Bambu Lab A1 Combo
- Speed
- 500 mm/s
- Score
- 9.2/10
- Wins
- 4/5
Bambu Lab A1 Combo vs Voxelab Aquila X2
- The Bambu Lab A1 Combo wins, 9.2 vs 6.6 out of 10.
- A1 Combo prints 1.4× the volume (256³ ÷ 220×220×250 = 1.39) for more money.
- A1 Combo is faster, 500 vs 180 mm/s.
- Pick the Aquila X2 if your prints fit in 25 cm.
Specs from the PrintPick catalog, checked 2026-09-29. Scores are PrintPick ratings out of 10.
Voxelab Aquila X2
- Speed
- 180 mm/s
- Score
- 6.6/10
- Wins
- 0/5
The verdict
Buy the A1 Combo.
9.2/10 vs Aquila X2's 6.6/10, and it wins 4 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
vsAquila X2Voxelab · FDM
| A1 Combo | Spec | Aquila X2 |
|---|---|---|
| 16.8 L (wins) | Build volume | 12.1 L |
| 500 mm/s (wins) | Top speed | 180 mm/s |
| 0.05 mm | Finest layer | 0.05 mm |
| 9.65 kg | Weight | 7.8 kg |
Features
| A1 Combo | Feature | Aquila X2 |
|---|---|---|
| Yes | Auto bed leveling | No |
| Yes | Multi-color (AMS Lite) | No |
| Yes | WiFi | No |
| Yes | Camera | No |
| Yes | Vibration compensation | No |
| No | Resume printing | Yes |
| No | Filament runout sensor | Yes |
| No | Glass build plate | Yes |
| No | Silent stepper drivers | Yes |
Scores out of 10
| A1 Combo | Spec | Aquila X2 |
|---|---|---|
| 9 | Value | 9 |
| 10 (wins) | Beginner Friendliness | 7 |
| 9 (wins) | Print Quality | 6 |
| 9 (wins) | Speed | 4 |
| 9 (wins) | Reliability | 7 |
| 9.2 (wins) | Overall | 6.6 |
Build space, front view, to one scale
- 256 × 256 × 256 mm
- 220 × 220 × 250 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, All3DPSolid starter printer. Not flashy, but it works and teaches you the fundamentals.
Aquila X2 owner, r/3Dprinting
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
Aquila X2
- +Silent stepper drivers mean it runs without disturbing the room
- +Manual leveling teaches you what auto-leveling actually does
- +Ender 3-compatible mods are everywhere and cheap
- −Manual bed leveling is a chore you'll do every few prints until you upgrade it
- −Bowden extruder makes TPU printing a frustrating exercise
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 Voxelab Aquila X2?
By the numbers, the Bambu Lab A1 Combo scores higher (9.2/10). But "better" depends on your use case, the Voxelab Aquila X2 may be the smarter buy if you need budget.
Which is better for beginners, Bambu Lab A1 Combo or Voxelab Aquila X2?
The Bambu Lab A1 Combo is more beginner-friendly (10/10 vs 7/10) with easier setup and a gentler learning curve.
Is the Bambu Lab A1 Combo worth paying more for over the Voxelab Aquila X2?
The Bambu Lab A1 Combo scores higher overall (9.2/10 vs 6.6/10). The extra money gets you ams lite ships in the box, not as a separate purchase.
What's the main difference between Bambu Lab A1 Combo and Voxelab Aquila X2?
Build volume (256x256x256mm vs 220x220x250mm) and print speed (500 vs 180 mm/s). The Bambu Lab A1 Combo is best for beginners; the Voxelab Aquila X2 targets budget.