Prusa MK4 vs Bambu?  

RE: Prusa MK4 vs Bambu?

A very good match-up indeed. Comparing the tech in each printer, I call it a draw. Both have automatic first layer calibration, decent build volume, and great print quality. I like the quick swap nozzles, better printer bed sheets, and open source parts of the Prusa. And the Bambu Lab printers have the edge in speed, Corexy, and provided enclosure -- for the X1.

Prusa gave current Prusa owners a real reason to stay with Prusa when considering a printer between $700-$1100. And Bambu has a long way to go to begin to compete with the Prusa customer service and user community.

RE:

I have had all models of Prusas and have a MK4 on order.  I also have a Bambu X1C w/AMS.

I love the Bambu, especially the integration they've done with the slicer, mobile app, AMS, etc.  It's next level.  However, it's not for everybody.  You have limited tweaking options and there are some things that you wouldn't be able to repair yourself (heat pressed rods, etc) - but it's great for those jobs you know need to be done right with multi-material/multi-color.  It's still a ways off of what you would call an easy button, but it's a great step in the right direction and a major boost to the industry.

With that said, I'm very eager to get my MK4 and have fun with it.

RE: Prusa MK4 vs Bambu?

I only have the MK3S+ and have been seeing a LOT of chatter and results from Bambu users. One of the biggest benefits I see from the Bambu is upping the game for others like Prusa. For me, I'm trusting in the history and longevity of Prusa for now, but got say I've got some envy on the speeds Bambu users get!

RE: Prusa MK4 vs Bambu?

The P1p doesn't have auto-bed leveling.  The X1 series does.

RE: Prusa MK4 vs Bambu?

Great posts so far. I like the opensource and the community for Prusa is great for Mods and troubleshooting.  Bambu is getting closer to buying a Printer for paper like Epson or HP.  I am in the Prusa camp since it is like an old shoe for me and Bambu looks great but I am not ready to move to another platform. I am deciding if I want to upgrade or buy new. The price difference is a couple hundred dollars.

RE: Prusa MK4 vs Bambu?

I own a P1P. It has auto-bed leveling.

Posted by: @agammamon

The P1p doesn't have auto-bed leveling.  The X1 series does.

RE: Prusa MK4 vs Bambu?

I have one also.  I will soon be comparing them face to face.  

Posted by: @tracy

I own a P1P. It has auto-bed leveling.

Posted by: @agammamon

The P1p doesn't have auto-bed leveling.  The X1 series does.

 

RE: Prusa MK4 vs Bambu?

I’m watching this with interest.  I’ve been waiting for the Mk4 for a couple of years, but recently started to actually NEED a new printer and the Bambu has been getting a lot of praise; I like the greater automation of the Bambu, including the 4-filament auto changer and the fact that it looks like a finished machine and not some sort of prototype.  The speed of a core-XY machine would be useful for me too.

RE: Prusa MK4 vs Bambu?

Bambu is definitely an option.  If I was new to the market I would be looking at one.

RE: Prusa MK4 vs Bambu?

Josef Prusa mentions in his MK4 blog that he wanted to be sure the MK3S/+ users have a direct upgrade path. I believe this is the main driver behind them releasing the MK4. This is Prusa’s history, to not abandon users of older models and when possible, provide them with the opportunity to upgrade and improve their printers.

I also believe that Prusa’s FDM future is Corexy and tool changers. Once the XL has shipped in sufficient numbers look out for the new flagship printer that will replace the MK4. I see a Corexy tool changer, with all the features of the XL, around 270x270x270, enclosure, etc. This printer will be the real competitor to the Bambu Lab X1. The AFS printer is basically a preview of what is coming.

RE: Prusa MK4 vs Bambu?

Yes, the P1P has ABL:

Bambu Lab P1P Website:

The automatic bed leveling(ABL) sensor calibrates and levels the bed properly, making you a perfect first layer for every 3D print.

RE: Prusa MK4 vs Bambu?

MK4 price competitive when choosing kit option. Which would be the better choice over time?

Bambu Lab P1P 3D Printer$699.00. VS. Original Prusa MK4 kit - $799, fully assembled $1099

Bambu Lab X1-Carbon Combo 3D Printer — $1,449.00 USD
VS
Original Prusa MK4 kit - $799; Original Prusa MMU3 - $299; Original Prusa Enclosure - $349; Prusa hardened nozzle - approx $35?
Total — $1482 kit or $1782 fully assembled

RE: Prusa MK4 vs Bambu?

It is all a preference thing.  I prefer a kit where I can learn and tinker.  Prusa just simply works, but you need to have some skill to build it and patience.  It is not a tinkerers machine link the Creality Ender, but you need to build it and be somewhat precise in following directions.   

Posted by: @nathanwms

MK4 price competitive when choosing kit option. Which would be the better choice over time?

Bambu Lab P1P 3D Printer$699.00. VS. Original Prusa MK4 kit - $799, fully assembled $1099

Bambu Lab X1-Carbon Combo 3D Printer — $1,449.00 USD
VS
Original Prusa MK4 kit - $799; Original Prusa MMU3 - $299; Original Prusa Enclosure - $349; Prusa hardened nozzle - approx $35?
Total — $1482 kit or $1782 fully assembled

RE: Prusa MK4 vs Bambu?

The Bambu Lab printers are a nice piece of kit but I wonder will current owners still be happy with the printers, availability of parts, and the community 5 years from now. I've had my Prusa 3+ years and I'm confident I'll still be using and upgrading it 3-5 years later.

RE: Prusa MK4 vs Bambu?

Good question, I guess you can ask the same question about the MK4.  There are a lot of comments and 'upvotes' for this printer but it hasn't even been on the open market.  Let's see how everyone feels 1-2 years from now.

RE: Prusa MK4 vs Bambu?

True, but Prusa had a proven track record of delivering 150-350K printers annually.  We will see which one maintains the pace and continues to deliver quality.  I suspect they will both be around. There is plenty of room in the market.  

Posted by: @praxeis

Good question, I guess you can ask the same question about the MK4.  There are a lot of comments and 'upvotes' for this printer but it hasn't even been on the open market.  Let's see how everyone feels 1-2 years from now.

RE:

I had the MK3S+, sold it, in Oct '22,  went for the X1C - I was lucky to get a machine with no warped bed. Many others have to swap the bed, after a stressful struggle with BL support.  Also I was lucky that the printer otherwise performs quite well, I did not have to manipulate or use any of the tools to dig into the hardware. When you read the Facebook groups or the official BL forum, you will see that a lot of people are having problems getting decent reply from support in China or wherever they are. In the beginning I thought that I might get into multicolour printing, but that didn't happen so far. When printing single colour most of the time, the AMS system is quite nice, but is it really necessary? I shall be watching the MK4 and the MMU3 release and then decide little later. Why swapping back to MK4:  a lot more options available, open source, fantastic support, quality was no questionmarks.   

RE: Prusa MK4 vs Bambu?

Posted by: @praxeis

Good question, I guess you can ask the same question about the MK4.  There are a lot of comments and 'upvotes' for this printer but it hasn't even been on the open market.  Let's see how everyone feels 1-2 years from now.

Nah. If Prusa disappeared tomorrow, you could keep a mk4 running for a very long time. It would likely eventually end up being a ship of Theseus, but there’s pretty well nothing there that can’t be swapped out or replaced. If Bambu disappeared, then unless someone is feeling exceptionally talented at reverse engineering then there’s a lot of stuff that will stop a Bambu. Even something as simple as a busted idler pulley or bearing.

RE:

I think you have hit a key point of strength of open source that great benefits to user.  I own 4 Mk3s and 4 Minis.  If Prusa goes tomorrow, there is ample documentation and parts available to keep them running for 10 years.  Heck, they widely available on eBay, AliExpress, and Amazon.  

If my BambuLabs goes belly up of shifts to new products tomorrow, their users are not going to have it as easy because parts are not as readily available outside of Bambi’s site.  

Posted by: @martin_au

 

Posted by: @praxeis

Good question, I guess you can ask the same question about the MK4.  There are a lot of comments and 'upvotes' for this printer but it hasn't even been on the open market.  Let's see how everyone feels 1-2 years from now.

Nah. If Prusa disappeared tomorrow, you could keep a mk4 running for a very long time. It would likely eventually end up being a ship of Theseus, but there’s pretty well nothing there that can’t be swapped out or replaced. If Bambu disappeared, then unless someone is feeling exceptionally talented at reverse engineering then there’s a lot of stuff that will stop a Bambu. Even something as simple as a busted idler pulley or bearing.