Bambu Lab P1S Review: The Sweet Spot for Hobbyists
If you ask anyone in the 3D printing community what printer to buy right now, 9 times out of 10 they will say the Bambu Lab P1S. It sits perfectly in the middle of the lineup—better than the A1, but cheaper than the X1 Carbon.
I swapped out my old bed slingers for a P1S Combo to see if the CoreXY hype is real. Spoiler: It is.
Enclosed and Ready for Anything
The biggest upgrade over the A1 (or the older P1P) is the full enclosure. It comes with a glass door, top cover, and an auxiliary cooling fan.
- Why this matters: You can print engineering materials like ABS and ASA right out of the box. I printed a replacement car part in ASA, and it came out perfectly with zero warping because the chamber keeps the heat in.
The CoreXY Advantage
Unlike the A1, the bed on the P1S only moves up and down. The print head flies around at insane speeds.
- Stability: Tall prints don't wobble.
- Footprint: It fits perfectly on a standard 60cm deep shelf because the bed doesn't fling forward or backward.
The AMS Experience
The P1S Combo comes with the standard AMS unit, which sits neatly on top of the glass. It doubles as a dry box (it has slots for desiccant), keeping your filament dry for weeks.
- Pro Tip: The multi-color poop (waste) is real. Make sure you print a "poop chute" bucket as your very first print, or your floor will be covered in plastic wisps.
The Verdict
The P1S is the workhorse of the 3D printing world.
You should buy it if:
- You want to print functional parts in ABS/ASA.
- You have limited space and need a compact, boxy footprint.
- You want a printer that can grow with you from hobbyist to prosumer.
You should skip it if:
- You strictly print PLA (the A1 is cheaper and just as good for PLA).
- You hate fan noise (the auxiliary fan can get loud at 100% speed).
🔥 Best Seller: This is widely considered the best overall value in 3D printing right now.