Written by Harry S.
Quick answer: Bambu Lab's 2026 range runs from the open-frame A1 mini, A1 and A2L, through the enclosed P1S, P2S and X2D, to the large H2S, H2D and H2C. They share one slicer (Bambu Studio), one phone app (Bambu Handy), one model library (MakerWorld) and a family of AMS filament systems. Third-party filament works well in all of them.
When Bambu Lab launched the X1 through Kickstarter in May 2022, it brought fast CoreXY printing, automatic calibration and multi-colour printing together in a machine that worked well straight out of the box. Four years on, the range, accessories and software have all changed, so this overview was fully updated in September 2026.
Bambu Lab printers in 2026
Two long-running printers have left the range this year. The P1P ended production on 10 February 2026, and the X1 series (X1, X1 Carbon and X1E) on 31 March 2026. Both still receive firmware support and spare parts; our X1 Carbon review lists the X1 dates. The current range looks like this:
| Printer | Design | Build volume (mm) | Heated chamber | Filament systems | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| A1 mini | Open bedslinger | 180 × 180 × 180 | No | AMS lite | Beginners and small prints |
| A1 | Open bedslinger | 256 × 256 × 256 | No | AMS lite | Budget PLA and PETG |
| A2L | Open bedslinger | 330 × 320 × 325 | No | AMS lite, AMS 2 Pro, AMS HT | Large PLA prints, cutting and pen plotting |
| P1S | Enclosed CoreXY | 256 × 256 × 256 | No | AMS, AMS 2 Pro | Affordable enclosed printing |
| P2S | Enclosed CoreXY | 256 × 256 × 256 | No | AMS 2 Pro | Everyday all-rounder |
| X2D | Enclosed CoreXY, two nozzles | 256 × 256 × 260 | Up to 65°C | AMS 2 Pro, AMS HT | Engineering materials and soluble supports |
| H2S | Enclosed CoreXY | 340 × 320 × 340 | Up to 65°C | AMS 2 Pro, AMS HT | Large single-nozzle parts |
| H2D | Enclosed CoreXY, two nozzles | 350 × 320 × 325 (combined) | Up to 65°C | AMS 2 Pro, AMS HT | Dual-material and production work |
A series: open-frame printers
The A1 mini and A1 are the entry points: self-calibrating bedslingers for PLA, PETG and TPU, with automatic bed levelling and Z offset. The A2L, launched in June 2026, adds a much larger bed limited to 80°C, and optional blade cutting and pen plotting modules. Because the A series is open-frame, it isn't suited to ASA or ABS.
P series: enclosed all-rounders
The P1S remains in production as the affordable enclosed option. The P2S, launched in October 2025, adds a hardened steel nozzle, a 110°C bed, a 5-inch touchscreen and a better camera. Our P1S vs X1C comparison covers how they differ.
X and H series: engineering and large format
The X2D, launched in April 2026, is the new X-series printer, with a second nozzle for supports or a second material and a heated chamber. The H2S and H2D offer bigger build volumes, 350°C hotends and 65°C heated chambers, and the H2D can be fitted with laser modules. Above them sit the H2C, which uses Bambu's Vortek system of six swappable hotends to print up to seven materials with far less purge waste than a single-nozzle printer, and the H2D Pro, which adds tungsten carbide nozzles and enterprise network security for R&D, small-scale production and education.
AMS filament systems
An AMS (Automatic Material System) feeds filament to the printer automatically, for multi-colour prints, mixed materials, and backup spools that take over when one runs out. There are now four versions.
AMS lite
An open, four-spool unit for the A1 mini, A1 and A2L. It has no enclosure or drying, so keep spools sealed between prints in humid weather.
AMS
The original four-spool enclosed unit for P, X and H series printers. It uses desiccant to limit moisture but doesn't dry filament. Up to four units can be chained for 16 colours or materials.
AMS 2 Pro
The current four-spool enclosed unit. It dries filament at up to 65°C, and its vents switch automatically between drying and storage modes. It is designed for the P2S, X2D and H series, and it can also be used with X1 and P1 series printers; Bambu's wiki explains drying with the AMS 2 Pro on X1 and P1 printers.
AMS HT
A single-spool unit that dries filament at up to 85°C and has a bypass path that reduces feed resistance for fibre-reinforced filaments and soft TPU. It suits nylon, polycarbonate and other materials that need hotter drying, and usually runs alongside an AMS 2 Pro.
Automatic feeders are less forgiving of poor filament, so consistent diameter and neat winding matter. For spool, slot and preset tips, see our guide to using OzFDM filament in the Bambu AMS.
Software and apps
Bambu Studio
Bambu Studio is Bambu Lab's free, open-source slicer, based on PrusaSlicer. It includes profiles for Bambu printers and common filament types, manages AMS slots, and sends jobs to your printer through the cloud or your local network. It is beginner-friendly but has plenty of depth, including multi-plate projects, variable layer heights and built-in calibration tools.
OrcaSlicer
OrcaSlicer started as a fork of Bambu Studio and adds extra calibration and tuning controls. Many experienced makers use it for Bambu and non-Bambu printers alike; our OrcaSlicer guide explains why.
Bambu Handy
The Bambu Handy phone app gives you a live camera view, print status and error notifications, remote start and stop, automatic timelapses, and one-tap printing of MakerWorld models.
MakerWorld
MakerWorld is Bambu Lab's model-sharing community. Many models include print profiles, which are 3MF project files holding both the model and its slicer settings, so you can send a model to your printer from Bambu Handy without slicing it yourself. Creators earn points when users boost their designs. If you own another brand of printer, download the 3MF and adjust the settings in your own slicer.
Cloud, LAN only mode and third-party tools
Remote monitoring and MakerWorld printing run through Bambu's cloud. In January 2025, Bambu added an authorisation system to its firmware that controls which software can start prints and control the printer. Printers can still run in LAN only mode without the cloud, third-party slicers such as OrcaSlicer can send jobs through Bambu Connect, and Developer Mode opens local network access for advanced users who accept that Bambu won't support that setup.
Using third-party filament in Bambu printers
You don't need Bambu-branded filament. Any good 1.75 mm filament works in Bambu printers and AMS units; the RFID tags on Bambu spools simply fill in the material and colour for you. For other brands, set the material type and colour on the AMS slot, choose the closest generic preset in Bambu Studio, such as Generic PLA or Generic PETG, and run flow dynamics calibration for the best results.
Our print profiles list settings for OzFDM filaments on Bambu Lab printers, including the X1 Carbon and A1 mini. Use them as a starting point on other Bambu models and fine-tune with the built-in calibration.
Is the Bambu ecosystem right for you?
The appeal is that the printer, AMS, slicer, app and model library are designed to work together. The trade-offs are that hotends, AMS units and many spare parts are Bambu-specific, some features depend on the cloud, and you have less freedom to modify the machine than with an open-source printer. If you enjoy tinkering, read Should You Build a Voron?, and to compare Bambu with Prusa, Creality, Elegoo and Flashforge, see our 2026 buyer's guide.
Shop the materials in this guide
- PLA Basic Filament 1.75 mm (1 kg): reliable everyday PLA for the AMS and AMS lite.
- Matte PLA Filament 1.75 mm (1 kg): hides layer lines on multi-colour models.
- PETG Basic Filament 1.75 mm (1 kg): tougher functional parts on any Bambu printer.
- ASA Filament 1.75 mm (1 kg): outdoor parts on the enclosed P, X and H series.
- Filament Storage Starter Kit: keeps spools dry between AMS sessions.
Frequently asked questions
Which Bambu Lab printers are current in 2026?
The A1 mini, A1, A2L, P1S, P2S, X2D, H2S, H2D, H2D Pro and H2C. The P1P and the X1 series have been discontinued but are still supported.
Which AMS works with my Bambu printer?
The AMS lite is for the A1 mini, A1 and A2L. The P, X and H series use the enclosed AMS or AMS 2 Pro, and the AMS HT adds high-temperature drying for engineering filaments. The A2L can also run AMS 2 Pro and AMS HT units.
Do I have to use Bambu Lab filament?
No. Any good-quality 1.75 mm filament works. Set the material on the AMS slot, start from a generic preset and calibrate, or use our print profiles.
Can I use a Bambu printer without the cloud?
Yes. LAN only mode lets you print over your local network without Bambu's cloud, although remote access through Bambu Handy and MakerWorld printing need a cloud connection.
