Bambu Lab A1
- Speed
- 500 mm/s
- Score
- 9.2/10
- Wins
- 5/5
Bambu Lab A1 vs QIDI iBox Mono2
- The Bambu Lab A1 takes the crown with 9.2/10 vs 6.4/10.
- It pulls ahead in Value, Beginner Friendliness, Print Quality, Speed, Reliability.
- That said, the QIDI iBox Mono2 costs less.
Specs from the PrintPick catalog, checked 2026-09-29. Scores are PrintPick ratings out of 10.
QIDI iBox Mono2
- Speed
- 90 mm/h
- Score
- 6.4/10
- Wins
- 0/5
The verdict
Buy the A1.
9.2/10 vs iBox Mono2's 6.4/10, and it wins 5 of 5 categories. If you know you don't care about multi-color, this is the cleanest buy in 3D printing. The A1 Combo costs a bit more and includes multi-color; most people should just spend the extra.
Specs, side by side
Teal wins the row.
A1Bambu Lab · FDM
vsiBox Mono2QIDI · RESIN
| A1 | Spec | iBox Mono2 |
|---|---|---|
| 16.8 L (wins) | Build volume | 1.6 L |
| 500 mm/s | Top speed | 90 mm/s |
| 0.05 mm | Finest layer | 0.01 mm (wins) |
| 9.05 kg | Weight | 5.2 kg |
Features
| A1 | Feature | iBox Mono2 |
|---|---|---|
| Yes | Auto bed leveling | No |
| Yes | WiFi | Yes |
| Yes | Camera | No |
| Yes | Vibration compensation | No |
| Yes | Direct drive | No |
| Yes | Full-size A1 bed | No |
| No | 4K mono LCD | Yes |
| No | Enclosed design | Yes |
| No | Compact form factor | Yes |
Scores out of 10
| A1 | Spec | iBox Mono2 |
|---|---|---|
| 9 (wins) | Value | 7 |
| 10 (wins) | Beginner Friendliness | 6 |
| 9 (wins) | Print Quality | 7 |
| 9 (wins) | Speed | 5 |
| 9 (wins) | Reliability | 7 |
| 9.2 (wins) | Overall | 6.4 |
Build space, front view, to one scale
- 256 × 256 × 256 mm
- 120 × 68 × 200 mm
What owners say
The A1 without AMS is the best single-color printer you can buy at this price. Bar none.
A1 owner, r/3DprintingSame great hardware as the Combo, just without the color changer. Perfect for most people.
A1 owner, Make Anything (YouTube)The enclosed design is the killer feature. My apartment doesn't smell like a resin factory anymore.
iBox Mono2 owner, r/resinprintingNiche pick, but if you share a small space, the enclosure is worth it.
iBox Mono2 owner, r/PrintedMinis
Pros & Cons
A1
- +Full 256mm build volume, same as the Combo but cheaper
- +Bambu's reliability, slicer, and support at an entry-level price
- +500mm/s speed that's calibrated and ready without tweaking
- −Open frame: ABS warping is a real problem without modification
- −No multi-color in the box: the Combo costs more and includes it
iBox Mono2
- +Enclosed design contains resin fumes better than open printers without relying solely on a purifier
- +WiFi standard, unlike some competitors at this price
- +QIDI build quality is solid and consistent
- −4K resolution is significantly behind competitors offering 9K at the same price
- −120x68mm build volume is one of the smallest in the category
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.
Buy these with it
A printer does nothing without these. Grab them in the same order.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Bambu Lab A1 better than the QIDI iBox Mono2?
By the numbers, the Bambu Lab A1 scores higher (9.2/10). But "better" depends on your use case, the QIDI iBox Mono2 may be the smarter buy if you need resin.
Which is better for beginners, Bambu Lab A1 or QIDI iBox Mono2?
The Bambu Lab A1 is more beginner-friendly (10/10 vs 6/10) with easier setup and a gentler learning curve.
Is the Bambu Lab A1 worth paying more for over the QIDI iBox Mono2?
The Bambu Lab A1 scores higher overall (9.2/10 vs 6.4/10). The extra money gets you full 256mm build volume, same as the combo but cheaper.
What's the main difference between Bambu Lab A1 and QIDI iBox Mono2?
Technology: the Bambu Lab A1 is FDM (filament) and the QIDI iBox Mono2 is RESIN (resin). FDM prints bigger functional parts; resin delivers finer surface detail.