Although the principles and printers created by Prusa and Bambu differ greatly, both companies produce high-quality printers.
This article's comparisons primarily use the Prusa MK4, Prusa XL, Bambu P1P, and Bambu X1-C. Statements made are pulled from the Prusa and Bambu websites, company commentary, and user feedback.
If there is any missing key information, misleading statements, or videos that add context, please let us know on our discord or contact us.
Table of Contents
Overview
Prusa
- If you care about open-source and right to repair, then Prusa printers are right for you.
- The Prusa printers are remarkably quiet, and the print speed of the MK4 & XL is close to Bambu printers.
- If you want to quickly print with several different materials or colors in a session, then the Prusa XL is ideal.
Bambu Lab
- If you want a plug & play printer and do not care about proprietary parts, then Bambu Lab printers are right for you.
- The Bambu printers are very loud, and they are arguably slightly faster than the MK4 and XL.
- If you want to print with multiple colors and support materials, then a Bambu printer with AMS is ideal.
About The Companies
Prusa
- Prusa Research is located in Prague, Czech Republic.
- Prusa recently bought US-based Printed Solid to serve as exclusive distribution for US customers.
Bambu Lab
- Bambu Lab is located in Shenzhen, China.
- Bambu does have US office space in Austin, Texas for maintenance and distribution.
Open-Source vs Proprietary
Prusa
- The Prusa printers originated from the RepRap project, where one of the goals was to create a printer that could self-replicate.
- The Prusa printer designs are open-source, so that all of the components can be printed or sourced from universal parts.
- PrusaSlicer, is an open-source slicer for FDM and Resin. It is tailored to Prusa's printers, but it is compatible with any other manufacturer's printer.
Bambu Lab
- The Bambu printers are made of proprietary parts, including key components like the hotend and extruder.
- Bambu will ship you a replacement part or printer if is damaged under warranty. However, some components, like bearings, will require you to ship the entire printer back to Bambu for repair.
- Bambu Studio is the slicer designed for the P1P and X1. It is required to be open-source since it is based on PrusaSlicer.
Prusa MK4 vs Bambu P1P
Prusa MK4
- The Prusa MK4 kit is $800, and the assembled version is $1,100.
- The build volume of the MK4 is 250 x 210 x 220 mm.
- The MK4 calibrates the first layer and levels using a strain gauge in the nozzle.
Bambu P1P
- The Bambu P1P comes assembled for $700.
- The build volume of the P1P is 256 x 256 x 256 mm.
- The P1P levels using a touch probe.
Prusa XL vs Bambu X1C
Prusa XL
- The partially assembled Prusa XL with a single tool head is $2,000.
- The build volume of the XL is 360 x 360 x 360 mm.
- The Prusa XL is not enclosed.
- The XL calibrates the first layer and levels using a strain gauge in the nozzle.
Bambu X1-Carbon
- The Bambu X1-Carbon comes assembled for $1,200.
- The build volume of the X1C is 256 x 256 x 256 mm.
- The X1C is enclosed but not insulated.
- The X1C levels using LiDAR.
Pricing
Prusa
- The Prusa Mini kit is $430, and the assembled version is $460.
- The Prusa MK4 kit is $800, and the assembled version is $1,100.
- The partially assembled Prusa XL with a single tool head is $2,000.
- A fully assembled Prusa XL with five tool heads is $4,000.
Bambu Lab
- The Bambu P1P comes assembled for $700.
- The Bambu X1 comes assembled for $1,000.
- The Bambu X1-Carbon comes assembled for $1,200.
- The Bambu X1-Carbon combo with the AMS is $1,450. The AMS by itself is $350.
Printer Issues and Customer Support
Prusa
- The MMU can be a rocky experience and requires tweaking to get successful prints.
- Prusa arguably has one of the best customer service experiences for consumer printers.
Bambu Lab
- There are some reports of warped heat beds and quality issues of other components.
- Proprietary parts limit your right to repair, and it is common to have to ship the entire printer back for maintenance.
- At least for now, Bambu support has delays due to lack of personnel.
Noise Level
Prusa
- The Prusa printers are renowned for how quiet they are, and most users agree.
- A MK3S+ is 40-50 dB on silent mode and 45-55 on normal mode.
- This means that an exposed MK3S+ on silent mode is ~40 dB, and an enclosed MK3S+ will be 30-40 dB.
Bambu Lab
- The Bambu printers are quite loud, and most users agree.
- The Bambu printers are between 50-70 dB, depending on the enclosure, print mode, and if any insulation is used.
- This means that the enclosed Bambu printer on silent mode will be ~50 dB.
Print Speed
Prusa
- The default startup procedure on a MK3S+ takes approximately 3 minutes.
- From an early MK4 video, a benchy, at quality, can be printed in 19 minutes.
Bambu Lab
- Per reports, the default startup procedure of the X1-C takes approximately 8 minutes.
- From official Bambu videos, a benchy, at quality, can be printed in 18 minutes.
Multi-Material (Color) Capability
Prusa
- None of the Prusa printers can print multiple materials by default.
- The MK3S+ and MK4 can be equipped with the $300 MMU3, which will be released in June.
- In prior versions of the MMU, people have reported a workable but rocky experience. Years ago, I used a MMU2 and can agree with this sentiment. Maybe the MMU3 will be different?
- On an upbeat note, the Prusa XL's multiple tool heads blow the competition out of the water (for a hefty price). For an additional $500 you get two tool heads, and $1,500 will get you five tool heads.
- The XL tool heads are independent, so they can rapidly switch between any material during printing. This means you can use PP, carbon fiber nylon, TPU, and support material in a single print.
Bambu Lab
- None of the Bambu printers can print multiple materials by default.
- Bambu printers can be equipped with the $350 AMS.
- The AMS works well with multi-color printing, not multiple materials. For example, it can do PLA + support, but PP and carbon fiber nylon will not work.
- From the Bambu website, the AMS has issues with flexible material, particle-infused, carbon fiber, glass fiber filament and cardboard spools.
- The AMS takes up to 2 minutes to conduct a color change.
- The AMS, MMU, and other systems like it will create more waste than the Prusa XL's independent tool heads.
High-Temperature Materials
Prusa
- None of the Prusa printers are enclosed by default, so they will need to be placed in an enclosure.
- Prusa sells a professional version of the well-known IKEA Lack DIY enclosure, but it only reaches a chamber temperature of 33°C when the bed temperature is 60°C and the ambient temperature is 20°C.
- According to Prusa, when the bed is at 110°C, the chamber will reach 39°C. This is because the main heat source is the bed, and this type of enclosure offers minimal insulation.
- An insulated enclosure, glass and mineral wool, can easily reach 50°C with the 60°C heat bed alone.
Bambu Lab
- The X1C comes enclosed but the P1P does not.
- Per reports, the X1C chamber will reach 35-40°C when the bed temperature is 60°C.
- The X1C enclosure can reach 50°C when the bed temperature is 110°C.
- To reach a chamber temperature of 70-90°C, insulation or another heat source will have to be added. This goes for the Prusa and Bambu printers.
- Elevated temperatures will require moving the electronics outside of the enclosure to prevent damage.
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