topped 3,700 MB/s writes, while the best USB 3.2 2x2 drives were roughly half as fast. We’re sure to see faster USB4 SSDs before too long, but Corsair’s drive is the first we’ve tested that’s easy to recommend, especially if you want a fast drive that’s designed to connect to your phone.

Read: Corsair EX400U review

— Matt Safford

Mechboards Hyper7 R4 Keyboard

In a world where keyboards keep shrinking their numbers of keys, the Mechboards Hyper7 R4 is a real standout. Loosely based on a 1970s keyboard called the Space Cadet, the Hyper7 has 178 keys and weighs a whopping 5 kg (11 pounds). That makes it three or four times heavier than a typical mechanical keyboard and gives it at least dozens of more keys to play with.

We were fortunate enough to get a late prototype of the Hyper7 R4, of which only about 500 units were made. The unique layout has six blocks of keys, many of which have very unique labels such as “SMOL,” “Hold Input,” ”Suspend,” and “Fun.” A lot of these match commands that no longer matter much in 2025, but the good news is that you can use VIA, a popular keyboard mapping software, to remap the keys into any macro you choose.

The symmetrical shape of the Hyper7 R4 takes some getting used to. Normally, keyboards have their spacebars offset a little to the left, not directly in the center. And if you want to use this with Windows, you’ll need to map yourself a Windows key and a CTRL key. However, once you’ve done the work, you’ll be gifted with more macros than you know what to do with.

Read: Mechboards Hyper7 R4 Review

– Avram Piltch

Asus ProArt PA32UCDM 4K 32-inch Gaming Monitor

The Asus ProArt PA32UCDM is a gaming monitor with a dual mission, appealing to two distinct groups of consumers. On the one hand, it’s a highly capable professional monitor with a 32-inch 4K QD-OLED panel, rich, accurate colors, excellent build quality, Dolby Vision support, and bountiful calibration options.

However, the PA32UCDM also caters to gaming enthusiasts by supporting a heady 240 Hz refresh rate at 4K, Nvidia G-Sync, and AMD FreeSync. We’d also be remiss if we didn’t mention the ultra-low input lag, which is critical for gamers looking for every slight advantage in twitchy online multiplayer games.

As if those fundamentals weren’t enough, the PA32UCDM also features HDMI 2.1 connectivity and Thunderbolt 4 ports, which turns the monitor into a professional-oriented peripheral hub with support for up to 96-watt power delivery.

Read: Asus ProArt PA32UCDM 4K 32-inch Gaming Monitor Review

– Brandon Hill

Asus ZenWiFi BT10 Wi-Fi 7 Mesh Router

If you’re looking for a high-end Wi-Fi 7 mesh router to upgrade your home network, look no further than the Asus ZenWiFi BT10. While it doesn’t sit at the tippy top of Asus’ mesh router lineup (that distinction belongs with the ZenWiFi BQ16 Pro), it delivers scintillating performance, broad connectivity options, a rich web user interface with countless configuration options, and a full-featured smartphone app for those that like to tinker with router settings on the go (the BT10 support remote configuration).

We observed strong performance across 6 GHz, 5 GHz, and 2.4 GHz bands, with the former delivering over 2,600 Mbps throughput at close range. The BT10 supports the full Wi-Fi 7 spec, unlike lesser dual-band Wi-Fi 7 mesh routers, and even allows you to utilize up to a 10 Gbps backhaul between the satellites for improved network performance. When you throw in no-cost software features like AI Protection, which is powered by Trend Micro, support for Apple Time Machine backups, and smartphone cellular tethering in case of an ISP outage, and a street price of around $600, the BT10 is hard to beat.

Read: Asus ZenWiFi BT10 Wi-Fi Mesh Router Review

– Brandon Hill

Logitech G Pro X Superlight 2 Dex

The Logitech G Pro X Superlight 2 Dex isn't necessarily the most innovative mouse we've ever seen, but it's a big innovation in Logitech's Superlight lineup, as it's the first non-ambidextrous Superlight mouse. The Superlight lineup has been highly popular with gamers since it debuted, so it's no surprise Logitech hasn't done much to mess with the style — the most recent G Pro X Superlight 2, which came out in Sept. 2023, was almost identical to its predecessor. But the G Pro X Superlight 2 Dex, which came out last September, is a whole different shape: a contoured, right-handed shape with a hump that's shifted toward the center-left.

It's designed to be more ergonomic and easier to hold, and it feels a little like the Razer DeathAdder V3 Pro, which is one of the best gaming mice we've ever used. While we didn't love the smooth finish as much as we like the DeathAdder V3 Pro's matte texture, it does come with precut grip tape in the box, which is perfect for adding extra friction. It's also superlight (of course) — weighing just 2.12 ounces (60g), while the DeathAdder V3 Pro is 2.22 ounces (63g). The G Pro X Superlight 2 Dex has top-notch specs: it sports Logitech's Hero 2 sensor with a maximum resolution of 44,000 DPI, a maximum speed of 888 IPS, and can handle up to 88 G's of acceleration. It also gets polling rates of up to 8,000 Hz, and up to 95 hours of battery life (with a standard 1,000 Hz polling rate).

Read: Logitech G Pro X Superlight 2 Dex Review

— Sarah Jacobsson Purewal

Bambu Lab H2D

The Bambu Lab H2D is one of the most anticipated (and highly speculated about) 3D printers to come out this year and it does not disappoint. Similar to the popular X1 Carbon, the H2D is an amazing high-speed XY core machine that comes fully enclosed with multi-color and multi-material support — but it's so much more than that.

What makes the H2D better is its bigger build volume, the addition of a dual nozzle hotend, an upgraded heated AMS (Automatic Material System), and of course, a laser and cutter module that turns this 3D printer into every elite hobbyist’s dream machine.

Bambu Lab packed the H2D with great innovative features, such as a dual nozzle system, which makes multi-color printing easier and more efficient. It also saves time because you can print multiple colors, minimizing waste. You can even print using different materials, such as PLA with TPU, at the same time. The upgraded AMS is heated and provides the optimal environment for your filaments, keeping them dry and preventing cracking and storage issues.

And best of all, Bambu Lab has added a laser and cutter module that is easy to install and use, equipped with a laser, blade cutter, and pen plotter. It is available with 10W and 40W laser options. Add in a larger, 350 x 320 x 325mm build volume, and makers can complete bigger and more complex projects faster.

The H2D Laser Combo is available for pre-order at $3,499 (10W) and $4,399 (40W). The H2D AMS Combo is now available for $2,699, while the H2D stand-alone model, priced at $2,399, will be available in June 2025.

Read: Bambu Lab H2D Review

— Anj Bryant

Pimoroni Picade Max

A two-player arcade cabinet is hardly an innovation, but what Pimoroni has done with its latest iteration of the Picade series integrates the Raspberry Pi Pico’s PR2040 into multiple aspects of this DIY arcade cabinet kit.

We start with the controls. The dual arcade sticks and corresponding buttons can take the punishment when trying to land that kick, punch or shot in your favorite arcade game. But linking these controls to your choice of a Raspberry Pi 4, 5 or even an ITX based PC is a custom designed arcade controller to USB adapter.

Powered by the RP2040, Picade Max USB Controller handles 25 inputs for a two player setup, and it worked flawlessly with Recalbox. The Raspberry Pi 5 running Recalbox detected the controls as if it were a typical USB controller. Picade Max USB Controller can also work with StemmaQT devices, which means with some clever coding you could install a spinner for games such as Tempest.

Next is sound, and again the RP2040 powers another add-on board. The Picade Max Audio provides 3W of stereo sound output that really impresses. The “attract” screens, used to entice players to part with their quarters, really grab your attention when the booming audio starts to play. Speaking of the attract screen, the large 19 inch IPS display is a huge upgrade over previous models and it provides plenty of screen for two players to fight it out.

The build process is enjoyable, and it will certainly test your skills with a screwdriver. We had access to a beta unit and provided feedback on the build process which is now part of the final retail instructions. If you’ve got kids, this would be an ideal project to learn how to build electronics projects as the goal is just as exciting as the journey to get there.

This is my third Picade, and it just happens to be my favorite, as now I can play games, shoulder to shoulder with my friends and family, just like the old days.

Read: Picade Max Review

– Les Pounder

The first 3D-printed Starbucks in the U.S. is opening in Brownsville, Texas. From tomorrow, the new Cobod BOD2 printed concrete fabricated Starbucks will be open for both in-person pickup and drive-through orders. Germany's Peri 3D Construction is behind the building project, which began late 2024.

3D printing technology for construction projects is some distance from our usual coverage of the hardware used to realize 3D digital files in the real-world. Unlike the best 3D printers we have looked at, the Peri 3D Construction BOD2's output material is similar to cement, rather than a plastic. Construction 3D printing is also done at a very large scale, and in this case, by a robot.

The new 3D-printed Starbucks in Brownsville isn't going to be a very large store, relatively speaking. In fact, its 1,400 sq ft shell is just enough for a mobile order pick up desk and drive-through coffee shop – no indoor seating. It would seem from the signage that there is no in-person walk-in order system.

If you’re into practical printing and crave more build volume than the Bambu Lab X1 Carbon can provide, the QIDI Plus4 might be just what the doctor ordered. With its 305 x 305 x 280 mm build area and toasty heated chamber, the Plus4 can knock out incredible prints in technical filaments like ABS, ASA, or Nylon while also doing a nice job with PLA and TPU - if you don’t mind popping the lid off.

At $799 for a single-color machine, the Plus4 delivers all the perks you would expect from a high-class printer: hands-free calibration and automatic leveling, lightning speed with input shaping, a high flow hotend, a built-in camera, and plenty of fans for cooling and air filtration. The heated chamber is a newer feature I love to see, and it really helps when you’re printing with a squirrelly filament prone to warping.

QIDI is also teasing the release of a four-color “QIDI Box”, which is promised to release in the coming months. The Plus4 is ready to go with the internal filament cutter and wiper it would need for swapping colors, which suggests this machine can be easily upgraded. This is wonderful news for anyone who wants a high-end Core XY now and doesn’t mind waiting around for the color upgrade.

My only problem with the QIDI 4Plus was filament loading. I found you really have to jam the filament in to get it through to the extruder. Since it purges straight into a black chute at the back of the machine, it can be hard to tell if the new material is feeding unless you stand squinting at it. Several times, I found the machine air printing because I walked away while it was heating up and didn’t watch it go through its rather long loading song and dance. It’s not quite one of the best 3D printers you can buy, but it's close.

Specifications: QIDI Plus4

QIDI Plus4 : Included in the Box

The QIDI Plus4 comes with everything you need to get your printer set up. You get tools to maintain the printer, a scraper, and a USB stick. There’s also a small sample coil of black PLA to start your printing journey.

The printer comes with a PDF copy of the manual, a copy of QIDI Slicer and presliced sample model.

Design of the QIDI Plus4

The QIDI Plus4 is a well-built, boxy, fully-enclosed Core XY printer with a solid internal metal frame wrapped in faux metal plastic side panels with a glass lid and doors. It’s such a beast of a machine that the engineers gave it top-mounted handles so you’d have something to grab onto when slinging the 59-pound behemoth onto a table.

The Plus4 is tailor-made for engineering filaments. It has a heated chamber that can hit 55°C, a build plate that goes to 100 °C, and a nozzle that can reach 370°C – much hotter than most consumer printers. This allows the printer to handle more industrial grade materials like Polymaker’s Fiberon PPS-CF.

QIDI is using a fork of regular Klipper that has been customized for its machines. Unlike some companies, the firmware is still open and accessible for tweaking. Klipper’s input shaping and pressure advance are used to cancel out vibrations for nice smooth prints even at speed.

Like the previous QIDI Q1 Pro we reviewed, the Plus4 has been future-proofed with an internal filament cutter and nozzle wiper, making it compatible with a yet-to-be-released multicolor “QIDI Box” for color printing.

Its build plate is 305 x 305 mm with 280mm build height, making it bigger than its predecessor and the Bambu Lab’s core XY machines, and similar in size to the Creality K1 Max. It has a standard, double-sided, textured PEI plate, which doesn’t need glue for ordinary materials like PLA. The build platform has a 6mm aluminum plate to provide an extra flat surface, but requires a little extra time to warm up.

The lid is easily removed to provide air flow for PLA, PETG, and TPU. But when you want to run ABS, ASA, or anything else that needs a toasty warm enclosure, a separate heater is located inside the chamber for an extra boost. Unlike the Q1’s dubious heater, this one is completely covered for your safety.

The hotend is similar to the Q1 Pro, but has been updated with an 80W heater, a longer bi-metal composite nozzle with a hardened tip, and more cooling with a wrap-around fan.

The new high flow nozzle is a more expensive ($20) “all-in-one” style with the throat attached, allowing for easier replacement. The hardened tip shouldn’t wear out anytime soon, but QIDI suggests having one nozzle for each type of filament to prevent clogs when switching from PLA to high-temperature filament. I did experience some clogging switching between TPU, PC Carbon Fiber, and PLA, but learned to use higher temperatures when loading materials to avoid trouble. Running a bit of extra filament through to make sure the nozzle is well flushed is also a good idea.

Another perk included with the Plus4 is a built-in 1080p camera for monitoring prints and creating timelapses. The camera feed pops up immediately when you access the Klipper interface. The chamber is brightly lit with LED, so you’ll get a good picture even if your room lights are off.

Assembling the QIDI Plus4

The QIDI Plus4 is 95% assembled and only needs to be unboxed and unpacked. You’ll need to remove all the packing foam, unscrew a few shipping screws, and pop on the filament holder, door handle and screen. After the screen is plugged in, you can power up the machine for a handy unboxing guide to make sure you’ve found (and removed) all the packing materials.

Leveling the QIDI Plus4

The screen walks you through loading filament for the first time, then asks you to run the calibration program, which includes leveling. The printer will also double-check the level before every print. Leveling is completely hands-free and works quite well.

Loading Filament on the QIDI Plus4

Loading filament is a straightforward process and much improved over the previous Q1. Press “Replace Filament” from the control screen, and it will ask if it should heat up to 220, 250, or 300 degrees Celsius. Pick the higher temperature if you’re going to or from engineering filament, or go with the lower temperature if moving from one PLA to another. The machine will back out the filament (something the Q1 didn’t do) and then wait for you to push new filament into place. It purges right into the chute at the back of the machine, which can be difficult to see. Once the purge is complete, it will wipe the nozzle and kick the poop out the back door.

Preparing Files / Software for QIDI Plus4

QIDI included a copy of QIDIStudio, a custom program based on Bambu Lab’s slicer, which is based on PrusaSlicer, which is based on Open Source Slic3r. The program will look very familiar to anyone coming from those fan bases.

The Device tab opens the Klipper interface (Fluidd), where you can see printer information like temperature and speed, all the files in memory, the camera, and all the Klipper console commands. This is unhampered stock Klipper, so you are free to tinker with the settings as you like. If you don’t want to register your printer with QIDI’s cloud services, you can access Fluidd directly to drag and drop files without obstruction.

Printing on the QIDI Plus4

The QIDI Plus4 comes with a small sample coil of PLA. If you want more colors and materials like silks and multicolor filaments, you should check out our guide to the best filaments for 3D printing for suggestions.

I ran a Benchy using “speed benchy” rules: 0.25mm layer height, 2 walls, 3 top and bottom layers, 10% infill. I also turned off everything that could slow the printer, cranked the acceleration, and let her rip using the default speed of 300 mm/s. I used Inland’s gray PLA – an everyday filament that is brutally honest in photos.

The resulting Benchy is a bit of a squishy mess, but printed at a blazing 12 minutes and 58 seconds, which puts it in the top five of our fastest 3D printers. For comparison, an Ender 3 S1 running at its top speed of 100mm/s would take 55 minutes to print a standard Benchy.

Obviously, the speed benchy is no mark of this printer’s quality, only it’s ability to smash out a “benchy shaped object”. When the printer was run at ordinary speeds (around 200 to 300mm/s) it produced spectacularly fine prints.

These pen holder cups were printed in Prusament Woodfill Linden Light PLA (inner sleeve) and Prusament Mystic Brown PLA (outer sleeve). The inner wooden sleeve printed incredibly smooth, though there was some stringing, which is hard to avoid with any woodfill PLA. The outer log used a fuzzy skin feature to better mimic real wood. The two parts slipped together with perfect accuracy. Both parts were printed with a 0.28 layer height for extra speed, with a PLA default setting, and took about five and a half hours altogether.

The 4Plus did a great job with TPU. I printed a plow for our RC Death Racer (aptly named Mr. Plow) that I made with TinkerCad. This is a new tough TPU for AMS by Bambu Lab with a Shore hardness of 68D, which is much easier for any printer to run and can achieve speeds closer to PLA. I printed it with rather thick 0.28 mm layers, which did leave layer lines in the print. The plow is 150mm tall, and I used four walls and 50% infill for maximum bashing strength, and was able to print at a speed averaging 200mm/s. It only took 14 hours and 36 minutes to complete.

I also ran parts for the same RC Death Racer in Polymaker PA12 Carbon Fiber, and the QIDI 4Plus was able to print this material well without any warping. I used a bit of glue stick on the build plate for insurance. This was printed using a 0.2 layer height and QIDI’s default setting for PA-12 CF. The layer lines absolutely vanished, and all the supports within the boxy portion snapped off with ease. This printed in seven hours and nine minutes.

Bottom Line

The QIDI Plus4 is a great machine, especially if you’re interested in high temperature filaments. It’s fast, easy to use, and masters just about any material you throw at it. Once the QIDI Box comes out, this printer will give Bambu Lab a run for its money. However, we’ll wait and see how that goes, as companies often struggled to follow through on their promises of color systems. I’m really rooting for QIDI to make good on it’s promise.

Currently priced at $799, the QIDI Plus4 is a decent price for a quality larger format 3D printer with all the perks. It’s the same price as the Creality K1 Max, which has similar features but includes a LIDAR sensor. If you don’t need the extra space or high temperatures, we recommend checking out the Bambu Lab P1S, which can also do four colors when bought as a combo, and has been reduced in price to $799.