The Bambu P1S Combo stands out as one of the easiest 3D printers to use, producing high-quality prints quickly with minimal maintenance. Reviewers highlight its speed exceeding 200mm per second and automated features that simplify the process for beginners and experts alike. While minor waste management issues exist, the printer transforms home 3D printing into a more accessible hobby.
For over a decade, 3D printers have been viewed as workshop tools requiring patience and troubleshooting, much like power tools that demand trial and error. The Bambu P1S Combo challenges this notion, offering a seamless experience that allows users to start prints remotely and trust in their completion.
In testing, the printer produced a standard Benchy tugboat model in under 20 minutes, far surpassing the reviewer's previous Creality Ender 3 Max Neo, which topped out at 150mm per second. The P1S achieves over 200mm per second effortlessly, though vibrations necessitated reinforcing the supporting table to reduce stringing on edges.
A key innovation is the automated waste management: before each print or filament change, the nozzle extrudes excess material into a rear trash chute, which cleans itself via a wobbling bar and trap door. This ensures clean first layers and eliminates manual nozzle cleaning, boosting print success rates. However, the waste simply drops behind the machine, sometimes sticking if warm, prompting users to add custom "poop chutes" or collection boxes.
The printer also features automatic bed leveling in a grid pattern, detecting obstructions and requiring no manual intervention over a month's use. The optional AMS bundle, essential for multi-color or multi-material projects, automates filament swaps, reducing hands-on time from heating and loading to simple selection in the Bambu Studio software. It includes desiccant slots to keep filaments dry and reads chips on Bambu spools for automatic material detection, though third-party filaments may need manual syncing adjustments due to differing numbering systems.
Despite occasional software quirks and waste cleanup, the P1S shifts focus from maintenance to creativity, motivating more ambitious projects without the hassle of filament storage or bed calibration.