--- title: "The Snapmaker U1 is here and it’s something else" url: https://www.voxelmatters.com/the-snapmaker-u1-is-here-and-its-something-else/ date: 2026-04-12 modified: 2026-04-13 lang: en author: "Davide Sher" description: "Snapmaker is very excited about the new U1 and rightly so. According to Chikai Eto's report for TCT Asia, the U1 was the most-funded 3D printer on Kickstarter, raising $20.61 million...." categories: - "3D Printer Hardware" - "Decision Makers" - "Product Launch" - "VoxelMatters Reviews" tags: - "Featured" image: https://www.voxelmatters.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/SnapmakerU1_IMG_2754-640x480.jpg word_count: 1099 --- # The Snapmaker U1 is here and it’s something else Snapmaker is very excited about the new U1 and rightly so. According to[ Chikai Eto's report for TCT Asia, the U1 was the most-funded 3D printer on Kickstarter, raising $20.61 million](https://www.voxelmatters.com/tct-asia-2026-field-report-the-china-you-think-you-know/). The company was super efficient in getting the machine to VoxelMatters for testing in time for the April 10th launch. While it won't be possible to do a full review in this short time, we did get through unpacking, setting up and started printing the included 3D model over the past couple of days. It was a very positive experience, and we thought it would be useful to share our initial impressions as we continue testing the machine over a longer period. ![](https://www.voxelmatters.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/SnapmakerU1_IMG_2758.jpg)The U1 is built around a four-toolhead tool-changer architecture and a CoreXY motion system. Currently priced at $999 (€899), the machine targets hobbyists and prosumers looking for multi-color and multi-material capability without the filament waste associated with single-nozzle purge-based systems. The U1 offers a build volume of 270 × 270 × 270 mm, a maximum print speed of 500 mm/s, and a maximum acceleration of 20,000 mm/s². The CoreXY frame uses lightweight carbon-fiber rods on the X-axis to reduce moving mass at high speeds. A 3.5-inch color touchscreen handles on-machine control, while connectivity is provided via Wi-Fi and USB flash drive. ## Unpacking and setting up The machine comes inside two thick cardboard boxes with inflatable plastic padding to eliminate any risk during transport. Everything is planned to the smallest detail. Once you remove the external cardboard, you find a box containing 4 filament spools and the printer itself. The four printhead tools are in a separate box inside the printer, along with the tools and screws you'll need to set it up. [![](https://www.voxelmatters.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/SnapmakerU1_IMG_2711-rotated-e1780220261523-640x562.jpg)](https://www.voxelmatters.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/SnapmakerU1_IMG_2711-rotated-e1780220261523.jpg) [![](https://www.voxelmatters.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/SnapmakerU1_IMG_2712-480x640.jpg)](https://www.voxelmatters.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/SnapmakerU1_IMG_2712-rotated.jpg) [![](https://www.voxelmatters.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/SnapmakerU1_IMG_2713-480x640.jpg)](https://www.voxelmatters.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/SnapmakerU1_IMG_2713-rotated.jpg) [![](https://www.voxelmatters.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/SnapmakerU1_IMG_2725-480x640.jpg)](https://www.voxelmatters.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/SnapmakerU1_IMG_2725-rotated.jpg) [![](https://www.voxelmatters.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/SnapmakerU1_IMG_2726-480x640.jpg)](https://www.voxelmatters.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/SnapmakerU1_IMG_2726-rotated.jpg) ![](https://www.voxelmatters.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/SnapmakerU1_IMG_2744.jpg)Taking the machine out of the box and assembling it took about an hour, with most of the time spent screwing the tubes and wires for the extrusion system into place. It's a very easy procedure, with every part snapping easily into place, and the screws are used only to lock them. The setup procedure is fully automated, and it takes about 1 hour to complete all initial checks and calibrations. In the meantime, you can download the Snapmaker app and use QR codes for quick pairing.   ## Enter the SnapSwap The most impressive and unique elements of the U1 are the four 0.4 mm proprietary stainless steel hotends and the SnapSwap tool changer system. The heat sink, heat break, heater block, and nozzle are integrated into a single unit assembled via interference fit, which minimizes filament oozing and heat resistance; the subcomponents cannot be replaced individually. Each hotend reaches a maximum nozzle temperature of 300°C, which is enough for PLA, PETG, ABS, and nylon. Each toolhead uses a direct-drive extruder system. The proprietary SnapSwap tool changer uses steel-ball kinematic couplings to dock and lock each toolhead. The system automatically calibrates XYZ offsets between toolheads, holding misalignment within 0.04 mm. According to Snapmaker, the coupling mechanism has been tested for over one million swap cycles and our first impression is that it is a very solid and precise system built for precision. [![](https://www.voxelmatters.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/SnapmakerU1_IMG_2730-640x480.jpg)](https://www.voxelmatters.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/SnapmakerU1_IMG_2730.jpg) [![](https://www.voxelmatters.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/SnapmakerU1_IMG_2744-640x480.jpg)](https://www.voxelmatters.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/SnapmakerU1_IMG_2744.jpg) [![](https://www.voxelmatters.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/SnapmakerU1_IMG_2753-640x480.jpg)](https://www.voxelmatters.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/SnapmakerU1_IMG_2753.jpg) [![](https://www.voxelmatters.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/SnapmakerU1_IMG_2760-640x480.jpg)](https://www.voxelmatters.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/SnapmakerU1_IMG_2760.jpg) Tool changes take approximately five seconds, compared to roughly two minutes for filament-changer-based systems, which must purge the nozzle between color transitions. Because each of the four toolheads carries its own dedicated filament, cross-contamination purging is eliminated; the U1 generates only a small prime tower to clear any filament that may have degraded during standby. ## Bed calibration and material support The heated bed reaches a maximum temperature of 100°C and has an overall thickness of 6.5 mm, comprising a 1.5 mm base plus 5 mm reinforcing ribs; bed mesh variation is controlled within 0.4 mm. The build plate is a flexible steel sheet with a PEI surface. Automatic mesh bed leveling is standard, using a high-sensitivity probe integrated into the print head. [![](https://www.voxelmatters.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/SnapmakerU1_IMG_2749-640x480.jpg)](https://www.voxelmatters.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/SnapmakerU1_IMG_2749.jpg) [![](https://www.voxelmatters.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/SnapmakerU1_IMG_2752-640x480.jpg)](https://www.voxelmatters.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/SnapmakerU1_IMG_2752.jpg) ![](https://www.voxelmatters.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/snapmaker-app-scaled.jpg)We set up the machine and started printing the included 3D model. We are not at the lab as we write. We received a message that the print was complete, but we cannot see the result because the camera's angle is slightly off. The firmware implements Input Shaping via a precision accelerometer to suppress resonance artifacts at high speeds, and Pressure Advance to compensate for flow delay during direction changes. Without additional accessories, the U1 supports PLA, PETG, TPU, PVA, and PCTG. With the optional top cover, the compatible material list expands to include ABS, ASA, PA, and PC. Adding the top cover, along with hardened steel nozzles, enables carbon- and glass-fiber-reinforced polymer printing. A 2-megapixel built-in chamber camera enables live monitoring and time-lapse recording, with AI-based spaghetti detection planned via an OTA firmware update. The machine is sliced with Snapmaker Orca, a fork of Orca Slicer with manufacturer-tuned profiles for official materials. Snapmaker Orca builds on Orca Slicer’s engine and adds engineer-tested profiles for official materials and machine models. Paired with the Snapmaker App, you can start, monitor, and control your prints from anywhere—and even capture time-lapse videos. While the hardware is truly impressive, the software and online environment are perhaps the only shortcomings we see compared to more established players like Prusa, Bambu Lab and Creality. The Orca Slicer is still in beta, and the model library is more of a placeholder with a limited ecosystem built around it and a very limited number of printable models available. We have not yet tested the direct printing option. In fact, we have not yet paired the machine with the slicer since it was performing the calibration, and we could not access the PIN code for cloud connectivity. We'll have more on this in our full review. The Snapmaker app, on the other hand, is very accessible and easy to set up. The camera takes high-quality videos; however, the angle appears to be slightly off, and we, while we did get the message that the print was completed properly, we could not see the result of the first print. But we are certain it will develop rapidly as the machine gains wider adoption. Update: I got back to see the first print, and it's impressive. Sure, it's the ultra-optimized pre-loaded file, printed with Snapmaker materials, but the quality is excellent, with perfect details and neat color lines. ![](https://www.voxelmatters.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/img_2776_720.jpg) More importantly, though, it came with almost no waste. This, in the collector box in the photo below, is the entire waste material from this print: four tiny strips. Sure, the toolpath has been optimized for the demonstration, but this is a major breakthrough nonetheless. ![](https://www.voxelmatters.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/img_2778_720.jpg)