P1S vs X1 Carbon
Lidar and AI detection, or not? (And the P1S now costs $369)
Is the X1C worth the premium?
Quick answer: Get the P1S ($369) if you watch your prints and stick to standard materials: it is enough. Look for a used X1C (launched at $1,199) only if you run long unattended prints where Lidar and AI failure detection save material: it is discontinued, so for a new machine its successor the X2D ($649) is the one to buy.
Specs: Bambu Lab P1S tech specs (PDF) · Bambu Lab X1 Carbon tech specs (PDF), checked October 2, 2026
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P1S
- $369, which is $830 below the X1C's old list price, without the automation features
- Full enclosure with activated carbon filter, handles ABS and ASA just as well for supervised prints
- Same CoreXY kinematics and 256 mm cube build volume as the X1C
- Full AMS compatible, identical multi-color capability up to 16 colors
X1 Carbon
- Lidar auto-calibration, fully automated Z-offset, flow rate, and vibration compensation
- AI failure detection, pauses and notifies you when a print is failing unattended
- Hardened steel nozzle included, ready for abrasive filaments
- Established platform with a large community and accessory ecosystem
Specs comparison
| Feature | P1S | X1 Carbon |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $369 | $1,199 |
| Build volume | 256 × 256 × 256 mm | 256 × 256 × 256 mm |
| Kinematics | CoreXY | CoreXY |
| Max speed | 500 mm/s | 500 mm/s |
| Enclosure | Yes (activated carbon only) | Yes (activated carbon only) |
| Lidar | No | Yes |
| AI failure detection | No | Yes |
| Chamber heating | Passive (not actively heated) | Passive (not actively heated) |
| Carbon fiber rods | Yes (X axis) | Yes (X axis) |
| Hardened nozzle | Optional | Included |
| AMS compatible | Full AMS | Full AMS |
Lidar calibration: Z-offset, flow rate, and first-layer compensation calibrated automatically. More consistent results without manual tuning.
AI failure detection: Detects spaghetti prints, layer shifts, and poor first layers. Pauses and notifies you: the biggest practical difference for long or overnight prints.
Chamber: Both are enclosed but passive (neither has an active chamber heater). Both are warmed only by bed and nozzle, so chamber temperature is not a real differentiator here. For true active heating you need an X2D or H2-series machine.
Most users: if you're a hobbyist who watches your prints and doesn't run overnight jobs, the P1S serves you as well as the X1C for 95% of prints.
P1S is enough if...
- You're comfortable with manual calibration
- You watch your prints most of the time
- You print PLA, PETG, ABS, ASA, not PC or CF
- You want to save several hundred dollars
The X1C (or X2D successor) is worth it if...
- You run long or unattended prints regularly
- Print failures cost you significant time or material
- You print PC, CF, or other demanding materials
- You're running a small production operation (the X1C is discontinued; for a new machine choose the X2D)
Full specs and review: P1S page · X1C page