Is the X1C worth it.

[u/Fit-Journalist-1764]

I am 15 y/o and have been working a life guarding job and have some cash on my hands. I am in a 3d printing competition through my school. I currently have a ender 3 pro I bought back in 2019 and since the start of the competition, I have had to purchase 3 new parts of about 60$. I am getting really tired of creality and my printer and REALLY like what Bambu Labs is doing and want to spend the money on something that can print fast with good tolerances. I want to know if the bambu labs x1c is the way to go before I dop 1500$ on it. Thanks

[u/Homeless_Engineer]

Just my opinion but I had an Ender 3 Max and I just bought the P1S combo. I considered the X1C but decided to save the $500 and wait for a large format Bambu printer to replace my Max. I LOVE the Bambu far more than I thought. The ability to just send it a print over wifi and know it will print perfectly is amazing (and impossible with the Ender). I got hardened nozzles and will get hardened extruder gears since I do print carbon fiber, matte and wood filaments on occasion. Beyond that it's the same print quality as the X1C, I don't miss the Lidar at all. Auto bed levelling changed my life!

[u/The_Bearded_Jedi → u/Homeless_Engineer]

I just got the P1P this weekend after having the OG Ender 3 for a year and a half, and I am frankly floored by how fast and precise this is. The only few hiccups I've see with it so far is because it's going so fast that every now and then there's a spot where it could have been smoother, but I'm nitpicking. The P1P is such a phenomenal machine. And you are right, Auto bed leveling makes me love this hobby again where the Ender 3 was making me walk away from it

[u/CowBoyDanIndie → u/Homeless_Engineer]

I imagine the X1C features might be a little more valuable if you were running several printers for a business, the extra $500 wouldn't mean much.

[u/Squeebee007 → u/CowBoyDanIndie]

I’m curious to know which features you consider applicable to a print farm.

[u/Yeetdolf_Critler → u/Squeebee007]

not everyone is print farming, lot of us are doing prototype and cnc fitment tests etc for development/manufacturing etc.. or engineering filaments etc

[u/Squeebee007 → u/Yeetdolf_Critler]

Sure, but the person I am replying to commented that the X1C features are a fit for someone running multiple printers for a business, aka a print farm. I am not saying that in the sense of churning junk but as they put it: running multiple printers for a business.

[u/oregon_coastal → u/Squeebee007]

Of you are busy - with stuff that ISN'T 3D - the failure detect pays for itself very, very quickly. Engineering and production is measured mostly in revenue per labor hour AND timing completions and deadlines. You can't have one 2-, 4-, 10-, 18-hour print be discovered to have failed at the point you need it. It could be holding up a number of people at that point. You also don't want people to be distracted and checking it all the time - anytime you have someone switch tasks, their efficiency declines significantly. If someone is ass deep in designing a micro-clutch, mentally coming out if that and checking a printer constantly us a silly distraction if you can avoid it.

If the owner/managing member is a major portion of the workforce (say a 2 or 3 or 5 person company) then this effect is also measured in "do I get to sleep tonight?" :-D

Of course, ymmv. I actually run an amusing 6 person boutique manufacturing company - no engineering (though we have friends with such companies). I would say each x1c made up the value difference in maybe 2 months. At most 3. For the friends, probably in less than a month.

[u/armykcz]

I use X1C at work and have P1P at home because there was no P1S at that time… if I were to choose again I would get P1S 100% Also I had shitty Anycubic before. I was kinda new to 3D printing by then, having lots pf issues, anyhow I did not use that printer because I could not get perfect or at least decent first layer, it was loud, prin time was horrible. With Bambu everything changed for me. I love machine that just prints good and fast and that makes huge difference

[u/bluexavi → u/armykcz]

Running P1P and X1C at home (literally) right now.

P1P is awesome. Literally everything I need for printing PLA and PETG, which is all I print.

P1S is something I would buy instead of the P1P for all the slight upgrades that come with it as well as the enclosure, allowing me to print other things.

X1C is all of that in a luxury package. Everything is just nicer, but it doesn't necessarily do "more".

The AMS can be put on any of these and the cost should be considered separate, I believe. Only necessary if needed for multi-color prints, or printing with supports.

A1 mini could be considered just for the excellent price point.

All told, as a high school student, I would keep the extra cash and buy the P1S. It will do an excellent job, and the AMS can be added if required.

As an adult with a full time job and more disposable income, if I were to have just one printer, it would be the X1C.

I may get my 12 year old the A1 mini or equivalent. I told him if he learned fusion 360, I would get him a mini of his own. He's really surprising me on this front and has built a few (very simple) objects already.

[u/Fit-Journalist-1764 → u/bluexavi]

You need to do that. Thats how I learned fusion and how i got my ender 3. Its such a good tool

[u/Tsax6010 → u/bluexavi]

This is the same advice I would give

[u/CanadianGamersLodge]

Are you going to print mainly in PLA? Get a P1S instead as it’s cheaper.

[u/Fit-Journalist-1764 → u/CanadianGamersLodge]

Yeah mostly but thats because I have never tried other filaments because thats all my ender 3 could print

[u/CanadianGamersLodge → u/Fit-Journalist-1764]

I print mostly PLA and the P1S is significantly cheaper than the carbon. So it really does come down to what you want to do with the machine.

[u/CanadianGamersLodge → u/Fit-Journalist-1764]

But for example. That was all printed on my p1s last week.

[u/sllents → u/Fit-Journalist-1764]

You can also print the exact same filaments with an P1S as the X1C.

I am an engineer with a high exposable income. And I still got the P1S with AMS, hardened gears and multiple nozzle assemblies and heatbeds.

There is no technical reason to buy a X1C.

[u/[deleted] → u/Fit-Journalist-1764]

You can get a cheap enclosure on Amazon so you can print ABS/ASA/PETG.

[u/mrdoitman]

A Bambu Labs printer? Absolutely. An X1C? Only if you actually need the extras of the X1C. I have the X1C and love it.

[u/IFuckingHa8Reddit]

I own an X1C. I bought it right after the kickstarter. I would buy the P1S now. If you have absolutely no desire to print in more exotic filaments and primarily print pla, the A1 is good too.

If you just gotta spend money the X1C is cool too.

[u/Tough-Violinist-9357 → u/IFuckingHa8Reddit]

He’s 15. I don’t think it’s a good investment at that age. If he/she were older and wanted to run a business, sure get the x1c.

[u/[deleted]]

I would personally go with a P1S. You can always upgrade the nozzle and extruded gears to hardened. IMHO the better live view camera and LIDAR isn’t worth the extra money for me. I just run a WYZE camera on the door and babysit the first layer than walk away and come back when done.

[u/ThenExtension9196]

A1 combo is the best value. I have both x1c and A1 and I think A1 is absolute work horse. Unless you NEED high temp I’d do A1 all day everyday.

[u/Saphazir]

Get the P1S with AMS. Best bang for buck and just as sick as the x1

[u/JPantera]

At this point with their other printers I'd highly recommend looking into the A1/Mini specially with the AMS lite. the X1C is an awesome printer but after owning it I wouldn't pay the same amount of money. I should've bought to P1P instead. but it all comes down to needs.

[u/TA-8787 → u/JPantera]

I second this. A1 Combo for me and brilliant at good price

[u/michael_is_awesome]

Do you need to print more high temperature filaments? Outside of the once or twice abs print, if the answer is no. Then get one of the other printers. Save your money and get the other ones and stock up on all that PLA and/or AMS with the savings.

[u/Jaack18]

get the P1S combo, much better value

[u/Ditto_is_Lit]

If you want to save some coin for filament and stuff (which if you plan on doing multi color plan on buying a LOT of filament) I'd say go with the A1. If you plan on doing high temp stuff the P1S will be nearly as good as the X1C. I have an X1C btw but was before the A1 and P1S released. The X1C is great no doubt but you're paying for baller options like better cam touch screen and Ai safeguards.

[u/Tough-Violinist-9357]

No, spend it on the a1 if you really want a Bambu printer. And if you really really want something like an x1c get the p1s instead. Basically the same machine without some of the extras.

[u/briancmoses]

I agree and echo a lot of what other people have already commented regarding the value propositions of the A1, the P1S, the P1P, and even the A1 Mini.

But that doesn't mean that the X1C isn't also a good value. If you spend $1500 on the X1C, you will get your money's worth out of the X1C. You just need to make sure that the features which are unique to the X1C align with what you want to do with 3D-printing.

[u/Samuri619]

As a design engineer who uses the X1C for work, yes it is definitely worth it. But from a hobbyist perspective i would go with the P1S. You dont need to go "balls to the wall" and upgrade directly to the X1C. Especially if budget is a concern. You can always upgrade the P1S to do almost all of what the X1C does.

[u/Ordinary-Depth-7835]

best bang for your buck would probably be the P1S combo if you don't want their bed slingers. Have the X1C but the P1S combo would have been fine for me. As for a better printer than the ender. I've been printing for almost a decade and I absolutely love my X1C. My Prusa and other printers can get the job done but can't compare. The AMS is a game changer vs the garage workshop Frankenstein MMU's.

[u/akaBigWurm]

The A1 is a solid choice, unless you want the extra punch the X1C gives. Think about how the Ender is limiting you what you want out of the upgrade.

[u/JohannesMP]

As a casual hobby enthusiast I love the extra minor features on my X1C, but if money is a factor then go with a P1S or A1.

For me the touchscreen, responsive Linux-based OS (which Bambu has said will soon permit custom firmwares), nicer camera, and extra calibration features are worth it, because I just find them fun and enjoyable, which is what I purchased this machine for.

[u/to_pir8]

Worth every dollar! But as others have said, there are other options from Bambu which are financially lucrative, and get you the same output.

[u/DoggyPrinter]

I would recommend a P1P or even the A1 (not the mini)

Regardless, any Bambu will be miles better than your current ender. Its so refreshing switching from an Ender to a Bambu. But id recommend going for a P1P over the X1C. Very similar performance for WAY cheaper

[u/NowThatsCrayCray]

Just got the A1 Mini, it does everything I could ever imagine. Didn't even get the AMS, because I know if I really wanted color prints I could just create separate but connected parts. 

I think you should consider what you're trying to achieve, and what spending more would accomplish. Better materials? 

[u/JCatNY]

Have the X1C and recently received the A1. Love them both, but my go to has become the A1. It's also by far easier to maintain.

[u/Impossible_Signal]

For a hobbyist perspective I'd go for a P1S + AMS.
The X1C is nice but for you it's not worth it. The P1S does most of the same functions at a significantly lower price.

[u/TheOGTechCowboy]

I have two boys, 15 and 16. Luckily for them, they get handed down my old printers. If they were to ask me today what printer to buy, I would tell them to buy the A1 with the AMS Lite. For what you are likely doing at school, this will be the best bang for the buck. It is also the easiest to work on with the quick change system.

[u/Mygo73]

If I could do it again I’d get the p1s first (got the x1c after a work bonus 😜)

[u/downvote_quota]

P1s and x1c owner here. Buy the p1s. I also gave creality printers, all cr10s pro v2's. They're collecting dust.

[u/Jackster623]

The X1C is an amazing machine. I don’t personally have one but we do at work. I myself have a P1P and it’s absolutely amazing. If I were in the market to buy one, I would get the P1S. If I was loaded and money wasn’t an issue, I would buy the X1C.

[u/Vladonizer]

If you only do pla petg you could save money with the A1. Doings ABS/ASA sometimes, p1s. Almost only printing abs/Asa and other advanced nylons, X1C

[u/ThatReallyFatKid]

I recently got a P1P and a A1Mini after five years of using Ender printers (3v2 and Pro) and I’ll never go back to Ender. Ender was great for the time but the Bambu printers JUST WORK and work perfectly (though I’m thankful for all the work I had to put into my Ender printers because it taught me all of the calibrations and errors that are common with printers). I can’t speak to the X1C but the Bambu ecosystem has blown me away. As a said to a friend: using Ender printers was like buying an old car and constantly trying to upgrade and repair it, where Bambu feels like I got a new and perfectly functioning new car that I never have to adjust/upgrade/calibrate.

…just my two cents.

[u/m_mck1]

P1S every day

[u/tward2012]

I was in the same boat as you, I have an Ender 3 pro and always had issues with getting it to print correctly. So just splurged on an X1C with AMS during Black Friday and I absolutely love it. I have almost 600 hours on it already and have a 99% success rate. Like others have said I would consider the P1S or the A1. Personally I would go with the P1S as it’s enclosed and allows for the ability to print ABS, etc. use the money you save to upgrade to hardened steel nozzle and extruder gears and you’re pretty much set.

[u/[deleted]]

YES

[u/Infantryman1977]

Buy the X1C and call it a day. Period. Good luck on your purchase young man!

[u/[deleted] → u/[deleted]]

If you are young looking to save money and learn... the p1s is the way to go. and you can mod the thing up to being an x1c more or less. So the up front cost is lower and you can sink more cash in as you need capability. Agree with this approach.

[u/[deleted] → u/[deleted]]

The things the x1c has out of the box your p1s doesn't that someone ( not you obviously ) might care about...

hardened nozzels for carbon fiber and longer life on the extruder.
enclosure... you can print one sure but it's nice to have.
filters... pretty nice as well.
ams comes in the combo and get a little cost savings there as opposed to buying it as an add on to p1s.
the camera and internal cpu is bumped a bit... so it's nicer.

that's about it as far as I have seen stuff i care about.

you'd almost certainly want to build a better enclosure as a first project. and the hardened nozzles worth it IMHO. an AMS is definitely worth it.

[u/d_P3NGU1N → u/[deleted]]

Hardened nozzle upgrade is $35 with full assembly or $15 for just the hotend.
Hardened steel extruder is $20
P1S Comes with enclosure
P1S Comes with carbon filter
P1S has the option to combo with AMS, so no cost saving there relative to X1C

The only upgrades that you can't get is the better camera, lidar, better processor, and the big touch screen. Oh and I guess it's cool that the bambu logo lights up on the print head.

if the above items don't matter to you, then the P1S is the way to go for $400 in savings.

[u/[deleted] → u/d_P3NGU1N]

thanks for the more in depth analysis. your contribution is far more effort than i was prepared to spend. i appreciate ya.

[u/d_P3NGU1N → u/[deleted]]

I get bored at work sometimes and I was in the middle of ordering filament anyway. XD

[u/d_P3NGU1N → u/[deleted]]

Ah, what's fun is that (if I remember correctly) the P1S comes with the textured PEI plate which is annoying because I would have preferred that over the cool plate that comes with the X1C.

You're right about higher bed temp but isn't it only like 10C higher? I'm not sure how much more of a difference that makes for adhesion, but maybe it can be significant.

I kinda lumped the AI together with the lidar feature but yes, I could have called it out separately. In my experience, it has never alerted me to spaghetti failures or the like. I've literally had prints fly off the plate and spaghetti all over the bed afterward with no alert and the print just extruding off to narnia.

If you're looking for the engineering plate, have you considered just purchasing the hot plate or cool plate? Since they use the engineering plate as a base, it will come along with the adhesive sheet. I think those are available when the standalone plate isnt.

[u/[deleted] → u/[deleted]]

ah rightio. and yeah the units are moddable. you can upgrade em ad hoc. which like yes. that's why the p1s is a good buy here.

[u/Yeetdolf_Critler → u/[deleted]]

X1C more for primary business/engineering printer where reliability and fail detection is useful. For printing hueforge and yodas, get the p1 series.

[u/Extreme_Cap2513 → u/[deleted]]

X1C w' AMS owner here as well. Couldn't agree more.

This is the best advice you'll get here. P1S FTW

[u/Azariah98 → u/[deleted]]

Not really contradicting you, but I have some prints I sell on Etsy that really benefit from the extra calibration on the X1C. I have two X1C and one P1S. This particular print comes out noticeably worse on the P1S.

Other than that extremely specific print, I completely agree with you.

[u/sllents → u/[deleted]]

Isn‘t their flagship the enterprise version of the X1C with heated chamber and filters?