Bambu Lab A1
- Speed
- 500 mm/s
- Score
- 9.2/10
- Wins
- 4/5
Bambu Lab A1 vs Voxelab Aquila X2
- The Bambu Lab A1 wins, 9.2 vs 6.6 out of 10.
- A1 prints 1.4× the volume (256³ ÷ 220×220×250 = 1.39) for more money.
- A1 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.
9.2/10 vs Aquila X2's 6.6/10, and it wins 4 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
vsAquila X2Voxelab · FDM
| A1 | 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 |
| 9.05 kg | Weight | 7.8 kg |
Features
| A1 | Feature | Aquila X2 |
|---|---|---|
| Yes | Auto bed leveling | No |
| Yes | WiFi | No |
| Yes | Camera | No |
| Yes | Vibration compensation | No |
| Yes | Direct drive | No |
| Yes | Full-size A1 bed | 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 | 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 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)Solid starter printer. Not flashy, but it works and teaches you the fundamentals.
Aquila X2 owner, r/3Dprinting
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
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 better than the Voxelab Aquila X2?
By the numbers, the Bambu Lab A1 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 or Voxelab Aquila X2?
The Bambu Lab A1 is more beginner-friendly (10/10 vs 7/10) with easier setup and a gentler learning curve.
Is the Bambu Lab A1 worth paying more for over the Voxelab Aquila X2?
The Bambu Lab A1 scores higher overall (9.2/10 vs 6.6/10). 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 Voxelab Aquila X2?
Build volume (256x256x256mm vs 220x220x250mm) and print speed (500 vs 180 mm/s). The Bambu Lab A1 is best for beginners; the Voxelab Aquila X2 targets budget.