TL;DR: The P1S is a fully enclosed Core XY printer with a solid feature set at half the price of the high-end X1 Carbon—minus a few premium features like LIDAR and a great camera. It's fast, affordable, and easy to use, but it comes with a few trade-offs.
Why The P1S is Worth It
Bambu Lab shocked us with the P1S—not because of any groundbreaking tech, but because it hit the sweet spot for users like me. This printer offers an enclosed build for handling materials like ABS and Nylon at a price point that’s much more accessible than its bigger sibling, the X1 Carbon.
At $649 ($849 for the combo), the P1S is a $550 saving compared to the X1 Carbon, and while that still puts a dent in your wallet, it’s a fantastic value. For the price, you’re getting:
- Preassembled & Ready to Go: No build required.
- Automatic Bed Leveling: Hassle-free leveling, right out of the box.
- Wi-Fi Connectivity: Control via desktop or mobile app.
- Speed: Top speed of 500 mm/s and 20K acceleration.
- Enclosed for High Temperature Filaments: Handle ABS and Nylon with ease.
- Multicolor Printing Capability: Optional AMS for up to 4-color printing.
While you’ll miss out on some premium features like LIDAR, the camera, and the fancy touch screen, the P1S makes up for it by delivering where it counts.
What I Love About the P1S
- Fully Built: Out of the box, it’s ready to print. No setup or assembly needed.
- Automatic Bed Leveling: Helps you get perfect prints every time with minimal fuss.
- Impressive Speed: Prints with an average 300 mm/s with 10K acceleration—perfect for rapid prototyping. (Max speed is 500 & Max Acceleration is 20K)
- Wi-Fi Control: Can be operated through desktop or mobile app, giving you flexibility.
- Enclosed Build: Ideal for printing ABS and Nylon without worrying about warping.
- Multicolor Printing: Optional AMS unit for up to 4 colors.
What I Don’t Like About the P1S
- Noisy: It’s louder than I expected, especially at high speeds.
- Cloud Printing: The printer relies heavily on cloud printing, which isn’t ideal for everyone.
What’s Wrong with Cloud Printing?
Cloud printing lets you send files via Wi-Fi to your printer, but the process goes through Bambu Lab’s servers before reaching the printer. This means potential delays, maintenance issues, or even the occasional snafu when unexpected print jobs get sent.
Some users also worry about privacy—although I personally don’t mind it, my internet connection isn’t always reliable, so cloud printing can be frustrating when there are interruptions.
Thankfully, there are options:
- You can upload files directly via SD card—no cloud required.
- LAN Only Mode: If cloud printing isn’t your thing, this mode removes the need for Wi-Fi by limiting communication to local networks.
Final Thoughts
If you’re looking for an affordable Core XY printer that doesn’t skimp on speed, the Bambu Lab P1S is definitely worth considering. You’re getting great performance at a reasonable price—just keep in mind that it's not perfect.
I highly recommend the P1S for anyone looking to print fast without breaking the bank, but be prepared for the noise and the cloud printing quirks.
🚀 Get the Bambu Lab P1S and experience high-speed printing for yourself! 🚀
What’s Next?
Check out my full review of the P1S on Tom's Hardware for even more details and my full hands-on experience with the printer. Or, dive into my other printer reviews to find the perfect fit for your 3D printing needs!
Key Takeaways:
- The P1S stand alone printer offers fantastic value at $650 (compared to the X1 Carbon).
- You get speed, Wi-Fi control, and the ability to print ABS and Nylon.
- The cloud printing system might be a deal-breaker for some, but LAN mode offers a solid workaround.