Bambu Lab A1 Combo
- Speed
- 500 mm/s
- Score
- 9.2/10
- Wins
- 2/5
Bambu Lab A1 Combo vs QIDI X-Plus 3
- The Bambu Lab A1 Combo wins, 9.2 vs 8.4 out of 10.
- X-Plus 3 prints 1.3× the volume (280×280×270 ÷ 256³ = 1.26) for more money.
- X-Plus 3 is faster, 600 vs 500 mm/s.
- Pick the A1 Combo if your prints fit in 25.6 cm.
Specs from the PrintPick catalog, checked 2026-09-29. Scores are PrintPick ratings out of 10.
QIDI X-Plus 3
- Speed
- 600 mm/s
- Score
- 8.4/10
- Wins
- 0/5
The verdict
Buy the A1 Combo.
9.2/10 vs X-Plus 3's 8.4/10, and it wins 2 of 5 categories. One printer. This one. The A1 Combo does multi-color, does speed, does software polish, all at a price that embarrasses the competition. The open frame is the only real compromise and most people won't care.
Specs, side by side
Teal wins the row.
A1 ComboBambu Lab · FDM
vsX-Plus 3QIDI · FDM
| A1 Combo | Spec | X-Plus 3 |
|---|---|---|
| 16.8 L | Build volume | 21.2 L (wins) |
| 500 mm/s | Top speed | 600 mm/s (wins) |
| 0.05 mm | Finest layer | 0.05 mm |
| 9.65 kg | Weight | 17 kg |
Features
| A1 Combo | Feature | X-Plus 3 |
|---|---|---|
| Yes | Auto bed leveling | Yes |
| Yes | Multi-color (AMS Lite) | No |
| Yes | WiFi | Yes |
| Yes | Camera | Yes |
| Yes | Vibration compensation | No |
| No | Enclosed | Yes |
| No | CoreXY | Yes |
| No | Chamber heating (60C) | Yes |
Scores out of 10
| A1 Combo | Spec | X-Plus 3 |
|---|---|---|
| 9 | Value | 9 |
| 10 (wins) | Beginner Friendliness | 7 |
| 9 | Print Quality | 9 |
| 9 | Speed | 9 |
| 9 (wins) | Reliability | 8 |
| 9.2 (wins) | Overall | 8.4 |
Build space, front view, to one scale
- 256 × 256 × 256 mm
- 280 × 280 × 270 mm
What owners say
The A1 Combo is the printer I recommend to literally everyone who asks.
A1 Combo owner, r/3DprintingMulti-color out of the box at this price is insane. Changed how I think about printing.
A1 Combo owner, Make Anything (YouTube)Bambu did it again, this is the new gold standard for consumer 3D printing.
A1 Combo owner, All3DPActive chamber heating to 60C at this price? QIDI is quietly winning the enclosed printer game.
X-Plus 3 owner, r/3DprintingThe X-Plus 3 handles Nylon and PC better than printers costing twice as much.
X-Plus 3 owner, Edge of Tech (YouTube)
Pros & Cons
A1 Combo
- +AMS Lite ships in the box, not as a separate purchase
- +Bambu Studio slices and sends in under a minute
- +500mm/s speed that actually holds up at 0.2mm layers
- −Open frame means ABS is borderline without an enclosure
- −AMS Lite tops out at 4 colors; want more, buy a different system
X-Plus 3
- +60C active chamber heating is the real feature: ABS stops warping, Nylon actually sticks
- +Handles PA, PC, and carbon-fiber composites without drama
- +CoreXY at 600mm/s inside a heated enclosure is genuinely rare under $600
- −QIDI's slicer software feels like 2020: functional but not pleasant
- −Community is small; problems require more DIY solving than Bambu or Creality
Buy these with it
A printer does nothing without these. Grab them in the same order.
- ELEGOO PLA filament, 1kgThe easy filament to start on. Prints at low temperatures and warps less.
- ELEGOO PETG filament, 1kgTougher and more heat tolerant than PLA, for parts that get handled or sit in the sun.
- SUNLU filament dryer S1 PlusWet filament causes stringing and rough surfaces. A dryer fixes that before you blame the printer.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Bambu Lab A1 Combo better than the QIDI X-Plus 3?
By the numbers, the Bambu Lab A1 Combo scores higher (9.2/10). But "better" depends on your use case, the QIDI X-Plus 3 may be the smarter buy if you need engineering.
Which is better for beginners, Bambu Lab A1 Combo or QIDI X-Plus 3?
The Bambu Lab A1 Combo is more beginner-friendly (10/10 vs 7/10) with easier setup and a gentler learning curve.
Is the QIDI X-Plus 3 worth paying more for over the Bambu Lab A1 Combo?
The Bambu Lab A1 Combo actually scores higher (9.2/10) despite costing less. The QIDI X-Plus 3 only makes sense if you specifically need engineering.
What's the main difference between Bambu Lab A1 Combo and QIDI X-Plus 3?
Build volume (256x256x256mm vs 280x280x270mm) and print speed (500 vs 600 mm/s). The Bambu Lab A1 Combo is best for beginners; the QIDI X-Plus 3 targets engineering.