Throughout the years, 3D printing has evolved a lot but Bambu Lab stays on top of its game for producing some of the most innovative printers. The Bambu Lab A1 and A1 Mini are the two printers that are the first choices for many over the globe.
While the A1 is a full-fledged 3D printer with a bigger size, the A1 mini offers similar benefits but at a fraction of the price. However, there are some differences between them, which is why we are bringing an in-depth comparison between the Bambu Lab A1 Mini and A1.
Here are the 5 important reasons you should choose the mini variant compared to the bigger one.
- Compact Design with Space-Saving Shenanigans
The biggest advantage the A1 Mini has over the regular A1 is its size. While it might seem like a disadvantage, that’s not true. Both the A1 and A1 Mini share similar features but the A1 Mini is smaller, making it perfect for people who have limited space to work.
Here are all the use cases of the A1 Mini where it shines and surpasses the regular one-sized A1:
- Perfect for Small Workspaces: Students often need to work in a small studio or even their apartment. If you have a small shelf space or area, the regular Bambu Lab A1 might not fit the picture. There, the A1 Mini fits easily in time spaces without delaying the print results or causing quality issues.
- Amazing Printing Quality: While many 3D printer users have this idea that the A1 Mini will cause a compromised print quality, it actually offers the same high precision and reliability just like the regular A1. This means that you’re getting similar benefits with a smaller form factor.
- Lightweight, Portable, and Exciting: The Bambu Lab A1 Mini is quite easy to bring from one place to another. If you go to your university and need to get some architectural or computer science projects, then the A1 Mini is a convenient choice for anyone.
The only disadvantage of the A1 Mini over the regular A1 is that it is not ideal for large build volumes. However, it still has an amazing performance, making you save money while providing similar results.
- Lower Power Consumption
Energy efficiency is a huge factor for many users especially due to the soaring electricity prices. That’s where the Bambu Lab A1 Mini excels. A massive difference between both printers comes in their power consumption.
For example, the regular Bambu Lab A1 takes around 1300W of max power with a 220V plug and 350W with 110V electricity. Moving onto the Bambu Lab A1 Mini, it only takes around 150W max, which is the perfect option to be more cost-effective over time.
In many countries, there’s no flat electricity fee. This means that if you go above certain units, you will get higher rates, which will not be ideal for anyone, especially the student. So, the lesser wattage will make it more cost-effective while also providing an eco-friendly option.
Another great benefit of the A1 Mini is that it generates less heat, which is perfect for maintaining a cooler working environment, especially in enclosed places. For the regular model, you often need a Bambu Lab A1 enclosure, which lets you control the temperature better.
However, with the A1 Mini, you don’t need to worry about controlling temperature much because the small size and small wattage requirements generate less heat.
- Budget Friendliness
Cost is one of the main reasons most people never get a 3D printer. The regular A1 costs you around $379 at the time of this writing and if you’re getting the A1 Combo, then you can expect a price tag of over $500.
This means your upfront costs are higher while the electricity bills increase as well. Moving forward to the A1 Mini, you get that printer model for around $239, which is less compared to the main model.
To make it interesting, the A1 Mini also has fewer moving parts, a smaller build plate, and little to no maintenance expenses. Lastly, you will also save a lot of money from filament usage since the A1 Mini requires less filament for the most part, making you save the material costs as well.
- Easy To Set Up
The whole purpose of making the A1 Mini is to provide comfort to the users. It is one of the most excellent options for beginners who are looking to get into the world of 3D printing and want a hassle-free printing experience.
The printer only requires 10-20 minutes to set up and compared to the standard A1, it allows you to print in little to no time. Moreover, it also has a user-friendly interface which is perfect for users who are new to the world of 3D printing.
The auto-calibration feature makes the A1 Mini a great beginner-friendly 3D printer compared to even other brands since it is compatible with Bambu Studio as well.
- Quiet Printing Experience
Noise levels are one of the biggest annoyances when it comes to 3D printing. The Bambu Lab A1 Mini is designed to work much quieter than the standard A1. The first thing to consider when using a printer is knowing how much noise it makes.
Generally, the A1 Mini is much quieter compared to the regular A1. This makes it perfect for home use, offices, and school. With a less noisy experience, anyone can make printing easier.
Final Verdict
Both the Bambu Lab A1 and A1 Mini offer excellent 3d printing capabilities but the A1 stands out in areas like a space-saving design, lower consumption rate, improved accuracy, and more affordable pricing.And if you’re looking for more Bambu Labs or generally 3D printing accessories, then you should visit Chitu Systems out.
