High-speed CoreXY printers—but which fits your workflow? Let's break down the key differences.
The X1 Carbon is Bambu’s performance-focused CoreXY with a robust aluminum enclosure, hardened abrasion-resistant components, Lidar-assisted calibration, higher-quality touchscreen, and superior multisensor functionality. The P1S delivers a similarly speedy CoreXY experience at a lower price point, sacrificing some convenience features—like Lidar and a high-resolution display—in favor of value while retaining enclosure, AMS compatibility, and fast printing.
| Feature | X1 Carbon (X1C) | P1S |
|---|---|---|
| Enclosure | Aluminum + metal walls, H12 HEPA / carbon filtration | Plastic enclosure, no advanced filtration |
| Calibration Aids | Lidar scanner for first-layer flow / quality; AI spaghetti detection | No Lidar; manual calibration required; slower camera updates |
| Display & Interface | Responsive 5″ color touchscreen with full AMS filament control | Mono button panel; basic and slower; can use smartphone or add touchscreen |
| Camera | 1080p @ 30 fps—smooth live preview | 720p at a low frame rate—suited to periodic monitoring rather than smooth live video |
| Abrasive Material Support | Hardened nozzle & extruder—supports carbon fiber, nylon blends | Standard steel components; can be upgraded aftermarket |
| Bed Temperature | Higher ceiling—beneficial for materials like ASA/ABS | Software-limited to ~100 °C (workarounds available) |
“The P1S fan is MUCH louder than the X1C… the display is probably the worst… camera is slow… but if money is tight, it's pretty good.” —Forum user
“Supporters suggest that X1C offers better flow calibrations via Lidar, while P1S can be made to handle AMS—but with a third-party controller or phone app.” —Discussion summary
“P1S provides better print quality than an older X1C in one user’s test.” —Community user
Choose X1 Carbon if you rely on high-performance prints, frequent use of abrasive/composite filaments, want highest calibration convenience (Lidar/AI), and prefer a polished interface.
Choose P1S if you’re cost-conscious, still want fast CoreXY printing with enclosure and AMS compatibility, and don’t mind using workarounds for advanced features.
| Model | Strengths | Trade-Offs |
|---|---|---|
| X1 Carbon | Premium components, best calibration automation, smoother camera, hardened hardware | Higher cost, potentially overkill for casual use |
| P1S | Great speed, enclosed CoreXY, AMS-ready, solid value | Basic UI, slower camera, manual calibration aids, fan noise |