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Bambu Lab X1C Review: Redefining Prosumer 3D Printing Excellence

Bambu Lab is one of the notable brands in the 3D printing scene for its well-designed machines. This company produces 3D printers that make printing easy, convenient, and enjoyable. Today, our Bambu Lab X1C Review will feature a 3D printer designed for prosumers.

Originally, Bambu Lab released the X1C in May 2022 for its Kickstarter campaign. Over the years, the 3D printer became the standard in the prosumer market. It has advanced controls, can extrude high-temperature materials, use multiple materials simultaneously, and produce multi-coloured prints.

Our Bambu Lab X1C Review will discuss all the details about this product to see what it offers. We also tested the product to determine if its performance will meet your needs. 

Bambu Lab X1C Packaging

Bambu Lab X1C Review – Design and Functionality

Let us focus on the product aesthetics and functions in our Bambu Lab X1C Review. The machine is an FDM 3D printer with a sleek and modern design. It has a sturdy aluminium housing and a tempered glass enclosure, making it more recognisable than other open-format printers.

This 3D printer features a top-mounted LCD for performing commands and configure printing settings. The best thing is it does not have visible external wires, making our workspace tidy.

It uses a motion system (CoreXY) featuring carbon fibre rails. Bambu Lab positioned these on the X-axis, providing efficient, lightning-fast printing that does not compromise on quality despite rapid movements.   

One motor is on the Z-axis, connecting to three lead screws moving the build platform. With this structure, the XY gantry is stationary in Z. Unlike cartesian-style 3D printers, its platform drops while printing instead of raising the extruder gradually after each layer. 

The CoreXY motion system makes the X1C larger than cartesian 3D printers and requires less desk space. It is ideal for working areas with minimal space.

The Bambu Lab X1C Cooling Fans 

In front of the hotend, the X1C has an attached part cooling fan. It splits the exhaust into two vents pointing directly under the nozzle. This 3D printer uses a proprietary hotend and needs replacement when changing the nozzle.

There are also built-in fans in the cooling module and an additional fan on the left of the printing chamber. The latter attaches to a tapered exhaust that leads air into the shape of a curtain. This fan blows directly across the area where the 3D extruder releases filament.

LIDAR System

The X1C uses the LIDAR system, a handy feature that provides feedback for the Z offset and material flow calibrations. Its 7μm resolution allows the tool head-mounted LIDAR sensor to scan the first print lines and the first layer for defects. This system makes automated workflows more convenient while saving time and resources.

The LIDAR system also makes bottom layers clean and consistent to produce high-quality prints.

Automated Material System

The product featured in our Bambu Lab X1C Review comes with the AMS or Automatic Material System. This additional accessory allows you to simultaneously print using four materials and one nozzle, enabling multi-material or multi-coloured printing.  When daisy-chained with four units, you use AMS to control up to 16 filaments.

The X1C may not be the first extrusion-based 3D printer with multi-colour and multi-material printing. Despite that, it offers a streamlined, plug-and-play experience, making it ideal for beginners and experienced users.

The AMS hub is a separate accessory you can move above or beside the X1C. It is sleek and features two connections on its rear: one is PTFE, while the other is a wiring terminal.

The unit has a semi-opaque top lid that conceals the filament spools loaded on the X1C. It provides easy access and allows quick filament replacement, which is convenient during run-out.

The AMS is sensor-rich, enabling it to provide instant feedback. It can detect filament tangles or insufficient materials that need replacement. 

This handy accessory uses an RFID-based system to detect the type and colour of the material loaded onto the X1C. Note that the AMS can only detect Bambu Lab-chipped materials.

Key Features of the Bambu Lab X1C 

What made the X1C an industry standard for prosumer-grade 3D printers? We will discuss its primary features to learn how it offers better printing experiences.

Advanced Materials for Advanced Projects

Bambu Lab equipped the X1C with additional cooling elements, a hardened nozzle, and a drive gear. As a result, the 3D printer supports more materials, including PET, PA, TPU, and PC. It specialises in glass fibre-reinforced polymers and carbon fibre.

Print With Colours

The X1C works with the AMS (Automatic Material System), an accessory that lets you print coloured models with multiple materials.

Vibration and Extrusion Compensation

The active vibration compensation algorithm and extrusion compensation make prints extra smooth. These features allowed us to produce high-quality prints when we tested the printer for this Bambu Lab X1C Review.

Dual Auto Bed Levelling

The X1C is more reliable with its dual auto bed levelling system. It uses LIDAR and analogue force sensors to cross-check for bed levelling precision.

AI-Inspected First Layer

The LIDAR system eliminates the need to wait for the first layer of your print. It checks your first layer to save time and allow you to do other things.

Spaghetti Detection

The X1C uses AI to detect spaghetti while printing your model to prevent failed prints. This convenient feature made our printing experience more enjoyable when we tested the product for our Bambu Lab X1C Review.

Sync With Bambu Studio or Bambu Handy

Bambu Studio and Bambu Handy allow you to monitor and control your 3D printer remotely. Bambu Studio works on Windows, macOS, and Linux, while Bambu Handy is for Android and iOS mobile devices.

The X1C also has a built-in camera, allowing you to record timelapse videos.

Easy Print Removal With Magnetic Spring Steel Polycarbonate Bed Sheet

The spring steel sheet is an innovative 3D printing element that simplifies print removal.  Bambu Lab made its proprietary version with a double-sided sheet for different printing materials.

Hands-on with the Bambu Lab X1C 

We printed several models to test the 3D printer to gauge its performance and see its print quality. Before discussing our user experience, our Bambu Lab X1C Review will focus on its companion software – Bambu Studio.

Bambu Studio

3D printer manufacturers usually ship machines with an SD card or a USB drive containing the slicer software. Rather than doing that, Bambu Lab included an instruction guide for downloading the latest version of Bambu Studio.

Bambu Studio is the proprietary Bambu Lab slicer software based on SuperSlicer and PrusaSlicer. It also uses various contributions from the 3D printing community.

The software is currently on v.1.8.4.51. It offers printer management, colour painting, a live video feed, and more.

We love its intuitive interface, which is user-friendly for beginners while offering sufficient functionality for advanced users. You can also sync it with Bambu Handy, the mobile app that allows remote monitoring of prints.

The Device tab on Bambu Studio provides live viewing via the 1080p webcam integrated into the X1C. It has a menu for granular control over the motion, fans, and heaters.

Aside from these settings, the tab has a readout from the AMS indicating the loaded materials.

Setting up prints is straightforward since the X1C has WiFi connectivity. Once connected and loaded with filament, you can directly slice and print via Bambu Studio.

You can use the built-in webcam as a live video feed to see the progress while printing. The app also displays the estimated completion time at the bottom of the screen. It allows creating timelapse videos, which you can share with friends and enthusiasts later.

The timelapse video consists of a single frame per layer stitched together in a video to show the printing process. 

Bambu Studio has a section where you can colour your models digitally before printing. It has various tools, including height, sphere, fill, etc.

Performance and Print Quality

Speed was one of the most remarkable aspects we observed during our testing of the Bambu Lab X1C, and it left a strong impression from the very start. This printer operated at speeds nearly three times faster than other 3D printers we’ve used in the past, offering a transformative experience in terms of efficiency and reducing the time required for even the most complex prints.

The faster speeds didn’t just save time; they also allowed us to experiment with more designs in less time, enhancing productivity significantly.

The quality of the models produced by the X1C was nothing short of exceptional. Each print showcased flawless execution, with smooth surfaces, fine details, and an impressive level of accuracy across all types of materials we tested.

This performance extended to multi-material prints, where we observed the same outstanding quality. Even when combining different materials in a single model, the results were seamless, demonstrating the printer’s precision and adaptability.

One feature we particularly appreciated was the printer’s ability to maintain a comfortable working environment.

During our testing, the chamber fan didn’t activate while printing, meaning that fumes were minimal throughout the process. This thoughtful design consideration made a noticeable difference, especially during extended printing sessions, and contributed to an overall more pleasant user experience.

The magnetic spring steel system also exceeded our expectations, proving to be both practical and reliable. The print plate’s magnetic properties ensured it stayed securely in place during printing, and its flexibility made removing finished prints a breeze.

With just a gentle flex, we could effortlessly detach even larger models, reducing the risk of accidental damage to the prints or the plate.

Another standout feature of the X1C was its LIDAR-assisted levelling system, which worked flawlessly to ensure precise bed levelling before each print. Paired with first-layer cross-checks, this feature delivered impeccable adhesion for our models. We experienced no issues with layers lifting, misalignments, or adhesion failures, giving us confidence in the printer’s consistency and reliability.

For coloured prints, we utilised the AMS system, and the results were phenomenal. The colour separation on our models was precise, with each hue appearing distinct and vibrant. Darker colours, like deep blacks, were crisp and well-defined, while brighter tones maintained their vibrancy.

The printer’s ability to handle such intricate colour detailing elevated the aesthetic appeal of our prints, making it an ideal choice for complex, multicoloured projects.

The consistency of the 0.2mm layer thickness throughout our tests was equally impressive. Every layer was precisely aligned, and there were no signs of common issues such as drooping, delamination, or print failures. This level of consistency underscored the printer’s reliability, even during prolonged usage or while handling intricate designs.

As expected from a premium 3D printer aimed at prosumer users, the X1C consistently delivered high-quality prints with professional-grade results. Its advanced sensor systems worked perfectly, immediately notifying us when the filament required replacement.

This proactive approach ensured our projects remained uninterrupted and allowed us to focus on the creative aspects of printing without worrying about potential delays.

The Bambu Lab X1C impressed us across the board, excelling in speed, quality, reliability, and ease of use. Its thoughtful design, robust features, and precision-engineered performance made it a standout choice for anyone seeking a versatile and efficient 3D printing solution.

Bambu Lab X1C Review Summary

The Bambu Lab X1C stands out as a highly capable prosumer-grade 3D printer, delivering impressive speed, exceptional print quality, and advanced functionality. Its CoreXY motion system ensures lightning-fast performance without sacrificing accuracy, making it significantly faster than most printers in its class. This efficiency, combined with features like AI-assisted first-layer inspections and automated material handling, makes it a game-changer for professionals and enthusiasts alike.

The printer excels in multi-material and multi-coloured printing, thanks to the Automatic Material System (AMS). This accessory streamlines the process, allowing seamless transitions between materials and vibrant colour output. With its LIDAR-assisted levelling and dual auto-bed systems, the X1C ensures precision and reliability, delivering consistent results with minimal effort.

Bambu Lab has thoughtfully designed the X1C for convenience and usability. Its magnetic spring steel plate simplifies print removal, while built-in fans reduce fumes, ensuring a comfortable workspace. Integration with the Bambu Studio software and mobile app further enhances the user experience, enabling remote monitoring and efficient workflow management.

The X1C is a standout 3D printer that balances speed, quality, and ease of use with advanced features. Its robust design, excellent performance, and intuitive operation make it a top choice for prosumer users looking to elevate their 3D printing projects.