Bambu AMS 2 Pro vs AMS: Is the Drying Worth the Upgrade
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The AMS 2 Pro is the first-generation AMS with a heater: it dries four spools to 65 °C while printing or on its own, switches filament faster and keeps RFID and sealed storage. It fits the P2S, X2D, H2S and H2D natively and the P1P, P1S and X1C by firmware. If you print PETG, nylon or live in a humid climate, it replaces a separate dryer; if you print dry PLA in a dry room, the first-gen AMS is enough.
Where to buy
SUNLU AMS Heater, Compatible with Bambu lab AMS Gen 1
Side by side
| Feature | AMS (gen 1) | AMS 2 Pro |
|---|---|---|
| Spools | 4 | 4 |
| Enclosed with desiccant | Yes | Yes |
| Active drying | No | Yes, to 65 °C |
| Dry while printing | No | Yes |
| Standalone dryer mode | No | Yes |
| RFID spool recognition | Yes | Yes |
| Max units per printer | 4 | 4 |
| Native printers | P1P, P1S, X1C | P2S, X2D, H2S, H2D; older models via firmware |
| Third-party heater | SUNLU AMS heater add-on exists | Not needed |
What drying changes
PETG that has sat a week in a humid room strings and bubbles; nylon becomes unprintable in hours. The first-gen AMS slows moisture uptake with desiccant but cannot reverse it, so owners end up with a separate dryer. The AMS 2 Pro removes that step: load, set the material, and it dries in the box. See drying filament for the temperatures each material wants.
When the first-gen AMS is enough
- PLA only, in a room under about 50 percent humidity, with fresh desiccant.
- Owners who already have a dryer and a dry-box routine.
- Buying a P1S Combo at a strong discount; the included AMS is fine to start with.
Upgrading an existing printer
P1S and X1C owners can add an AMS 2 Pro after a firmware update; check Bambu’s compatibility page for the current requirement. A first-gen AMS and an AMS 2 Pro can run together on the same printer through the hub. The SUNLU heater add-on for the first-gen AMS is a cheaper halfway step that owners report works, with the caveat that it is third-party.
The units in the box
The listings are the AMS 2 Pro, the P2S Combo that includes one, and the SUNLU heater for the first-generation AMS.
FAQ
Does the AMS 2 Pro fit the A1? No; A1 and A1 mini use the AMS lite only. See which AMS fits which printer.
Can it dry TPU? It can dry it, but four-slot units do not feed TPU; use the external holder or AMS HT.
LayerWalker
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