Bambu Lab P2S
- Price
- $549
- Score
- 9.2/10
- Wins
- 3/5
Bambu Lab P2S vs Creality Ender 3 V3 SE
- The Bambu Lab P2S wins, 9.2 vs 8 out of 10.
- P2S prints 1.4× the volume (256³ ÷ 220×220×250 = 1.39) for $331 ($549 − $218) more.
- P2S is faster, 500 vs 250 mm/s.
- Pick the Ender 3 V3 SE if your prints fit in 25 cm.
Specs and US prices from the PrintPick catalog, checked 2026-09-29. Scores are PrintPick ratings out of 10.
Creality Ender 3 V3 SE
- Price
- $218
- Score
- 8/10
- Wins
- 1/5
The verdict
Buy the P2S.
9.2/10 vs Ender 3 V3 SE's 8/10, and it wins 3 of 5 categories. Best enclosed CoreXY under $600 right now. New buyers: this is the answer, skip the P1S comparison. P1S owners: the nozzle system and AMS 2 Pro drying tip the scales toward upgrading, but only if you use those features regularly.
Specs, side by side
Teal wins the row.
P2SBambu Lab · FDM
vsEnder 3 V3 SECreality · FDM
| P2S | Spec | Ender 3 V3 SE |
|---|---|---|
| $549 | Price | $218 (wins) |
| 16.8 L (wins) | Build volume | 12.1 L |
| 500 mm/s (wins) | Top speed | 250 mm/s |
| 0.05 mm | Finest layer | 0.05 mm |
| 14.9 kg | Weight | 7.8 kg |
Features
| P2S | Feature | Ender 3 V3 SE |
|---|---|---|
| Yes | Enclosed CoreXY | No |
| Yes | AMS 2 Pro compatible | No |
| Yes | 5-inch touchscreen | No |
| Yes | 1080p AI camera | No |
| Yes | Quick-swap nozzle system | No |
| Yes | PMSM servo extruder (8.5kg force) | No |
| No | Auto bed leveling | Yes |
| No | Direct drive extruder | Yes |
| No | PEI build plate | Yes |
Value math
$549 ÷ 16.8 L and $218 ÷ 12.1 L. Lower is more printer for the money.
| P2S | Spec | Ender 3 V3 SE |
|---|---|---|
| $32.72 | $ per liter | $18.02 (wins) |
| $1.10 | $ per mm/s | $0.87 (wins) |
Scores out of 10
| P2S | Spec | Ender 3 V3 SE |
|---|---|---|
| 9 | Value | 10 (wins) |
| 9 | Beginner Friendliness | 9 |
| 10 (wins) | Print Quality | 7 |
| 9 (wins) | Speed | 6 |
| 9 (wins) | Reliability | 8 |
| 9.2 (wins) | Overall | 8 |
Build space, front view, to one scale
- 256 × 256 × 256 mm
- 220 × 220 × 250 mm
What owners say
The quick nozzle swap makes me jealous even as an X1C owner.
P2S owner, r/BambuLabGoldilocks gets a glow up. The P2S refreshes a best seller with meaningful upgrades.
P2S owner, Tom's HardwareFor new buyers, the P2S is recommended without hesitation. Meaningfully better than the P1S in every way.
P2S owner, 3DTechValleyThe V3 SE sets a new baseline for cheap 3D printing.
Ender 3 V3 SE owner, All3DPBest $200 I ever spent on a hobby. Prints great out of the box.
Ender 3 V3 SE owner, r/ender3
Pros & Cons
P2S
- +Quick-swap nozzle: no tools, no waiting for cool-down, no thread damage from hot-tightening
- +1080p AI camera pauses the print when it detects layer failures, not just notifies you
- +AMS 2 Pro dries filament while printing so you don't need a separate drybox for standard materials
- −No LiDAR sensor: that capability is still exclusive to the X-series
- −P1S owners have no trade-in path; the upgrade cost is the full $549
Ender 3 V3 SE
- +Auto-leveling that works on the first try, not the fourth
- +Direct drive means you can print TPU without fighting the extruder
- +r/ender3 has 200,000 members who've fixed every problem you'll ever have
- −250mm/s max is half what CoreXY printers do at this price in 2024
- −Open frame, no WiFi, no camera: this is a no-frills machine
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 P2S better than the Creality Ender 3 V3 SE?
By the numbers, the Bambu Lab P2S scores higher (9.2/10). But "better" depends on your use case, the Creality Ender 3 V3 SE may be the smarter buy if you need beginners.
Which is better for beginners, Bambu Lab P2S or Creality Ender 3 V3 SE?
Both score 9/10 for beginners. Go with the Creality Ender 3 V3 SE to save $331.
Is the Bambu Lab P2S worth $331 more than the Creality Ender 3 V3 SE?
The Bambu Lab P2S scores higher overall (9.2/10 vs 8/10). The extra $331 gets you quick-swap nozzle: no tools, no waiting for cool-down, no thread damage from hot-tightening.
What's the main difference between Bambu Lab P2S and Creality Ender 3 V3 SE?
Build volume (256x256x256mm vs 220x220x250mm) and print speed (500 vs 250 mm/s). The Bambu Lab P2S is best for speed; the Creality Ender 3 V3 SE targets beginners.