Bambu Lab A1 Combo Review (2026): Four Colors for Beginners
How this review was made
- We have not tested this printer ourselves. This is a research-based review: manufacturer specifications, the Amazon.com listing and published hands-on reviews by independent outlets, which we link below.
- Where a point comes from a third party, we say who reported it.
The Bambu Lab A1 Combo is the full-size A1 printer bundled with the AMS lite, a unit that feeds four spools and switches colors automatically during a print. It is our pick for multicolor printing: as easy to use as the A1 Mini, with a 256 mm build volume.
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Specs at a glance
| Spec | Bambu Lab A1 Combo |
|---|---|
| Price on Amazon.com | $419 (checked Nov 7, 2026) |
| Build volume | 256 × 256 × 256 mm |
| Design | Open frame, moving bed (“bed slinger”) |
| Calibration | Fully automatic, with active flow rate compensation |
| Speed | Up to 500 mm/s, 10,000 mm/s² acceleration (manufacturer) |
| Multicolor | AMS lite included: 4 spools, automatic color changes |
| Recommended materials | PLA, PETG, TPU, PVA |
| Connectivity | Wi-Fi, Bambu Handy app, Bambu Studio slicer |
What Bambu Lab promises
The A1 uses the same automatic calibration as the A1 Mini but has a bed about 40% wider in each direction. The AMS lite sits next to the printer and holds four spools. In the slicer you assign a color to each part of a model, and the printer switches between spools by itself. Bambu Lab filament spools are recognized automatically, including their color. Without the AMS lite, the A1 also prints from a single spool holder on the frame.
What published reviews report
- Flexibility: Tom’s Hardware describes the A1 as a full-size bed slinger that can print from a single spool on the gantry or from four spools in the AMS lite.
- Spool fit: 3DWithUs points out that the center hole of a spool has to be the right size to mount on the AMS lite. Some third-party spools need an adapter.
- Color changes cost filament: every color change pushes out some material, so multicolor prints produce waste and take longer than single-color prints. This applies to every system of this type.
- Four colors maximum: the AMS lite cannot be chained. For more than four colors, Bambu Lab’s enclosed printers with the larger AMS go up to 16.
The 2024 recall
In 2024 Bambu Lab recalled A1 printers sold before late January 2024 because the heatbed cable could be damaged and short-circuit (Tom’s Hardware, Health Canada). Printers sold since then have the revised cable. If you buy a used A1, check the serial number on Bambu Lab’s recall page.
Who should buy the A1 Combo?
Beginners who know they want colorful prints from day one: name signs, multicolor figurines, toys, color-coded organizers. The larger bed also makes it a good all-round printer if you only print in one color most of the time.
Who should look elsewhere
- You only print in one color: the A1 Mini or the A1 without AMS lite cost less.
- You want ABS or ASA: the A1 has an open frame. The enclosed Bambu Lab P1S handles these materials, and its Combo version adds the AMS.
Our verdict
Based on the specifications and independent reviews, the A1 Combo is one of the simplest ways to print in four colors at $419. Expect some filament waste per color change, and stick to PLA and PETG.
FAQ
What is the difference between the A1 and the A1 Combo?
The printer is the same. The Combo includes the AMS lite, which holds four spools and changes colors automatically.
A1 Combo or A1 Mini?
The A1 Combo if you want multicolor prints and a 256 mm build volume. The A1 Mini if your prints are small and you want the lowest price.
Is the Bambu Lab A1 still affected by the recall?
The 2024 recall concerned A1 printers sold before late January 2024. New printers have the revised heatbed cable.