BAMBULAB P1S Combo 3D Printer Review: The New Gold Standard for Hobbyist Printing?

For years, my 3D printing journey was a story of constant calibration, failed prints, and endless nights spent troubleshooting. I’d spend hours leveling the bed, adjusting extruder tension, and tweaking slicer settings, all in pursuit of a single, flawless print. The dream was always to have a machine that worked like a modern appliance: load the material, send the file, and walk away. But the reality was often a tangled mess of filament or a warped first layer. This frustration isn’t just a time sink; it’s a creativity killer. When you spend more time fixing your tool than using it, great ideas remain locked in your head. The search for a reliable, high-speed, and user-friendly 3D printer became a personal quest—a machine that could finally bridge the gap between imagination and tangible creation without the headache.

What to Consider Before Buying a High-Performance 3D Printer

A 3D printer is more than just an item; it’s a key solution for rapid prototyping, custom part creation, artistic expression, and small-scale manufacturing. It transforms digital designs into physical objects, solving problems ranging from a broken appliance knob to creating complex architectural models. The main benefits are unparalleled speed of iteration and the freedom to create bespoke items that perfectly fit your needs. However, navigating the market can be daunting, with a vast array of technologies and features to consider. Choosing the right one means the difference between a seamless creative process and a frustrating technical burden.

The ideal customer for a device like the BAMBULAB P1S Combo 3D Printer is someone who has outgrown their entry-level printer or a serious hobbyist who wants to invest in a machine that prioritizes speed, quality, and multi-color capabilities without an industrial price tag. Small business owners creating prototypes or custom products will also find immense value here. On the other hand, it might not be the best starting point for an absolute beginner on a very tight budget, as the feature set and price point could be overwhelming. It’s also not designed for industrial users who need to print with high-temperature, engineering-grade materials like PEEK. For those seeking microscopic detail for miniatures, a resin printer might be a more suitable alternative.

Before investing, consider these crucial points in detail:

• Dimensions & Space: The printer’s physical footprint is a primary concern. The BAMBULAB P1S Combo 3D Printer, with its AMS unit on top, has a significant vertical presence. Measure your intended workspace carefully, ensuring you have enough clearance not just for the machine itself (18.72″D x 23.01″W x 18.72″H), but also for ventilation and easy access to the filament spools.
• Capacity/Performance: This is where the printer truly shines. Key metrics include its blistering maximum print speed of 500 mm/s and acceleration of 20,000 mm/s². These specifications mean prints finish in a fraction of the time compared to older models. Equally important is the CoreXY motion system, known for its stability and precision at high speeds, which is crucial for maintaining print quality.
• Materials & Durability: The printer’s versatility is defined by its material compatibility. The P1S’s enclosed body and direct-drive extruder handle standard filaments like PLA and PETG with ease, but also enable reliable printing of more demanding materials like ABS and ASA, which are prone to warping. While it can handle PA and PC, it’s not recommended for abrasive, fiber-reinforced polymers, which could damage the stock nozzle.
• Ease of Use & Maintenance: Features like Automatic Bed Leveling (ABL) are non-negotiable for a modern printer. The P1S automates this critical step, eliminating a major source of print failures. While the machine is designed for reliability, routine maintenance like cleaning the build plate and checking the nozzle is still required for long-term performance.

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:

First Impressions: Unboxing a Game-Changer

From the moment the courier dropped off the large, heavy box, it was clear the BAMBULAB P1S Combo 3D Printer was a serious piece of equipment. Weighing in at over 47 pounds, this is not a lightweight, flimsy machine. Unboxing it, we were immediately struck by the thoughtful packaging and the robust, all-metal frame. Everything felt premium and well-engineered. The company claims a 15-minute setup time, which we found to be a bit optimistic; a more realistic timeframe for a careful, first-time setup is around 30 to 45 minutes, a sentiment echoed by several users. This involved removing several shipping screws (pay close attention to the instructions to find them all!), mounting the spool holder, and connecting the AMS unit. The process was straightforward and well-documented, a far cry from the multi-hour assembly kits of the past. Once assembled, the printer looks sleek and professional on the workbench, a self-contained unit ready for action. It’s a machine that inspires confidence before you even press the power button, and you can see its full feature set and user reviews to get a sense of its solid construction.

Performance Deep Dive: Redefining Expectations

A printer can look good on paper, but the true test is in the printing. Over several weeks, we put the BAMBULAB P1S Combo 3D Printer through its paces with a variety of models, materials, and colors. We printed everything from intricate tabletop miniatures and functional mechanical parts to large, multi-colored decorative pieces. The consistent theme throughout our testing was one of surprise and delight. This machine didn’t just meet our expectations; it fundamentally changed them for what a consumer-grade 3D printer can and should do.

Out-of-the-Box Experience: From Setup to First Print

The initial setup process is where many printers fail to make a good impression. Bambu Lab has clearly invested heavily in streamlining this experience. After removing the transit screws—and as one user wisely pointed out, don’t miss the third one under the print bed—the printer guides you through the rest. The automated calibration sequence is a marvel to watch. It performs a series of checks, including vibration compensation and bed leveling, tapping the nozzle across the entire build plate to create a perfect mesh. This single feature eliminates the most common point of failure for new and experienced users alike: achieving a perfect first layer. Within an hour of unboxing, we were launching our first print directly from the pre-loaded memory.

The first print, a “Benchy” boat, finished in under 20 minutes with a quality that would have taken over an hour on our old machines. The layer lines were nearly invisible, the details were crisp, and there were no signs of ringing or ghosting, even at such high speeds. This immediate success is incredibly rewarding and confirms what many users report: the machine just works. As one owner stated, “after a brief and simple setup process, it hasn’t stopped printing since.” This “plug-and-play” nature is the printer’s greatest strength, allowing you to focus on creating rather than troubleshooting.

The Speed and Precision of the CoreXY System

The headline features of the BAMBULAB P1S Combo 3D Printer are its speed and acceleration, and they are not just marketing hype. The CoreXY motion system, where the print head moves in the X and Y axes via a clever belt system, keeps the motor weight stationary. This design reduces inertia, allowing for rapid changes in direction without introducing artifacts into the print. The result is the ability to print at a blistering 500 mm/s while maintaining the kind of quality you’d expect from a printer moving at one-fifth that speed.

During our testing, we printed a large, functional storage container that would have been a 12-hour print on a traditional bedslinger printer. The P1S completed it in just under four hours. This isn’t just a convenience; it’s a paradigm shift. It makes iterating on designs feasible within a single afternoon. You can design a part, print it, test its fit, make adjustments, and print it again before the day is over. This rapid feedback loop is invaluable for engineers, designers, and hobbyists. One user perfectly captured this sentiment, noting, “What used to take hours on my old printer now finishes much faster while still looking great.” The enclosed chamber further enhances this, providing a stable temperature environment that prevents warping on large ABS or ASA prints, ensuring that even ambitious, full-plate projects come out perfectly flat and dimensionally accurate.

Unlocking Creativity with the Automatic Material System (AMS)

The “Combo” in the product name refers to the included Automatic Material System (AMS), and it’s what elevates this printer from a great machine to a truly special one. The AMS is a sealed box that sits atop the printer and holds four standard 1kg filament spools. It can automatically swap between these spools mid-print, enabling true multi-color or multi-material printing. With the ability to link up to four AMS units, you can achieve a staggering 16-color capacity.

We found the AMS to be incredibly intuitive. After loading the spools, you simply assign colors in the Bambu Studio slicer software. The printer handles the rest, automatically purging the old filament and loading the new one at each color change. This process creates a “purge tower” next to your print, which does result in some filament waste, but the stunning multi-color results are more than worth it. We printed complex models with logos, text, and different colored sections that came out looking like they were professionally manufactured. Beyond aesthetics, the AMS allows for functional multi-material printing. You can print a main body in sturdy PETG and use soluble PVA filament for supports, which simply dissolve in water, leaving a perfectly clean surface on complex models with difficult overhangs. While some users have noted the slicer can occasionally be finicky in selecting filaments, our experience was overwhelmingly positive. The AMS is a feature that really sets it apart, unlocking a new dimension of creativity that was previously reserved for much more expensive industrial machines.

The Bambu Ecosystem: Slicer Software and Connectivity

Hardware is only half the story; software is what brings it to life. The BAMBULAB P1S Combo 3D Printer operates within Bambu Lab’s own ecosystem, centered around the Bambu Studio slicer and the Bambu Handy mobile app. Bambu Studio is a powerful piece of software based on PrusaSlicer, but heavily optimized for their own machines. For experienced users, it offers a wealth of settings to fine-tune every aspect of the print. The pre-configured profiles for Bambu filaments are excellent and deliver fantastic results with zero tweaking.

However, this power comes with a learning curve. As several users pointed out, the software can be “clunky, confusing and not intuitive” for those new to the hobby. While we found our way around it fairly quickly, we agree that it’s not designed for the complete novice. In contrast, the Bambu Handy app is very user-friendly for starting prints from the built-in library, but it lacks the deep customization of the desktop software. The “binding” process via WiFi and Bluetooth can also be a bit finicky, taking us a couple of tries to get right. Another point of contention is the printer’s onboard screen. It’s a low-resolution, non-touch screen with a simple directional pad. While functional, it feels dated compared to the rest of the machine’s advanced technology and is a clear cost-saving measure compared to the company’s flagship X1-Carbon model. Despite these software and UI quirks, the overall ecosystem is robust and enables seamless remote printing and monitoring, which is a huge convenience.

What Other Users Are Saying

Across the board, user feedback for the BAMBULAB P1S Combo 3D Printer is overwhelmingly positive, often bordering on evangelistic. Many, like us, feel it has “completely changed how I 3D print.” One user celebrated the flawless performance, stating that after a simple setup, “it hasn’t stopped printing since” and that the only issues encountered were due to their “own ignorance.” The combination of speed and quality is a recurring theme, with people consistently impressed by how quickly it produces detailed, consistent prints.

However, the experience isn’t without its critiques. The most common complaint centers on the software. One experienced user, while praising the “outstanding” print quality, found the software “clunky, confusing and not intuitive at all.” Another noted that the “slicer is difficult to use” and that making the most of the machine requires watching a lot of online tutorials. This feedback is crucial: while the hardware is nearly foolproof, prospective buyers should be prepared to invest some time learning the intricacies of Bambu Studio to unlock the printer’s full potential.

How Does the BAMBULAB P1S Combo 3D Printer Compare to Alternatives?

The BAMBULAB P1S Combo 3D Printer has set a high bar, but the competition is fierce. It’s important to understand the landscape and see if a different machine might better suit your specific needs.

1. ANYCUBIC Photon Mono M7 MAX Resin 3D Printer 7K

This first comparison is about technology, not a direct feature-for-feature battle. The ANYCUBIC Photon Mono M7 MAX is a resin (SLA) printer, not an FDM printer like the P1S. Instead of melting filament, it uses UV light to cure liquid resin layer by layer. The primary advantage is astonishing detail, making it the superior choice for printing miniatures, jewelry, and dental models where microscopic precision is paramount. However, it comes with a smaller build volume, the mess and fumes of handling liquid resin, and post-processing steps like washing and curing. Users who need functional, durable parts or large prints will prefer the P1S, while those focused exclusively on high-detail artistic pieces should consider the Photon M7 MAX.

2. ANYCUBIC Kobra S1 Combo Multicolor 3D Printer

The Anycubic Kobra S1 Combo is a more direct competitor, also offering high-speed FDM printing with a multi-color system (the ACE Pro). It boasts a respectable 600mm/s top speed and a high-temperature hotend capable of 320°C. Its key feature is the integration of filament drying within its multi-color unit, which is a thoughtful touch for handling moisture-sensitive materials. However, the Bambu Lab ecosystem, particularly the tight integration between the AMS, the printer, and the slicer software, is generally considered more polished and reliable. While the Kobra S1 is a strong contender, the P1S often wins on overall user experience and the maturity of its multi-color implementation.

3. Creality K2 Plus Combo 3D Printer High-Speed

Creality’s K2 Plus Combo is another formidable rival aimed squarely at Bambu Lab’s market share. Its most significant advantage is a substantially larger build volume (350x350x350mm), making it the go-to choice for users who need to print very large objects in one piece. It also packs in advanced features like dual AI cameras for failure detection and a next-generation direct drive extruder. Creality is a giant in the industry, but Bambu Lab has earned its reputation for a more refined out-of-the-box experience. The choice here comes down to priorities: if maximum build volume is your primary concern, the Creality K2 Plus is the clear winner. If you prioritize a proven, seamless ecosystem and don’t need the extra size, the P1S remains a very compelling choice.

The Final Verdict: Is the BAMBULAB P1S Combo 3D Printer Worth It?

After extensive testing and analysis, our conclusion is unequivocal: the BAMBULAB P1S Combo 3D Printer is a transformative product that delivers on its promises of speed, quality, and ease of use. It has successfully eliminated many of the traditional pain points of 3D printing, creating an experience that is closer to using a simple appliance than a complex piece of workshop machinery. The combination of the reliable CoreXY hardware, automated calibrations, and the game-changing AMS multi-color system makes it an incredibly powerful tool for hobbyists, prototypers, and small businesses alike.

While the basic onboard screen is a letdown and the Bambu Studio software requires a learning period, these are minor blemishes on an otherwise stellar package. The sheer performance and reliability of the hardware more than compensate for these software quirks. If you are looking to upgrade from an entry-level printer or want to dive into the hobby with a machine that will grow with you, this is the one to get. It represents a new benchmark for what a consumer 3D printer can achieve. If you’re ready to spend less time tinkering and more time creating, we wholeheartedly recommend you check the latest price and availability for the BAMBULAB P1S Combo 3D Printer today.