The Bambu Lab P1S (prosumer) and Creality Ender 3 V4 (entry) come from different brands and sit in different tiers, so this is less a head-to-head than a question of how much printer you need. Note that the P1S has been replaced by the P2S and is no longer sold new. The P1S costs $150 more and gets you an enclosed chamber (with ABS, ASA, PA, PA-CF and PC on its materials list) and 48% more build volume.
This printer is no longer sold new. It has been replaced by the Bambu Lab P2S.
Best for: Makers who need an enclosed printer for ABS, ASA, PA, and PC at prosumer price — now available at clearance pricing after P2S launch.
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 P1S | Creality Ender 3 V4 | |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing | ||
| Starting Price | $549 | ★ $399 |
| Print Specs | ||
| Tier | Prosumer | Entry |
| Motion | CoreXY | BedSlinger |
| Build Volume | ★ 256 × 256 × 256 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 | Jul 5, 2023 | Jan 15, 2026 |
| Cycle length | ~335 days | ~854 days |
| Cycle advice | Superseded | Buy |
| Deals advice | Clearance | Buy |
| Next model | — | — |
The P1S has been replaced by the P2S and is no longer sold new, so there is no release cycle left to time — any unit you find now is leftover or second-hand stock.
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Ender 3 V4 is the safer buy right now — it is only 35% of the way through its expected cycle, while the P1S has already been replaced by the P2S.
Cycle and deal status as of November 12, 2026. See the launch calendar →
The Ender 3 V4 lists at $399 and the P1S at $549 — $150 apart, so the P1S costs 38% more.
Per litre of build volume, that works out to $33 for the P1S versus $35 for the Ender 3 V4 — so the pricier P1S actually gives you more build space per dollar.
Buy the Ender 3 V4. The P1S has already been replaced by the P2S and is no longer sold new, so it is only worth considering at a clearance price. If the P1S appealed to you, the fair comparison today is the Ender 3 V4 against the P2S.
Compare Bambu Lab P2S vs Creality Ender 3 V4 →
How we judge timing and deals: read our methodology →
Active chamber temperature control enables reliable ABS, ASA, PA, and PC printing without warping.
500 mm/s print speed with Bambu's vibration compensation delivers fast, accurate prints.
With the P2S released, P1S prices are at their lowest — an opportunity for budget-conscious buyers.
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.