We’ve been waiting a long time for something new to shake up the multicolor 3D printing market—and it’s finally here. The Snapmaker U1 is an affordable, CoreXY tool changer that promises faster swaps, less waste, and more flexibility than AMS or MMU-style systems.
I’ve been beta testing the U1 on a pre-production unit, and while things may still evolve before launch, this machine is already showing serious potential. Here’s how it stacks up against popular systems like Bambu Lab’s P1 or X1 series.
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What Makes the U1 Different?
Most consumer multicolor systems—like the Bambu AMS or Prusa MMU—feed multiple filaments into a single hotend. That means every color change requires purging the nozzle, which wastes filament and adds time.
The U1 takes a tool changer approach. Each spool has its own dedicated hotend and filament path. When it’s not in use, the tool head parks in the back, heater on standby. When called, it swaps in and only needs a quick prime to get going.
The result? Color changes in about 10–12 seconds with just a small prime tower as waste. In my testing, a three-color print with 90 swaps used only 4.4 g of filament for the prime tower. Compare that to a Bambu P1P with AMS, which needed piles of purge waste plus nearly 2.5 extra hours of swap time for the same model.
Multimaterial Possibilities
Since each tool head has its own heater, the U1 isn’t limited to colors—you can combine different materials with different temperatures. Want to print PLA with PETG supports? Or even mix TPU and ABS? Totally possible. That flexibility sets it apart from AMS-style printers, which struggle with flexible filaments.
Speed and Waste
Here’s the big takeaway:
- Snapmaker U1 – 10–12 sec swaps, minimal waste.
- Bambu AMS – 90 sec swaps, significant purge waste.
Those seconds really add up. On a three-color Cinderwing spider, the Bambu added 2.5 hours of swap time, while the U1 only added 24 minutes.
Build and Features
- Build Volume: 270 × 270 × 270 mm (slightly larger than a Bambu P/X series).
- Motion System: CoreXY with Klipper firmware.
- Slicer: OrcaSlicer (open-source).
- Touchscreen: Large, responsive, and paired with onboard AI spaghetti detection.
- Materials: Handles ABS, ASA, PETG, PLA, and flexible filaments. TPU works in all four tool heads without modification.
One note: the enclosure ships without a top lid by default. That’s optional, but I had no trouble printing ABS and ASA with just the three included panels.
Price
Here’s where Snapmaker really shakes things up.
- Retail Price: $999
- Kickstarter Price: $799 (with four spools of filament included)
That makes the U1 just about $50 more than a Bambu P1S Combo, but with tool changer technology that’s typically reserved for far more expensive machines.
Final Thoughts
The Snapmaker U1 isn’t just another multicolor printer—it’s an affordable entry into true tool changing, with faster swaps, less waste, and broader material compatibility than AMS or MMU systems.
If you’ve been frustrated with purge piles and long color changes, the U1 might be the machine you’ve been waiting for.
👉 Want to see it in action? Check out my full video review here: SnapMaker U1 v Bambu AMS