Bambu Lab P1S vs X1C in 2026: Which to Buy, and Where the P2S and X2D Fit

April 2, 2026

Bambu Lab P1S vs X1C: Which One Should You Buy? - OzFDM

Written by Logan F.

Quick answer: For PLA, PETG, ASA and ABS, the P1S does almost everything the X1C does, and it is still in production. The retired X1C adds LiDAR, a hardened steel nozzle, a touchscreen and a 110°C bed. If you're buying new in 2026, compare the P2S first, and look at the X2D for engineering materials and soluble supports.

P1S or X1C used to be the most common Bambu Lab decision for serious Australian makers. It still matters if you're weighing a new P1S against a second-hand X1C, but the range has changed: the P2S launched in October 2025, X1 series production ended in March 2026, and the X2D arrived in April 2026. This comparison keeps the core P1S vs X1C breakdown and adds where the newer printers fit.

What changed in 2026

X1 Carbon: production ended on 31 March 2026. Firmware updates continue until 31 May 2027, and spare parts and support until 31 March 2031.
P1S: still made and sold. When Bambu Lab retired the P1P in February 2026, it said it had no plans to phase out the P1S in the foreseeable future.
P2S: launched in October 2025 as a re-engineered P1 series printer that sits above the P1S.
X2D: launched in April 2026 as the new X-series printer, with two nozzles and a heated chamber.

What the P1S and X1C share

Both printers use the same CoreXY layout and 256 × 256 × 256 mm build volume, reach 300°C at the nozzle, and work with the AMS and AMS 2 Pro. Both run automatic bed levelling, vibration compensation and pressure advance, both are fully enclosed, and both support LAN only mode. With the same nozzle and settings, PLA and PETG prints from the two machines are very hard to tell apart.

What the X1C has that the P1S doesn't

LiDAR: the X1C's micro LiDAR inspects the first layer and helps with flow calibration, while the P1S relies on force sensors. Both produce good first layers; the LiDAR is a safety net on long jobs rather than a requirement for quality.
Hardened steel nozzle: the X1C ships ready for carbon fibre and glass fibre blends. The P1S has a stainless steel nozzle, so fit a hardened one before printing abrasive filaments.
Screen: the X1C has a 5-inch colour touchscreen; the P1S has a 2.7-inch monochrome screen with buttons.
Bed temperature: 110°C on the X1C against 100°C on the P1S, which gives a little more headroom for high-temperature materials.
Monitoring: the X1C's camera and AI-assisted print monitoring are more capable.

The enclosure matters more than the LiDAR

The most important feature of both machines is the enclosure. Printing ABS and ASA without warping needs stable, draught-free air around the part, and the P1S and X1C provide that equally. If your main reason for buying is ASA and ABS, the P1S gives you the same enclosure for less money.

Neither printer has active chamber heating. Nylon and polycarbonate are possible on both, but they take more care with warping and layer adhesion than on a printer with a heated chamber, which is where the X2D comes in.

Where the P2S fits

If you're choosing between a P1S and an X1C, look at the P2S first. It keeps the 256 × 256 × 256 mm build volume and picks up several X1C-style features: a 5-inch touchscreen, a 0.4 mm hardened steel nozzle and a 110°C bed. It adds a quick-swap hotend, a servo-driven extruder, a sharper 1080p camera and an airflow system that adjusts conditions inside the enclosure for different filaments, and the Combo comes with the AMS 2 Pro. It has no LiDAR and no active chamber heating.

If your P1S already prints well, a P2S is a nice upgrade rather than a necessary one. If you're buying new and can stretch past the P1S, the P2S is the better long-term choice.

Where the X2D fits

The X2D is for makers who want what the X1C offered plus things it never could do. Its second nozzle switches mechanically and is fed by a Bowden tube, so you can print PVA or breakaway supports alongside the main material without purging at every swap. Active chamber heating up to 65°C helps with nylon, polycarbonate and fibre-filled engineering filaments, and it works with the AMS 2 Pro and AMS HT. It has no LiDAR, but offers an optional Vision Encoder for motion calibration. At its Australian launch in April 2026 it was around $1,050, or around $1,350 with the AMS 2 Pro.

P1S vs X1C vs P2S vs X2D compared

Feature	P1S	X1 Carbon	P2S	X2D
Status (September 2026)	In production	Retired March 2026	In production	In production
Build volume	256 × 256 × 256 mm	256 × 256 × 256 mm	256 × 256 × 256 mm	256 × 256 × 260 mm (main nozzle)
Nozzles	One, stainless steel	One, hardened steel	One, hardened steel	Two (direct drive main, Bowden auxiliary)
Max nozzle temperature	300°C	300°C	300°C	300°C
Max bed temperature	100°C	110°C	110°C	120°C
Active chamber heating	No	No	No	Up to 65°C
LiDAR	No	Yes	No	No (optional Vision Encoder)
Filament systems	AMS, AMS 2 Pro	AMS, AMS 2 Pro	AMS 2 Pro	AMS 2 Pro, AMS HT

Which should you buy?

Tightest budget, PLA through to ABS: the P1S. Add a hardened nozzle if you want carbon fibre blends.
Best all-round new printer: the P2S.
A second-hand X1C: worth it if the price is clearly below a new P2S and the printer passes the checks in our X1 Carbon review.
Nylon, polycarbonate or soluble supports: the X2D.
Large parts or 350°C materials: step up to the H2S or H2D.

Our Bambu Lab P1S and Bambu Lab X1 Carbon printer pages collect settings for each machine, and our 2026 buyer's guide compares options from other brands.

Shop the materials in this guide

ASA Filament 1.75 mm (1 kg): UV-resistant outdoor parts on any enclosed Bambu printer.
ABS+ Filament 1.75 mm (1 kg): tough, heat-resistant indoor parts.
PETG-CF Filament 1.75 mm (1 kg): stiff parts once you have a hardened nozzle fitted.
PA6-CF Filament 1.75 mm (1 kg): engineering parts that benefit from the X2D's heated chamber.
PVA Support Filament 1.75 mm (0.5 kg): water-soluble supports for dual-nozzle printers.

Frequently asked questions

Is the Bambu Lab P1S still being made?

Yes. Bambu Lab confirmed in February 2026 that the P1S will continue to be made and sold, and most P1P and P1S spare parts are shared.

Can the P1S print carbon fibre filament?

Yes, once you replace the stock stainless steel nozzle with a hardened steel one. Abrasive fibres wear out softer nozzles quickly. Our hardened nozzle comparison explains the options.

Is the P2S worth it over the P1S?

For a new purchase, usually yes: you get a hardened nozzle, a touchscreen, a 110°C bed, a better camera and the AMS 2 Pro in the Combo. If you already own a P1S that prints well, there's less reason to upgrade.

Does the X2D have LiDAR like the X1C?

No. The X2D drops LiDAR and offers an optional Vision Encoder for motion calibration instead.

Related guides

Shop the materials in this guide

Environmental Impact of 3D Printing: Making Sustainable Choices

The environmental impact of 3D printing is more nuanced than many people expect. This guide explores the sustainability benefits and challenges of FDM printing,...

Miniature and Figurine Printing: A Complete Guide

FDM miniature printing pushes your printer to its limits. This guide covers hardware upgrades, optimal settings, and material choices to improve detail, surface quality,...