Why the Bambu A1 is the Real MVP for Beginners

So you’ve decided to get into 3D printing. Congrats! You’re about to enter a world where you can make anything from a Baby Yoda pencil holder to a sword that definitely won’t fit through your doorway. But before you start dreaming about your new print farm empire, let’s get one thing straight: not all printers are created equal.

Today, it’s time to put two heavyweights in the ring: the Bambu A1 (with AMS Lite) vs. the Bambu P1S (with AMS). Spoiler alert: the A1 wins for beginners every time. Let’s break down why — with a little humor along the way.

1. Price Tag Smackdown 💸

• P1S: Fancy, enclosed, CoreXY motion system… and a bill that’ll make your wallet cry.

• A1: Still powerful, but costs less — leaving you extra cash for filament, snacks, or that “accidental” Amazon order at 2AM.

Winner: A1. Because no beginner needs a printer that costs more than their first car stereo.

2. Learning Curve (Or Lack Thereof) 📚

• P1S: Like signing up for a college class when you haven’t even graduated high school yet. You’ll learn, but it’s work.

• A1: Push button. Print thing. Smile. Repeat. That’s the beginner dream.

Winner: A1. Nobody got into 3D printing to debug firmware at midnight.

3. AMS Showdown 🎨

• P1S + AMS: Cool, but bigger, heavier, and more expensive. Like a fancy coffee machine you don’t actually know how to use.

• A1 + AMS Lite: Smaller, simpler, easier to live with. Like a Keurig — push the button, enjoy the colors.

Winner: A1. Multicolor fun without the drama.

4. Speed vs. Sanity 🏃‍♂️

• P1S: Faster on paper, yes. But do beginners care if their first Benchy takes 40 minutes instead of 55? No. They’re too busy staring in awe as plastic magic happens.

• A1: “Fast enough” to impress your friends and post a TikTok.

Winner: A1. Beginners don’t need speed records. They need prints that don’t fail.

5. Size, Noise, and Living Room Approval 🏠

• P1S: Bigger, enclosed, and a bit noisier. It’s like bringing home a second roommate.

• A1: Open-frame, smaller footprint, and friendly enough to sit on your desk without scaring the dog.

Winner: A1. Your spouse, roommate, or cat will thank you.

6. What You’ll Actually Print 🦖

• P1S: Built for people who want to print with exotic materials, enclosed heat control, and production work.

• A1: Built for the rest of us who want dinosaurs, cosplay helmets, and random organizers we’ll never actually use.

Winner: A1. Because “I just made this flexi-dragon!” is way cooler than “I calibrated my ABS profile for the 14th time.”

7. The Fun Factor 🎉

At the end of the day, the A1 is like your fun cousin at a family party. Shows up, makes everyone laugh, teaches you a TikTok dance, and leaves without any drama.
The P1S is like your overachieving cousin. Great résumé, knows calculus, but you don’t actually want to hang out with them when you’re just trying to have fun.

Winner: A1. Every beginner needs fun first, tinkering later.

Final Verdict 🏆

If you’re new to 3D printing, skip the overkill and go with the A1 + AMS Lite.
It’s cheaper, friendlier, and way easier to learn on. You’ll spend less time pulling your hair out and more time showing off cool prints to your friends.

Because at the end of the day, the P1S might flex… but the A1 just works.