Prime Day update: Amazon’s Prime Day event isn’t the only sale you should check out right now. Bambu Lab makes some of my absolute favorite 3D printers, and it’s offering serious savings at its ongoing anniversary sale. That includes $90 off the A1 Mini — my top pick for beginners — and drops the price down to just $209.
The clock is ticking on holiday shopping. If you’re still trying to find a gift for someone who’s hard to please and you’re in need of a go-to gift, may I suggest the one I swear by? For almost 10 years now, I’ve been testing and using a variety of 3D printers, and when it comes to gifts, Bambu Lab’s A1 Mini is the one I recommend to almost everyone.
Even better? Right now, the A1 Mini is on sale for just $209, which is $90 off the retail price. That makes it a solid choice for someone who’s notoriously hard to shop for or someone who might be curious about 3D printing. It has all the impact of a one-of-a-kind gift while still keeping your budget in check.
3D PRINTER DEALS OF THE WEEK
Deals are selected by the CNET Group commerce team, and may be unrelated to this article.
Why I recommend the A1 Mini for anyone
Back in March, I had the chance to try out the latest model from Bambu Lab, the H2D, and I wrote about that model here. While it’s a very good machine, it isn’t really for everyone. But the company has made quite a few quality 3D printers, including the A1 Mini/Combo, which has become a firm favorite in my household. The A1 Mini is on the smaller side but reliably produces excellent print quality. With a number of printers to choose from, it’s the one I break out whenever I need a small something printed quickly.
If you’re already immersed in the 3D printing world, you may find the Mini too small, but if you’re new to 3D printing or you know someone who’s been thinking about getting into the hobby, this is one you’ll definitely want to consider. That’s especially true when you can find it at a discount.
I’ve been using the Mini since it first came out in 2023, and I like it so much that CNET awarded it an Editors’ Choice award, the first 3D printer to be awarded one. It’s the 3D printer I fire up when I want something printed quickly and easily. The bed is small, just 180 by 180 millimeters, so you can’t print giant things like helmets or masks, but you can make smaller pieces like sculptures or detailed miniatures for your Dungeons & Dragons game.
It prints speedily, too, with a max print speed of 500mm per second, meaning you can print small jobs in no time at all. You can also add a four-color system called the AMS lite, which will feed four different materials into the printer so you can make full-color models like the one in the image below.
A1 Mini Combo specifications
undefined
| Build volume | 180x180x180mm |
|---|---|
| Hot end | Swappable |
| Extruder type | Direct Drive AMS (color system) |
| Nozzle diameter | 0.4mm |
| Nozzle max temperature | 300C |
| Build plate max temperature | 80C |
| Official max speed | 500mm/s |
| Supported material | PLA, PETG, TPU, PVA |
| Auto bed leveling | Yes |
| Filament run out sensor | Yes |
| Connectivity | Wi-Fi, app enabled |
| Time-lapse camera | Yes |
| Slicer | Bambu slicer |
Read more: A1 Mini Combo Review
My colleague recently asked me which 3D printer she should get for her 13-year-old son, and this is the one I suggested. It will fit on a normal desk, even with the AMS color system. It’s pretty quiet, and, as long as you have a bucket to catch the waste, clean to have in your home. If you’re using it inside, I would recommend using safe materials like PLA or PETG, especially in a bedroom. Ideally, you would want it to be in a spare room or garage if possible.
Even better, consider opting for the A1 Mini Combo, which includes the AMS Lite for multicolor printing and is currently discounted to $309 — $150 off. That opens up even more fun printing options as you get up and running.
There are many options for your first 3D printer, and I’ve seen many people on Threads and Reddit recommend the A1 Mini. They agree that the A1 Mini is a great starting place, though you may need something bigger as you advance in the craft.
Why this deal matters
3D printing can be an expensive hobby. A new 3D printer is a big-ticket item and the cost of filament adds up over time too, so any savings you can find are important. The A1 Mini Combo is also excellently priced to be a gift for someone you know who wants to jump into the world of 3D printing — or to try it out yourself without making a huge investment. At $309, it also comes with the AMS Lite for multicolor printing, which means you’ll be able to do more with the machine over time.
What other expenses come from owning a 3D printer?
After the initial layout, you’ll need to buy a few 3D printing accessories and some materials to get the most out of your 3D printer. If the printer doesn’t come with a roll of filament, I would suggest grabbing some from Overture. Its PLA is excellent and comes in plenty of fun colors. Start with PLA, as it is the easiest and cheapest material.
The accessories are all optional, as your 3D printer will come with every tool you need, as well as fun projects to print some of those tools. Eventually, you’ll probably want to replace your nozzle, but Bambu makes that incredibly simple and cost-effective. You won’t need a new one for a long time, so don’t worry.
Read the full article here