3D Scanning And Printing¶
This week, we compared two of Bambu Lab’s most talked-about 3D printers: the flagship Bambu Labs X1 Carbon and the budget-friendly A1 Mini. Both machines were connected to an AMS system, allowing them to access multiple filament spools automatically, and we used the same test model on each to evaluate how price and hardware differences translate into real-world print results.
Comparison¶
Bambu Labs X1 Ultra vs. A1 Mini
Printer Specifications
Bambu Lab X1 Carbon:
- Build volume: 256 × 256 × 256 mm
- Max Hotend temp: 300°C
- Supported materials: PLA, PETG, ABS, ASA, TPU, PA, PC, and more
- Features: enclosed chassis, improved cooling, all-metal extruder, advanced print head technology
- Price: €1,379.00
Bambu Lab A1 Mini:
- Build volume: 180 × 180 × 180 mm
- Max hotend temp: 300°C
- Supported materials: PLA, PETG, TPU, PVA, and similar filaments
- Features: compact design, user-friendly, ideal for beginners
- Price: €189.00
Key findings¶
When comparing the print features, besides the larger build volume of the A1 Mini, the two machines share many advanced capabilities such as full-auto calibration, AMS compatibility, and Wi-Fi connectivity. However, the X1 Carbon’s enclosed chassis provides an advantage when printing more challenging materials like ABS or ASA, which are prone to warping without a controlled environment.
In this test, both printers performed similarly, with very little difference in the overall geometry and surface finish.
One noticeable issue was the warped base on the A1 Mini’s print, likely caused by the print bed not being warm enough.
Increasing the bed temperature by about 5°C could resolve this.
On the other hand, the X1 Carbon showed significantly more stringing or webs on the print, while the A1 Mini exhibited almost none.
Both printers struggled with printed text details, making it difficult to read the text in the print.
Dimensional Accuracy¶
Beyond the visual inspection, we also measured hole sizes and compared them to the intended values in the test file. The results were generally very accurate and close to the target values. One unexpected result was the A1 Mini printing a hole diameter that was 0.8mm too wide, but all other features were within acceptable tolerance.
| measurement | X1 | A1 |
|---|---|---|
| 2 mm | 1,99 mm | 1,95 mm |
| tolerance | -0,01 mm | -0,05 mm |
| 3 mm | 2,95 mm | 2,98 mm |
| tolerance | -0,01 mm | -0,05 mm |
| 4 mm | 3,93 mm | 3,96 mm |
| tolerance | -0,07 mm | -0,04 mm |
| 100 mm - side 1 | 99,83 mm | 99,80 mm |
| tolerance | 0,17 mm | 0,20 mm |
| 100 mm - side 2 | 99,97 mm | 99,59 mm |
| tolerance | 0,03 mm | 0,41 mm |
Conclusion
Overall, despite the A1 Mini being much cheaper, its print quality is strikingly comparable to the much more expensive X1 Carbon for standard prints. The key advantages of the X1 Carbon are:
- A closed, temperature-stable chamber that enables printing a wider range of materials (including ABS and engineering plastics)
- A larger build volume for bigger projects
- More robust hardware suited to frequent or demanding use
That said, for hobbyists or those primarily printing with PLA/PETG at smaller scales, the A1 Mini offers excellent value and surprisingly competitive results.