Bambu Lab A1 review: Does it live up to the hype?

VoxelMatters has recently completed our testing of Bambu Lab’s A1 3D printer, a few months after the company recalled a large number of the systems due to electric shock and fire hazards. There was a lot of hype behind the system prior to this recall, and after spending a few weeks working with it, we finally know why – first-hand.

Unboxing and assembly

The A1 arrives with clear, color-coded instructions from Bambu Lab. While it’s a more involved process than assembling their previous models, the build is straightforward. We had the printer assembled and completed the first test print – a small pig whistle – within an hour.

Design and construction

The A1 boasts a build volume of 256 x 256 x 256mm. The interchangeable build plates are a thoughtful touch, especially for those running multiple Bambu printers. The standard gold PEI print bed excels in adhesion for PLA and PETG, and eliminates the need for brims or messy adhesives.

One notable design change is the repositioned filament cutter, which is now accessible on the right side of the tool head. Engaged by a small plastic piece on the X gantry, this cutter is more ergonomically friendly and easier to access.

The purge and calibration pattern has been optimized to occupy less space on the build plate – allowing users to maximize the full build volume without repeated software warnings about unusable sections.

The Y-axis employs a robust metal roller system – a nod to classic designs but with modern sturdiness. Enclosed in a plastic covering, the Y-axis is protected from dust and debris – a common challenge for open-frame printers. Combined with the rigid aluminum and sheet metal construction of the X gantry and Z rods, the A1 feels solid and ready to handle high-speed printing, and is comparable to other high-quality desktop CoreXY machines like the P1S.

Speed

While marketing materials tout speeds of up to 500 mm/s on the X and Y axes with acceleration up to 10,000 mm/s², real-world printing usually settles between 200–300 mm/s at a 0.2 mm layer height. Outer walls and overhangs print slower to ensure quality. The first layers consistently print at 50 mm/s.

At a 0.08mm layer height, the printer averages speeds of around 350 mm/s – allowing for detail comparable to resin printers. Reducing acceleration can significantly enhance print quality by minimizing artifacts like salmon skin or ghosting.

Advanced tool head

The tool head is well designed and functions optimally, thanks to its: direct drive extruder that pulls filament directly from the spool or AMS – ensuring consistent extrusion; accelerometer that helps optimize motion control for smoother prints; nozzle bed probing sensor that automates bed leveling for a hassle-free setup; automatic input shaping and pressure optimization that enhances print quality by compensating for vibrations and pressure fluctuations; and quick-change nozzle system that allows for swift nozzle swaps in under a minute – significantly simplifying maintenance.

AMS Lite

The AMS Lite system enhances the A1’s capabilities by allowing multi-color or multi-material printing with PLA, PETG, and TPU. Improvements include rubberized clamp feet that secure spools in place – preventing the spool jumping experienced in earlier AMS versions when using lightweight or nearly empty spools.

On the downside, the AMS Lite must sit alongside the printer – expanding the required workspace to approximately 90cm x 60cm x 45cm.

User interface and connectivity

The A1 comes equipped with built-in Wi-Fi – facilitating seamless integration with the Bambu Lab ecosystem for wireless printing and monitoring. Initial setup requires connecting the printer to the Bambu Cloud via both the mobile app and desktop application.

The printer includes a camera that enables remote monitoring and management. The ‘Skip Object’ feature is particularly impressive, as it allows the printer to cancel the printing of failed objects without affecting the rest of the print job. This feature is invaluable when printing multiple copies of the same part.

However, the camera’s frame rate is about 1 FPS, which can feel more like a slideshow than a live feed. The printer still supports SD card printing.

The A1 lacks AI failure detection but does offer QR code support for troubleshooting. If an issue arises, scanning the QR code provides access to repair guides and instructional videos.

The 9cm touchscreen is responsive and user-friendly – allowing for manual adjustments to print parameters and effortless loading and unloading of materials. The interface is intuitive and presents essential information without overwhelming the user.

Bambu Studio

Bambu Studio continues to impress. Its default profiles are fine-tuned for beginner-friendly operation while offering advanced settings for experienced users. Features include: remote print management to monitor and control prints from anywhere; filament painting to easily assign different colors to models for multi-color printing; and a user-centric ecosystem – closely aligning with user needs and enhancing the overall printing experience.

A great desktop 3D printer

While Bambu Lab products are proprietary and not open-source, they are affordably priced and offer excellent value. Sourcing parts can be challenging outside the EU or the US, but the printer’s reliability minimizes the need for frequent replacements.

To put it simply – the A1 just works. Small touches, like the cheerful beeping sound at the start and end of prints, add to the pleasant user experience.

For those new to 3D printing, or those expanding their existing setup, the Bambu Lab A1 combo offers a compelling mix of speed, [great] quality, and user-friendly features. Despite a few limitations, it’s a solid investment that lives up to the hype that preceded it.