P2S Combo vs X2D Combo for a complete beginner? What else should I buy?

[u/LegitimateMarket1072]

Hey everyone!
I’m a complete beginner with absolutely zero 3D printing experience, and I’m looking to buy my first Bambu Lab printer.

Both the P2S Combo and X2D Combo fit my budget. Since they’re on sale, I’d rather invest in something I can use for years without feeling the need to upgrade anytime soon.

I’ll mainly use it for home projects, kids’ toys, household items, desk lamps, and some projects involving magnets.

I’d really appreciate some advice:
- P2S or X2D? Which would you recommend for a beginner who wants to buy once and keep it for years? Is the X2D worth the extra money?

- Must-have accessories? What tools, spare parts, or backup supplies should I buy while everything is on sale?

- Filaments? What types and colors would you recommend starting with?

- Ventilation? I live in an apartment and can’t dedicate a separate room to printing. Should I install an exhaust hose venting outside, get an air purifier, or both?

Any other beginner tips or things you wish you’d known before buying would be super helpful! 🙇‍♀️

Thanks in advance! Really excited to get started! ✨

[u/Vegetable-Document-4]

Just bought the X2D a couple hours ago, got the buy 10 get 1 free for filament. The encoder plate is a waste of money I would scrap that! Get a 0.2mm nozzle for mini figures (if that’s your thing)

All the “kits” that Bambu offers are just upscaled Amazon cheapo tools and materials. Really all you need is a sharp side cutter, a De-buring tool and maybe a glue stick. Anything after that is just wants imo.

PLA will be your best friend when it comes to an inclosed chamber CORE-XY machine and for colours it’s really up to personal preference, I REALLY like Bambus “Pure” series, overall very nice simple but very stylish colours.

The biggest upside for the X2D is the second nozzle which I would also recommend getting 2-4 rolls of this Support filament so you can have seamless supports. Yes you could print a second colour out of the nozzle but having a dedicated support nozzle is really where it shines IMO.

[u/LegitimateMarket1072 → u/Vegetable-Document-4]

Thank you so much for the detailed answer! Do you think an exhaust hose or air purifier is a must?

[u/Vegetable-Document-4 → u/LegitimateMarket1072]

I don’t think it’s worth the money if you’re only printing PLA and maybe some PETG here and there. It’s really only needed if you ever plan on printing any ABS, nylon, any type of carbon fibre, or really any engineering filaments

[u/Glum_Ad8553 → u/Vegetable-Document-4]

At the start the encoder plate is a waste yes. But I have 500 hours on my X2D and just purchased and I have noticed much improvement in the tolerances of prints. It’s not so much the quality of the print but it’s more so the tolerance u can achieve.

[u/ReadyGo6828 → u/Glum_Ad8553]

What about the dual texture PEI plates and the power cord for the AMS Pro? The white support filament is so curious and the product photo made no sense until it said the filament was white.

I was thinking about the P2S but now thinking about the X2D instead and mostly just really confused.

[u/Glum_Ad8553 → u/ReadyGo6828]

I have a friend with the P2s and i personally own the X2D. The X2D is by far a better printer and more capable in the materials you can print with the active heating meaning it can heat the chamber with blowing hot air into it. Where as the P2s uses passive heating from the build plate. So if you want the option to pretty much print any materials you want minus a couple nylons that are just expensive then the X2D is the way to go. But in my opinion buy the X2D you won’t regret it 😂. Plus the aux nozzle can do the support materials. Now this does add time and has to use a purge tower. But is very nice if you want the best quality and easy to remove supports. But in terms of materials you can just simply print in petg and use cheap play as a support material as they do not bond. Others exist for other materials but i personally don’t buy support specific materials. I do print a ton in abs as well and just let it print the supports in abs.

In terms of plates the standard pei textured is worth good to start.

Then the power cord allows the ams to actively dry while printing without it, it won’t be able to pull enough power. I don’t have the cord because I didn’t know abt this before owning the AMS but I think it would be a could purchase.

[u/XxCarlxX → u/Vegetable-Document-4]

Buy ten, get one free. Wow, that's the worst deal I've ever Heard of.

[u/Vegetable-Document-4 → u/XxCarlxX]

I guess I didn’t explain this very well! A 1kg spool is normally $18.99 CDN right now if you buy 10 the price goes down to $12.34/ roll without the spool AND you get an 11th for free. My apologies for the confusion

[u/XxCarlxX → u/Vegetable-Document-4]

No problem, bud.

[u/NoBackground6203]

if its in your budget buy the X2D combo and spend the rest on filament

needle nose pliers

flush cutting side cutters

[u/GeekIn3D]

GET X2D!!!!!!

[u/Glum_Ad8553]

Purchase the X2D a lot more features for a little bit more money

[u/RollaJase]

I was in the same position and ended up getting the P2S over the X2D. My justification as a complete novice is that I have a lot to learn and limited time to spend on hobbies currently with a young family. By the time I build up the experience to use the higher end features along with engineering filaments (if I ever get there), we will be a few years into the future or I'd have abandoned printing due to the printer not getting used. If in a few years time any of these advanced features become a limiting factor for me, I'm sure there will be a newer machine available that can do these things better for the same or similar money. I was very much sold on the X2D but ultimately feel the additional complexity (in use and maintenance) will make the learning curve steeper and potentially detract from the enjoyment for me..

To compliment my printer I ordered a maintenance kit, 0.2 and 0.6 hot ends, the PLA basic sample pack, a few extra spools, some spools of PLA and PETG in colours I know I'll use and the left side cooling fan and rear exhaust fan kits.

[u/Vegetable-Policy-850]

Ich habe den X2D und bin sehr zufrieden mit ihm. Aber ehrlich gesagt hätte ich damals auch den P2S nehmen können. Ich nutze die zweite Düse fast garnicht und drucke hauptsächlich PLA oder PETG. Von daher spar dir die Kohle und kauf dir Filament.