This review is gonna be different than the others because of a small detail. Compared to my coworkers, I hardly know about the 3D printing world, and I have never even seen a 3D printer up close.
So Bambu Lab saw the opportunity and sent me their newest A series printer, the Bambu Lab A2L Combo, which includes the AMS Lite, an automated material system for multicolor/multi-material use, and, as the cherry on top, a cutting upgrade kit that is also used for drawing.
I never thought 3D printing was gonna be something worth the money or the effort to get into, but I was quickly disproven.
After a month of continuous use of the Bambu Lab A2L Combo, I can now say with confidence that 3D printing saved me trouble and money in various situations, from small cosmetic stuff to fixing problems around my house.
Unboxing And Installation – Nice And Clean
I was worried at first when they delivered my printer because the shipping company saw the sign saying “This way up” and decided to put it upside down to see what would happen. Also the edges of the carton box were a bit wrinkled.
Once I opened it, though, every worry I had disappeared; the package was nicely compact and tightly packed with all kinds of security methods (styrofoam, plastic corners, and more). I unpacked everything, and surely there were no signs of damage done to any part of the Bambu Lab A2L. After unpacking everything, it was time to start building this bad boy.
I was gonna do a detailed installation process for the Bambu Lab A2L Combo, but the installation was so short it would not even need a paragraph. It is almost plug-and-play, with only a handful of bolts needed to be installed on the base of the printer and the nozzle to be attached and freed from the supports.
It means a lot that the installation of the Bambu Lab A2L Combo was easy because, as a product recommended for home use and rookies, it removes a lot of the stress someone might feel when it comes to handling machines like that. So trust me, if it took me less than 30 minutes to build, it will take an average person even less.
Contents Inside The Box Of A2L Combo
Printer Accessories
- A2L Printer Base Housing
- A2L Printer Frame
- 32 GB MicroSD card (pre-installed in the printer)
- Bambu Textured PEI Plate
- Unclogging Pin
- Set of Screws for Installation
AMS Accessories
- AMS lite Body (Includes 4-pin connection cable)
- AMS lite Stand
- AMS lite Rotary Spool Holder
- PTFE Tube for AMS lite
Tools and Maintenance
- Lubricant Oil
- Lubricant Grease
- Filament Cutter Blade
- Scraper Blade
- Allen Key (H1.5 and H2.0)
Other
- Power Cable
- Silicone and Foam Footpads
- Z Motor Cover
- Instructions Manual
Why Was The Bambu Lab A2L Created?
The Bambu Lab A2L is a 3D printer designed for more casual use or for startup ideas. With dimensions of 330 x 320 x 325, you can create almost anything in one go, which makes things much easier. You can also print a big batch of an item, like a 3D toy, and start selling them online for a small profit. In general, A2L is ideal for someone who wants to get into 3D printing for home use and small hustling, but if you are looking for something more professional, you should invest in a model like the X2D Combo.
Bambu Lab A2L – Tech Specs
Build Volume
- ( W*D*H): 330mm*320mm*325mm
- Removable toolhead
Temp & Speed
- 300 °C max nozzle temperature
- 500 mm/s max speed
- 10 m/s² max acceleration
- 28 mm³/s max flow for hotend
Heatbed
- 80 °C max heatbed temperature
- Adaptive vibration compensation
- Auto heatbed leveling
Smart Features
- Physical resonance suppression
- Auto flow dynamics calibration
- First layer calibration
- Intelligent nozzle clumping detection
Supported Materials
- PLA
- PETG
- TPU
- PVA
- PLA-CF (Replace with Hardened Steel Nozzle)
- PETG-CF (Replace with Hardened Steel Nozzle)
From The Eyes Of A Newbie
My experience with the Bambu Lab A2L was smooth in every aspect, from assembly to printing. The only problem I faced was that some of my prints had slight missed lines, but I figured it was my table that was causing this, as it was not sturdy enough and was moving with the printer, causing it to lose its calibration. So learn from my mistakes and place it from the start on a sturdy surface.
Another cool thing is the Bambu Lab app. It is very useful as it contains information about your printer, like print progress, the temperature of the nozzle and the heatbed, and you can adjust the printing speed as well. The main part of the app is the community store.
The Bambu Lab app is filled with thousands and thousands of different things people created, and it is entirely free for everyone to use. This is very important, especially for people like me who do not know how to create things using 3D design apps because we can just use other people’s designs straight away.
The Results of Printing With Bambu Lab A2L
From watching YouTube videos and other reviews, I realised it would be bad luck if I did not print Benchy, so of course I started with it, and as you can see from the results, my excitement began spiraling when I realised everything is possible.
Of course, everyone in my circle who heard that I got a 3D printer came running and making requests, so I made a bunch of stuff for everyone, from toys to keychains and even replacement drains for the floor.
All of the things I printed were created using Bambu Lab’s new PLA material called PLA Pure, which is food-certified and safe for kids to play with. Another thing about the PLA Pure is that it produces low indoor printing emissions, so you do not have to worry about that at all.
Speed and Nozzle Tuning
I realised that the speed at which the printer creates something needs to be taken into consideration, as it may cause some problems. If you have your printer on a surface that is not the sturdiest, the fast movements of the Bambu Lab A2L may cause the nozzle to miss and create a spaghetti mess. So I would suggest lowering the speed if you cannot find a sturdier surface to place your printer.
If you are new to 3D printing, I would suggest looking for a guide on YouTube for the optimal settings, such as ironing, that you should change on your printer for smoother results.
Pooping Time
When it comes to single-color printing, the Bambu Lab A2L is very precise; as a result, there is not that much waste. I must admit that is not the case when it comes to multi-color printing. The nozzle has to clean itself every time it changes color and wastes some to see if it works fine, which results in a lot of poop. Thank God the internet had the solution once more, and through the Bambu Lab app, I printed a bin for the printer.
Cutting Upgrade Kit – Design And Cut Effortlessly
Bambu Lab was also very kind to send me their cutting upgrade kit, which is suitable for the H2 series and the Bambu Lab A2L. The cutting upgrade kit allows you to cut a variety of materials that you can order from their website precisely. Another thing it features is pen drawing and writing, allowing you to create different stuff, from T-shirt designs to beautiful pictures.
Conclusion – Should You Invest In The A2L?
In my personal opinion, the Bambu Lab A2L not only covered but exceeded my needs. It is a plug-and-play machine that requires little to no prior knowledge about 3D printing. Thanks to the AMS Lite, I can use multiple materials, and through the app I can browse thousands of designs from other people and find the one that suits me more and print it with the click of a button on my phone.
With the price of 489.00 €, you get a complete package that will not need replacement for a long period of time unless you are looking to expand a business or something similar. A big thanks to Bambu Lab for hooking us up with this great printer to review.
If you liked reading this, you can find more reviews on Bambu Lab 3D printers below: