Bambu Lab P1S vs Prusa Research Mini+
The Bambu Lab P1S (prosumer) and Prusa Research Mini+ (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 Note that the P1S has been replaced by the P2S and is no longer sold new.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 $90 more and gets you an enclosed chamber (with ABS, PA, PA-CF and PC on its materials list) and 188% more build volume; the Mini+ answers with an open-source design.
๐ฐPrusa Research Mini+ is $90 cheaper (16% less)
๐Bambu Lab P1S has 188% more build volume
โกBambu Lab P1S tops out at 500 mm/s vs 200 mm/s
๐ Only Bambu Lab P1S has an enclosure โ and it adds ABS, PA, PA-CF, PC to the materials list
โ ๏ธ Ecosystem lock-in warning: Bambu and Prusa are not interchangeable ecosystems. Bambu's AMS system is proprietary โ multicolor filaments, cloud features, and software are tightly coupled. Prusa's MMU3 is open source. Switching ecosystems later means replacing filament profiles, software presets, and accessories. Choose based on your long-term workflow, not just the current specs.
Bambu Lab P1S
Buy/Wait:Superseded
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 It has been replaced by the Bambu Lab P2S.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 โ now available at clearance pricing after P2S launch.
Full details โPrusa Research Mini+
Buy/Wait:Wait
Overdue for a refresh โ 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 โ and don't mind a slower, more deliberate printing experience.
Full details โ| Bambu Lab P1S | Prusa Research Mini+ |
|---|
| Pricing |
| Starting Price | $549 | โ
$459 |
| Print Specs |
| Tier | Prosumer | Entry |
| Motion | CoreXY | BedSlinger |
| Build Volume | โ
256 ร 256 ร 256 mm | 180 ร 180 ร 180 mm |
| Max Speed | โ
500 mm/s | 200 mm/s |
| Multicolor | โ
โ
4 slots | โ No |
| Enclosure | โ
โ
| โ |
| Auto Calibration | โ
| โ
|
| Open Source | โ | โ
โ
|
| Upgrade Kit | โ | โ |
| Buy Timing |
| Released | Jul 5, 2023 | Apr 25, 2021 |
| Cycle length | ~335 days | ~730 days |
| Cycle advice | Superseded | Wait |
| Deals advice | Clearance | Buy |
| Next model | โ | โ |
Timing: When to Buy
The P1S has been replaced by the P2S and is no longer sold new, so there is no release cycle left to time โ any unit you find now is leftover or second-hand stock.
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.
On timing alone, the Mini+ is the safer buy right now โ it is 1,297 days past its ~730-day cycle with no successor announced, while the P1S has already been replaced by the P2S.
Cycle and deal status as of November 12, 2026. See the launch calendar โ
Deals & Pricing
The Mini+ lists at $459 and the P1S at $549 โ $90 apart, so the P1S costs 20% more.
Per litre of build volume, that works out to $33 for the P1S versus $79 for the Mini+ โ so the pricier P1S actually gives you more build space per dollar.
- P1S: No longer sold new, so there is no sale calendar to track โ judge any listing against the P2S's $549 list price.
- Mini+: Prusa does not take part in Black Friday or Prime Day sales, so the $459 list price is what you will pay โ there is no sale to wait for.
Who Should Choose Each
Choose the Bambu Lab P1S ifโฆ
- you find it at a clearance price โ it is no longer sold new, and the P2S is its replacement
- you want our higher-rated printer โ 8.6 vs 7.9 out of 10
- you want to print ABS, PA, PA-CF and PC โ it is enclosed and lists them, while the Mini+ is open-frame
- you print large parts โ its 256 ร 256 ร 256 mm build volume holds 188% more than the Mini+'s 180 ร 180 ร 180 mm
- print speed matters โ it is rated for 500 mm/s against 200 mm/s
- you want multicolor prints โ it supports 4 slots, while the Mini+ is single-color
Choose the Prusa Research Mini+ ifโฆ
- you want to spend less โ it is $90 cheaper ($459 vs $549)
- you want an open-source printer you can modify and repair yourself โ the P1S is not open source
- you are buying now โ it is the safer pick on timing (overdue for refresh, vs superseded for the P1S)
- your prints fit within 180 ร 180 ร 180 mm โ then the P1S's extra build volume is money you do not need to spend
Quick Winner by Buyer Type
๐ฐ
Budget pick
Prusa Research Mini+
$459 vs $549
๐
Large prints
Bambu Lab P1S
256ร256ร256 mm
โก
Fastest prints
Bambu Lab P1S
500 vs 200 mm/s
๐
Open ecosystem
Prusa Research Mini+
Open source
๐งช
Engineering filaments
Bambu Lab P1S
5 vs 1 listed
๐จ
Multicolor
Bambu Lab P1S
4 slots vs none
โญ
Editor score
Bambu Lab P1S
8.6 vs 7.9
๐
Buy-now timing
Prusa Research Mini+
Overdue for refresh
The Gaps That Matter
๐ฐPriceMini+ wins
$459 vs $549 โ 16% less than the P1S
๐ EnclosureP1S wins
Enclosed P1S vs open-frame Mini+
ABS, PA, PA-CF and PC appear only on the P1S's materials list. ABS needs an enclosure.
๐Build volumeP1S wins
256 ร 256 ร 256 mm vs 180 ร 180 ร 180 mm (16.8 L vs 5.8 L)
The Mini+ tops out at 180 ร 180 ร 180 mm; anything larger has to be printed in pieces.
โกSpeedP1S wins
500 vs 200 mm/s โ 2.5ร the rated top speed
๐จMulticolorP1S wins
4 slots vs single-color
๐OpennessMini+ wins
Open-source Mini+ vs closed P1S
Materials
ABSHeat and impact resistant โ needs enclosure
PANylon โ strong and wear-resistant, needs dry storage
PA-CFCarbon-fibre nylon โ very stiff, abrasive to standard nozzles
PCPolycarbonate โ extremely tough, challenging to print
PLAEasy to print, no enclosure needed โ everyday parts
PETGTougher, slightly flexible, moisture-resistant
ASAUV-stable ABS alternative โ outdoor parts, needs enclosure
TPUFlexible rubber-like โ phone cases, gaskets, wheels
โ
Why buy each?
Bambu Lab P1S
Full enclosure with chamber heatingActive chamber temperature control enables reliable ABS, ASA, PA, and PC printing without warping.
CoreXY speed and precision500 mm/s print speed with Bambu's vibration compensation delivers fast, accurate prints.
Now at clearance pricesWith the P2S released, P1S prices are at their lowest โ an opportunity for budget-conscious buyers.
Prusa Research Mini+
Proven reliability over 5+ yearsThe Mini+ has been on the market since 2021 and has proven its durability with thousands of community print-hours logged.
Fully open source and repairablePrusa stocks replacement parts for all Mini+ components. Community guides cover every repair scenario.
Affordable Prusa entry pointThe lowest-cost way to enter the Prusa ecosystem with a fully supported printer.