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My Favorite Budget 3D Printer Is an Absolute Bargain Right Now at Just $249

The Bambu Lab A1 Mini is a brilliant little machine and a steal at this price.

James Bricknell Senior Editor
James has been writing about technology for years but has loved it since the early 90s. While his main areas of expertise are maker tools -- 3D printers, vinyl cutters, paper printers, and laser cutters -- he also loves to play board games and tabletop RPGs.
Expertise 3D printers, maker tools such as Cricut style vinyl cutters and laser cutters, traditional paper printers Credentials
  • 6 years working professionally in the 3D printing space / 4 years testing consumer electronics for large websites.
James Bricknell
2 min read
A 3D printer sat next to a kettle and a coffee machine
James Bricknell / CNET

When I reviewed the Bambu Lab A1 Mini I was amazed at how good it was at the price it was being sold for. The quality is on point, the speed is excellent, and the price was just right for a printer of this size. All these reasons make it one of the best budget 3D printers available today. Now Bambu Lab is offering $50 off, bringing the price for the 3D printer down to just $249, making it impossible to ignore.

As a standalone printer, the A1 mini is nearly perfect for beginners. I know that's a big statement, but it is true. You can lift it out of the box and have your first 3D model printing in under 10 minutes. No fuss, no stress, just excellent quality in moments. It has an app to help you monitor the progress of each print, and you can use the app to find other models to print, too. The really cool feature the A1 has, though, is the ability to add a color system so you can print four colors at once.

a 3D printed yarn pumpkin
James Bricknell / CNET

To create models as stunning as my pumpkin friend up there, you will need the AMS lite attachment for the A1 Mini that normally retails for $250 on its own. You can also get it as a bundle, and even the bundle is discounted right now. That means you can get the A1 Mini and the four-color AMS Lite for just $399. That's a saving of $60 off the normal bundle and $100 off if you bought the two separately. 

Whichever you choose, the bundle or the standalone A1, you are getting a staggeringly good machine for an amount of money I wouldn't have thought possible even five years ago. If you are thinking of getting into 3D printing or would like to get one as a gift, The A1 Mini is the perfect choice, and at this price, it's the easiest thing to recommend. 

If the A1 looks a little small for you, but still want a good bargain, check out our 3D printer deals page. There's plenty to choose from over there.

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