For years, my journey into 3D printing felt like a constant battle. I’ve spent countless nights hunched over an open-frame printer, feeler gauge in hand, trying to achieve that elusive perfect first layer. I’ve wrestled with warped prints, untangled “spaghetti” failures, and tweaked slicer settings for hours only to get a mediocre result. The dream was always to bring digital creations to life, but the reality was often more about becoming an unpaid machine technician. This frustration is a rite of passage for many in the hobby, but it’s also a massive barrier. The core problem is that traditional 3D printers were tools for tinkerers, not creators. We needed a machine that could get out of its own way, a reliable appliance that would let us focus on the “what” instead of the “how.” The search was on for a printer that could deliver on the promise of speed, quality, and reliability, right out of the box.
- Up to 16 Colors: Bring your designs to life with vibrant multi-color/multi-material printing capabilities, perfect for showcasing your creativity. Note: Connecting Bambu Lab AMS is required.
- 500mm/s and 20000 mm/s² Acceleration True High Speed: Don't wait around for your masterpieces. Lightning-fast printing speed lets you focus on creating, not waiting.
What to Consider Before Buying a High-Speed 3D Printer
A modern 3D printer is more than just a gadget; it’s a key solution for rapid prototyping, creating custom parts, and unlocking limitless artistic expression. It’s a miniature factory on your desktop, capable of turning a simple filament spool into functional tools, intricate models, or personalized gifts. The main benefit of a high-performance machine like the ones in this class is the dramatic reduction in time-to-object. What used to take an entire day can now be completed in a few hours, fundamentally changing how you approach projects and iterate on designs. This speed, combined with multi-material capabilities, opens up a new world of complexity and color that was previously reserved for industrial machines costing ten times as much.
The ideal customer for this type of product is someone who values their time and wants to spend it creating, not calibrating. This includes serious hobbyists graduating from entry-level “bed slingers,” engineers needing quick prototypes, designers, artists, and even small businesses producing custom goods. This printer is a game-changer for those who have experienced the pains of older FDM technology. However, it might not be suitable for those on an extreme budget, as the initial investment is higher than a basic starter printer. It’s also not designed for those who need to print massive, single-piece objects, as its build volume is generous but not cavernous. For those users, a larger-format machine might be a more appropriate, albeit potentially more complex, alternative.
Before investing, consider these crucial points in detail:
- Dimensions & Space: The BAMBULAB P1S Combo 3D Printer is a fully enclosed unit. With the AMS on top and a filament spool holder on the back, it has a significant footprint measuring 18.72″ x 23.01″ x 18.72″. Ensure you have a sturdy, level surface with enough clearance for ventilation and access to the rear of the machine for filament changes and maintenance.
- Capacity/Performance: Performance is defined by speed, precision, and material versatility. Look for metrics like maximum print speed (500 mm/s is exceptional) and acceleration (20000 mm/s²). Features like a CoreXY motion system, automatic bed leveling, and vibration compensation are non-negotiable for achieving high quality at these speeds. The “Combo” aspect also adds multi-material capacity, a major performance booster.
- Materials & Durability: A printer’s value is tied to the materials it can handle. An enclosed printer like this one excels with high-temperature filaments like ABS and ASA, which are prone to warping in open-air machines. While it’s a beast with PLA, PETG, and TPU, check for compatibility with more exotic materials like carbon-fiber composites if that’s your need, as some may require hardened steel extruder components.
- Ease of Use & Maintenance: The “out-of-box experience” is paramount. A printer that takes 15 minutes to set up, as many users report, versus one that takes a full weekend is in a different league. Consider the software ecosystem (slicer and mobile app) and the availability of clear documentation and spare parts for long-term care. A streamlined workflow from slicing to printing is what separates a tool from a chore.
While the BAMBULAB P1S Combo 3D Printer is an excellent choice, it’s always wise to see how it stacks up against the competition. For a broader look at all the top models, we highly recommend checking out our complete, in-depth guide:
- Up to 16 Colors: Bring your designs to life with vibrant multi-color/multi-material printing capabilities, perfect for showcasing your creativity. Note: Connecting Bambu Lab AMS is required.
- High-Speed Precision: Experience unparalleled speed and precision with the Bambu Lab A1 Mini 3D Printer. With an impressive acceleration of 10,000 mm/s², the A1 Mini delivers blazing-fast printing...
- 【Multicolor Printing with CFS】The Creality K2 Pro 3D printer is compatible with the CFS Smart Filament System, enabling advanced multicolor and multi-material printing for more creative works.
First Impressions: Unboxing a Paradigm Shift
Opening the box for the BAMBULAB P1S Combo 3D Printer feels different. It’s immediately apparent that this isn’t another DIY kit. The machine is mostly pre-assembled, securely packed in foam, and exudes a sense of polish and purpose. As one user noted, unpacking can be a bit involved due to the necessary transit screws that lock the delicate CoreXY gantry in place, but the instructions are clear and labeled. This isn’t a flaw; it’s a testament to the precision of the hardware being protected. Within 15-20 minutes of cutting the tape, we had the screws removed, the screen plugged in, the AMS unit placed on top, and the machine powered on. This rapid setup is a recurring theme among users, with one first-timer stating they were “literally printing within an hour of unboxing it.” The printer itself is sleek and professional with its enclosed frame, glass door, and organized internals. It immediately makes older open-frame printers look like relics from a bygone era.
Key Benefits
- Blazing fast print speeds up to 500mm/s with high acceleration
- Exceptional out-of-the-box print quality with minimal tuning
- Seamless multi-color and multi-material printing with the included AMS
- Fully enclosed body for printing advanced filaments like ABS and ASA
- Extremely fast and simple setup process (approx. 15-20 minutes)
Potential Drawbacks
- The Automatic Material System (AMS) can sometimes be finicky and require troubleshooting
- Quick start guide could be slightly more detailed for absolute beginners
Deep Dive: A Masterclass in Performance and Usability
After running the BAMBULAB P1S Combo 3D Printer through hundreds of hours of printing, from simple PLA benchys to complex, multi-day, multi-color ASA projects, we can confidently say it fundamentally changes the FDM printing experience. It’s not just an incremental improvement; it’s a leap forward in speed, reliability, and accessibility. This machine consistently produces results that rival or surpass those from printers that, just a few years ago, cost three times as much and required significantly more user expertise.
The “Set It and Forget It” Experience: Setup and Calibration
The single greatest hurdle in 3D printing has always been the initial setup and calibration. Bambu Lab has tackled this head-on. The setup process is, without exaggeration, revolutionary. After removing the shipping restraints, you simply follow the on-screen prompts. The printer runs a comprehensive self-test, vibrating and moving to calibrate its motion system using input shaping and pressure advance. Crucially, it performs an automatic bed leveling (ABL) sequence before every single print. This eliminates the tedious and often frustrating process of manually leveling the bed with a piece of paper. This is why users, even those on their fifth printer, are so impressed. It removes the most common point of failure.
We found this process to be flawlessly reliable. We never had a first-layer failure due to poor adhesion or an unlevel bed. This sentiment is echoed across user experiences. One user upgrading from an older machine praised the “very simple” setup instructions. Another, a complete novice, found it to be the “stress-free introduction” they were hoping for. This reliability transforms the printer from a project into an appliance. You can confidently send a print from the other room—or even from another city via the app—and trust that the critical first layer will go down perfectly. This level of automation is a feature that truly sets it apart and makes it accessible to a much wider audience.
Blistering Speed Without Sacrificing Quality
The headline feature of the BAMBULAB P1S Combo 3D Printer is its speed. The advertised 500 mm/s print speed and 20,000 mm/s² acceleration are not just marketing fluff; they are achievable in real-world use. This is made possible by the robust CoreXY motion system, which keeps the print head light and the gantry stable, combined with sophisticated firmware that actively compensates for vibrations. The result is astonishing. A “Benchy” boat model that takes an hour and a half on a traditional printer like a Prusa MK3S+ is finished in under 17 minutes on the P1S, with quality that is arguably better.
We pushed the machine with intricate models, large functional parts, and detailed miniatures, and it consistently delivered clean surfaces, sharp corners, and minimal ringing artifacts. One veteran user, comparing it to their high-end Ultimaker and Prusa printers, declared the print quality “top notch” and summed it up in one word: “FAST.” This speed doesn’t just reduce wait times; it encourages iteration. When you can test a new design in 30 minutes instead of three hours, you’re more likely to experiment and perfect your creations. The enclosed frame further enhances quality by providing a stable thermal environment, which is essential for materials like ABS and ASA that tend to warp. It’s this combination of raw speed and refined quality that makes the BAMBULAB P1S Combo 3D Printer such a powerhouse.
Unleashing Creativity with the Automatic Material System (AMS)
The “Combo” in the product name refers to the included Automatic Material System (AMS), and it is a true game-changer. This sealed unit sits atop the printer and holds four 1kg spools of filament, automatically feeding and retracting them as needed for multi-color or multi-material prints. Want to print a model with four different colors? Simply assign the colors in the Bambu Studio slicer and hit print. The AMS handles all the complex filament swaps, purging the old color into a “poop” chute at the back of the machine before continuing with the new one.
We found the system to be a joy to use, opening up creative possibilities that are simply impractical with manual filament changes. Printing full-color logos, tabletop gaming miniatures with different colored armor, or functional parts with a soluble support interface (using PVA) becomes straightforward. With the ability to connect up to four AMS units, you can print with a staggering 16 colors. However, this is also the one area where some users report hiccups. We experienced a few loading errors, and one user noted that their AMS “CONSTANTLY messed up mid print,” with the fix being to disconnect and reconnect a cable. While our issues were minor and easily resolved, it’s clear the AMS is a complex piece of electromechanical engineering that can be sensitive. Despite these potential quirks, the capability it adds is so profound that most, including us, find it well worth the occasional bit of troubleshooting. The ability to explore its full multi-color potential is transformative for FDM printing.
What Other Users Are Saying
The consensus around the BAMBULAB P1S Combo 3D Printer is overwhelmingly positive, with many calling it a revolutionary product. One user stated it “revolutionised FDM printing for me,” turning what was once a “chore” into something “easy and intuitive.” Another, who had spent years “wasting my time and energy with other FDM printers,” celebrated that “This one just works! No faffing around and tweaking.” The speed and quality are universally praised, and the ease of setup makes it a top recommendation for both beginners and seasoned veterans looking to upgrade.
However, the feedback isn’t without its critiques. The most common issue mentioned is the finickiness of the AMS unit. One user found a consistent fix in reconnecting the cable, but wished for a more seamless experience. A couple of users also found the initial unboxing and removal of transit screws to be challenging, with one suggesting the “quick user guide is not well designed and missing too many details.” Another user reported receiving a unit with a broken fan pin, and while support did resolve the issue by sending a replacement part, they described the communication as slow, “chat-like” interactions that took a day per reply. These points highlight that while the printing experience is stellar, there are minor areas in documentation and support logistics that could be improved.
How Does the BAMBULAB P1S Combo 3D Printer Compare to Alternatives?
The P1S Combo has carved out a unique space in the market, but several other high-speed printers compete for your attention, especially if you have different priorities like massive build volume or specialized material capabilities. Here’s how it stacks up against some strong contenders.
1. R QIDI TECHNOLOGY MAX3 High-Speed 3D Printer
- 【Large Format & High-speed 3d printer】 Upgrade maximum speed 600mm/s and 20000mm/s² acceleration, 325*325*315mm printing size. Fully assembled and auto leveling, Featuring Klipper firmware and...
- 【Stable and long term usage】X-Max3 have Ultra-stable all-metal frame, 6mm thickness aluminum heatbed plate, 10mm width belt, ⌀10mm hardened hollow steel linear shafts, ensures smooth and stable...
The QIDI MAX3 is a direct competitor that targets users with a need for both speed (up to 600mm/s) and size. Its most significant advantage is the substantially larger build volume of 325x325x315mm (12.8″x12.8″x12.4″), making it a better choice for printing large, single-piece models, helmets, or cosplay armor. It also features an actively heated chamber that can reach 65°C, giving it a distinct edge when printing large engineering-grade materials like ABS or ASA, as it significantly reduces the risk of warping and layer separation. If your primary need is printing big and with temperature-sensitive materials, and you don’t require the integrated multi-color system of the Bambu, the QIDI MAX3 is a formidable alternative.
2. R QIDI TECHNOLOGY PLUS4 High-Speed 3D Printer
- Large Size & High-speed Printing: The X-PLUS4 has a large print size of 12 x 12 x 11in, which allows you to print multiple models at the same time, significantly increasing printing efficiency. The...
- Second Generation Active Chamber Heating System: QIDI PLUS4 has upgraded the chamber heating function. It has a Ultra-high heating power of 400W. And it adds air circulation design and dual-layer...
The QIDI PLUS4 is another high-performance machine that focuses on material versatility. While it shares high-speed printing capabilities (up to 600mm/s) and a heated chamber with its larger sibling, its key feature is the 370°C high-temperature direct extruder. This allows it to print with demanding, industrial-grade filaments like PPS-CF (Carbon Fiber reinforced Polyphenylene Sulfide), which are beyond the capabilities of the stock Bambu P1S. For engineers, designers, or manufacturers who need to produce parts with extreme heat resistance, chemical resistance, and rigidity, the PLUS4 is the specialized tool for the job. It trades the P1S Combo’s user-friendly multi-color system for raw material compatibility at the highest end of the FDM spectrum.
3. Creality Ender-5 Max 3D Printer
- 【Massive Build Volume of 400x400x400mm】 Designed for professionals, the Ender-5 Max offers a spacious build area to handle large projects and batch printing efficiently, freeing you from size...
- 【Ultra-Fast Printing Speed of 700mm/s】 Equipped with high-performance XY-axis motors, this printer delivers a peak speed of 700mm/s with an acceleration of 20000mm/s^2, ensuring faster prints...
The Creality Ender-5 Max competes on one primary axis: sheer volume. With a colossal build area of 400x400x400mm, it dwarfs the Bambu P1S. This makes it the go-to option for makers who need to print exceptionally large objects. It boasts impressive speeds of up to 700mm/s, auto-leveling, and a stable Cube frame. However, it lacks the full enclosure and the integrated, seamless multi-color printing system that is the hallmark of the P1S Combo. The Ender-5 Max is for the user whose motto is “go big or go home,” prioritizing maximum print size above all else, while the BAMBULAB P1S Combo 3D Printer offers a more polished, versatile, and complete ecosystem in a smaller package.
Our Final Verdict: Is the BAMBULAB P1S Combo 3D Printer Worth It?
After extensive testing and poring over community feedback, our conclusion is unequivocal: the BAMBULAB P1S Combo 3D Printer is a landmark product that sets a new standard for consumer 3D printing. It successfully bridges the gap between hobbyist affordability and industrial performance. The combination of incredible speed, superb print quality, an enclosed frame, and the brilliantly integrated AMS for multi-color printing creates a package that is unmatched at its price point. It addresses the most significant pain points of the past—endless tinkering, bed leveling, and slow speeds—and replaces them with a streamlined, reliable, and genuinely enjoyable creative process.
While the AMS can have its occasional quirks and the initial setup might have a minor learning curve for absolute novices, these are small footnotes on an otherwise stellar report card. We recommend it without hesitation to new users who want a frustration-free entry into the world of 3D printing, and even more so to experienced users who are tired of fighting with their machines and just want to print. It is a tool that empowers creativity and respects your time. If you’re on the fence, we believe this is the printer that will make you fall in love with 3D printing all over again. To see the latest pricing and read more user reviews, you can check its current availability right here.
Last update on 2025-11-14 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API