The Bambu Lab A1 Mini and Creality Ender 3 V4 are both entry-tier printers, but the Ender 3 V4 costs 1.8× as much — so the question is what the extra money buys. Both are open-frame bed-slinger printers with 4-slot multicolor, a 500 mm/s rated top speed and automatic calibration. The Ender 3 V4 costs $180 more and gets you 95% more build volume.
Overdue for a refresh — no successor announced yet. Prices should be at their lowest
Best for: Budget-conscious beginners who want Bambu's ease of use and multicolor printing in a compact footprint.
Full details →Early in release cycle — no urgency to wait
Best for: Budget-conscious beginners who want optional multicolor printing in the trusted Ender 3 form factor at an accessible price — and are comfortable with a hands-on setup experience.
Full details →| Bambu Lab A1 Mini | Creality Ender 3 V4 | |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing | ||
| Starting Price | ★ $219 | $399 |
| Print Specs | ||
| Tier | Entry | Entry |
| Motion | BedSlinger | BedSlinger |
| Build Volume | 180 × 180 × 180 mm | ★ 220 × 220 × 235 mm |
| Max Speed | 500 mm/s | 500 mm/s |
| Multicolor | ✅ 4 slots | ✅ 4 slots |
| Enclosure | ❌ | ❌ |
| Auto Calibration | ✅ | ✅ |
| Open Source | ❌ | ❌ |
| Upgrade Kit | — | — |
| Buy Timing | ||
| Released | Oct 19, 2023 | Jan 15, 2026 |
| Cycle length | ~365 days | ~854 days |
| Cycle advice | Wait | Buy |
| Deals advice | Buy | Buy |
| Next model | — | — |
The A1 Mini was released on Oct 19, 2023, 1,120 days ago. Its previous release cycle ran about 365 days; it is now 755 days past that point and no successor has been announced.
The Ender 3 V4 was released on Jan 15, 2026, 301 days ago. Its previous release cycle ran about 854 days, so it is 35% of the way through — roughly 553 days before a successor would be due at that pace.
On timing alone, the Ender 3 V4 is the safer buy right now — it is only 35% of the way through its expected cycle, while the A1 Mini is 755 days past its ~365-day cycle with no successor announced.
Cycle and deal status as of November 12, 2026. See the launch calendar →
The A1 Mini lists at $219 and the Ender 3 V4 at $399 — $180 apart, so the Ender 3 V4 costs 82% more.
Per litre of build volume, that works out to $38 for the A1 Mini versus $35 for the Ender 3 V4 — so the pricier Ender 3 V4 actually gives you more build space per dollar.
With both in sale windows, this is a good moment to buy either — compare the live sale prices before you decide.
Our pick for most buyers is the A1 Mini, for a lower price ($180 less), plus a higher editor score (9.0 vs 8.2). Go for the Ender 3 V4 instead if you print large parts — its 220 × 220 × 235 mm build volume holds 95% more than the A1 Mini's 180 × 180 × 180 mm. One caveat: the A1 Mini is 755 days past its ~365-day cycle with no successor announced, so check the launch calendar before you buy.
How we judge timing and deals: read our methodology →
The A1 Mini sets up in minutes with automatic calibration and Bambu's guided first-print workflow.
Up to 4 colors with the AMS Lite accessory — Bambu's filament switching system with minimal waste purging.
Fits on a desk or shelf without taking over your workspace, while still printing at 500 mm/s.
The V4's rigid frame reduces vibration at high speeds, improving print quality over the V3 KE's lighter structure.
The Combo bundle includes Creality's CFS filament system for 4-color printing, expandable to 16 colors with additional CFS units — one of the most affordable multicolor setups available.
The Ender 3 family has the largest 3D printing community in the world, with extensive documentation, mods, and active Creality firmware updates.