TL;DR
The Bambu Lab P2S takes all the strengths of the P1S and adds Lidar calibration, improved Input Shaping, a next-generation extruder, and better air filtration. Considering its enclosed design, AMS compatibility, and the Bambu Studio ecosystem, it's the most balanced and reliable CoreXY printer you can get in the $550-600 price range. It's also an ideal starting point for those looking to transition to multi-color printing.
Overall Score: 9.0/10 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Box Contents
Bambu Lab's packaging quality is top-notch as always. The box contents include:
- Bambu Lab P2S main unit (fully assembled)
- Power adapter and power cord
- PTFE tube (spare)
- Tool kit (Allen wrenches, screwdriver set)
- Spare nozzle (0.4mm hardened steel)
- Spool holder (filament holder)
- PLA filament sample (~250g, Bambu Lab PLA Basic)
- USB-C cable
- Quick start guide
- Nozzle cleaning needles
- Lubrication spray
- Warranty card
Note: The AMS (Automatic Material System) is sold separately ($250). The AMS Lite version is also compatible and a more economical option ($150).
Technical Specifications
| Feature | Value |
|---|---|
| Printing Technology | FDM (CoreXY) |
| Build Volume | 256 × 256 × 256 mm |
| Maximum Print Speed | 500 mm/s |
| Recommended Print Speed | 250-300 mm/s |
| Maximum Acceleration | 20,000 mm/s² |
| Layer Resolution | 0.08 - 0.28 mm |
| Nozzle Temperature | Max. 300°C |
| Bed Temperature | Max. 120°C |
| Extruder Type | Direct Drive (next-generation) |
| Firmware | Bambu Lab proprietary firmware |
| Auto Leveling | Lidar-assisted |
| Filtration | HEPA filter (enclosed design) |
| Connectivity | Wi-Fi, USB-C, Ethernet (optional) |
| Camera | Built-in 1080p camera |
| Bed Surface | Textured PEI + Smooth PEI (2 plates) |
| Supported Filaments | PLA, PETG, ABS, ASA, TPU, PA, PC, PVA |
| AMS Compatibility | AMS / AMS Lite (4 colors) |
| Display | 2.4" touchscreen LCD |
| Dimensions | 389 × 389 × 458 mm |
| Weight | ~12.5 kg |
| Price Range | $550-600 |
Design and Build Quality
Overall Appearance
The Bambu Lab P2S continues the familiar design language of the P1S but includes many subtle improvements. Its compact chassis, matte black plastic panels, and transparent lid give it a stylish yet functional appearance. Compared to its competitors, it takes up very little desk space.
Build Quality
The plastic casing might raise concerns at first glance, but Bambu Lab's engineering quality is evident. The panels fit snugly, with no creaking or gaps. The internal frame is metal, and the CoreXY kinematic structure is extremely rigid. Chassis vibration during printing is minimal.
Enclosed Design and Filtration
The fully enclosed design provides both temperature control and protection from filament fumes. The HEPA filter is located on the rear panel and effectively controls odors during ABS/ASA prints. The filtration capacity has been increased compared to the P1S — filter life is about 30% longer.
Lidar System
One of the most significant innovations of the P2S is its Lidar-assisted calibration system. This system:
- Detects adhesion issues by scanning the first layer
- Provides automatic Z-offset calibration
- Automates flow calibration
- Improves the accuracy of spaghetti detection
Lidar is a technology inherited from the X1C, and its inclusion in the P2S is a major plus.
Setup and First Print
Unboxing and Setup
This is where Bambu Lab truly shines: you can unbox and start printing in 15 minutes. Seriously. The printer comes fully assembled. All you need to do is:
- Remove protective foam and zip ties
- Install the spool holder
- Connect the power cable
- Connect to Wi-Fi (via the screen)
- Pair with the Bambu Handy app
Total setup time: 10-15 minutes. That's it.
Initial Calibration
When the P2S powers on, it initiates an automatic calibration process:
- Vibration Compensation (Input Shaping): ~2 minutes
- Motor Noise Cancellation: ~1 minute
- Lidar Calibration: ~3 minutes
- First Layer Inspection: Automatic on the first print
The entire calibration process takes approximately 6-7 minutes. No manual intervention is required — this is the smoothest calibration experience on the market.
First Print
We printed a 3D Benchy with the included PLA:
- Speed profile: Standard (250mm/s)
- Layer height: 0.2mm
- Time: 16 minutes 40 seconds
- Result: Nearly flawless. Bridging is clean, details are sharp, and layer lines are barely visible.
- Dimensional accuracy: ±0.08mm — impressively precise.
Print Quality Tests
PLA Test
- Nozzle temperature: 220°C (Bambu PLA)
- Bed temperature: 55°C
- Speed: 300mm/s
- Result: PLA print quality is reference-level. Profiles are perfectly optimized with Bambu Lab's own filaments. At 0.12mm layer height, the surface quality is akin to a model. Great results can also be achieved with third-party filaments after a few minor adjustments.
PETG Test
- Nozzle temperature: 245°C
- Bed temperature: 80°C (textured PEI plate)
- Speed: 200mm/s
- Result: PETG performance is very good. Stringing is almost non-existent — Bambu Lab's pressure advance algorithm makes a difference here. The textured PEI plate provides excellent adhesion with PETG, and the part is easy to remove after printing. Layer adhesion strength for functional parts is excellent.
ABS Test
- Nozzle temperature: 260°C
- Bed temperature: 110°C
- Speed: 250mm/s
- Result: The true power of the enclosed design comes out with ABS. Even on flat surfaces with a width of 256mm, there was no warping. The HEPA filter successfully controls odors. The internal ambient temperature reaches approximately 45-50°C, which is ideal for ABS.
TPU Test (95A)
- Nozzle temperature: 220°C
- Bed temperature: 50°C
- Speed: 100mm/s
- Result: The next-generation direct drive extruder handles TPU much better than previous models. Smooth, clean prints at 100mm/s. Retraction settings are minimally sufficient (0.5mm). The flexible filament experience is among the best in this price segment.
Multi-
Color Printing (with AMS)
- Filament: 4 color PLA (Bambu Lab)
- Speed: 250mm/s
- Result: Clean and fast color transitions with AMS. Purge tower size optimized — minimal filament waste. 4-color figure print completed smoothly. Color transition accuracy at 98%+.
Speed and Performance
Speed Comparison Table
| Test Model | P2S (250mm/s) | X1C | P1S | Creality K2 Plus |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3D Benchy | 16.5 min | 15.5 min | 18 min | 18 min |
| Speed Boat (150mm) | 36 min | 33 min | 40 min | 42 min |
| Tolerance Test | 48 min | 45 min | 52 min | 55 min |
| 4 Color Figure (AMS) | 2.8 hours | 2.5 hours | 3.1 hours | - |
Real-World Performance
P2S offers the best balance in the 250-300mm/s speed range for daily use. At these speeds, very fast results are achieved without compromising print quality.
At the maximum speed of 500mm/s, there is a quality loss, but it's within a tolerable range — sufficient, especially for prototyping. The Input Shaping system effectively suppresses ghosting and ringing with algorithms inherited from the X1C.
Heating Times
- Nozzle (220°C PLA): 30 seconds
- Bed (60°C PLA): 1.5 minutes
- Nozzle (260°C ABS): 45 seconds
- Bed (110°C ABS): 4 minutes
Heating times are among the fastest in the segment.
Software and Ecosystem
Bambu Studio
Bambu Studio offers one of the best integrated slicer experiences on the market:
- Intuitive interface — easy for beginners, deep settings for advanced users
- Automatic filament profiles — one-click optimization for Bambu Lab filaments
- AMS management — color assignment, purge calculation
- Project sharing — MakerWorld integration
- OTA update — firmware updated from software
- Print simulation — time and filament consumption estimation
Bambu Handy (Mobile App)
Via the mobile app:
- Real-time camera monitoring (1080p)
- Start/stop prints
- Notifications (print complete, error detection)
- Time-lapse video recording
- Filament stock management
OrcaSlicer Compatibility
OrcaSlicer is fully compatible with P2S, and community-developed profiles are available. It's an excellent alternative for those who find Bambu Studio insufficient — offering more settings and control.
MakerWorld Ecosystem
Bambu Lab's model-sharing platform, MakerWorld, offers ready-made models with P2S profiles. The community is very active, with a rich library, especially for multi-color models.
Pros and Cons
✅ Pros
- ✅ Excellent print quality right out of the box
- ✅ Lidar-assisted calibration — zero setup required
- ✅ AMS compatible — multi-color printing up to 4 colors
- ✅ Bambu Studio + Handy app perfect ecosystem
- ✅ 1080p camera — remote monitoring and error detection
- ✅ HEPA filtration — safe indoor use
- ✅ Enclosed structure — ideal environment for ABS/ASA
- ✅ 15-minute setup — truly plug and play
- ✅ Hardened steel nozzle standard — compatible with abrasive filaments
- ✅ Input Shaping — clean prints at high speeds
- ✅ Compact size — takes up little desk space
❌ Cons
- ❌ 256mm cube print volume might be small for some
- ❌ AMS sold separately — increases total cost
- ❌ Screen is small (2.4") and somewhat limited
- ❌ Not open-source firmware like Klipper — limited customization
- ❌ Dependency on Bambu Lab ecosystem (cloud printing, etc.)
- ❌ No Ethernet port (optional adapter required)
- ❌ LED lighting is insufficient — external light may be needed to view the print
- ❌ Textured PEI sheet can wear down over time
Who is it for?
Ideal User Profile:
- 🎯 Beginners: Those who want quality prints right out of the box
- 🎯 Multi-color printing enthusiasts: Those who want to print up to 4 colors with AMS
- 🎯 Those seeking reliability: Those who adopt the "calibrate and forget" philosophy
- 🎯 Mobile users: Those who want remote monitoring and control
- 🎯 Hobbyists: Those who print figures, models, accessories
- 🎯 Small workshops: Those who want consistent and repeatable results
May not be suitable for:
- Those who need to print large parts (need 350mm+)
- Those who prefer open-source firmware (Klipper users)
- Those with very tight budgets (around $700-750 including AMS)
- Those who perform advanced firmware customizations
Price/Performance Evaluation
The package offered by the P2S in the $550-600 price range is truly impressive. Considering the Lidar calibration, HEPA filtration, 1080p camera, enclosed structure, and the Bambu Lab ecosystem together, most of its competitors are either more expensive or offer fewer features.
For those upgrading from the P1S: Lidar, improved extruder, and better filtration alone justify the upgrade. Compared to the X1C, considering the price difference (~$400-500), getting 90% of the experience for 60% of the price with the P2S is very logical.
When the AMS is added, the total cost rises to around $700-750, but the multi-color printing capability is well worth this investment.
Price/Performance rating: 9.5/10 — Best full package experience for the price.
Conclusion and Scoring
The Bambu Lab P2S is the new benchmark for affordable premium 3D printing. It takes the successful formula of the P1S and crowns it with Lidar calibration, an improved extruder, and better filtration. Excellent print quality right out of the box, a seamless software ecosystem, and multi-color printing support with AMS — all at a $550-600 price tag.
If you are buying a single 3D printer and want the best results with the fewest issues, the P2S is currently the safest choice.
| Category | Score |
|---|---|
| ⭐ Print Quality | 9.5/10 |
| ⭐ Speed and Performance | 9.0/10 |
| ⭐ Design and Build | 8.5/10 |
| ⭐ Ease of Setup | 10/10 |
| ⭐ Software Ecosystem | 9.5/10 |
| ⭐ Price/Performance | 9.5/10 |
| ⭐ Noise Level | 8.0/10 |
| ⭐ Features | 8.5/10 |
| ⭐ OVERALL SCORE | 9.0/10 |
The Bambu Lab P2S is the new gold standard in the 3D printing world. With its price, quality, and ecosystem, it is currently the most balanced choice on the market.