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.

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.

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.

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.

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 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.

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.

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.

Detroit’s RAPID + TCT was a huge Additive Manufacturing event with over 400 exhibitors from all facets of the 3D printing industry showing off new machines and technological breakthroughs for both the media and potential buyers. Though most companies displaying wares were on the industrial side, there was still plenty to see for those of us focused on the consumer market. Prusa, Bambu Lab, Elegoo, Creality, FLSun, and Phrozen were all there to show off their latest models. We also saw handheld scanners from Creality and RevoPoint, as well as lasers and plenty of filament.

The show was simultaneously overwhelming and slightly disappointing. There were no surprises unveiled, at least not for me, as all the new consumer-grade printers were either something I knew was coming or had already spent time on my workbench.

On the industrial side, we checked out HP, who sponsored custom car designers Blazin Rodz and their “Doughboy”, a restored and highly modified 1970 Chevy Chevelle. The team used HP’s Multi Jet Fusion technology to produce over 75 custom parts.

Probably the coolest industrial printer we saw in action was Rapid Liquid Print’s Levity, a gravity free 3D printer that injects super soft materials like 50A silicone into a reusable tub of gel. After resting for a few hours, the finished prints are scooped out and rinsed in ordinary water. The new technology is capable of making custom gaskets, shoes, comfy liners for prosthetics and more, all without waste.

Prusa Research shows off the CORE One, MK4S with MMU3 and XL

We sat down with Josef Prusa, CEO and Founder of Prusa Research, for a quick chat about the CORE One and his expansion into the American market. In 2022, his company acquired Delaware-based Printed Solid, a filament manufacturer that also sold spare parts for 3D printers. Prusa Research has since expanded the company’s filament production and added a Prusa print farm to manufacture MK4S.

“I’m very excited we’re getting a lot of orders in, manufacturing is ramping up, and we’re hiring more people,” Prusa said. “We’re making 200 MK4S a month at Printed Solid, which is very few in the grand scheme of things, but we want to solve everything before we scale up.” He added that in the near future, all MK4S and CORE One printers for the US market will be made at Printed Solid.

Printed Solid’s machines are currently labeled as “Assembled in the USA” even with the local print farm. “There are some marks we have to hit. It’s hard. We’re working to meet that goal,” Prusa said of getting the coveted “Made in the USA” certification. Though Prusa Research has sought to bring much of its printer manufacturing in-house at Prague, it’s another thing entirely to duplicate the setup in the United States. Prusa said he aims to become the biggest manufacturer of 3D printers in America.

When I asked if the CORE One would be getting its own MMU system, I was told that it was coming very soon, most likely by this summer. The printer’s firmware is being tuned to use the current MMU3 rather than devise a new color unit. The biggest hurdle seems to be figuring out if they will put it in an “AMS” style box like the competition or keep it strung out to the side as it currently sits with the MK4. Members of the team agreed that the company had issues with previous incarnations of the multimaterial system, and though the MMU3 still looks like a science project, it's the best color system on the market.

For full disclosure, Prusa Research was kind enough to sponsor my travel to Detroit and arrange interviews with their team.

Creality Reveals New K2 sizes, a scanner and laser

Creality was the only company to show off something I hadn’t expected, and no, it's not a rumored H2D clone. The company had two new Core XY printers: A K2 Combo and a K2 Pro Combo. The printers are not yet released and did not have prices. The K2 Combo has a 260 x 260 x 260mm build volume, while the K2 Pro Combo has 300 x 300 x 300mm build volume. This will no doubt disappoint Creality fans who were hoping the K2 Plus, with it’s 350 x 350 x 350mm build volume, was the mid-size printer and were waiting for a “max”.

Creality instead gave center stage to its new handheld scanner, the Raptor, which comes in Pro and X models as well. The scanners currently range from $1,499 to $4,599, have incredible accuracy, and can scan items up to 12 feet or more. They can scan black and metal objects without sprays and should be a huge improvement over the now-discontinued Scan Lizard, which we reviewed in 2022. The Raptor Pro arrived at our workshop shortly before Rapid and will soon undergo testing.

They also had their new Creality Hi on display, an affordable 260 x 260 x 300mm bed slinger with a four spool CFS multicolor unit. It’s currently on sale for $519 and can handle up to four Creality Filament Systems. Our test unit was lost in shipping, but I’ll be sure to let know how it stacks up in a review later this year.

Creality also had a Falcon A1 Pro “smart” laser on display, which is a fully enclosed dual 20w diode and 2w IR laser that can engrave nearly any material. I look forward to reviewing this unit shortly.

Creality shared their booth with sister company Piocreat, which now handles the HALOT resin line as well as their large industrial FDM machines. The HALOT-X1 has put a twist on resin by introducing a fixed build plate and a lifting vat for the resin. This is to reduce vibrations for even smoother prints. We’re unboxing this one soon and report back to you in a few weeks!

Elegoo presents the Jupiter 2, Centauri Carbon and OrangeStorm Giga

Elegoo’s newest offering was the Jupiter 2, the company's largest resin printer to date, with a whopping 14-inch LCD screen and 16K resolution. It has a build volume of 302 x 162 x 300mm, which is bigger than most FDM machines. It has swinging doors instead of a lift-off lid, which promises to be much easier to use. It will be available sometime in the 3rd quarter, and the price is yet to be determined. 

However, Elegoo disappointed us by not following through on a social media campaign proclaiming “something big is coming” with a black draped teaser image. Naturally, Elegoo fans looked at the bumpy shape and surmised the wildly popular Centauri Carbon was getting a multicolor addition. When I arrived at the booth, I was greeted with a nervous giggle and shown their new “big” resin. The 800 x 800 x 1000mm OrangeStorm Gigawas also on display.

Looks like color will have to wait.

Bambu Lab shows off the H2D, new filament and STEM Kits

I didn’t expect anything new at Bambu Lab, as the company had just launched its premium flagship, the H2D. This show may be the closest many people will get to the controversial Laser + 3D printing “personal manufacturing hub” as the pre-tariff stock sold out in minutes. Post tariff, the machine is $500 to $900 more expensive, depending on the model. The website is currently advertising an April 22 availability date, but it's unknown how many printers will be set aside for US customers.

A much more affordable offering was the Cyberbrick, currently available on Kickstarter. Once the Kickstarter is over, parts will be sold on Bambu Lab’s Maker’s Supply. Reminiscent of Lego’s Mindstorm kits, Cyberbricks are reusable electronic modules that are combined with 3D printed parts to create RC cars. A basic kit includes parts for the remote and one vehicle, with files available online. Bambu Lab invites the community to come up with custom models for the kit and share them with others on MakerWorld.

Also on display is their new, very soft, TPU 85A and TPU 90A, which comes in six colors, including two gradients. The filament is being shown off in 3D printed shoes on the H2D.

FormLabs: Hammer Time

FormLabs was a major player at Rapid + TCT, and somehow the only company that convinced the venue they could safely demonstrate resin printing, which really says a lot. A company rep was doing live demos of the FormLabs 4 and showing off their new industrial-sized FormLabs 4L, which is currently under review.

They had an array of materials on display, most notably, BioMed Durable, which is a transparent and shatter resistant material used for implants and surgical guides. They invited YouTuber Joel Telling to compete with visitors in a hammering contest, where they used a 3D printed BioMed hammer and common wood nails.

Also on display was their new Creator Resin, designed for hobbyists who want FormLabs quality without paying FormLabs industrial prices. The resin is designed to run in ordinary LCD and DLP printers and is currently on sale for $35 a KG.

GreenGate 3D: Now Recycling Nylon

GreenGate3D, known for their recycled PETG filament, gave me a scoop: they are in the midst of recycling nylon. The owner, Rich Silberfeld, was excited to show his first ever spool of recycled Nylon 12 material. GreenGate found another (undisclosed) additive manufacturer that uses nylon power in SLS printers but didn’t have a good way to recycle their material. GreenGate will take the powdered nylon leftover from the manufacturer, sift out any impurities, compound it into pellets, and extrude it onto a spool. The new filament is still in the prototyping phase but is expected to sell for $40 a half kilogram. We’ll be sure to test some as soon as it’s ready!

Phrozen: Still holding for Arco

Phrozen had a smaller booth to show off a couple resin machines, and the long awaited Arco. The company is well known for quality resin printers like the Sonic Mega 8KS, but I only had eyes for the Arco. It’s the company's first FDM machine, a CORE XY with a heavy bottom and flying gantry, with promised speeds up to 600mm/s and a four-color material box. Phrozen launched the Kickstarter early in 2024, gathering $1,408,493 in funding from over 1400 backers, with original plans to deliver machines in July 2024.

The four-slot multicolor unit was on display but not running. I was reassured that it would be ready very soon and that Kickstarter units are nearly ready for release.

The 3D printing community has seemingly been obsessed with overgrown maximum build volume printers. The petite Sovol Zero is a refreshing change from these backbreaking behemoths. It's a Core XY mini based on the open-source Voron 0 design, which we printed, built, and reviewed a few years ago. Unlike the original Voron, the Sovol Zero is a mostly assembled, plug-and-play machine.

Sovol has declared this to be the fastest 3D printer currently on the market, with acceleration rates up to 40,000mm/s². The profiles included with it have impressive speeds that are much faster than my Bambu Lab. However, 3D printers can’t go faster than physics, so the speeds this – or any – printer can hit are largely dependent on the size and shape of the model. For example, on the Cute Flexi Octopus I printed out, the printer barely pushed past 100mm/s due to all the tiny parts.

It takes full advantage of its enclosed build by including a hotend that can reach 350 degrees Celsius and a build plate to 120 degrees Celsius. There’s no need for an active heater on a machine this size. You can check the chamber temperature on the Mainsail screen but not on the Zero’s tiny interface. This makes printing in technical filaments a breeze.

The Zero has a retail price of $499 and is on sale for $429, which is quite a bargain in both price and time saved from the current print-it-yourself $694 Voron V0.2 kit. It also has a slightly larger 152 mm build plate, making it closer in size to Bambu’s A1 Mini and the Prusa Mini, both of which have 180 x 180 mm build plates.

The Sovol Zero is a delightful machine, but rather niche and with an odd mix of old and new tech. Performance-wise, it’s right up there with the best 3D printers we tested, but it narrowly fell short of making the list. My only true complaint would be the noisy fans and stepper motors that sound like happy droids whistling while they work. But is that really a negative?

Specifications: Sovol Zero

Sovol Zero: Included in the Box

The Sovol Zero comes mostly pre-assembled, with the screen, spool holder and filament runout sensor bagged separately. Also in the box are a paper copy of the manual, Wi-Fi antenna, USB drive with a copy of OrcaSlicer and calibration prints, power cord, scraper, nozzle cleaner, flush cutters, tool kit, PTFE tubing, a fan cover for the filter fan, a spare silicone brush, and spare brass and hardened steel nozzles.

Design of the Sovol Zero

According to rumors, the Sovol Zero was almost called the Sovol 08 Mini, but thankfully, someone talked the company out of it, and the Zero was allowed to stand on its own. If you’re curious about the name, the Zero is inspired by Voron’s open source Voron 0 design – technically the Voron 0.2 – which has a slightly smaller 120 x 120 x 120 mm build volume.

The Zero is like a classic muscle car: simple, heavy, and loud. There are not a lot of plastic parts. It’s mostly made of steel plates and glass panels, with some iconic Sovol Blue injected molded accents. It weighs at a hefty 30 pounds, way more than a typical bed slinger. It probably needed all the weight to keep it from vibrating right off your table because, like a muscle car, the tiny Zero hauls booty. It has super squishy, shock absorbing feet, and Klipper to cancel out the vibrations.

The tool head has a dual-gear extruder with the ubiquitous Sovol wheel flipped around to face the rear. It has a “normal” sized nozzle that looks like a standard V6, but Sovol is offering a drop-in replacement kit that includes the ceramic heater and thermistor pre-assembled for $36.99 or $11.99 for a kit. Sovol rates the nozzle flow at 50mm³/s, which should be able to keep up with its claim of 40,000mm/s² acceleration.

The 3.5-inch minimalist screen is a throw back to previous generations with a monochrome display and selector knob. It’s quite primitive compared to what we expect on modern printers, but honestly, I don’t use it much as Klipper lets me use Mailsail to send files from my PC.

The X and Y axis run on linear rails, and the Z axis runs on twin linear rails with two lead screws belted to a single stepper motor. The belts keep everything in sync.

For bed leveling, the Zero uses both a pressure sensor built into the hotend (which taps) and an eddy current sensor that zooms over the plate to scan it. It also has accelerometers in the tool head and the bed for Klipper’s vibration compensation, which reduces unsightly ringing artifacts caused by vibration.

A built-in camera allows you to monitor your prints from Klipper’s Mainsail screen. It’s not the best camera for capturing timelapses, but it will let you see how your prints are doing. Klipper also makes sending files extremely easy over WiFi without needing to talk to a Cloud server, plus there’s a port for a USB drive. The machine can also be used with the Obico App for remote monitoring and spaghetti detection.

The Sovol Zero has an abundance of cooling fans. There is a large 5020 parts cooling fan in the toolhead, a massive auxiliary cooling fan in the rear of the printer, and a filtered cavity heat dissipation fan on the right side. This fan requires a magnetic cover outside the case when running high-temperature filaments like ASA, ABS, or PC.

The motion system of the Sovol Zero may be noisy, but you’ll never hear it, given the complete cacophony of all the fans listed above. This may be the loudest, fastest printer we’ve seen since the FLSUN S1 Pro. The stepper motors are also quite chirpy and sound like an astromech complaining about how you haven’t changed your primary buffer panels like it asked - if you’re the nerdy kind, you might not mind the noise.

Assembling the Sovol Zero

The Sovol Zero comes almost fully assembled. The Wi-Fi antenna screws on to the right side of the printer, along with the filament runout sensor. The spool holder is screwed into the rear. In all, there are only three screws. The screen slots into the bottom front after attaching the ribbon cable.

Leveling the Sovol Zero

Bed leveling and Z offset are automatic and done at the beginning of every print. The eddy current sensor allows the scanning of the bed in a matter of seconds and does an excellent job.

Loading Filament on the Sovol Zero

Loading filament is very simple and easier than with our Voron. Simply place the spool into the side-mounted rack and feed the plastic into the reverse Bowden tube until it reaches the hotend.

The factory set the filament load temperature to 250 degrees Celsius, which is fine for most filaments. For running higher temperature materials like PC, ABS, ASA, and Nylon, this can be adjusted in the Macros.cfg in Klipper. We set it to 300 degrees Celsius to help clear more stubborn filaments.

Reverse the process to change colors or remove the filament.

Preparing Files / Software for Sovol Zero

Sovol included a copy of OrcaSlicer, a free third-party slicer based on Open Source PrusaSlicer and BambuStudio. The included profile worked great for everything except TPU, which required some tweaking.

Printing on the Sovol Zero

The Sovol Zero comes with a sample coil of white PLA, which I didn’t bother using. 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.

Speed Benchy’s are tricky, as you’re often judging someone’s slicer skills rather than the printer. The Zero came with a presliced and absolutely eye-popping eight minute and 27 second Benchy that printed a bit wobbly, but quite well for an under 10 minute print. When I tried to replicate it, I got a decent looking 14 minute and 49 second boat with slightly rough layers in the middle. There was no sign of ringing and just a stray bit of wisps. My boat was printed in Polymaker Red PLA, and the Sovol sliced boat is in Creality Blue PLA.

I should briefly touch on the paradox of superfast printers: they are limited by physics. No printer can hit its top speed immediately. It has to accelerate to that speed, then slow down when it has to corner. The flexi Cute Octopus I printed reminded me of that - because no matter how I sliced it, I couldn’t get it to print faster than around 85 minutes.

Looking at the speed charts, it didn’t make any sense. Then, I figured out that the charts showed me the estimated speed, not the actual speed. Prusa Slicer is able to show Actual Speed, so I sliced the Cute Octopus for my MK4, a machine with less than half the acceleration rates, and found that it could print it in 82 minutes. Below is the “actual speed” and you can see the printer is constantly revving up and slowing down.

The flexi Cute Octopus is an excellent print to test bed adhesion, plus I can give them away to kids when I travel to festivals. I was able to fit two Cute Octopi on the bed, and they printed in two hours and 58 minutes. I used a 0.2 mm layer height and PLA default speed settings, with a max speed of 500mm/s on the infill that it never reached. This was printed in Polymaker Red PLA.

To test out the printer’s maximum build size, I printed this Floppy Flounder in PETG. It took five hours and 30 minutes, using a 0.2mm layer height, 3 walls and 10% infill. It printed great and was completely flexible with very little stringing. The top surface is a little rough, but that can be tuned by adjusting the flow or top speed settings. This was printed in ProtoMaker Translucent Blue PETG, a company that sadly is no longer in business.

The Zero did a good job with flexible filament. I gave it a barrel-shaped can holder that printed fairly well. It could have used some support around the bottom, but that’s more a model problem than a printer issue. The layers are smooth and even, though there are a few rough spots that look like a clog was trying to happen. This could easily be addressed by tuning the TPU profile. This printed in six hours and 13 minutes, using a 0.2 layer height and OrcaSlicer’s default settings. The material is Polymaker Red TPU.

Since the Sovol Zero does high temperature materials very well, I printed a handful of cable organizers in Jet Black Prusament ASA. All the clamps fit on one plate, which printed in 48 minutes and 55 seconds. The print is professional looking and strong with no visible layer lines.

This modular ClampDock is one of my favorite things to print. it currently holds my headphones to the edge of my desk. It needs to be strong, so this is printed out of ABS, PC and TPU. It was originally just going to be PC, but the hinge wouldn’t open, so I switched to ABS, which the Zero had an easier time with printing. This was printed with a 0.2 layer height, 5 walls and a slowed first layer for good adhesion. It took three hours and 10 minutes to print. Printed (mostly) in Polymaker PolyMax PC.

Bottom Line

The Sovol Zero is a compact Core XY 3D printer build like a tank with endless amounts of horsepower. It’s acceleration rate of 40,000mm/s² is backed by a nozzle flow rate that goes up to 50mm³/s. This is all very impressive, but you have to remember that physics exists, and 3D printers need time to ramp up to those speeds. The speed of your 3D printer will always be throttled by the size and shape of your model.

Even so, the models we test printed had excellent quality at speed, even if we didn’t set any records. The Zero’s enclosure worked very well, so high-temperature filaments weren’t a problem.

I’m a big fan of companies that leave Klipper alone and provide a profile to use with regular OrcaSlicer. These tools are more than complete on their own – and it hopefully saved Sovol money in not having to develop their own code and software.

Currently on sale for $429, the Zero is worth the price when you consider the quality of the build. This is a great printer if you want something like a Voron 0, but don’t want to build it yourself. If you want a regular-sized Core XY that’s super affordable, I’d recommend you check out the Elegoo Centauri Carbon. Beginners looking for bargain-priced color printers should check out the Bambu Lab A1 Mini, our favorite pick for beginners who want a little color in their life. It’s only $389 with a four-color AMS unit.

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OctoPrint is a software that allows you to control and monitor your 3D printer remotely. You can start and stop, adjust 3D printing settings, and even view the live progress of your 3D prints via a camera. The software supports various plugins, each designed to address specific needs, and allows you to tailor the software based on your requirements. If you own one of the best 3D printers and want to create timelapses, you must install Octolapse.

Some plugins can help you organize print files on OctoPrint and automate routine tasks like bed leveling or filament changes. Others focus on analytics and reporting to offer insights on print time by analyzing the G-code as well as the performance of the 3D printer. We look at the best five plugins for OctoPrint. But before that, let’s look at how to access and install the plugins in OctoPrint.

How to Access and Install Plugins in OctoPrint

Access and Install OctoPrint Plugins

Accessing and installing plugins on OctoPrint is straightforward if you have already managed to set up the software. Follow the steps below.

1. Log in to OctoPrint interface in your browser.

2. Click the wrench icon on the top-right corner to access the settings menu.

3. Locate and click Plugin Manager under OCTOPRINT section. This enables you to search, install, and manage plugins.

You will be able to see the plugins already installed. To look for more, click Get More.

Best Octoprint Plugins

Let’s now have a look at the best OctoPrint plugins to install.

Octolapse

1. Octolapse (Plugin for Creating 3D Printing Timelapses)

Octolapse is the first plugin on our list. If you have ever come across short, interesting 3D printing time-lapses where the print looks like it’s growing steadily from the print bed, this is the plugin that can be used to create them. It captures snapshots at various stages of the printing process and synchronizes the camera's movement with the print head. Octolapse is completely free, and all you need to have is a Raspberry Pi and a camera, which can be a webcam, Pi camera, or DSLR. Follow the steps below to install and use it.

1. Search for Octolapse on the search bar in the settings section, then install it.

2. Restart OctoPrint, and then add your 3D printer profile using the Add Profile section. Then, connect it to OctoPrint using a USB cable.

3. Start the 3D printer connection by clicking on Connect on the left section of the interface.

You can then go ahead and set up your camera settings.

When you finish, start your 3D print and you will see the snapshots of your timelapses in the videos and images section. You can choose to download or delete them from there.

Bed Visualizer

2. Bed Visualizer (Bed Adjustment Plugin)

Bed leveling is an important and difficult process, especially if your 3D printer doesn’t have automatic bed leveling features. Even auto-bed leveling features might not be accurate sometimes, and your 3D prints can fail if there is a part that is not well-leveled. The bed visualizer plugin is a great tool to help you properly level your bed. It integrates with the 3D printer firmware to gather the details of the bed and then it generates a 3D mesh visualization.

The visualization highlights high and low points in the X, Y, and Z axes. This helps point out the areas that can cause issues and this enables you to make the necessary adjustments. To set up the plugin, your 3D printer must be running on compatible firmware like Marlin, PrusaFirmware, Klipper, or Smoothieware.

Follow the steps below to learn how to use it.

1. Go to the settings section, then Plugins > Bed Visualizer. If you don’t see it, go to Get More, then search for it there.

Sometimes, it might fail to install due to missing system dependencies. If that happens, you will need to SSH to your Raspberry Pi, then run the command sudo apt install libatlas3-base so that the plugin can load.

2. Click on the plugin, and you will need to set the Gcode commands for it to work. You can find the firmware-specific examples on GitHub. You can then enter them in the Gcode section.

3. When you enter the example, save, and update the Mesh, you will see your 3D printer moving as the plugin retrieves the current mesh, as shown below.

You will see a visualization of your bed when it finishes, as shown below.

4. Click the settings icon on the right to get more details on your 3D printer bed. When you go to the Corrections section and hover your mouse over the numbers, you will see how much the points needs to be adjusted in relation to the point that you click.

PrintTimeGenius

3. PrintTimeGenius (Time Estimate Plugin)

As the name suggests, PrintTimeGenius helps estimate the time it takes to 3D print your file. It analyzes the actual Gc-code instead of relying on the predictions of the 3D printer, which is not perfect. The good thing about this plugin is that it learns over time by comparing actual print durations with its predictions, and this improves the accuracy after each print. You can find it already installed on the plugins section. Follow the steps below to use it.

1. Adjust the settings accordingly after clicking on it. The default settings works well for most people. Click Save.

2. Upload a G-code to OctoPrint, then click the load and print icon just above the upload option.

3. Go to the plugins section, click PrintTimeGenious then select the G-code, and click Analyze.

Cancel Objects

4. Cancel Objects (Cancel Models in Individual Basis)

When 3D printing multiple objects at once, if something goes wrong and you would like to cancel one of the objects, it can be hard to do so without disrupting the others. Cancel Ojects makes it easier to cancel specific objects mid-print without restarting the entire print job. This is helpful as it prevents the failed objects from interfering with the other objects, saving time and material. To use it, follow the steps below.

1. Go to the plugins section and click Cancel Objects. If it’s not there already, go to Get More and search for it there. You can also get it on GitHub.

2. Upload multiple objects, then select Cancel Objects option on the drop-down menu near Terminal.

3. Load the files from the left section of the interface and you will see them appearing and there is an option to cancel them.

4. When you click cancel on an individual model, a window will launch, asking if you are sure to cancel. Proceed to accept.

Obico

5. Obico (3D Print Failure Detector)

Obico, formerly known as The Spaghetti Detective, uses AI to detect potential print failures in real time. It monitors the progress of the print, identifies issues like filament tangles or spaghetti-like tangles, and alerts you. Obico also integrates with webcams, allowing you to visually monitor prints through your phone or computer. It also supports notifications through SMS, email, or push alerts. Get to know how to use it in the steps below.

1. Go to Plugins Manager > Get More, search for Obico, and install it.

2. Restart OctoPrint, then reload the page so that the changes take effect.

3. Click Setup Plugin to start setting up Obico.

4. Choose whether to setup with a mobile app or web browser.

For my case, I will choose web browser.

5. Continue to open Obico website to sign up for an account.

6. Link your 3D printer to Obico by clicking on Link Printer.

7. Select OctoPrint in the window that launches then click Next. It will start scanning for your 3D printer. For it to find your 3D printer, it must be powered on and if you are connecting it via a Raspberry Pi, ensure it’s powered on. You can also link it manually by clicking on Switch to Manual Linking.

8. Copy the 6-digit verification code that will be generated.

9. Go back to the previous page in the Obico plugin in OctoPrint and click continue.

10. Paste the verification code and Obico will be set up successfully.

11. Go back to Obico web application and you can rename your 3D printer, check the 3D printer feed, add a phone number, and even change the 3D printer settings.

You can also go ahead and connect the 3D printer at the serial port.

You can also upload your G-code to the platform and start 3D printing on Obico.

You can also download designs from the 3D models section, slice them on the platform, choose your 3D printer, and then confirm. You can find the 3D print failure option when you scroll down in the 3D printer section.

If you have connected the camera, you will be able to view 3D printing process live in the right section.

When you sign up to Obico, you are given 30 30-day free trial. Afterward, you will need to upgrade to the Pro version, which costs $4/month. The free version offers you basic web streaming, 10 free AI detection hours monthly, and up to 50MB of G-code cloud storage per file. The pro version, on the other hand, gives you premium webcam streaming, 50 AI detection hours per month, and G-code cloud storage of up to 500MB per file.

The Asus ROG Strix X870E-E Gaming Wifi is an upper-mid-range offering you can find on Asus’ webstore (at the time of this writing) for $499.99, which is also the launch price. You know if it says ROG Strix, it will pack a lot of features, along with a signature premium appearance. The latest E Gaming model introduces an additional M.2 socket, faster networking, various AI and DIY-friendly “Q” features, and a refreshed aesthetic compared to the X670E version, enhancing or updating elements almost universally.

For under $500, Asus offers a variety of AI features, including AI Overclocking (an easy performance upgrade), AI Cooling II (one-click fan tuning), and AI Networking II (optimize network performance) to maximize the potential of the installed hardware. A multitude of EZ PC DIY functionality is also included, covering the M.2 sockets (Q-Release/Slide/Latch), troubleshooting (Q-LED/Code), Wi-Fi (Q-Antenna), and the slim PCIe Slot Q-Release.

Asus has improved its design, refining an already high-end aesthetic. The large VRM heatsinks enhance the look with a dot-matrix-like RGB-backlit ROG symbol and an Asus tagline on top. While it’s not significantly different from the previous generation, the design looks less busy, and better supports warm-running PCIe 5.0 M.2 devices.

In terms of connectivity and pwerr, there’s also a lot to like. With 13 USB ports on the rear I/O (10 Type-A and 4 Type-C), five M.2 sockets (3 PCIe 5.0), robust power delivery, and fast networking, there isn't much that could improve speed without spending significantly more money. Performance of the ROG Strix X870E-E across our testing suite with default settings was average in most tests. It also proved to be a competent gaming option, demonstrating its all-around capability against the other motherboards we’ve evaluated on this platform.

Below, we’ll examine the board's details and determine whether it deserves a spot on our Best Motherboards list. But before we share test results and discuss details, we’ll list the specifications from Asus’ website.

Specifications of the Asus ROG Strix X870E-E Gaming Wifi

Inside the Box of the Asus ROG Strix X870E-E Gaming Wifi

Asus includes several accessories to help ease your building experience. From SATA cables to Wi-Fi antennas, it’s enough to get you going without a trip to the store. Below is a complete list of the extras.

• (2) SATA 6Gb/s cables
• Thermal pad for M.2 22110
• ASUS Wi-Fi antennas
• Cable ties pack
• M.2 Q-Latch package
• (2) M.2 Q-Slides
• ROG key chain
• ROG Strix stickers
• (5) M.2 support rubbers
• Quick start guide

Design of the X870E-Gaming Wifi

The board’s overall design doesn’t change considerably from the previous version. However, it still exudes premium vibes and fits the profile of a premium motherboard. On the all-black, 8-layer PCB, oversized heatpipe-connected VRM heatsinks display an RGB ROG symbol shining through. Three larger heatsinks are positioned over the three PCIe 5.0 M.2 drives at the bottom. A plate-style heatsink with diagonal slats and hints of brushed aluminum covers the remaining M.2s, along with the chipset heatsink. A second RGB lighting strip concealed below illuminates the bottom of the board. Once again, we appreciate the enhancements over the previous generation, and there’s no doubt this setup will look impressive inside almost any chassis.

In the left corner, we see the two Dual Procool II 8-pin EPS connectors powering the CPU. The oversized VRM heatsinks have no issues keeping the powerful VRMs below in spec. The ROG Symbol design splits up the dual-finished (matte and smooth aluminum) cover top, along with the “For Those Who Dare” branding that you’ll find on both parts of the heatsink.

Moving right, we run into the Nitropath-equipped DRAM slots with locking mechanisms on both sides. Asus lists capacity up to 256GB with DDR5-8400+(OC) speeds for 8000 series APUs, while 7/9000 series desktop processors are slightly lower at DDR5-8000+(OC). Our DDR5-8000 kit didn’t work out of the box (ut wasb;t ib the QVL), but our Team Group DDR5-7200 kit worked without issue. The board also features Asus’ AEMP feature that helps get the most out of memory kits without XMP profiles.

Above the DRAM slots, we find the first four of the seven 4-pin fan headers. Each header supports PWM- and DC-controlled devices, with a total output across all headers of 1A/12W. Although this is low compared to other motherboards, which typically offer at least one 2/3A header, you would only need to worry if you carelessly piggyback a couple of fans on the same header. Control over these devices is managed through Armory Create and AI Cooling II, which includes one-click fan tuning via a proprietary Asus algorithm.

Next are a couple of LED displays to aid in troubleshooting. At the top is the Q-Code LED, which shows more detailed codes, while the simpler Q-LED display is below. Both features function during the POST process, indicating the specific area (Q-LED - CPU, DRAM, VGA, BOOT) where the issue lies, and providing additional information (via Q-Code). These are always beneficial when problems arise, and especially important if you enjoy tweaking and pushing your system.

We encounter the first (of three) 3-pin ARGB headers along the right edge. Control over any integrated devices and those connected to the headers is managed through the Aura Sync software, which can be accessed via the Armory Crate. Below is the start button and the Flex Key (reset), which you can configure for quick access features like Safe Boot or toggling the LEDs on and off with the button. Next, there is the 24-pin ATX connector to power the board, a front panel USB 3.2 Gen 2x2 (20 Gbps) Type-C header, and finally a 19-pin front panel USB 3.2 Gen 1 (5 Gbps) header.

Power delivery on the X870E-E Gaming features 22 phases, 18 dedicated to Vcore. Power flows from the EPS connector(s) to a Digi+ ASP2205 PWM controller. Next are 18 Vishay Sic850A 110A SPS MOSFETs utilizing Asus’ “teamed” power configuration we’re used to seeing these days. The available 1,980 Amps can easily support overclocked flagship-class processors, even with sub-ambient overclocking methods. Ultimately, the only limitation is CPU cooling on such a well-built board. If this sounds familiar, it’s the same solution on the more expensive ROG Maximus X870E Hero.

Hiding under the SupremeFX shield at the bottom left corner is the current-generation Realtek ALC4080 audio codec. Helping things out are several premium dedicated audio capacitors (yellow), audio line shielding, and a Savitech SV3H712 Amp. Most users will be pleased with the audio solution.

In the middle of the board are two PCIe slots: The top one is CPU-connected and runs at PCIe 5.0 x16 speeds, while the bottom one, through the chipset, runs at PCIe 4.0 x4. Both slots are reinforced, with the top slot featuring Q-Release Slim technology for easily extracting your graphics card without needing a button. The card is secured with a standard (perhaps broader) clip that is spring-loaded and remains open by default, locking in place when the GPU is pushed down. As long as your graphics card is secured to the PC case, there’s no risk of it coming loose. To remove it, pull it up on the IO side of the card to dislodge it from the front (left) part of the slot. Additionally, the top slot can bifurcate and supports up to four x4 M.2s (or x4/x4/x8) using an add-in card.

Mixed in among the PCIe slots are five M.2 sockets. The top three sockets, M.2_1/2/3, are all CPU-connected and operate on PCIe 5.0 x4 (128 Gbps), supporting devices up to 80mm (M.2_3 supports 110mm). The bottom two slots accommodate 80mm modules but connect through the chipset, running at PCIe 4.0 x4 (64 Gbps). You have plenty of speed and sockets available. The first socket also has a multi-size connector for easier installation. There is lane sharing; when M.2_2 and M.2_3 are enabled, the primary PCIe slot reduces to x8. The E Gaming supports NVMe RAID0/1/5/10 with 9000 series processors.

Along the right edge, past the chipset, are four horizontal SATA ports (also supporting RAID0/1/5/10) and another 19-pin USB 3.2 Gen 1 (5 Gbps) header.

Across the bottom of the board are several exposed headers. You’ll find the typical stuff here, including additional USB ports, RGB headers, and more. Below is a complete list, from left to right.

• Front panel audio
• Chassis fan header
• (2) 3-pin ARGB headers
• Alternate PCIe mode switch
• Chassis fan header
• (3) USB 2.0 headers
• (2) Chassis fan headers
• Front panel
• CPU Overvolt header
• 2-pin thermistor header

The rear IO on the X870E-EGaming is extremely busy with 14 total USB ports, dominating the space. Starting on the left is the HDMI video output followed by two USB4 (40 Gbps) Type-C ports. Two more Type-C ports line the bottom edge, and between those are the Clear CMOS and BIOS Flashback buttons. Above all of that are 10 USB 3.2 Gen 2 (10 Gbps) ports and the Realtek RTL8126 5 GbE. On the right are the Wi-Fi 7 module, the quick connect Q-Antenna, and the 2-plug plus SPDIF audio stack.

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Firmware

Asus’ BIOS on the X870E-E Gaming looks the same, sporting the black, red, easy-to-read ROG theme we’re all familiar with. Asus starts in an Easy Mode that displays high-level information, including CPU and memory clock speeds, temperatures, fan speeds, storage information, etc. Advanced Mode has several headers across the top that drop down additional options. The new Q-Dashboard shows all the integrated connectivity. When hardware is connected, there’s a green circle next to it. The BIOS is one of my favorites, as any option you need is there, and anything you need frequently isn’t buried deep within menus.

Software

Armoury Crate for the X870E-E Gaming follows the ROG-inspired theme. Several applications exist for various functions, ranging from RGB lighting control, audio, system monitoring, and overclocking etc. It's also worth mentioning the included software. When purchasing Asus motherboards, you receive a sixty-day AIDA64 license - a useful application for stress and performance testing. Asus’ Driver Hub (get your updated drivers here!) and a custom version of Hwinfo for real-time monitoring are also helpful applications. We’ve captured a few screenshots of the applications below.

Test System / Comparison Products

We’ve updated our test system to Windows 11 (23H2) 64-bit OS with all updates applied as of late September 2024 (this includes the Branch Prediction Optimizations for AMD). Hardware-wise, we’ve updated the RAM kits (matching our Intel test system), cooling, storage, and video card. Unless otherwise noted, we use the latest non-beta motherboard BIOS available to the public. Thanks to Asus for providing the RTX 4080 TUF graphics card and Crucial for the 2TB T705 SSDs. The hardware we used is as follows:

Test System Components

Benchmark Settings

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Benchmark Results

Our standard benchmarks and power tests are performed using the CPU’s stock frequencies (including any default boost/turbo) with all power-saving features enabled. We set optimized defaults in the BIOS and the memory by enabling the XMP profile. For this baseline testing, the Windows power scheme is set to Balanced (default) so the PC idles appropriately.

Synthetic Benchmarks

Synthetics provide a great way to determine how a board runs, as identical settings should produce similar performance results. Turbo boost wattage and advanced memory timings are places where motherboard makers can still optimize for stability or performance, though, and those settings can impact some testing.

The X870E-E Gaming WiFi performed adequately across the synthetic benchmarks. It was average in many areas, but struggled in the Procyon Office tests. The margin of difference isn’t significant enough to cause concern, but it was still slower than most other boards by small margins.

Timed Applications

The board did fine in the timed applications. Nothing to worry about here.

3D Games and 3DMark

Starting with the launch of Zen 5, we’ve updated our game tests. We’re keeping the F1 racing game but have upgraded to F1 24. We also dropped Far Cry 6 in favor of an even more popular and good-looking game in Cyberpunk 2077. We run both games at 1920x1080 resolution using the Ultra preset (details listed above). Cyberpunk 2077 uses DLSS, while we left F1 24 to native resolution scaling. The goal with these settings is to determine if there are differences in performance at the most commonly used (and CPU/system bound) resolution with settings most people use or strive for (Ultra). We expect the difference between boards in these tests to be minor, with most falling within the margin of error. We’ve also added a minimum FPS value, which can affect your gameplay and immersion experience.

The E Gaming proved to be a competent gamer, landing in the middle of the pack for the 3DMark and game tests. All good here.

Overclocking

Over the past few CPU generations, overclocking headroom has been shrinking on both sides of the fence while the out-of-the-box potential has increased. For overclockers, this means there’s less fun to have. For the average consumer, you’re getting the most out of the processor without manual tweaking. Today’s motherboards are more robust than ever, and they easily support power-hungry flagship-class processors, so we know the hardware can handle them. There are multiple ways to extract even more performance from these processors: enabling a canned PBO setting, manually tweaking the PBO settings, or just going for an all-core overclock. Results will vary and depend on the cooling as well. In other words, your mileage may vary. Considering all of the above, we’re not overclocking the CPU. However, we will try out our different memory kits to ensure they meet the specifications.

Memory testing went as expected, with the E Gaming rejecting our Klevv DDR5-8000 kit but happily running the Team Group DDR5-7200 kit after enabling the profile. There’s plenty of headroom left when using the right kit (stick to the QVL for the best results), but with AMD, you’re better off around 6400 MHz with the tightest stable timings you can find. If you want to squeeze every last MHz out of your processor and prefer not to tweak it yourself, Asus’ AI Overclocking (Dynamic OC Switcher, Core Flex, PBO Enhancement, and clock gen for BCLK overclocking), part of the company’s intelligent features, will help you get there.

Power Consumption / VRM Temperatures

We used AIDA64’s System Stability Test with Stress CPU, FPU, Cache, and Memory enabled for power testing, using the peak power consumption value from the processor. The wattage reading is from the wall via a Kill-A-Watt meter to capture the entire PC (minus the monitor). The only variable that changes is the motherboard; all other parts remain the same. Please note we moved to use only the stock power use/VRM temperature charts, as this section aims to ensure the power delivery can handle flagship-class processors.

The power consumption of the Ryzen 9 9990X is relatively low compared to the 7950X used for X670/X670E. In the past, high-end boards peaked at nearly 300W, but current systems now reach a maximum of 250- 270W0W during CPU stress tests (gaming with the Nvidia RTX 4080 versus the RTX 3070 is a different matter). That said, the X870E-E Gaming peaked at 239W under load, with the CPU consuming around 141W. The idle power consumption for this board was 97W, which is among the higher results.

VRM temperatures on the E Gaming peaked at just under 51 degrees Celsius according to Hwinfo and 49 degrees Celsius on our hottest probe. The premium VRMs and the beefy heatpipe-connected heatsinks can tackle any load you throw at them, even an overclocked, high-power flagship like the Ryzen 9 9950X.

Bottom Line

Wrapping things up, the ROG Strix X870E-E Gaming WiFi is a high-quality upper-mid-range motherboard. It offers fast connectivity, including USB ports, storage, and networking options. Along with the hardware, Asus provides one of the most comprehensive sets of AI tools and DIY-friendly features. So, if you’re not interested in making manual adjustments, the AI tools can help extract some extra performance. Priced at $499.99, it’s equivalent to its X670E counterpart but offers faster connectivity and is worth the upgrade at similar price points. It’s pretty impressive in isolation, but there is, of course, competition.

In the sub-$500 category, ASRock’s X870E Taichi is the least expensive direct competitor at $449.99. Gigabyte’s X870E Aorus Master is available for $479.99, while MSI’s X870E Carbon matches the Asus price at $499.99. If you need three PCIe 5.0 M.2 sockets, Gigabyte has you covered, but it only offers four total sockets, similar to the others. ASRock’s lower price point is appealing, but you get less, especially regarding AI capabilities. MSI’s Carbon might be the best-looking option, but it also falls short in the M.2 socket count.

That said, among this group, Asus provides the most well-rounded board. With impressive hardware specifications, various AI tools, and DIY-friendly features, you won’t find much better without significantly increasing your spend. However, the other boards offer fewer features or slower specifications. The ASRock will serve you well if you're not concerned about having the fastest or most advanced options. Nevertheless, if you seek the most comprehensive AMD-based solution with today’s modern features (at a sub-$500 price point, of course), the X870E-E Gaming WiFi is the motherboard for you.

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Leaked photos appear to show a new collaboration between 3D printing manufacturer Snapmaker and laser company Xtool. It’s an interesting team-up, as both companies have made multifunctional devices and stand-alone lasers. Snapmaker’s last 3D printer was the impressive Snapmaker Artisan, which launched in 2022. It is a premium 3D printer with dual nozzles, similar to what Bambu Lab is using in the H2D, as well as a laser and CNC. The company has also made a stand-alone laser, the Snapmaker Ray.

xTool makes premium lasers primarily for crafty entrepreneurs. Its most recent multifunctional machine is the M1 Ultra, a device that combines a laser with a blade cutter, embosser, and inkjet printer. The M1 Ultra is currently under review, and we’re quite impressed with its wide range of capabilities.

The unnamed xTool/Snapmaker collab recently appeared on Reddit and seems to be a four-color tool changer with a bed about the size of the Bambu Lab X1C. The photo shows the printer in a lab setting with several other machines. We can see four spools outside the machine, similar to the setup used by the Prusa Research XL. The machine has a flat, four-color print on the bed. The tool heads are obscured, but the image clearly shows four of them.

I tracked the leak to a Snapmaker J1 Owner's Facebook page, which then linked to French Youtuber Tech Napa. He claimed that someone gave him information from an xTool engineer’s conversation on WeChat.

Since I don’t speak Chinese, I relied on Google Translate, which says “The new SM machine information found so far, 4 heads, klipper, 270x268x270, 2w acceleration, 500mms, slice based on orca two-opening, integrated model library (similar to luban) device management function.”

Not all of the translation makes sense, but it would suggest a build volume (270x268x270) slightly bigger than an X1C’s 256x256x256mm, with a similar speed of 500mm/s. Klipper would be needed to aid a speedy printer. Snapmaker’s Artisan did use a Luban-based slicer when we reviewed it.

The mysterious 3D printer also appeared on the X feed of Japanese blogger @YuTR0N. However, this time only the Snapmaker logo is seen.

Only time will tell if this leak is, in fact, true. Snapmaker hasn’t introduced a fast printer yet, and xTool is known for its user-friendly software. If the two companies bring together their best parts, this could lead to significant competition in the world of colorful, crafty 3D printing.

A few years ago, Lenovo broke the traditional ThinkPad mold with the leather-topped ThinkPad Z13, and now the company is back with another alternative design dubbed the ThinkPad X9 Aura Edition. This new iteration retains the MIL-SPEC testing of traditional ThinkPads, but ditches the black boxy design for a sleek aluminum shell with a very distinctive bottom, a vivid OLED display, and – gasp – an all-new keyboard without the little red nub between the g, h, and b keys. Don’t fret though, ThinkPad die-hards. Lenovo says these drastic changes are only coming to the X9 – at least for now.

So just what is a ThinkPad without its most enduring features, and can this new design compete with the best ultrabooks you can buy? Let’s find out together below, starting with the attractive new design.

Design of the Lenovo ThinkPad X9 14

Viewed at an angle and under certain lighting, the ThinkPad X9 could be mistaken for a traditional ThinkPad, in part thanks to the familiar logo and red LED power indicator in the corner of the lid. But the X9’s chassis is made of dark gray recycled aluminum. The lid is pretty resistant to fingerprints and smudges, and the bottom is ribbed in a way that reminds me of fancy hardshell luggage.

At 12.28 x 8.36 x 0.68 inches and 2.8 pounds, the ThinkPad X9 feels slim and reasonably light in the hand. But its ports and fans are housed in a vented, boxier black section near the back of the laptop that’s a bit thicker than the rest of the device’s tapered edges. This makes the laptop feel thinner than its 0.68 inches, while improving cooling and making servicing easier, according to Lenovo.

Port selection covers the basics: You get two USB-C Thunderbolt 4 ports, a full-size HDMI 2.1 jack, and a headphone / mic combo port. Notably, unlike the MacBook Air and many premium Windows machines, there’s a USB-C port (for data and charging) on both sides of the laptop. The larger 15-inch X9 makes room for one USB Type-A port, but there are none on this model.

Like the company’s other premium ThinkPads, the X9 also features a 180-degree hinge, so it can fold flat (or at least very nearly flat) on a desk if that’s important to you.

Lenovo Thinkpad X9 14 Specifications

Keyboard and Touchpad on the Lenovo ThinkPad X9 14

Let’s just get this out of the way first: There’s no traditional ThinkPad keyboard here, nor is there a TrackPoint pointing stick. For many former ThinkPad owners, those are two defining characteristics of the ThinkPad brand. And while I’ve never owned a modern ThinkPad, my experience testing laptops for the last 15 years has led me to point people to ThinkPads when they say the typing experience is a priority. And I would still point those people to something like the current-gen X1 Carbon or T14.

But Lenovo reps told me the company is after non-traditional ThinkPad buyers with the X9. And people familiar with, say, modern MacBooks or the Surface Laptop, will likely be fine with the ThinkPad X9’s keyboard. There’s a decent amount of key travel and tactility for a slim laptop, and the keys themselves are large enough, with some space surrounding them so that nothing feels cramped.

The top Function row sports smaller keys (including the power button with an integrated fingerprint reader in the upper right). And the arrow keys in the lower right have narrow but wide up / down keys (that double as pgup / pgdn). The latter basically mimics what’s found on Surface devices, and while I don’t love how it looks, my fingers found their way around the arrow cluster without much issue or having to look.

In short, while I prefer the traditional ThinkPad keyboard, there’s nothing specific that bothers me about the keyboard on the X9 and I doubt I’d have any issues making it my daily driver for productivity.

The roomy 3.3 x 5.3-inch haptic touchpad is another departure from traditional ThinkPads, but I found movement and multi-finger gestures worked as expected. And unlike some haptic pads I’ve used in the past (including some from Lenovo), the company managed to dial the right amount of feedback so it felt pretty close to a physical click on a high-quality laptop. While I still much prefer a mouse, I have no complaints about the touchpad here.

Productivity performance on the Lenovo Thinkpad X9 14

We tested the Thinkpad X9 with an Intel Core Ultra 5 226V (actually the lowest-end SKU in the company’s current Lunar Lake lineup) with 16GB of LPDDR5x-8533. Our configuration also shipped with a 512GB PCIe 4 SSD.

Given the above specs, we don’t expect this ThinkPad to beat the latest X1 Carbon Gen 13 (tested with a 32GB Core Ultra 7), Dell’s Snapdragon X Elite-equipped XPS 13 (9345), or Apple’s brand-new M4-packing MacBook Air in most of our benchmarks. But it will be interesting to see how competitive it is.

In the synthetic Geekbench 6 test, the Thinkpad X9 (2,545) was close to the X1 Carbon (2,762) and Dell’s XPS 13 (2,797) on the single-core test. But the MacBook Air and its M4 (3,780) land an easy first place in the single-core test, while blowing past both Intel-based Thinkpads (10,049 and 11,131) with a first-place multi-core result of 14,924.

Similarly, in our Handbrake test, which transcodes a 4K video file to 1080p, the Intel-powered ThinkPad X9 and ThinkPad X1 Carbon were close to each other, finishing at 7:46 and 7:36, respectively. But the Qualcomm and Apple machines were much faster, both finishing in less than 5 minutes.

In our 25GB file transfer test, the ThinkPad X9 had a better showing, copying at an average of 1,395.65 MBps, faster than anything else here save for the X1 Carbon.

We also stress-test ultrabooks with 10 loops of Cinebench 2024. The ThinkPad X9 was quite consistent here, scoring 555 on its first run, spiking up to 564 on the second run, and saying between 550 and 561 for all subsequent runs of the multi-core test.

During the test, the P-cores ran at an average of 3.23 GHz, while the E-cores averaged 3.39 GHz. The CPU temperature average was 91.29 degrees Celsius (196.32 Fahrenheit).

Display on the Lenovo ThinkPad X9 14

Display quality often takes a back seat in laptops designed primarily for business, but that’s not the case with the ThinkPad X9. Both panel options are OLED, and the higher-end 2880 x 1800-resolution option in our review unit promises 500 nits of brightness and a variable refresh between 30 and 120 Hz. The 1920 x 1200 screen is rated to 400 nits and has a fixed 60 Hz refresh rate.

I watched the trailer for Daredevil: Born Again on the X9’s 2.8K screen, and the blacks of many dark scenes were devilishly deep thanks to the OLED tech, while the red of Matt Murdock’s glasses stood out boldly in the brief brighter moments.

The laptop’s speakers also complimented the visual experience by delivering enough bass that I could almost feel the frequent crunch of knuckles and bone. If entertainment after work hours is an important part of your routine, the X9 delivers on that front better than most gaming laptops.

The ThinkPad X9’s display was also one of the better options tested in our competitor pool, delivering 121.7% of the sRGB gamut and 86.2% of the larger DCI-P3 space. It also delivered an average peak brightness of 475.6, which was only bested by the (non-OLED) 2025 MacBook Air, at 556.6.

I have nothing negative to say about the ThinkPad X9’s 2880 x 1800 display. But if I were primarily using this as a work laptop, I would probably opt for the 1200p model because its 100-nit lower brightness rating and fewer pixels should translate to longer battery life.

Webcam on the Lenovo ThinkPad X9 14

If you opt for the lower-resolution (1200p) display, you’ll get a 1080p webcam. But the 2880 x 1800 panel we tested gets paired with an 8-megapixel (4K) webcam – and it’s one of the better laptop webcams I’ve tested.

On a sun-lit afternoon, with a window behind me, I could still make out the intricate pattern of my curtains (thanks in part to the 3840 x 2160 resolution), and the colors (from the copper of my mantelpiece support to the slightly faded red of my Atari messenger bag) were accurate. I’m not sure most of the best webcams would do this well.

There’s also an IR sensor for Windows Hello facial recognition, along with a fingerprint reader built into the power button to log in without a password.

Audio on the Lenovo ThinkPad X9 14

Audio output isn’t typically a priority with business laptops. But the two speakers in the ThinkPad X9 14 (four in the 15-inch model) pump out an impressive amount of sound, including a decent level of bass for a laptop this thin, rivaling the HP’s now discontinued Dragonfly line.

You’ll still want a pair of the best PC speakers for serious room-filling sound for music. But what’s here is quite good for streaming video and listening to music while sitting in front of the laptop. When I listened to my typical test track, Buck-Tick’s “Muma - The Nightmare,” I did notice some distortion above about 90% volume. But the speakers were loud enough that I didn’t feel the need to turn the volume up that high – 80% was plenty loud and sounded great.

I’ve tested much thicker, bulkier gaming laptops that don’t sound this good.

Upgradability of the Lenovo ThinPad X9 14

Getting into the X9 is shockingly easy. The ribbed metal bottom is held on by just four captive Phillips-head screws. Loosen them and the base pulls off pretty easily. It also goes back on even easier, because Lenovo has integrated some magnets into the chassis that guide the bottom to exactly where it needs to go – a really nice touch that I haven’t seen before.

That said, as you should expect with a thin laptop here in 2025, there isn’t a lot for most people to actually do under the X9’s hood. The SSD, hidden under a copper shield on the right, is upgradable, but it’s a short-ish 2242 model rather than a full-length 2280, which will limit your options. A PCIe 4.0 WD SN740 was installed in our review unit.

The 55 WHr battery also looks fairly easy to replace, held in by four screws. Like the SSD and some of the other parts, Lenovo includes a QR code on the battery that takes you to a Lenovo page to make sure you get the correct (but also first-party) replacement.

Battery life on the Lenovo ThinkPad X9 14

Our battery life test involves simulated web browsing, streaming video over Wi-Fi, and running OpenGL tests, all with the screen brightness set to 150 nits. Not so long ago, a showing of just over 10 hours would be pretty decent.

Here, though, it’s only enough for last place. The other Intel-based system, the ThinkPad X1 Carbon lasted about an hour and 20 minutes longer. But the M4 MacBook Air bested the X9 by about 50% (15:14), and the Snapdragon-powered XPS 13 with its lower-resolution screen managed to get close to 20 hours on our test. Again, you should get significantly better battery life from the X9 if you opt for the 1200p screen. But if maximum unplugged runtime is a priority, the Apple or Snapdragon options are better choices.

Heat on the Lenovo ThinkPad X9 14

We measure laptop surface temperatures during our Cinebench 2024 stress test. The ThinkPad X9’s touchpad topped out at 81 degrees Fahrenheit, while the center of the keyboard, between the G and H keys, reached 107.5 F. The underside of the laptop was warmer, topping out at 114 degrees F, but that was only in the center rear, near the vents, while the edges where you’re likely to be handling the laptop, remained in the 80-90 degree range.

Software and warranty on the Lenovo ThinkPad X9 14

As a business laptop, the ThinkPad X9 is nearly free of third-party software bloat, even when it comes to the usual junk that Windows pins to the Start menu. LinkedIn, 365 Copilot, and Xbox are still there, as is a link to WhatsApp in the Recommended section. But apart from that, it’s mostly Lenovo software that comes pre-installed.

Lenovo Commercial Vantage is the primary program, giving you a dashboard with your serial and product numbers, BIOS version, and warranty dates. You can also check for updates and upgrade your warranty from here. Other tabs give you system specs, let you do a hardware scan, and connect with customer service via the Smart Care tab. It’s a simple program with a pretty intuitive layout that should help novice users get the info they need without much frustration.

Lenovo ships the ThinkPad X9 with a one-year warranty, but you can extend that for a second year ($45 extra) or up to five years ($247.50), as well as adding features like accidental damage protection and on-site support for more money.

Lenovo ThinkPad X9 14 configurations

Lenovo sells the X9 in both 14- and 15-inch models, with the larger option making room for a USB Type-A port as well as the larger screen. But focusing on the ThinkPad X9 14, it starts at $1,239, direct from Lenovo.

That base model gets you the same Core Ultra 5 226V CPU and 16GB of RAM as our review model, along with a 256GB SSD and a 1920 x 1200-resolution OLED screen. A $1,377 model doubles storage to 512GB, while keeping other specs the same.

Our $1,459 review configuration is the result of an upgrade to the base model, with $100 extra for more storage and the higher-resolution screen and webcam (plus $20 because the base model is technically on sale). Oddly, you can also step up to the Core Ultra 5 228V CPU from this config for an extra $20. This doesn’t change the clock speed or core count, but doubles the RAM to 32GB. That’s a no-brainer for $20.

A $1,890 model ups the CPU to an Ultra 7 258V, better 140V integrated graphics, and 32GB of RAM, along with a 1TB SSD and the 2880 x 1800 OLED touch screen. The higher-res screen options also have a 100-nit higher brightness rating (600 versus 500 on the 1200p screens) and ship with a better (4K) webcam versus 1080p on the lesser models.

You can also bump storage up to 2TB, but it costs $470 over the base of 256GB. That kind of SSD pricing only looks reasonable when compared to Apple, which charges $800 for the same level of storage upgrade. You can of course add your own SSD to Lenovo’s laptop. But keep in mind the X9 uses a 2242 SSD, so your options are somewhat limited.

Bottom line

As a design-first business laptop, the ThinkPad X9 14 gets a lot of things right, like a great screen and a good keyboard and touchpad – which is a surprising feat given the excellent input devices of the traditional ThinkPad. The chassis also looks and feels excellent. The ribbed bottom made the laptop feel distinctive in my hand in a way that few laptops do.

It’s also much cheaper than the currently available 13th-gen X1 Carbon, which starts at $2,294. Admittedly, that laptop has twice the RAM and storage. But if you like the idea of owning a ThinkPad but aren’t wedded to the company’s traditional input devices, the $800-plus price difference might make the X9 strongly worth considering. And if battery life is important, opting for the 1200p screen should make the ThinkPad X9 more competitive – just don’t expect it to last as long as the best Arm-based alternatives.

According to the first large-scale study, chatbots like ChatGPT can be addictive, and those who become dependent can suffer from withdrawal symptoms if disconnected from the service. OpenAI worked with MIT on this research (both links are PDFs), which examines the emotional effects of chatbot use. The researchers looked at four million ChatGPT interactions and surveyed 4,000 people to gauge changes in the emotional well-being of the user base.

The new study seems to have been precipitated by prior research (2024) that noted that some chatbot users had begun to personify and anthropomorphize AI agents. That's over a decade after Hollywood surfaced this idea in the 2013 movie Her.

Chatbots often have a pet name, and their "conversational style, first-person language, and ability to simulate human-like interactions" can be both personal and personable, notes the OpenAI research paper. This leads to some humans using chatbots for support and companionship. Intensifying these human-machine relationships, chatbot makers may be inclined to indulge in social reward hacking, using techniques such as sycophancy and/or mirroring to increase user preference ratings. Business is business.

With the above in mind and the inevitable race for the best engagement figures, it comes as little surprise that chatbots are booming. For example, the MIT paper highlights that a major Reddit community discussing AI companions has become one of the largest on the platform, with 2.3 million members.

While online tech communities may concentrate on the positive aspects of these increasingly natural and realistic AI companions – with adept multimodal and voice interaction - others are starting to become alarmed at the negative consequences of chatbot use. This draws parallels with (mis)use of the internet in general, social media usage, and gaming, notes the MIT study. In short, dabbling or light use of these things isn't usually an issue and can even be beneficial.

However, things can get out of hand in all these examples, and the MIT paper says that the "increasingly human-like behavior and engagement of chatbots" works to increase addictive qualities and behavior in users. In addition to the addiction and dependency issues, suspected chatbot usage problems, such as unrealistic expectations in real life and social withdrawal, were investigated by the teams.

If you or anyone you know has indicators of addiction to chatbots, it might be a good idea to talk with them or consult a professional. Warning signs include "preoccupation, withdrawal symptoms, loss of control, and mood modification," says OpenAI.

The new Bambu Lab H2D takes a lot to unpack – literally. Between the recent controversy regarding third-party software and mods, the leaks, and the eight boxes of gear and material that Bambu sent for review, I was admittedly overwhelmed. Furthermore, despite those leaks – which were amazingly accurate – I had to start writing out the review without knowing the actual price of the H2D combo. For whatever reason, Bambu Lab was trying hard to keep at least the price under wraps until the very last minute.

The Bambu Lab H2D is an amazing machine and a worthy successor to the X1 Carbon. It checks off most of the boxes fans have been pleading for: It’s bigger, the nozzles are easier to swap, the AMS is heated, and it has an interesting dual-nozzle hotend that seriously cuts down on filament waste. The size makes it slightly slower than the X1C, which can be expected, but the faster AMS and dual nozzles pick up a lot of the slack.

The dual nozzles are hands down my favorite improvement on the H2D. I’ve seen this system before in the Snapmaker Artisan, which is also a 3-in-1 machine but with a printer, laser, and CNC. Bambu has something Snapmaker didn’t: automatic leveling and an eddy current sensor that makes aligning the two nozzles completely hands-free. When sold as a combo, the H2D becomes a five-color machine, with one AMS feeding into the right side nozzle and the single spool holder feeding the left. You could also buy additional AMS units for up to 24 spools.

Another big improvement over the Snapmaker is how easy it is to swap toolheads and workplates to switch from printing to lasering to cutting. The printing tool head never leaves the machine. The laser and cutting modules simply slide in front of it and hold fast with a lever. The work surfaces stick to the magnetic heated bed. My only problem with the machine is finding storage space for all its parts.

Only time will tell if adding lasers to the Bambu Lab H2D was a brilliant idea or a marketing faux pas, but I see where the company is going. The H2D isn’t aimed at the casual 3D printing hobbyist or the guy who can cobble together a Voron from spare parts in his garage. Bambu is firing a shot across the bow of xTool, Glowforge, and Cricut. By adding a laser, blade cutter, and pen plotter to the H2D, Bambu is marketing this machine to the elite crafter, the person who sells cutting boards, vinyl-covered Stanley cups, and tote bags at your local art fair.

The pricing (now that I know) starts where I was expecting for a larger Bambu machine and goes straight to “ouch.” The H2D as a stand-alone unit (no AMS) is $1,899 dollars and will be available to ship in June. This gives you the printer with dual nozzles, a single spool holder, and the normal accessory kit. Even without an AMS, this can be run as a two-color printer, but you would have to provide your own second spool holder as there’s only one spot to mount a manual spool holder to the machine. This might be a good option for someone with an older AMS lying about (it's compatible) or just wants the two-color printer and doesn’t mind printing a second spool holder. I really can’t image running this machine as a single-color unit.

The more popular version will be the H2D AMS Combo, which is the stock printer and the new AMS 2 Pro, for $2,199. This unit is in stock right now and will be able to ship immediately.

Next is the H2D Laser Full Combo with a 10W laser for $2,799. This has the AMS 2 Pro, plus a laser and cutting work surfaces, pre-installed safety glass, a bird's eye camera, and the emergency stop button. It will be available for pre-order and will start shipping at the end of April.

Finally, the big daddy H2D Laser Full Combo with 40W laser for $3,499. This has the AMS 2 Pro, plus a laser and cutting work surfaces, pre-installed safety glass, bird’s eye camera, and the emergency stop button. It will also be available for pre-order and will ship at the end of April.

I know the prices for the lasers seem a bit high, but these are not janky last-minute add-ons. The laser system is well thought out and very premium. The machine operates the laser and cutter completely hands-free, with placement handled accurately with a camera. You slide the material in and do the rest from the comfort of your keyboard. You only need to return to the machine for a final check (it is a laser after all, we need to stay safe) and press a button. You can continue to monitor the laser from your phone or computer – but please stay nearby. The H2D is flame retardant and very safe, but not magical.

Not every machine has to be made for beginners. The stock H2D will be more than enough for Bambu fans who crave extra room for their projects with much less waste. The full-blown H2D Laser Combo is for the elite crafter who is tight on space and wants a good laser for smaller projects. It's fast, precise, and the heated chamber combined with a dry box AMS make short work of engineering-grade filaments. Plus, you can print with the door closed to keep out curious fingers and paws. This is definitely one of my favorite printers and is a shoe in for one of the best 3D printers we’ve seen.

Specifications: Bambu Lab H2D

*Build Volume for Single Nozzle printing is 325 x 320 x 325 mm and 300 x 320 x 325 for dual nozzle printing.

Bambu Lab H2D: Included in the Box

The Bambu Lab H2D 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 H2D

The H2D is the deluxe big brother of Bambu Lab’s X1-Carbon 3D printer. It is a fully enclosed printer with an aluminum and steel chassis, plastic sides, and glass windows. The 5-inch touchpad is an upgraded version of the one found on an X1C.

There are many new features to cover, so let’s break it down. The H2D comes as both a “stock” printer and a “laser combo.” The stock H2D can be converted to a laser cutter, and both machines share the same 3D printer capabilities. We’ll start with the features you’ll find on both versions.

➡️Why use Dual Nozzles on the H2D?

The H2D has two nozzles – a right and left – on one hotend. The two nozzles work together to print two colors without waste, or print two different materials at the same time. For example, you can print PLA with PETG supports, or combine TPU with the filament of your choice.

Each nozzle has its own Bowden tube and spool holder/AMS. The most common set up would be one AMS feeding into the right nozzle, and a single spool feeding into the left. Bambu Lab recommend this configuration because only the left nozzle moves up and down, and using it less frequently will save on wear and tear. They also recommend using the fixed right nozzle for TPU.

If you look closely at the right nozzle on the picture below, you can see the “flow blocker”, which is a little arm that sits underneath the non-printing nozzle tip. When the left nozzle is done printing, the nozzle will move up and the flow blocker will switch sides. The right nozzle is stationary on the toolhead.

➡️ Does the H2D use A1 Nozzles?

Bambu Lab has adopted the A1-style nozzle for the new H2D. These nozzles are much easier to change as they are held on with a clasp and magnet. All the wiring remains on the toolhead. The H2D nozzles have been improved, so it is not recommended to use old A1 nozzles on the H2D. You can, however, use H2D nozzles on the A1.

And yes, the left and right nozzles are identical. At the moment the slicer does not support mixing nozzle sizes, so you can not use a 0.6 and 0.4 nozzle on the same print.

➡️ How big is the Bambu Lab H2D?

The H2D is a larger machine, with a 350 x 320 x 325mm total build volume.

➡️ Do Dual Nozzles affect the H2D build size?

Yes, the dual nozzles will affect how big you can print. The plate is essentially split into three regions: left, center, and right. Both nozzles can print in the middle, giving you a 300x320x325 mm build volume.

You get an additional 25mm on the edges for single nozzle printing (left or right): 325x320x325 mm. Though the two nozzles work together, the slicer will not allow you to print across the whole build plate in a single color. You could fill the plate using two colors. For example, a red model is on the left, and a black model is on the right.

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

Bambu improved their signature Automatic Material System (AMS) for the H2D, adding a heater and vents, allowing it to dry your filament. 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 is the four-spool model, while the AMS HT is a single-spool device. The AMS 2 Pro can heat up to 65 degrees Celsius (C), 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 toolhead to pull the filament through.

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

The H2D can use up to four AMS units and eight AMS HT units simultaneously. I have no idea where you’d put them, but it’s an interesting fact to know.

The older Bambu Lab AMS is compatible with the H2D, which is great news for people upgrading from older Core XY units. If you want to experiment with a 16-color print, you can borrow older AMS units.

➡️ Is the AMS 2 Pro and AMS HT compatible with the X1 Carbon or P1S/P1P?

Yes, for the AMS units. At launch, both new AMS units can be connected to an older Bambu Lab Core XY for material feeding, but the dryer will need to wait for a future firmware update and separate power supplies.

➡️ Is the AMS 2 Pro and AMS HT compatible with the A1 series?

No, the A1 has a fundamental difference in how it feeds material and can not be made compatible.

➡️ How many cameras does the Bambu Lab H2D have?

The H2D 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 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 timelapses.

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

➡️ What kind of laser and cutter does the H2D have?

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. A 40-watt laser is available as an optional accessory.

➡️ What kind of Laser safety and ventilation does the H2D have?

The stock H2D can be upgraded to the laser edition, which means both units have a fire retardant inner chamber.

The Laser Combo comes with pre-installed green laser safe viewing panels, which are an optional upgrade for the stock machine. It’s pretty hard to see through the green panels, but the monitoring camera gives you a crisp 1920x1080 image right on the touch screen, your computer and the mobile app.

The H2D 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 H2D 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. (More on laser safety later.)

An active chamber heater can boost the interior temperature to 65C.

This means the H2D 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.

While testing the chambering cooling, I accidentally tripped the temperature sensor for PETG – the interior chamber hit 45C and the H2D paused itself until I could assess the problem. It turned out to be operator error: I had left the rear vent hooked up to the laser’s external air filter but had not turned it on. Since I didn’t want the noise of the filtration system, I simply discontented the hose, which provided enough air flow. The chamber immediately returned to a normal temperature of 31C.

While we’re on the topic of ventilation, both versions of the H2D have a HEPA grade, activated carbon filter to keep particles and VOCs out of your room.

➡️ What platforms and build sheets does the H2D have for printing, laser and cutting?

The H2D 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 a XY-axis calibration solution with a 50µm motion accuracy.

➡️ What is Bambu Lab doing to keep my data safe?

One of the hot topics recently isn’t about the H2D at all, but how Bambu Lab is treating 3rd party companies who want to make accessories and software for its printers. Bambu Lab is insisting that much of the controversy is a misunderstanding, and they will keep its printers accessible to whatever software and mods users want to install. The proof is in the pudding, as they say, and the H2D has a great new feature: a USB port. This allows users to completely isolate their printer from the internet by transferring files offline. Firmware will also be available to download on a separate computer and transferred by USB.

Bambu Lab is also keeping LAN mode alive, though it will be called “developer mode.” I haven’t been able to test this feature yet, as it will go live after the H2D is made public.

Assembling the Bambu Lab H2D

The Bambu Lab H2D comes fully assembled and only needs to be unpacked.

Leveling the Bambu Lab H2D

The Bambu Lab H2D 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 H2D will check the bed level before prints like the X1-Carbon, and I haven’t had any issue with the z height during my tests.

Loading Filament on the Bambu Lab H2D

Bambu Lab sent both the AMS 2 Pro and AMS HT, 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.

The only thing of note here is the AMS unit should be fed into the right nozzle and the left nozzle given the single spool.

Preparing Files / Software for Bambu Lab H2D

Bambu Studio has been given an overhaul for the H2D, and I got a sneak peek for the review. The new version is for all Bambu Lab printers, so everyone benefits. The main thing you’ll notice are visual representations of the printer, and it’s build plate, so it's easier to make sure you’re on the right settings. Syncing the printer and AMS now work much smoother, and remapping the filament is easier.

The H2D has an extra option you won’t see on other printers: filament saving mode. When you slice a model, the slicer can calculate which color/material to place on the left nozzle in order to save the most filament. This is because there’s no need to purge the left nozzle. I’ve saved hundreds of grams of filament using the H2D.

If you don’t want to use the slicer’s suggestion, you can opt for “convenience” or “custom” mode. Convenience mode assigns colors according to what is physically placed in the printer at that moment and will try to save filament based on an algorithm. Custom allows you to rearrange the spools as you would like them. Custom is good for when you have a “special” spool that you don’t want to waste, like a color you’re running low on or a special color you don’t want to waste. I can also see this coming in handy if you want to run an odd sized/oversized spool on the left nozzle using a manual spool rack.

Bambu Suite

But wait, there’s more! If you have the Laser Combo, you get a second program - the Bambu Suite to prep files for the laser, blade, and pen. This program is similar to what xTool uses, with a simple graphics editor for translating graphics into code the H2D understands.

This program uses the onboard camera to ensure you have the right laser or blade cutter platform. If you use materials from Bambu Lab’s store, the H2D can read QR tags on the material to automatically select the proper settings.

Printing on the Bambu Lab H2D

Our H2D didn’t seem to have any sample filament packed with it, though we did receive a generous box of filament for testing that arrived a few weeks later. If you decide to order an H2D, 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, many of which are helpful tools for paper projects. But I’m most interested in how the printer worked with files I sliced myself.

Here’s a “speed Benchy” models, 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 use a .25 layer height and .5 layer width. This was printed using default speed settings, and came out in 21 minutes and 30 seconds, which is pretty respectable. There’s no rings, the walls are smooth and the smoke stack is perfect. This was printed in ordinary Inland Grey PLA.

I was most curious about how the dual nozzle would save time and filament. Since the H2D arrived just in time for the high school production of The Little Mermaid, I printed 114 “mermaid tails” for the entire cast using several different multicolor printers. I used the same file across several printers while alternating colors, so in the screen grab below the yellow was the accent color (in this photo, white) while blue represents the body, which for this tail was Inland’s Twinkle Rainbow. You can tell for this two color print, we only lost about 0.38 grams in flush – which was for the initial nozzle cleaning – and 2.22 grams in the prime tower. It printed in eight hours and four minutes using default speed settings and a 0.2mm layer height.

For comparison, my smaller Bambu Lab P1P printed the same thing (6 tails) ten minutes faster but wasted 6.54 grams in the purge. The P1P is slower to swap colors but has a faster 10,000mm/s² acceleration rate compared to the H2D’s 8,000mm/s² acceleration rate.

Polymaker sent a stack of CoPE to check out, so I thought I’d use it on the H2D. CoPE is a material Polymaker believes can replace PLA. It’s a cheaper material made of “Co-Polyester” which is durable and able to run at speeds up to 400mm/s. It’s a bit related to PETG, so layer adhesion is good – and too good for PEI plates. You definitely need to put down a layer of gluestick to keep it from permanently sticking.

This dragon book nook was printed in shades of blue and purple CoPE. The black box is Protopasta Empire Strikes Black PETG and was printed separately. The dragon and claw printed in 36 hours and 50 minutes, using a 0.2 layer height and standard settings for high-speed PLA, as there are no settings yet for CoPE. It’s hard to tell, but this is a five-color print: purple, blue, teal, and black on the head, and purple and stone grey on the claws. The slicer decided it could save me 198 grams of the blue filament used on the horns. It still wasted 108 grams in printer poop and another 120 grams in the tower.

Could I have saved more filament by using fewer colors? Probably, but the point was to run five colors and see what happens. Overall, I’m pleased with this print. Most of the color swaps are super clean (the light blue has a little support stuck to it), and you can only see the layer lines when you look very closely.

The box took another 4 hours and 46 minutes to print using standard 0.2 layer heights and ordinary settings.

For PETG, I printed a Clockspring3D box. I blew it up to 150% and printed it in Greengate American Blue recycled PETG. I used a 0.2 layer height and default settings, which printed in about nine hours and 14 minutes. The finished box is a fantastic print with smooth layers and no stringing.

The only problem I had with this print was forgetting to unhook the vent hose from the laser’s air purifier. This reduced airflow enough that the chamber hit 45C and triggered a safety warning. After discovering my error, I unhooked the vent, and the chamber was able to return to normal for PETG 30C. The printer is configured to run with the door closed at all times. It will allow you to keep the door open if you wish, but the little robot assistant will sit there staring at you with a frowny face.🙁

To fully test the H2D’s high-temperature 3D printing abilities, I printed a hammer in Bambu Lab’s PAHT-CF. This is probably an extreme waste of filament, but since I didn’t need to print any parts for my jet engine, this will do. Bambu suggested swapping to a 0.6 nozzle, which was super easy to do with the A1-style nozzle. A screen on the printer menu helps you select the right nozzle and then runs a check to inform the slicer of the adjustments.

This print ran in one hour and 51 minutes, using the slicer’s default settings and a 0.3 layer height. The supports came off extremely easily, and the carbon fiber added a classy finish. It’s a bit light to really hammer nails, but it will work to hammer prints off my resin build plate. The print is very stiff, and I haven’t been able to break it.

For TPU I printed my favorite paper bag model at 75%, in vase mode with a .28 layer height for extra speed and a 0.5 line width to make it more sturdy. The bag came out perfectly, though the method of getting the filament to the nozzle was a little janky. It printed in one hour and 23 minutes using default speed settings, using Fiberology red TPU.

In order to print TPU, you need to bypass the buffer and feed directly into the hotend. The only way to bypass the buffer is to take the lid off and drop the filament in from the top. If you have the manual spool holder attached, its probably not a big deal, but since I didn’t want to dig it out, I just put the spool on top of the other H2D. Yes, I’m using half a filament dryer as a spool holder – I also didn’t want to unplug the HT AMS from the other unit. It was late, ok?

Switching to lasers, I mainly played with the 40-watt laser. The system is very easy to use, and advanced features are tucked out of sight for more experienced users.

For a quick overview, here is a selection of coins I made with the 40-watt laser on basswood, hardwood ply, and black acrylic. I used a piece of clipart brought into the program as a jpg, traced it, and drew a circle around it in Bambu Suite.

The default settings were a little light on the engravings for my tastes, but the cutting was spot on. I increased the burn time a little and was very pleased with the results. None of these pieces took more than two minutes to engrave and cut. All materials are supplied by Bambu Lab and will be available in the store.

Another project I was able to whip up involved more clip art from Canva. This time, I added text to clip art, brought it in as a jpg, and simply engraved the image onto a piece of cork provided by Bambu Lab. I used Suite to cut out the cork. Then, I made a coaster holder in Tinkercad and printed it in PETG. The two items fit snuggly together and didn’t require any glue. The finished coaster is about 100mm wide and accommodates my largest coffee mugs. The coasters took one hour and 45 minutes to print four, and the coasters took about 30 minutes to engrave and cut six.

Finally, I want to show you the cutter and pen plotter. I have the least experience with this method but it’s really fun and I think it would be good for making stickers and price tags. You should be able to cut sticker sheets printed on your 2d printer, but I wasn’t able to quite figure that one out. I’ll do more research now that the printer is public.

What I was able to sort out was very easy. The dragon is clipart from Canva, while my logo is a PNG from another program. I imported both, traced them quickly in Suite and hit print. The marker whipped these out in about 30-45 seconds each. I switch to the cutter and drew a circle around the dragon and sliced it out in a few seconds.

If this is your first time using a digital paper cutter, the H2D comes with tools you can print out, like a weeder, scraper and roller. The machine can also do vinyl and cut thin leather.

Bottom Line

Bambu Lab continues to surprise everyone, and the H2D may not be the 3D printer you were asking for, but it’s definitely worth considering if you love crafting. Even if you’re not interested in the Laser Combo, the stock printer is well worth it for the extra size and its ability to save filament.

Makers who want to “do all things!” will love the space-saving appeal of a 3-in-1 printer that actually performs exceptionally well. Unlike the Snapmaker Artisan, swapping between modes is as simple as slapping in a new build plate and throwing a lever on the toolhead. If you’re a small business owner and not ready for a massive CO2 Glowforge, then the H2D will scratch that laser engraving itch.

I’ve seen people in the 3D printing community scoff at the notion of a 3D printer that can also cut and engrave. But I also know that small business people will love a machine that can make 3D printed art, practical parts AND cut out price tags or make neat wooden ornaments and display pieces.

With retail pricing starting at $1,899 and going up to $3,499, it’s not the first printer I’d recommend for someone starting out. But if you’ve got a dab of experience with lasers or cutting tools and are short on space – the H2D Laser Combo is pretty sweet.

If the Bambu Lab H2D seems out of reach, I’d suggest checking out the Creality K2 Plus, a larger-format Core XY with a standard AMS for $1,499. As far as we know, the Bambu Lab P1S isn’t going anywhere, and it’s still a solid choice for four-color printing. The P1S Combo is currently $849.

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Bambu Lab is finally announcing its long-awaited new top-of-the-line printer, the H2D. The machine’s March 25th launch date is just keeping the promised announcement date of “Q1 2025”. At that time, the machine will be available for pre-order. However, the price is still unknown.

Unfortunately, we can not say more about the H2D 3D printer due to an embargo that Tom’s Hardware is honor bound to uphold. Out of respect to the manufacturer, we are only showing the first teaser photo, which shows a closeup of the H2D’s dual nozzle.

Bambu Lab fans and detractors have voraciously tracked down any leaks regarding the new printer, which has been in development for quite some time. The company refuses to acknowledge any of them and is proceeding with their weeklong promotional campaign. There will be five teaser posters released between March 18th and the 24th.

On the 25th, the embargo drops, and reviewers will be allowed to discuss the machine and our testing results. We’ve been putting our H2D through its paces for several weeks and will be ready to show you all its new features and report any improvements over the X1C we see. Stay tuned!