The Bambu Lab A1 and Qidi Tech Q1 Pro are both entry-tier printers, but the Q1 Pro costs 1.7× as much — so the question is what the extra money buys. Note that the Q1 Pro has been replaced by the Q2 and is no longer sold new. The Q1 Pro costs $200 more and gets you an enclosed chamber (with ASA, PA, PA-CF and PC on its materials list) and a top speed of 600 mm/s (vs 500); the A1 answers with 4-slot multicolor and 16% more build volume.
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 →This printer is no longer sold new. It has been replaced by the Qidi Tech Q2.
Best for: Budget-conscious makers who need active chamber heating for ABS, ASA, and PA printing. Look for clearance deals — the Q2 is the better long-term buy if available.
Full details →| Bambu Lab A1 | Qidi Tech Q1 Pro | |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing | ||
| Starting Price | ★ $299 | $499 |
| Print Specs | ||
| Tier | Entry | Entry |
| Motion | BedSlinger | CoreXY |
| Build Volume | ★ 256 × 256 × 256 mm | 245 × 245 × 240 mm |
| Max Speed | 500 mm/s | ★ 600 mm/s |
| Multicolor | ★ ✅ 4 slots | ❌ No |
| Enclosure | ❌ | ★ ✅ |
| Auto Calibration | ✅ | ✅ |
| Open Source | ❌ | ❌ |
| Upgrade Kit | — | — |
| Buy Timing | ||
| Released | Oct 19, 2023 | Mar 20, 2024 |
| Cycle length | ~365 days | ~518 days |
| Cycle advice | Wait | Superseded |
| Deals advice | Buy | Clearance |
| 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The Q1 Pro has been replaced by the Q2 and is no longer sold new, so there is no release cycle left to time — any unit you find now is leftover or second-hand stock.
On timing alone, the A1 is the safer buy right now — it is 755 days past its ~365-day cycle with no successor announced, while the Q1 Pro has already been replaced by the Q2.
Cycle and deal status as of November 12, 2026. See the launch calendar →
The A1 lists at $299 and the Q1 Pro at $499 — $200 apart, so the Q1 Pro costs 67% more.
Per litre of build volume, that works out to $18 for the A1 versus $35 for the Q1 Pro — the A1 is both cheaper and roomier, so it wins on value outright.
Buy the A1. The Q1 Pro has already been replaced by the Q2 and is no longer sold new, so it is only worth considering at a clearance price. If the Q1 Pro appealed to you, the fair comparison today is the A1 against the Q2.
Compare Bambu Lab A1 vs Qidi Tech Q2 →
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 Q1 Pro's heated chamber was groundbreaking at its price point. ABS, ASA, and PA prints come out without warping that plagues open-frame printers.
Same speed class as Bambu Lab printers at a fraction of the price for enclosed printing.