The Bambu Lab P2S (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. The P2S 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.
Early in release cycle — no urgency to wait
Best for: Serious makers and prosumers who need enclosed printing for ABS, ASA, PA, PA-CF, and PC — and want Bambu's plug-and-play experience at a prosumer price.
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 P2S | 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 | ★ 600 mm/s | 500 mm/s |
| Multicolor | ✅ 4 slots | ✅ 4 slots |
| Enclosure | ★ ✅ | ❌ |
| Auto Calibration | ✅ | ✅ |
| Open Source | ❌ | ❌ |
| Upgrade Kit | — | — |
| Buy Timing | ||
| Released | Oct 14, 2025 | Jan 15, 2026 |
| Cycle length | ~832 days | ~854 days |
| Cycle advice | Buy | Buy |
| Deals advice | Buy | Buy |
| Next model | P3S or next prosumer model (Expected late 2027) | — |
The P2S was released on Oct 14, 2025, 394 days ago. Based on Bambu Lab's release cadence, we expect the next model (P3S or next prosumer model) around late 2027 — about 323 days away, which puts the P2S 55% of the way through its cycle.
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.
Both are early enough in their cycles that timing should not decide this one. The P2S has roughly 323 days of runway on past cadence and the Ender 3 V4 has roughly 553 days of runway on past cadence. Pick on features and price.
Cycle and deal status as of November 12, 2026. See the launch calendar →
The Ender 3 V4 lists at $399 and the P2S at $549 — $150 apart, so the P2S costs 38% more.
Per litre of build volume, that works out to $33 for the P2S versus $35 for the Ender 3 V4 — so the pricier P2S actually gives you more build space per dollar.
With both in sale windows until Dec 5, 2026, this is a good moment to buy either — compare the live sale prices before you decide.
Our pick for most buyers is the P2S, for an enclosed chamber (with ABS, ASA, PA, PA-CF and PC on its materials list) and 48% more build volume, plus a higher editor score (9.2 vs 8.2). Go for the Ender 3 V4 instead if you want to spend less — it is $150 cheaper ($399 vs $549).
How we judge timing and deals: read our methodology →
The P2S enclosure maintains a more consistent chamber temperature over the P1S, reducing warping on long ABS and PA prints.
PLA through PC — the P2S handles the entire engineering filament spectrum with reliable results.
The P-series CoreXY enclosure design strikes the best balance of price, speed, and material capability in Bambu's lineup.
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.