Choosing between two solid CoreXY Bambu Lab printers? The Bambu Lab P1P is the more budget-oriented open-frame unit ideal for basic filaments and workshop prints, while the Bambu Lab P1S upgrades with a fully enclosed chamber, better cooling, and broader material support. This article breaks down the real differences — and why the P1S is the smarter choice for most makers.
If you want a printer ready to handle more materials, offer quieter and more stable printing, and give you a more complete out-of-the-box experience, then the Bambu Lab P1S beats the P1P. The P1S includes key upgrades — like an enclosed build chamber, improved cooling and air filtration, and greater compatibility with engineering filaments — that widen your printing possibilities and reduce hassles, making it worth the slightly higher price.
Why Do I Recommend Bambu Lab P1S?
- Enclosed printing chamber: Keeps ambient temperatures stable — great for printing ABS, ASA, and other temperature-sensitive materials that warp on open printers.
- Better material support: P1S handles a wider range of filaments out of the box (including higher-temp materials) without requiring mods or custom enclosures like the P1P often does.
- Cooling & filtration: Includes a stronger part-cooling fan and activated carbon air filter for quieter operation and reduced smell, especially important for ABS/ASA prints.
- Smoother out-of-box experience: Many users report the P1S’s extra enclosure panels, cooling upgrades, and included hardware make it more complete and headache-free from day one.
- Future-proof choice: The price difference between P1P and P1S is often small, but the P1S’s features scale better as you advance into tougher filaments and more complex prints.
Detailed Comparison & Recommendation
| Feature | Bambu Lab P1P | Bambu Lab P1S | Winner & Why |
|---|---|---|---|
| Frame & Enclosure | Open frame | Fully enclosed chamber | P1S — enclosure improves temperature consistency & material range |
| Cooling & Filtration | Standard | Enhanced cooling + carbon filter | P1S — better air control & quieter |
| Material Support | PLA, PETG, TPU | PLA, PETG, TPU, ABS, ASA, PC (better) | P1S — supports tougher materials with fewer mods |
| Print Speed | Up to 500 mm/s | Up to 500 mm/s | Tie — similar CoreXY motion & speed spec |
| Auto Calibration & Sensors | Standard | Advanced auto calibration + sensors | P1S — smoother leveling & quality control |
| Build Volume | 256 × 256 × 256 mm | 256 × 256 × 256 mm | Tie — same usable printing space |
| Value | Good | Better future-proof value | P1S — more features per cost |
| Check Best Seller | Check Best Seller Offers |
What Are the Major Differences Between Bambu Lab P1P vs P1S
- Enclosure & Material Range
- The most significant difference is that the P1S includes a fully enclosed build chamber, whereas the P1P is open-frame. An enclosure stabilizes heat — critical when printing ABS, ASA, polycarbonate, and other advanced materials, reducing warping and increasing success rates.
- Cooling & Filtration System
- P1S adds a more robust cooling solution and activated carbon air filtration, which helps with noise control and fumes — especially useful if you’re printing a lot in a home or shared workspace.
- Auto Calibration & Print Stability
- Both models use Bambu’s excellent CoreXY motion system and automatic calibration tools, but P1S typically includes more refined calibration routines that help deliver high-quality prints consistently.
- Price vs Performance
- The P1P was originally pitched as a budget-oriented CoreXY printer, but it lacks some hardware that P1S includes as stock (like enclosure panels and cooling upgrades). Many owners have found the P1S’s extra features worth the modest price gap for long-term use.
What Users Are Saying
| Category | Bambu Lab P1P | Bambu Lab P1S |
|---|---|---|
| Ease of setup | Basic | Smoother (more complete) |
| Material flexibility | Standard | Better with enclosure |
| Print quality | Good | Very good (stable) |
| Noise & operation | Louder | Quiet (better filtration) |
| Value | Good | Great long-term value |
| Recommended Best Seller |
Fair Advice to Consider
- Choose Bambu Lab P1S if you want a more complete machine with broader material compatibility, quieter printing, and better out-of-the-box performance — ideal for both hobbyists and professionals who may print ABS/ASA and other engineering filaments.
- Choose Bambu Lab P1P if your budget is tighter and you primarily print PLA, PETG, and TPU — and are comfortable adding your own enclosure or upgrades later.
- Many owners report that P1S’s slight price premium is justified by the enclosure and cooling upgrades that remove common pain points in printing difficult materials.
Quick Comparison
| Category | Winner | Reason |
|---|---|---|
| Material Range | P1S | Enclosed chamber supports ABS/ASA/PETG better |
| Print Speed | Tie | Same core motion & max speed |
| Calibration & Stability | P1S | More refined auto calibration |
| Noise & Filtration | P1S | Better cooling & carbon filter |
| Build Volume | Tie | Same physical size |
| Value | P1S | Slight premium for longer usefulness |
| Recommended Best Seller |
Quick Summary
Bambu Lab P1S is essentially the enhanced version of the P1P adding a fully enclosed build chamber, improved cooling & filtration, and smoother calibration routines that broaden material support and make prints more reliable. P1P is solid for basic PLA/PETG jobs and is more budget-friendly, but P1S gives you a more complete, future-ready 3D printer that grows with your skills.
Final Verdict
Best All-Around 3D Printer: Bambu Lab P1S ✔
Best Budget Entry: Bambu Lab P1P Recommendation: Choose Bambu Lab P1S if you want a more capable, enclosed, and stable 3D printing experience that handles a broad range of materials and delivers better long-term printing versatility. The modest price bump is definitely worth it for most users — especially if you plan to print engineering or temperature-sensitive filaments.