Bambu Lab P2S Review
The Prosumer CoreXY Standard. Why the P2S is the ultimate "Hybrid Workshop" companion.
The Crafty Catsman's Verdict
The Bambu Lab P2S is the best-in-class enclosed CoreXY printer for 2025. It bridges the gap between the entry-level A1 and the industrial X1C, offering the perfect balance of reliability, material capability (ABS/ASA), and price.
December 2025 Owner Update
I ordered the P2S on release day and have been printing daily ever since. The results have been nothing short of impressive. The AMS 2 Pro's active drying feature is a game-changer—it solved my occasional stringing issues caused by damp filament. The entire AMS 2 Pro system has surpassed my expectations. Out of hundreds of prints, I've had only 1-2 minor issues (likely moisture-related), and after running the drying cycle, I haven't seen a repeat. This is a truly reliable workhorse.
Well, it finally happened. My workshop is now home to two very different 'P2' machines. One is the xTool P2 CO2 Laser, a subtractive manufacturing beast. The other is this, the Bambu Lab P2S, an additive manufacturing marvel. It's a funny coincidence, but it highlights a key point: choosing the right tool for the job is everything.
And that brings us to the critical question this review will answer: in a world where the entry-level Bambu A1 is so good, and the high-end X1C exists, who is the P2S actually for? Bambu's product line is so strong it's created "value compression," where the lines blur and buyers get paralyzed. My goal is to decompress that value for you.
The Ultimate Laser Companion
If you own a laser cutter (like an xTool F1 or P2), the P2S is your best friend. Why? Because it is the perfect machine for printing Jigs and Fixtures.
- Rigidity: Its CoreXY frame produces dimensionally accurate parts that fit your laser bed perfectly.
- Materials: It prints ABS/ASA easily, which can withstand the heat of a laser beam better than PLA.
- Workflow: Use our Universal Laser Jig Generator to create custom fixtures, then print them on your P2S to batch-process items on your laser.
Who is the P2S For? Decompressing the Lineup
When a product line is this good, choosing can be tough. Let's break it down by user persona to see where you fit.
The A1 Persona
"I print toys, gadgets, and organizers."
The P2S Persona
"I print functional parts, prototypes, and cosplay."
The X1E Persona
"I run a business and need zero-warp large parts."
Which Printer is Right for You?
Our Recommendation: A1
For printing PLA and PETG in a climate-controlled room, the A1 offers incredible ease of use and multi-color capabilities at a great price.
The Physics of Stability: Why CoreXY Beats a "Bed Slinger"
To understand the P2S's price, you have to understand its architecture. The A1 is a "bed slinger" (Cartesian-i3 style), while the P2S is a CoreXY machine. This isn't just jargon; it's the fundamental reason the P2S delivers superior results on demanding prints.
The Inertia Problem
On a bed slinger like the A1, the entire build plate—plus your print—moves rapidly back and forth on the Y-axis. As your print gets taller and heavier, its mass increases. Due to inertia ($p=mv$), every rapid change in direction transfers momentum into the print itself, causing it to sway like a skyscraper in an earthquake. This manifests as "ringing" or "ghosting" artifacts that get worse the taller the print.
The P2S's CoreXY system solves this. The print bed only moves down slowly in the Z-axis. The lightweight toolhead handles all the high-speed X/Y movements. The result is that the 1000th layer is as geometrically precise as the first. For tall, slender objects, this architecture is physically superior.
Advanced Thermal Control: The Adaptive Airflow System
The P2S's most misunderstood feature is its thermal management. The lack of a rear exhaust fan isn't a downgrade; it's a deliberate choice to enable the Adaptive Airflow System, designed to master a wider range of materials.
- Cooling Mode (for PLA): Historically, printing PLA in an enclosure causes heat creep and jams. The P2S solves this by opening a flap and using a fan to draw cool air into the chamber, allowing you to print PLA with the door closed, reducing noise and dust.
- Heating Mode (for ABS/ASA): For high-temp materials, the flaps close. The system recirculates air internally through an activated carbon filter, trapping heat from the bed to passively raise the chamber to ~50°C. This stable environment is critical for preventing warping.
The Heart of the Beast: A PMSM Servo Extruder Revolution
This is a massive technological leap. Most printers, including the A1, use open-loop stepper motors. The P2S uses a closed-loop Permanent Magnet Synchronous Motor (PMSM), which functions like a high-precision servo.
Why does this matter? A PMSM maintains extremely high torque even at the high speeds required for fast printing, preventing the under-extrusion that can plague steppers. More importantly, it's a sensor. It monitors resistance 20,000 times a second. It can feel a clog forming or filament grinding and pause the print *before* it fails. This is industrial-grade reliability in a prosumer package.
P2S vs. The Bambu Family: A Clearer Picture
Now that we understand the engineering, let's see how it translates to a real-world comparison.
Thermal Suitability Matrix
| Material | A1 (Open) | P2S (Passive 50°C) | X1E (Active 65°C+) |
|---|---|---|---|
| PLA/PETG | Excellent | Excellent | Excellent |
| ABS/ASA (Small) | Poor (Warps) | Excellent | Excellent |
| ABS/ASA (Large) | Impossible | Good (Needs Brim) | Perfect |
| PC/PA-CF | Impossible | Fair | Excellent |
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Common questions about the Bambu Lab P2S
A PMSM (Permanent Magnet Synchronous Motor) extruder, like in the P2S, maintains high torque even at the high speeds needed for 500mm/s printing. A traditional stepper motor can lose torque and skip steps (causing under-extrusion). The PMSM also acts as a sensor, detecting potential clogs or filament grinding with extreme precision (20,000 times a second), allowing the printer to pause before a print is ruined.
This was a deliberate engineering choice to create the "Adaptive Airflow System." It allows the P2S to master enclosed PLA printing by entering a "Cooling Mode" that brings in cool air. For ABS/ASA, it enters a "Heating Mode" that recirculates air internally through a carbon filter to maintain a stable ~50°C. It's a trade-off for material versatility over simple exhaust.
The P2S's passively heated chamber (~50°C) is excellent for preventing warping on small-to-medium ABS and ASA parts. For very large, dense ABS parts that fill the build plate, an actively heated chamber (like the 65°C on the fictional 'H2S' or real X1E) is superior for eliminating internal stresses and guaranteeing zero warp. For most users, the P2S is more than capable.
For tall prints, yes, absolutely. On a 'bed slinger' like the A1, the entire print moves back and forth, creating sway and potential 'ringing' artifacts on taller objects. On the P2S's CoreXY system, the print only moves down slowly. This stability ensures the 1000th layer is as precise as the first, which is critical for tall, high-detail models.
Ready to Upgrade?
The P2S is the machine that stops you from tinkering *with* the printer, and starts you tinkering *with* your ideas.
Check Price on Bambu LabAffiliate Disclosure: This review is independent and based on my own experience. I purchased the Bambu Lab P2S and A1 with my own money. This page may contain affiliate links.