--- title: "VoxelMatters Review: Bambu Lab’s H2C is possibly the coolest desktop 3D printer ever" url: https://www.voxelmatters.com/voxelmatters-review-bambu-labs-h2c-is-possibly-the-coolest-desktop-3d-printer-ever/ date: 2026-04-04 modified: 2026-04-07 lang: en author: "Davide Sher" description: "There is no point in dancing around it, so we'll come right out and say it: the Bambu Lab H2C is probably the coolest printer ever made; for sure, it's..." categories: - "3D Printer Hardware" - "Decision Makers" - "VoxelMatters Reviews" tags: - "Featured" image: https://www.voxelmatters.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/H2C-Cover-improved-640x427.jpg word_count: 4307 --- # VoxelMatters Review: Bambu Lab’s H2C is possibly the coolest desktop 3D printer ever There is no point in dancing around it, so we'll come right out and say it: the [Bambu Lab](https://www.voxelmatters.directory/company/bambu-lab/) H2C is probably the coolest printer ever made; for sure, it's the coolest printer we've tested. This doesn't mean that it's perfect or that there aren't specific areas where other printers would be more suitable or even perform better, but the capabilities of this system, priced at just €2,249, are mind-boggling. And that makes reviewing it so much harder. Because in the beginning, you feel a bit overwhelmed by the possibilities, and as you use it and play around with it, you keep discovering new things you can do and new things this machine can do to help you. ## We began playing around with the H2C nearly three months ago, in the midst of moving all our 3D printers from a home office into a new office and a separate lab (with some printers in the office and some in the lab). So it took some time to get up and running, and once we did, we still had to run around different locations. And all this while exploring the H2C capabilities in terms of [multi-color printing via the new Vortek system](https://www.voxelmatters.com/bambu-lab-announces-h2c-and-new-vortek-hotend-change-system/), designing and coloring parts created with AI, discovering all the integrated MakerWorld and MakerLab capabilities, understanding the machine's own AI capabilities, and printing tons of parts using as many different materials as possible (including technical ones like PAHT CF, with the engineering printing plate). As always, starting to write is the hardest part, so let's start from the beginning. This is the package that Bambu Lab sent us: - **H2C AMS Combo**: €2,249 Includes: AMS for Multi-color 3D Printing - **H2C Induction Hot End ** **Standard 0.2 mm **€35 - **Standard 0.4 mm (x 4) **€140 - **High Flow 0.6mm** €67 - **H2C Bambu Hot End ** **Standard Flow 0.2 mm, 0.4 mm** **(x4): **€80 - **Hot End High Flow 0.6 mm:** €53 - **Enginering plate**: €59 - **AMS HT**: €129 - **13 spools of filament**: circa €350 Including: 5 PLA - 2 TPU - 2 ABS - 2 ASA - 1 PAHT CF - 1 SUPPORT - **Total value: circa €3,150** ## H2Christmas party The machine arrived just before Christmas, right in the midst of our move. We described the Bambu Lab packaging in our H2S review, but it's worth repeating. Everything about it is studied in the smallest detail, down to the machine's build: a 330×320×325 mm³ build volume, sized so that an exact number of pallets can fit into a container once all the layers of packaging are applied. The H2C comes wrapped in several layers of packaging. The first is the exterior cardboard layer, which has multiple reinforced plastic handles and external plastic latches. The bottom part is separate, so to remove this layer, all you have to do is remove the plastic latches and lift it off its base. Inside, you'll find another cardboard layer with custom-fit black styrofoam for impact protection. The styrofoam is shaped so that a square box fits in the top center, containing the PEI print plate and some other accessories. Once you remove this cardboard layer, you see the machine, which still has two layers of plastic protecting the most delicate surfaces. One is standard plastic wrap held in place by reinforced tape, and the other is a sticky plastic sheet covering the glass door and other flat surfaces. The AMS is located inside the printer (as with the H2S) and secured with M3 screws (which are handy for many MakerWorld and MakerLab applications). Several other M3 screws are locked in place and clearly marked for removal before use. [![](https://www.voxelmatters.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/Bambu_Lab_H2C_review_VoxelMatters_IMG_0741-480x640.jpg)](https://www.voxelmatters.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/Bambu_Lab_H2C_review_VoxelMatters_IMG_0741-rotated.jpg) The packaging doesn’t take any chance [![](https://www.voxelmatters.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/Bambu_Lab_H2C_review_VoxelMatters_IMG_0743-2-480x640.jpg)](https://www.voxelmatters.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/Bambu_Lab_H2C_review_VoxelMatters_IMG_0743-2-rotated.jpg) Everything is stacked tightly [![](https://www.voxelmatters.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/Bambu_Lab_H2C_review_VoxelMatters_IMG_0745-2-480x640.jpg)](https://www.voxelmatters.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/Bambu_Lab_H2C_review_VoxelMatters_IMG_0745-2-rotated.jpg) Every part that could be scratched is covered in platic [![](https://www.voxelmatters.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/Bambu_Lab_H2C_review_VoxelMatters_H2C2-480x640.jpg)](https://www.voxelmatters.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/Bambu_Lab_H2C_review_VoxelMatters_H2C2-rotated.jpg) The machine looks great just watch the rubber feet on your wooden floor. [![](https://www.voxelmatters.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/Bambu_Lab_H2C_review_VoxelMatters_IMG_0769-2-480x640.jpg)](https://www.voxelmatters.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/Bambu_Lab_H2C_review_VoxelMatters_IMG_0769-2-rotated.jpg) The extruder package for the Vortek system ## In the Vortek Once you remove the AMS, the first things you'll notice are the new advanced dual extruder head and the Vortek multi-nozzle management system. So let's first spend a few words on this. Vortek is Bambu Lab's automatic tool-changing (hotend-swapping) system, available with the flagship H2C. Its core innovation is eliminating purge waste in multi-material printing, working in conjunction with the AMS. The H2C carries seven nozzle positions: six swappable nozzles in a right tool rack, plus one fixed nozzle on the left. The system manages the six swappable heads automatically—physically picking up and depositing nozzles as the print requires, much like a CNC tool changer. ![](https://www.voxelmatters.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/Bambu_Lab_H2C_review_VoxelMatters_IMG_0771.jpg)This is what the machine loks like before starting the setup, with no extruders mounted on the Vortek rack. When switching between the six active nozzle heads, no purge is required. Each nozzle retains its own material, so switching between colors or materials produces no contamination and no waste tower. The seventh fixed nozzle does require a brief purge during transitions, but overall, Bambu claims up to 58% less purge waste than traditional single-nozzle AMS setups. The system uses induction heating technology that brings the nozzle to temperature in 8 seconds, significantly reducing preheating time per material swap. For projects requiring more than 7 colors, the system can print up to 24 colors simultaneously, while Bambu Studio minimizes purge waste from additional materials. By the time I'm writing this, it's been a while since I set up the H2C, so I can't clearly recount every detail of every step. The overall feel is that it was an extremely easy and smooth process, even though I initially felt a bit overwhelmed by the machine's mechanical technology. The automated tutorial takes you through toolhead calibration and then helps you set up the induction hotend rack. The hotends magnetically attach to the rack in a few seconds, and the calibration process begins, with QR codes available for step-by-step guidance. Watching the multi-toolhead system in action is mesmerizing, almost like a robotic dance. [![](https://www.voxelmatters.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/Bambu_Lab_H2C_review_VoxelMatters_IMG_0772-3-640x480.jpg)](https://www.voxelmatters.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/Bambu_Lab_H2C_review_VoxelMatters_IMG_0772-3-scaled.jpg) The new double extruder head, ready to go [![](https://www.voxelmatters.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/Bambu_Lab_H2C_review_VoxelMatters_IMG_0783-3-640x480.jpg)](https://www.voxelmatters.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/Bambu_Lab_H2C_review_VoxelMatters_IMG_0783-3-scaled.jpg) All the initial calibration is done automatically [![](https://www.voxelmatters.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/Bambu_Lab_H2C_review_VoxelMatters_IMG_0774-640x480.jpg)](https://www.voxelmatters.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/Bambu_Lab_H2C_review_VoxelMatters_IMG_0774.jpg) A top view of the Vortek hotend rack [![](https://www.voxelmatters.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/Bambu_Lab_H2C_review_VoxelMatters_IMG_0785-rotated-e1775291530111-640x479.jpg)](https://www.voxelmatters.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/Bambu_Lab_H2C_review_VoxelMatters_IMG_0785-rotated-e1775291530111.jpg) The automatica calibration of the Vortek system follows [![](https://www.voxelmatters.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/Bambu_Lab_H2C_review_VoxelMatters_IMG_0786-640x480.jpg)](https://www.voxelmatters.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/Bambu_Lab_H2C_review_VoxelMatters_IMG_0786.jpg) Ready to print in minutes. Setting up the AMS is even easier: all you need to do is plug it in, insert the PTFE tube into the extruder, then place the filament spool in the dedicated slot and feed the filament into the hole that leads to the extruder. If you are using Bambu Lab filament, the system recognizes it via RFID, and you don't have to do anything else. Even after a few months of using the two AMSs, I am still impressed by how quickly and seamlessly the system recognizes the material and transmits the information to BambuStudio (we'll get to that in a moment). Since I already had an AMS from my H2S, I connected two AMSs this time, so I could print in up to 8 colors. The notable change is that for the first time, I now have access to two extruders, which makes multi-color printing considerably faster and allows me to use support material when needed. I'm still getting used to using a different filament support material, as it's not super intuitive from a slicing standpoint and it's not often required for the relatively basic printing I do. After no more than an hour, we were ready to print. Connecting two AMSs, which we did a few days after the initial setup, is also very easy: you just insert the power cord from the second AMS to the first, and the power cord from the first AMS to the back of the H2C. You don't even need to plug them in unless you want to use them as filament dryers. ![](https://www.voxelmatters.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/MakerWorld-scaled.jpg)The initial MakerWorld page, tailored to the user's preferences, features contests, crowdfunding, CyberBrick and, more generally, tons of great models to print. ## First contact I had several PLA and PETG filaments left over from my H2S review, to which Bambu Lab added several more, including ABS, ASA, and more technical materials such as PAHT CF. The first thing I did was build a spool rack for quick access to all the different filaments in my office. One of the best things about having two AMSs is constant access to different colors without loading a new spool each time, so my first print jobs were single-color. Before getting into the parts we printed over this testing period, it's worth talking about Bambu Lab's online network. This is what truly differentiates Bambu Lab from its competitors. The full scope of the MakerWorld network becomes clear over time—you keep discovering new possibilities—but the experience starts with the BambuStudio slicer. Compared to other Orca-based slicers, Bambu Lab's is cleaner and easier to use, even though it has more functionality. The top menu has five sections, but you mostly use two: Prepare and Device. In the Device section you can select the machine you want to use. This matters when you export 3D models directly, as the system will adapt the model to your specific machine. When you select a machine, it appears, along with the filament present in its AMS (or spool holder), in the Prepare section. When you upload the files to the printer directly from MakerWorld, the system also syncs up the actual filaments in the AMS and hotends in the Vortek. [![](https://www.voxelmatters.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/Bambu_Lab_H2C_review_VoxelMatters__BambuStudio_-2026-04-04-alle-10.43.24-640x405.jpg)](https://www.voxelmatters.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/Bambu_Lab_H2C_review_VoxelMatters__BambuStudio_-2026-04-04-alle-10.43.24-scaled.jpg) The “Prepare” section lets you visualize multiple plates (via the 3MF file format) and coordinate filaments with the different color parts. [![](https://www.voxelmatters.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/Bambu_Lab_H2C_review_VoxelMatters__BambuStudio_-2026-04-04-alle-10.43.57-640x405.jpg)](https://www.voxelmatters.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/Bambu_Lab_H2C_review_VoxelMatters__BambuStudio_-2026-04-04-alle-10.43.57-scaled.jpg) You can select the device you want (setting it up is very easy just by using a QR code and the Bambu Handy app) [![](https://www.voxelmatters.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/Bambu_Lab_H2C_review_VoxelMatters__BambuStudio_-2026-04-04-alle-10.45.29-640x403.jpg)](https://www.voxelmatters.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/Bambu_Lab_H2C_review_VoxelMatters__BambuStudio_-2026-04-04-alle-10.45.29-scaled.jpg) You can select your preferred extruder strategy to optimize time and material consumption [![](https://www.voxelmatters.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/Bambu_Lab_H2C_review_VoxelMatters__BambuStudio_-2026-04-04-alle-10.46.00-640x405.jpg)](https://www.voxelmatters.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/Bambu_Lab_H2C_review_VoxelMatters__BambuStudio_-2026-04-04-alle-10.46.00-scaled.jpg) And then select the exact filaments after sending the file to print (even when you are away). The Prepare section of Bambu Studio is where you do all your slicing and mainly configure supports, raft, infill, and so on. Someone recently argued that Bambu Lab printers (and similar machines) are so easy to use that they are making users "numb". This is true to some extent. If you get used to printing a part directly from MakerWorld using the presets the designer already included in the 3D model's Bambu Lab 3MF file, going back to loading STLs from scratch can be tricky. For example, you may forget to add supports or brims, which can result in a failed print. You assume it won't happen to you, but it might—especially if you are not a frequent user. ![](https://www.voxelmatters.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/Bambu-Handy-scaled.jpg)Bambu Handy lets you check the status of your prints when you are away, and it can also be used to start prints from MakerWorld or act on error messages (when possible). For example, when the system notifies you of "spaghettification," and you can tell the system to stop printing the wrong compromised model, but continue on the other ones. This happened to me a few times, and it wasn't entirely bad, as it gave me the opportunity to discover several of the machine's AI-driven error-detection capabilities. These kick in from the very start of the print, when the system recognizes any offset of the print plate or objects left on it. A particularly useful feature is that the software not only detects spaghetti-like failure shapes but also lets you remove individual objects from the G-code (when printing multiple objects) by selecting them on the machine's screen (or from the Bambu Handy app). This doesn't only work when you are in the same room as the printer. It also works quite well when you are anywhere else and access the machine via Bambu Studio or via the Bambu Handy app on your smartphone. There is a wide range of things you can do via Bambu Handy, including starting prints remotely, directly from MakerWorld. Of course, you can do that on any Bambu Lab 3D printer and—to some extent—on other printers as well, but the way Bambu Lab implements it is particularly easy, accessible, and efficient. The one limitation is that you still need someone physically present to remove the prints. This seems relatively easy to solve with an integrated solution. [There are G-codes that can tell the printhead to push a print off the bed once it cools down](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=avlengYsJdw). I'm sure Bambu Lab can easily develop a much better integrated solution. The system also recognizes many other types of errors, some of which can be corrected remotely. For example, when the AI sensors see "spaghetti" on a model, and you can remotely deactivate that model, but continue printing the other ones on the build plate. All error notifications include QR codes linking directly to the relevant online tutorial. The same applies to scheduled maintenance, which is particularly useful if you plan to use these machines in a farm for large production runs. This brings us to what is possibly the only weakness of a Bambu Lab machine: its many moving parts. When you factor in the AMS, the toolhead rack, the extrusion heads, and the build plate, there are many components that can go wrong—and sometimes they do, such as filament breaking and getting stuck in the AMS or a toolhead falling off the rack. These are minor errors that can be easily fixed, but a human needs to be present to do so. For this reason, in some production settings—especially when making single-color parts—a more basic system may be the better choice. ## Printing home for the holidays Thus, more than a production printer, the H2C is like the ultimate desktop 3D printer. And after I moved into a new office, I've set it up on my desk. I know I'm a bit spoiled, but having it there lets me keep experimenting with it. It can and should be used for production, of course, but mainly for the most complex multicolor items, which are not yet in as high demand as simpler products that can be produced by nearly any printer. ![](https://www.voxelmatters.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/Bambu_Lab_H2C_review_VoxelMatters_IMG_1022-rotated-e1775291743397.jpg)More than a desk-top the H2C is a desk-under 3D printer but it does fit nicely in an office. So what did we use the H2C for? It's been quite a roller coaster ride. We had so many materials to experiment with that we just didn't know where to begin. So we turned to AI, to MakerWorld and especially to MakerLab. I started by printing several objects that I needed after moving into a new house and office (and lab). These included a large Kitchen paper holder and several bathroom items, such as soap holders for the shower and various hooks, all from MakerWorld. Then I began "scaling" up my "Football Team Lightbox production," opening it up to other teams beyond my own favorite FC Inter Milan. The multicolor lightboxes can be created in MakerLab, and the LED strip is available directly from the Bambu Store (though you can also find it for less on Amazon). This took care of several Christmas presents, as did other Christmas-themed items like a Christmas Lighthouse and various LED-lit Christmas trees. As I continued printing single-color items, the pressure mounted to test the Vortek system. Following a small-step policy, I use MakerLab's 2D-to-3D app (by the way, it's amazing how fast the app has evolved, and it now integrates several 2D-to-3D engines, but it didn't at the time) to create a 3D figure of a baby Spider-Man for my nephew. Once I reduced the colors to 4, as I had not yet set up the second AMS, the result still needed some manual touch-ups, which I did using the coloring feature in Bambu Studio for the first time. Its capabilities are enormous, but they do depend on the creator's coloring abilities and patience. And I don't have much of either. But the result was more than acceptable, especially for a 3-year-old kid. [![](https://www.voxelmatters.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/Bambu_Lab_H2C_review_VoxelMatters_IMG_0864-480x640.jpg)](https://www.voxelmatters.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/Bambu_Lab_H2C_review_VoxelMatters_IMG_0864-rotated.jpg) One of my first prints, a color Spider-man for my nephew [![](https://www.voxelmatters.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/Bambu_Lab_H2C_review_VoxelMatters_IMG_0870-2-480x640.jpg)](https://www.voxelmatters.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/Bambu_Lab_H2C_review_VoxelMatters_IMG_0870-2-rotated.jpg) I created with the 2D-to-3D app and added some of the color manually [![](https://www.voxelmatters.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/Bambu_Lab_H2C_review_VoxelMatters_IMG_0866-480x640.jpg)](https://www.voxelmatters.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/Bambu_Lab_H2C_review_VoxelMatters_IMG_0866-rotated.jpg) Waste was minimal [![](https://www.voxelmatters.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/Bambu_Lab_H2C_review_VoxelMatters_IMG_0819-480x640.jpg)](https://www.voxelmatters.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/Bambu_Lab_H2C_review_VoxelMatters_IMG_0819-rotated.jpg) And here’s another print, color keychains from my football friends. And few more initial fun projects: [![](https://www.voxelmatters.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/Bambu_Lab_H2C_review_VoxelMatters_IMG_1066-640x480.jpg)](https://www.voxelmatters.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/Bambu_Lab_H2C_review_VoxelMatters_IMG_1066.jpg) A filament spool holders [![](https://www.voxelmatters.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/Bambu_Lab_H2C_review_VoxelMatters_IMG_1082-2-640x480.jpg)](https://www.voxelmatters.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/Bambu_Lab_H2C_review_VoxelMatters_IMG_1082-2-scaled.jpg) A kitchen paper holder [![](https://www.voxelmatters.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/Bambu_Lab_H2C_review_VoxelMatters_IMG_1101-2-640x480.jpg)](https://www.voxelmatters.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/Bambu_Lab_H2C_review_VoxelMatters_IMG_1101-2-scaled.jpg) I tested the support material on a model of the alien from upcoming movie Hail Mary [![](https://www.voxelmatters.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/Bambu_Lab_H2C_review_VoxelMatters_IMG_1175-2-640x480.jpg)](https://www.voxelmatters.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/Bambu_Lab_H2C_review_VoxelMatters_IMG_1175-2-scaled.jpg) And i “scaled up” my football lighbox business… ## Printing away in the new year Next up, we have to take a short digression. When they sent me the H2C formulation materials, Bambu Lab also sent me an engineering plate. I had previously asked Bambu Lab for one to test the more technical material on the H2S. Including both shipments, I now had spools of PAHT, ASA and ABS. Unfortunately, these are materials that require good aeration. Since I had set up the H2C on my desk, in my office, while I moved the H2S to my new lab at the Galleria degli Artigiani facility, courtesy of my friends at White Label studio, who offered me the space, I preferred to use the H2S for these materials. So I used the H2C's Engineering Plate on the H2S. It works just fine, except the machine's AI flags the plate as incorrect and misaligned before you start the print. But all you need to do is tell it to proceed anyway. ![Explore our Bambu Lab H2C review and find out what makes this printer stand out with its incredible features and performance.](https://www.voxelmatters.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/Bambu_Lab_H2C_review_VoxelMatters_IMG_1462.jpg)This was printed in Bambu Lab's PAHT CF. Perfect adhesion with the Engineering Plate and excellent finish. So my review of printing with the more technical materials refers to the H2S, not to the H2C (for now), but I'm fairly sure it's not a huge difference. Anything the H2S can print that H2C probably can too. I started with the black PAHT CF, which caused adhesion issues when I tried to print it without the Engineering Plate. To print these materials, you need to use the AMS HT. I had two, one for the H2S and one for the H2C. I am spoiled, so I connected both of them to the H2S. Unfortunately, this machine has only one extruder head, so I need to buy the Bambu 4-in-1 PTFE Adaptor to connect both of them simultaneously. I have not done that yet (waiting to buy some more filament to get free shipping), so for now, I switch the PTFE tubes manually as needed. But both AMS HTs can remain connected to the machine simultaneously. The first part I printed with the PAHT CF was a soap/sponge holder. Not a technical part, sure, but I wanted to check for both adhesion and details, since the object had a relatively large, flat base with an irregular border shaped like a cloud and looking "fluffy". With the engineering plate, it came out absolutely perfect. Quite impressive, actually, that a Bambu Lab system can print carbon fiber reinforced nylon with such ease. [![](https://www.voxelmatters.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/Bambu_Lab_H2C_review_VoxelMatters_IMG_1413-480x640.jpg)](https://www.voxelmatters.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/Bambu_Lab_H2C_review_VoxelMatters_IMG_1413-rotated.jpg) I used ASA for this wall clock [![](https://www.voxelmatters.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/Bambu_Lab_H2C_review_VoxelMatters_IMG_1470-2-480x640.jpg)](https://www.voxelmatters.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/Bambu_Lab_H2C_review_VoxelMatters_IMG_1470-2-scaled.jpg) And painted it black Next up was ASA. I used it to print a large wall clock. The challenge here is that the clock is too large to print in one piece, so the designer split it into eight "wedges" and some additional parts. In this case, the parts came out ok but not perfectly accurate, so when I tried to assemble it, I had to force some of the parts together. In these cases, you never know if the issue lies with the printer or with the design itself. Either way, the parts were accurate enough to be assembled with crazy glue (which you probably would have used anyway, just to be sure). In this case, I used the green ASA material to print the parts and then painted them with spray paint, which, in case you were wondering, works just fine. I then ordered the watch kit from Amazon at just €12 for 4 kits. It fits exactly the same as the one that Bambu Lab offers on its shop, but is priced significantly less (if you want to go into mass production). [![](https://www.voxelmatters.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/Bambu_Lab_H2C_review_VoxelMatters_IMG_1740-2-640x480.jpg)](https://www.voxelmatters.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/Bambu_Lab_H2C_review_VoxelMatters_IMG_1740-2-scaled.jpg) For this one I used a third party nylon (from SUNLU) [![](https://www.voxelmatters.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/Bambu_Lab_H2C_review_VoxelMatters_IMG_1779-2-640x480.jpg)](https://www.voxelmatters.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/Bambu_Lab_H2C_review_VoxelMatters_IMG_1779-2-scaled.jpg) The result was again a very stable print. I had so much fun making a wall clock, and now I have three more kits, so I made a few desktop clocks. One, again, to test out the nylon, which again came out surprisingly well and with a very elegant-looking finish. For another model, I tried the Pumpkin Spice material I got from Cookiedcad at Formnext instead. It's a PLA, but it releases a very pleasant smell as the material is extruded. Even though it was not a standard Bambu Lab material, it worked just fine in the AMS. I also tried the white ABS material on a large, flexible dinosaur toy. Printing ABS seems almost too easy for a Bambu Lab system. It came out perfectly, and the snap-on parts snapped on with a satisfying click. Finally, I tried another recycled-PLA material to test H2S's maximum build capabilities on a large planter I was commissioned to make. I did not use the AMS HT because I used a 2Kg spool, but I did use it to print the spool holder in ASA. ## With flying colors As I mentioned, I installed both AMS on the H2C. Which means I can print in 8 colors. To test this capability, I used Bambu Studio's coloring features. The results of this lengthy experiment have already been described in[ ](https://www.voxelmatters.com/the-exhilarating-fun-of-creating-full-color-3d-printed-figures-with-ai-and-mimaki-technology/)a previous article, where I also compared it with other multi-color systems (in this case, the Creality K2 Pro, with two CMSs) and with the million-color capabilities of a $200,000+ Mimaki system. You can read the full article [here](https://www.voxelmatters.com/the-exhilarating-fun-of-creating-full-color-3d-printed-figures-with-ai-and-mimaki-technology/). ![](https://www.voxelmatters.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/bambustudio-goldrake-color-scaled.jpg)One main challenge to using AI to create multi-color 3D models for printing on a Bambu Lab system is that it is not possible to use OBJ files downloaded from an AI-based 3D model creator (or 2D-to-3D model software) with the Orca slicers used by most multicolor systems, such as those from Bambu Lab, Creality, Elegoo, and the new Snapmaker U1. That’s because OBJ only contains surface color information, and it would be infeasible for an FFF system to 3D print the outermost layer of the surface-color-changing filament for every pixel. In addition, you would have to make multiple manual changes, as the system approximates color shades that only millions of colors can replicate. If you choose to use AI tools such as Tripo 3D to create a color 3D model directly, for example, from a 2D image or created from prompts, you can only import it into the Orca-based slicers as a single-color 3MF or STL file. With Bambu Lab’s slicer, you can color the 3D file in the app, but you have to do it manually, and it’s about as difficult as painting it. ![Explore our Bambu Lab H2C review and find out what makes this printer stand out with its incredible features and performance.](https://www.voxelmatters.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/Bambu_Lab_H2C_review_VoxelMatters_IMG_1438.jpg) In this case, I colored the Goldrake robot manually as a fun project. I used the Bambu Lab H2C to print it, which significantly reduced filament spurge waste with each color change; however, nearly 500 grams of material (the figure in the photo below includes the 40 grams tare) was wasted. The Goldrake robot itself weighs about 500 grams and took over 24 hours to print, which means 500 grams is not a lot of waste for having access to such a complex industrial manufacturing process on a desktop. After this attempt, I tried another approach using the 2D-to-3D app in Bambu Lab's MakerLab to create a miniature Goldrake figure. It is less precise than the latest Tripo 3D version, but the advantage here is that the color models can be imported directly into BambuStudio as full color 3MF models and printed in color. This means you don't have to color them manually, but another challenge emerges: most color images consist of millions of color shades. The MakerLab software allows you to reduce the number of colors or even match each color to a filament, but when you reduce the full color count to 4 or 8, the system approximates the shades, resulting in an imprecise border between color sections. Almost as if it were painted manually. With some dedication, you can improve the coloring scheme, but the final result will always be somewhat imperfect and will require many filament changes. [![](https://www.voxelmatters.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/Bambu_Lab_H2C_review_VoxelMatters_IMG_1389-640x480.jpg)](https://www.voxelmatters.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/Bambu_Lab_H2C_review_VoxelMatters_IMG_1389.jpg) The print took over 24 hours. I ran into a few minor issues that forced the system to stop the print (like one of the extruders on the rack detaching and getting stuck) but they were easy to solve (in person) [![](https://www.voxelmatters.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/Bambu_Lab_H2C_review_VoxelMatters_IMG_1443-2-scaled-e1775294712107-640x480.jpg)](https://www.voxelmatters.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/Bambu_Lab_H2C_review_VoxelMatters_IMG_1443-2-scaled-e1775294712107.jpg) For a 324 gram object… [![](https://www.voxelmatters.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/Bambu_Lab_H2C_review_VoxelMatters_IMG_1442-rotated-e1775294814525-640x480.jpg)](https://www.voxelmatters.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/Bambu_Lab_H2C_review_VoxelMatters_IMG_1442-rotated-e1775294814525.jpg) … I used about 450 grams of extra materials (I forgot to set the tare) for spurging and supports. It’s not bad at all (although probably not ideal for mass production) and I’m sure it can be further optimized with more accurate settings. All this considered, the result still looked exceptional to me, and from a distance (and the technology behind this result is truly exceptional). However, up close, it does look like an 8-year-old kid painted it. Which is still more than fine for a personal project. My final goal was to test the reliability of the color-changing system and its waste reduction capability, and it passed with flying... colors. ![](https://www.voxelmatters.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/Bambu_Lab_H2C_review_VoxelMatters_IMG_1970-2-scaled.jpg) ## The sky's the limit Please note that this is just a general overview of prints, and many more, less significant ones were printed over this period. One of the most fascinating and challenging (and fun) to make, however, was [the Perseverance Rover designed by An Duong of More than 3D.](https://makerworld.com/en/crowdfunding/65-mars-rover-perseverance) The model was originally created as a fundraising project directly through MarkerWorld. I probably don't have to point this out, but at this time, MakerWorld is literally another world compared to all other 3D model marketplaces. It features some of the best designs, tons of multicolored projects and plenty of high-quality free 3D models to print. The only marketplace that comes close is Prusa's Printables, while the third-party marketplaces are rapidly falling behind as they must feature almost exclusively paid models to compete and fund themselves. Things and Cults3D continue to offer models that users may want to pay for, but Thingiverse needs a serious relaunch now that it has been taken over by MyMiniFactory. It's ironic that Thingiverse could have been what MakerWorld is, but maybe it was created too early. Some more fun projects: [![](https://www.voxelmatters.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/Bambu_Lab_H2C_review_VoxelMatters_IMG_2333-2-480x640.jpg)](https://www.voxelmatters.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/Bambu_Lab_H2C_review_VoxelMatters_IMG_2333-2-scaled.jpg) [![](https://www.voxelmatters.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/Bambu_Lab_H2C_review_VoxelMatters_IMG_2299-2-480x640.jpg)](https://www.voxelmatters.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/Bambu_Lab_H2C_review_VoxelMatters_IMG_2299-2-scaled.jpg) [![](https://www.voxelmatters.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/Bambu_Lab_H2C_review_VoxelMatters_IMG_1192-480x640.jpg)](https://www.voxelmatters.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/Bambu_Lab_H2C_review_VoxelMatters_IMG_1192-rotated.jpg) On the other hand, MakerWorld today is a vibrant and lively community. New models emerge daily through Bambu Labs' activities, which stimulate and incentivize designers to share their creations. Crowdfunding is one of these (I've discussed several others in my H2S review), and it marked the first time I crowd-funded a 3D model. And it was absolutely worth it. It cleverly uses magnets built into the 3D models for many of the moving parts (and you can get them directly from the Bambu Store or from Amazon for cheaper). It also combines multi-color parts where it makes sense, and it's faster to do so, with single-color parts that can easily fit and connect. A Duong's Perseverance model is incredible and relatively easy to print, but it has so many parts that it would have been a real pain if it didn't leverage 3MF's ability to display all the project parts on trays already set up for printing on Orca-based slicers. This means you can take the Bambu Lab file and use it with other similar slicers; you just need to modify the printer once the file has been uploaded to the slicer. I went a step further and printed the TPU wheels on my Prusa Core One L, so I wouldn't have to unplug the AMS. But, as I showed in the H2S review, printing TPU is quite easy on Bambu Lab printers as well. I will make sure to test some challenging TPU prints in a follow-up to this review.