Late in cycle — a new model is likely coming soon
Best for: Beginners who prioritize open-source hardware, community support, and long-term reliability over speed — and don't mind a slower, more deliberate printing experience.
Full details →Overdue for a refresh — no successor announced yet. Prices should be at their lowest
Best for: Budget-conscious beginners who want Bambu's ease of use and multicolor printing in a compact footprint.
Full details →| Prusa Research Mini+ | Bambu Lab A1 Mini | |
|---|---|---|
| Tier | Entry | Entry |
| Motion | BedSlinger | BedSlinger |
| Build Volume | 180 × 180 × 180 mm | 180 × 180 × 180 mm |
| Max Speed | 200 mm/s | 500 mm/s |
| Multicolor | ❌ No | ✅ 4 slots |
| Enclosure | ❌ | ❌ |
| Auto Calibration | ✅ | ✅ |
| Open Source | ✅ | ❌ |
| Upgrade Kit | — | — |
| Materials | PLA, PETG, ASA, TPU | PLA, PETG, TPU |
| Released | Apr 25, 2021 | Oct 19, 2023 |
| Cycle length | ~730 days | ~365 days |
| Cycle advice | Wait | Wait |
| Deals advice | Buy | Buy |
| Next model | Prusa Mini 2 (Expected 2027 or later) | — |
The Mini+ has been on the market since 2021 and has proven its durability with thousands of community print-hours logged.
Prusa stocks replacement parts for all Mini+ components. Community guides cover every repair scenario.
The lowest-cost way to enter the Prusa ecosystem with a fully supported printer.
The A1 Mini sets up in minutes with automatic calibration and Bambu's guided first-print workflow.
Up to 4 colors with the AMS Lite accessory — Bambu's filament switching system with minimal waste purging.
Fits on a desk or shelf without taking over your workspace, while still printing at 500 mm/s.