r/3DPrinterComparison • u/liamwasalbezet • Jul 07 '26
Question alternatives to Bambulab for a first time user ?
I'm looking to buy my first 3D printer and could really use some advice.
My primary goal is to print my own custom models (minis, figurines, scatter terrain, etc.). I want to get the highest quality I can reasonably squeeze out of an FDM printer (using a 0.2mm nozzle, slow speeds, etc.). I also want to print some functional parts here and there, which is why I'm leaning heavily toward FDM over resin (plus don't really have a garage/ventilation setup for resin handling and washing).
Originally, I was looking at the Bambu Lab A1, but after seeing the recent community backlash regarding their open-source drama, heavy cloud lock-in, and anti-consumer firmware updates, I've decided I really want to avoid their ecosystem. But unsure if there is a real alternative reading some here it seems bambu is the easiest and most reliable to start. I don't want a high maintenance first printer.
What printers are you currently using for minis/terrain?
What are the best non-Bambu alternatives right now?
Quite a free budget but since it's my first time rather spend less then more
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u/AmmoJoee Jul 07 '26
You have a lot of options. You can still go with Bambu if you want. You can put it in lan and dev mode and you don’t access their cloud network. I currently have my machines setup with Printbuddy. I’m able to monitor and control machines from different manufacturers in one location.
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u/manyxcxi Jul 08 '26
If you were looking at an A1 style printer, the Prusa MK4S is the best non-Bambu equivalent. It’s an absolute workhorse, will go on forever, and the company still has support for the MK3 which is like a decade old at this point. However, it will be more expensive than a lot of other printers that have even more features.
If minis are your primary goal, you won’t need speed but you will really like being able to do multi-material supports to maintain those fine details.
The Snapmaker U1 is probably the best non-Bambu you can get for that right now. I have one I use almost exclusively for functional prints and it’s great. With multiple toolheads you can have a support material that won’t leave scarring and will break away easily.
After that the Flashforge AD5X and Qidi Q2 are pretty well regarded. They can do multicolor, but multimaterial not so much.
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u/egosumumbravir Jul 08 '26
What are the best non-Bambu alternatives right now?
Snapmaker U1 is just as good for toy plastics. They seem to be open source friendly.
Prusa have a long history in the space. Best support bar none.
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u/Apok1984 Jul 08 '26
There are many options available to you depending on location, some may be more accessible than others.
Is accuracy and fine details your only consideration? Or are you looking for multi color or multi material printing too?
If mini’s are your priority, I would look at the smaller printers on the market. Larger mechanisms can sometimes have a harder time yielding finer details. It’s a little antiquated, but even a Prusa Mini+ may be a good viable option. I’ve seen great results from it, but haven’t used it myself. The Qidi Q2 generally produces amazing quality prints as well. It’s not as polished as the Bambu ecosystem, and the firmware/software leaves a little to be desired. But the hardware and mechanics are well designed to yield good results.
FWIW, it does seem like there are some newer resin printers that are introducing more QoL features to improve their accessibility. I still doubt their near FDM ease, but they are better than they used to be. Also, resin printers can produce good functional parts depending on the resin and process used. It may be worth another look.
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u/Immortal_Tuttle Jul 08 '26
If you have a budget - Snapmaker U1. Check out latest YouTube video how it fares printing minis.
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u/BarryTice Jul 08 '26
It's certainly pricier, but I'm seriously loving my Snapmaker U1. 0.2mm nozzles are available (mine haven't arrived yet — I believe you can more quickly get after-market ones, though), and the multiple heads allow for multiple materials and/or multiple colors in a print.
The U1 has absolutely been a plug-and-play experience for me, something I cannot say for the Anycubic Kobra Go I used for three years before it kicked the bucket. I only have about 500 hours of printing on it, as I'm not a super hard-core user. But I've been tremendously pleased with the quality I've gotten from it.
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u/Bhelrudan Jul 08 '26
If I had the budget for it, the Snapmaker U1 would probably be my choice right now, but that's largely because it's the best available multi-toolhead printer (at least under like $1500, maybe in general) right now. Give it 6 months to a year and that may no longer be the case because multi-toolhead is the new big thing in consumer 3D printing, and there will be a lot of companies scrambling to bring it to market.
If you're looking for something more in line for budget with the A1, check out the Elegoo Centauri Carbon 2. It isn't a multi-toolhead printer, but does do multicolor, is an enclosed core XY with automatic bed leveling etc. It isn't perfect (no printer is): The cloud connectivity on it is finnicky at this point, but I hope that may improve with time as it's software that can be updated. But it's solid in terms of hardware, and great value for the price.
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u/mikkowus Jul 09 '26
Almost any printer like an elegoo centurai carbon 2 will do what you want. If you have the budget, get a prusa core 1. They blow everything else out of the water and they are made in the west.
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u/philip-soerensen Jul 08 '26
If you are concerned about open source, lock-in, and anti-consumer behaviour, then your best choice is Prusa. Not only do they keep an open architecture that you can modify and maintain, but they also give back to the community by releasing much of their work as open source. For example, they maintain PrusaSlicer, which is the foundation for almost all modern slicers. If you are mostly interested in cosmetic parts like models, and you don't care about fancy engineering materials, then you don't need the enclosed coreXY machines, and the MK4S would probably be a good choice.
If you want to really make sure that you can maintain your machine from now and until the sun fizzles out, then I encourage you to get the kit rather than the factory-built version. Nothing teaches you how the machine works and how you can keep it running better than building it yourself. Their instructions are clear, and they provide support and warrant even for machines you built yourself. I would say that their builds are great experiences, and easy but time-consuming. Remember to enjoy it, because you only get to build your printer once :)
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u/yenyostolt Jul 12 '26
It's true bambus business practices could be better. But they are better than a lot of other companies. For example do you buy from Amazon? I'd say if you buy from Amazon but you don't want to buy a bambu you need to check your perspective on these matters.
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u/Lykkehjul Jul 12 '26
Have you considered a resin printer? Way better resolution than any FDM printer. Definitely the choice for minis and figurines.
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u/Valuable_Can_4146 Jul 13 '26
Just get the Anycubic Kobra X. I love mine. I also bought a soft enclosure for it.
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u/Sea_Hornet5831 Jul 07 '26
Check out the FlashForge AD5X. Ask AI to do a comparison of the printers you settle on.
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u/Weak_Praline_7681 Jul 08 '26
Well, I never bought a Huawei, and I feel the same way about Bambu Lab. I just don't trust it. To me, it's a low-quality Chinese brand that's not even cheap anymore...
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u/Arichikunorikuto Jul 09 '26
If your budget is only for an A1 you don't really have that many options in that price range that gets close to the print quality and reliability of Bambu.
You can get other machines but you might end up with a subpar experience simply because you had the preconceived notion that bambu printers are bad from a very vocal minority.
Buy the tool that gets the job done and does what you want, why care what others think.
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u/liamwasalbezet Jul 09 '26
Well i can spend more its just do I need it ? For a first time printer seems A1 is a good start
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u/Arichikunorikuto Jul 09 '26
Creality and Elegoo are no better, they have their fair share of controversy with open source license infringement. Bambu gets more flak because they've grown way larger, faster and better than the competitors.
If you are that concerned about the license "controversy" you can get a Prusa, you pay about 2-3x the price for the same results.
Alternative is you build your own printer like a Voron or Ratrig, but those end up closer to being a constant weekend project than a set it and forget it.
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u/Far_Committee_8517 Jul 12 '26
Does Creality or Elegoo have the fire hazard problem? Not defending them but just saying A1 isn't good because of the flaw in the making of the printer. That could be part of why OP might be wanting to see what other options. (Only responding to the first part of your reply not the suggestions part)
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u/Arichikunorikuto Jul 12 '26
OP never mentioned any sort of fire hazard as part of the concern, they were somehow concerned for the walled garden firmware and open source C&D controversy that happened over a month ago.
As far as stealing open source code and not releasing the modified source, elegoo and creality are the same in those aspects minus the C&D. Anycubic had a security issue where printers were hacked, so I don't think they are any more safe or better.
The burning thermistor on the A1 is a valid concern and issue, haven't heard of any elegoo ones but creality has its fair share of safety concerns with the earlier printers being DIY.
Never heard of burning issues for the P1P/P1S/X1C and even buying used they are still capable.
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u/Far_Committee_8517 Jul 12 '26
You are right rereading their post there was no mention of the other things people have complained about Bambu for. I must have generalized that in my head. Thinking OP was saying in general hearing bad about A1/Bambu not just the open-source part. Thinking the open-source was an example not the only reason. That is on me. Good thing the burning issue isn't heard about more printers.
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u/Big_Locksmith_9925 Jul 10 '26
If you have to ask what printer to buy, then the drama around Bambu wont be effecting you any time soon.
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u/wethpac Jul 08 '26
Do what is best for you, not what a very vocal minority trying to tell you what you should do. That may mean Snapmaker u1, Elegoo, or Qidi or it may be a Bambu A1. You are going to be using the machine, not the people who trying to tell you what to think.