The P1S was long Bambu's best buy: an enclosed CoreXY at 256 mm, fast (500 mm/s) and reliable, which adds to the A1s what they lack — an enclosure to print ABS, ASA, PC and composites. You pay for the mechanics and the chamber, not the lidar or AI of the X/H series.
At the heart of the P series. Above the A1s (open), below the X2D (dual nozzle, lidar) and the H series (large format). Its successor, the P2S, modernizes it (screen, AI) — compared below.
In brief
The P1S is Bambu reliability in an affordable enclosed format. Auto calibration, the Bambu Studio/Handy ecosystem, full AMS support for multicolor. No advanced camera inspection or lidar, but price/performance that made it a benchmark. Budget ≈ $399 alone, ≈ $549 as a Combo with an AMS.
Spec sheet
| Build volume | 256 × 256 × 256 mm |
| Motion | Enclosed CoreXY |
| Max speed | 500 mm/s · 20,000 mm/s² |
| Nozzle (max temp) | 300 °C (hardened nozzle optional for abrasives) |
| Bed (max temp) | 100 °C · enclosed chamber (passive heat) |
| Extruder | Direct drive |
| Materials | PLA, PETG, ABS, ASA, PC, PA, TPU, composites (with the right nozzle) |
| Multicolor | AMS — up to 16 colors (4 units) |
| Indicative price | ≈ $399 (alone) · ≈ $549 (AMS Combo) |
Strengths
- Enclosure: traps heat → reliable ABS, ASA and composites, unlike the A1s.
- Fast & reliable: 500 mm/s CoreXY, auto calibration, consistent quality.
- Full multicolor: AMS support (passive drying, up to 16 colors).
- Ecosystem: Bambu Studio, Handy app, MakerWorld — smooth and mature.
- Price/performance: the most affordable enclosed machine in the range.
Limits
- No lidar or advanced AI: no automated first-layer inspection like the X2D.
- Minimal screen: basic interface (the P2S fixes this with a touchscreen).
- No active chamber heating: passive heat; very large technical parts stay tricky.
- Multicolor waste: like any single-nozzle AMS (see the multicolor guide).
P1S vs P2S
The P2S (≈ $549 alone) is a modernized P1S: touchscreen, AI monitoring, and better support for fiber-reinforced filaments. The P1S remains an excellent buy — often cheaper — when the screen and AI aren't priorities. If the price gap is small, the P2S is the more comfortable pick. The full picture is in our Bambu lineup guide.
Who's it for?
The P1S is the versatile workshop printer: one that handles decorative PLA as well as functional ABS/ASA parts, in color if needed. To start cheaper, see the A1; for clean supports and a second material, the X2D; for large format, the H series.
The benchmark versatile enclosed machine: everything you need for technical materials, without the sensor premium.