The Bambu Lab A1 and Prusa Research Mini+ are cross-brand rivals: both are entry-tier printers, listed $160 apart. Both are open-frame bed-slinger printers with automatic calibration. The Mini+ costs $160 more and gets you an open-source design and extra engineering materials (ASA); the A1 answers with 188% more build volume and a top speed of 500 mm/s (vs 200).
Overdue for a refresh — no successor announced yet. Prices should be at their lowest
Best for: Makers who want large prints and multicolor capability without an enclosure — ideal for PLA, PETG, and flexible materials.
Full details →Overdue for a refresh — no successor announced yet. Prices should be at their lowest
Best for: Beginners who prioritize open-source hardware, community support, and long-term reliability over speed — and don't mind a slower, more deliberate printing experience.
Full details →| Bambu Lab A1 | Prusa Research Mini+ | |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing | ||
| Starting Price | ★ $299 | $459 |
| Print Specs | ||
| Tier | Entry | Entry |
| Motion | BedSlinger | BedSlinger |
| Build Volume | ★ 256 × 256 × 256 mm | 180 × 180 × 180 mm |
| Max Speed | ★ 500 mm/s | 200 mm/s |
| Multicolor | ★ ✅ 4 slots | ❌ No |
| Enclosure | ❌ | ❌ |
| Auto Calibration | ✅ | ✅ |
| Open Source | ❌ | ★ ✅ |
| Upgrade Kit | — | — |
| Buy Timing | ||
| Released | Oct 19, 2023 | Apr 25, 2021 |
| Cycle length | ~365 days | ~730 days |
| Cycle advice | Wait | Wait |
| Deals advice | Buy | Buy |
| Next model | — | — |
The A1 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 Mini+ was released on Apr 25, 2021, 2,027 days ago. Its previous release cycle ran about 730 days; it is now 1,297 days past that point and no successor has been announced.
Both are overdue for a refresh with no successor announced. That should keep prices near their lowest, but a replacement could be announced at any time — check the launch calendar before buying. The Mini+ is the more overdue of the two.
Cycle and deal status as of November 12, 2026. See the launch calendar →
The A1 lists at $299 and the Mini+ at $459 — $160 apart, so the Mini+ costs 54% more.
Per litre of build volume, that works out to $18 for the A1 versus $79 for the Mini+ — the A1 is both cheaper and roomier, so it wins on value outright.
If you are buying before Dec 1, 2026, the active sale tips value toward the A1.
Our pick for most buyers is the A1, for a lower price ($160 less) and 188% more build volume, plus a higher editor score (9.1 vs 7.9). Go for the Mini+ instead if you want an open-source printer you can modify and repair yourself — the A1 is not open source. One caveat: the A1 is 755 days past its ~365-day cycle with no successor announced, so check the launch calendar before you buy. The A1 is also in a sale window right now (Bambu Black Friday 2026, until Dec 1, 2026).
How we judge timing and deals: read our methodology →
The A1 Combo includes the AMS Lite for 4-color filament switching — the same system used on the A1 Mini and A2L.
Roughly 2.9 times the volume of the A1 Mini — great for terrain, cosplay props, and functional parts. The A2L is the step up if you need a larger bed-slinger.
Works with Bambu Studio, Bambu Handy app, and the full Bambu filament ecosystem including multi-material profiles.
The Mini+ has been on the market since 2021 and has proven its durability with thousands of community print-hours logged.
Prusa stocks replacement parts for all Mini+ components. Community guides cover every repair scenario.
The lowest-cost way to enter the Prusa ecosystem with a fully supported printer.