Bambu Labs A1 Mini?

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askelon

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#323212 7-Nov-2025 07:46

I currently have an Ender 3v2 which is working pretty well right now (other than apparently I had a clogged nozzle which Ive just replaced). Im thinking of replacing it. I dont need multi-colour etc. I have seen PB Tech have the A1 Minis at a good price atm (no stock of course but thats not a biggie for me). Are they a worthy upgrade? Will I be missing anything other than a larger build plate? I havent printed too many things that have got near the limits of the ender - my tallest being around 150mm, maybe a little wider.

I have read they are faster at printing and require less maintenance? Faster would be great...

PANiCnz

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#3431838 7-Nov-2025 08:28

If you're going to upgrade from a Ender 3 I'd honestly suggest you need to go to a core xy printer rather than another bed slinger.

The P1S is on sale at the moment, and Jaycar have the equivalent Elegoo on sale too.

askelon

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#3431907 7-Nov-2025 10:21

Those are a little out of my budget ATM. Maybe for the next printer.

gehenna

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#3431923 7-Nov-2025 12:20

I'd go for the A1 over the A1 Mini. It's not a huge leap in price but you'll use the additional build size more often than you think.

askelon

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#3431946 7-Nov-2025 14:29

I am considering the a1 over the a1 mini.. But thats about the top of my budget since PB Tech has them for $479 atm.. Its just for playing around with so a bigger budget isnt really an option atm.

Jiriteach

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#3431948 7-Nov-2025 15:19

There are a few differences between the A1 mini and A1 apart from build size. Overall - they are the same. A1's are great all round printer - esp. for a bed slinger. The P1S is very nice as a CoreXY but the A1's are solid - they just work.

Just sold one of my A1's since I've ordered the P2S and have too many P1S's!

-- opinions expressed by me are solely my own. ie - personal

askelon

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#3431949 7-Nov-2025 15:25

Id consider a new P1S but we have a new cat whos fat.. Costs alot to keep her in sumo shape :P Maybe for my next upgrade.

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askelon

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#3432245 8-Nov-2025 21:10

I now have a bambu A1 (rather than the mini) on order. Hopefully to be delivered mid December. Under $500 so I'm happy. I was bidding on an A1 Mini on trademe but it's now 2/3s the price of a new one with a day to go.

Dunnersfella

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#3432246 8-Nov-2025 21:37

Nice - loving our A1 Mini.

Marvle3D are an awesome place to buy from / talk to etc.

If you're in Auckland, worth visiting.

I wish I'd got mine from them and not PB Tech as the guy who sold us our printer @ PB's had to google the answer to our questions... vs the guys @ Marvle3D who live and breathe it.

My $0.02

askelon

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#3436700 22-Nov-2025 15:47

My A1 turned up today. Got the first print going atm. Man its quick!! Maybe a little quieter than the old ender 3v2. Not too difficult to setup. Pity I cant keep using orcaslicer though.

Jiriteach

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#3436701 22-Nov-2025 15:51

askelon:

My A1 turned up today. Got the first print going atm. Man its quick!! Maybe a little quieter than the old ender 3v2. Not too difficult to setup. Pity I cant keep using orcaslicer though.

You can - just need to use LAN mode effectively disconnecting from the Bambu Lab cloud. I find it a better approach since I hook it up to OctoEverywhere which provides remote access via OctaApp plus AI monitoring of prints!

-- opinions expressed by me are solely my own. ie - personal

askelon

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#3436702 22-Nov-2025 15:54

Jiriteach:

You can - just need to use LAN mode effectively disconnecting from the Bambu Lab cloud. I find it a better approach since I hook it up to OctoEverywhere which provides remote access via OctaApp plus AI monitoring of prints!

Oh interesting. I'll have to look at that later. I have a sub to octoeverywhere which is due to expire next month. And bought octoapp a while back..