Bambu A1 vs A2L: When 256 mm Is Not Enough
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The A2L is the A1 scaled up to 330 × 320 × 325 mm with a servo extruder and AMS 2 Pro support, and scaled down to an 80 °C bed. Both are open-frame bedslingers for PLA, PETG and TPU. Buy the A2L if your parts exceed 256 mm or you want the AMS 2 Pro drying on an open printer; buy the A1 for everything else, including the higher bed temperature and the lower price.
Where to buy
Side by side
| Spec | A1 | A2L |
|---|---|---|
| Build volume | 256 × 256 × 256 mm | 330 × 320 × 325 mm |
| Max nozzle temperature | 300 °C | 300 °C |
| Max bed temperature | 100 °C | 80 °C |
| Speed / acceleration | 500 mm/s / 10000 mm/s² | 500 mm/s / 10 m/s² |
| Max flow | Approx. 28 mm³/s class | 28 mm³/s (PLA) |
| Extruder | Stepper, hardened gear | Servo, hardened gear, pressure sensing |
| Multi-material | AMS lite | AMS lite or AMS 2 Pro |
| Plate | 256 mm, shared with P and X series | Own size |
| Weight | About 8.3 kg | 12.8 kg |
| Amazon US | Yes | No |
The bed temperature point
80 °C on the A2L is enough for PLA and for PETG on a textured plate with a brim, and it is the same figure as the A1 mini. It is 20 °C lower than the A1, which matters only for PETG on a smooth plate and for anyone hoping to try ASA on an open frame. Neither printer is an ABS machine; see warping.
What the A2L is for
- Cosplay, helmets and large organisers in PLA or PETG without splitting.
- Owners who want the AMS 2 Pro drying on an open-frame machine.
- Farms printing large PLA parts at the lowest cost per litre in the Bambu range.
What the A1 keeps
- Shared 256 mm plates with the P1S, P2S and X1C; see Bambu plates.
- 100 °C bed, smaller footprint and half the weight.
- Availability on Amazon US and a lower price.
See the A2L page and A1 vs A1 mini for the rest of the A series.
The units in the box
The A2L is not on Amazon US. The listings are the A1, the A1 Combo and the P1S Combo as the enclosed alternative at 256 mm.
FAQ
Is the A2L enclosed? No.
Does the A2L use A1 plates? No; different size.
LayerWalker
Print defect diagnosis, calibration procedures and parts that actually fit. Corrections welcome through the contact page.
