Bambu Lab P2S vs P1S: Is the Upgrade Worth It?
The P2S replaces the beloved P1S. Here's exactly what changed, what got better, and whether you should upgrade or buy new.
Bambu Lab P2S
What the P2S Gets Right — Score: 8.8/10 — $549
The headline feature is the quick-swap nozzle system. On the P1S, changing a nozzle required heating the hotend, using two wrenches, and a few minutes of careful work. On the P2S, you pop the nozzle out with one hand in under 5 seconds — cold. This sounds minor until you realize it changes how you print: swap to a 0.2mm nozzle for detailed miniatures, then back to 0.6mm for fast functional parts, all in the same print session. The 5-inch touchscreen replaces the P1S's tiny screen and lets you manage prints without the app. The 1080p camera with AI failure detection catches spaghetti and layer shifts in real-time, pausing the print and notifying you instead of wasting hours of filament. The P1S had a camera, but it was 720p with no AI. The AMS 2 Pro (sold separately) is the other game-changer. It doubles as a filament dryer, maintaining 50C while feeding — a feature that previously required a separate drybox. For hygroscopic filaments like Nylon and PETG, this eliminates an entire step from the workflow. The enclosure now features adaptive cooling that pulls outside air for PLA or recirculates hot air for ABS, automatically adjusting based on the material profile.
Bambu Lab P1S
Where the P1S Still Holds Up — Score: 9/10 — $599
The P1S isn't suddenly a bad printer — it just got outclassed. For existing P1S owners, the core printing experience is nearly identical. Same 256mm build volume, same 500mm/s speed class, same excellent print quality with PLA and PETG. The P1S's enclosure still handles ABS and ASA well. The community has had two years to dial in profiles for every filament imaginable, and the aftermarket accessories ecosystem is massive. One genuine advantage the P1S retains: price. While the P2S launched at $549 (same MSRP), the P1S is available refurbished and on sale for $350-400. At that price, it remains the best enclosed printer deal in 3D printing. If you find a P1S on sale and don't need quick-swap nozzles or the AMS 2 Pro drying feature, it's still an excellent buy. The P1S also benefits from being a known quantity. Every firmware quirk has been documented. Every common issue has a community fix. The P2S is new enough that edge cases are still being discovered. For risk-averse buyers, the P1S's track record is a genuine selling point.
The Bottom Line
For new buyers: get the P2S. At the same $549 price, every upgrade is pure upside — quick-swap nozzles, better camera, improved cooling, and the option for an AMS that dries filament. There is no reason to buy a new P1S at full price when the P2S exists. For P1S owners: the upgrade is worth it if you regularly change nozzles, want AI failure detection, or plan to buy the AMS 2 Pro for its drying capability. If you print mostly PLA with a 0.4mm nozzle and your P1S works fine, there is no urgent reason to switch — your P1S will serve you well for years to come. The P2S doesn't make the P1S obsolete for existing owners; it just makes it a harder recommendation for new buyers.
Related Articles
Bambu Lab P1S vs QIDI X-Plus 3: Best Enclosed Printer Under $600?
Two enclosed printers, two different philosophies. Compare features, materials, and value.
P1S vs X1 Carbon: Is the Upgrade Worth $600?
Bambu Lab P1S ($599) vs X1 Carbon ($1199): enclosed siblings with very different price tags. Is the extra $600 justified?
QIDI X-Plus 3 vs Bambu P1S: Budget Enclosed Showdown
QIDI X-Plus 3 ($499) vs Bambu Lab P1S ($599): the battle for best enclosed printer value. Active heating vs better software.