In WIRED’s September 21, 2026 review, commerce editor Kat Merck reports printing more than 30 objects over four weeks with the Bambu Lab P2S Combo, from a shovel and truck-bed tie-downs to earrings and a Benchy. Her experience suggests the printer can serve practical household and garage projects as well as decorative ones, without demanding extensive setup experience. It is one reviewer’s test, not a guarantee that every print will succeed or a controlled comparison with other printers.
What the P2S Combo printed—and what the review shows
Merck’s list spans useful replacements and organizers, garden parts, signs and personal projects: a sponge holder, hydroponic-garden caps and parts, clips and hangers, a Mason jar lid organizer, a shovel, plant-pot coasters, a shoehorn, truck-bed tie-downs, earrings, and a Benchy. She described the results as smooth and store-bought-looking.
Merck reports that none of her 30-plus prints failed, though a couple needed correction because she had measured incorrectly. That is encouraging evidence of consistency in her four weeks of use, but it is not an independently replicated success rate. The review rates the P2S Combo 9/10 and identifies ease of use and consistent prints as strengths.
What comes with the Combo, and whether you need it
The Combo’s central extra is Bambu Lab’s Automatic Material System (AMS). It holds four filament spools and automatically feeds filament, enabling multicolor prints. The review also says the P2S AMS can dry filament. The printer is available without AMS, so the bundle makes the most sense if you expect to use multicolor printing or value its automatic feeding and drying workflow; the review does not establish that AMS is necessary for single-color projects.
#1 Best Overall
- High-Speed Precision: The Bambu Lab P2S 3D printer prints up to 600 mm/s while maintaining exceptional accuracy. With the PMSM Servo Extruder and Active Flowrate Compensation, every layer of your printed object stays sharp and smooth, delivering flawless corners and consistent results.
- Ready to Print in 15 Minutes: Set up your P2S FDM 3D printer and start printing in just 15 minutes. With AI failure detection, quick-swap nozzles, and automatic calibration, this 3D printer makes professional-grade 3D printing effortless, even for beginners.
- Effortless Multi-Color Printing: The AMS 2 Pro enables seamless multi-color/multi-material 3D printing. It features built-in filament drying at up to 65 °C, keeping every spool ready for flawless prints. (Note: The P2S 3D printer does not support multi-color printing; Combo version required.)
- Smart Airflow for Any Filament: The Adaptive Airflow System automatically balances cooling and heat retention—keeping overhangs crisp with cool air, or maintaining a 50 °C chamber for engineering-grade materials. A carbon filter ensures clean, safe air while you print.
- Limitless Creativity, Seamless Workflow: Explore over one million 3D models on MakerWorld and bring them to life with a smooth, unified workflow using Bambu Studio, Bambu Handy, and your FDM 3D printer, from design to finished print.
| Option or item | Price listed in WIRED’s September 21, 2026 review | What the figure represents |
|---|---|---|
| P2S Combo at Amazon | $769 | Historical review-page price; not a verified current price. |
| P2S without AMS at Amazon | $569 | Historical review-page price; not a verified current price. |
| P2S at Bambu Lab | $780 | The review’s recorded price; the listing configuration is not specified here. |
| AMS purchased separately | $299 | Price listed on the review page; not a verified current price. |
| Smooth engineering plate | $30 | Review-page price for a separately purchased plate. |
| Bambu Lab filament with spool | About $15 per roll | Approximate price cited in the 2026 review, not a verified current price. |
These are dated figures, not live quotes. Check the seller’s current listing and included configuration before comparing costs. Merck used Bambu Lab filament and did not test non-Bambu filament on the P2S, so this review does not verify third-party filament compatibility.
Features that make everyday printing easier
The P2S has a 5-inch color touchscreen, tool-free nozzle swapping, a 1080p camera recording at 30 frames per second, improved AI failure detection, and a redesigned airflow system. The Bambu Handy app can display the camera feed and save a time-lapse, according to the review.
Rank #2
- Up to 16 Colors: Bring your designs to life with vibrant multi-color/multi-material printing capabilities, perfect for showcasing your creativity. Note: Connecting Bambu Lab AMS is required.
- 500mm/s and 20000 mm/s² Acceleration True High Speed: Don't wait around for your masterpieces. Lightning-fast printing speed lets you focus on creating, not waiting.
- Enclosed Design: Fully enclosed body improves print performance for advanced filaments. Automatic Bed Leveling: Say hello to high-quality, successful prints. Auto bed leveling makes 3D printing such an easy thing.
- Set Up in 15 Minutes: Spend more time printing and less time setting up. User-friendly design ensures a hassle-free assembly experience for all skill levels.
- Supported Filament: Ideal: PLA, PETG, TPU, PVA, PET ABS, ASA; Capable : PA, PC; Not Recommended: Carbon/Glass Fiber Reinforced Polymer.
The AI failure-detection system remains an unproven part of Merck’s test: because her prints did not fail, she could not assess whether it would detect a failure. The review therefore supports describing the feature as present, not claiming it caught or prevented failed prints.
Plan for space, stability, and ventilation
Allow room and use a firm surface
WIRED lists the printer at 15 × 16 × 19 inches and reports a nozzle speed of 600 mm per second. Merck’s low wooden table shook during frequent use; she says the vibration loosened the table-leg joints and preceded X-Y-axis errors. A firmer surface generally resolved the reported issue. Make room for the machine and choose a stable support rather than a lightweight table that can wobble.
Rank #3
- High-Speed Precision: Experience unparalleled speed and precision with the Bambu Lab A1 Mini 3D Printer. With an impressive acceleration of 10,000 mm/s², the A1 Mini delivers blazing-fast printing while maintaining exceptional accuracy and detail in your prints.
- Multi-Color Printing with AMS lite: Unlock your creativity with vibrant and multi-colored 3D prints. The Bambu Lab A1 Mini 3D printers make multi-color printing accessible and reliable for everyone, bringing your designs to life in stunning detail. Note: AMS lite required, get A1 Mini Combo or buy AMS lite seperately.
- Full-Auto Calibration: Say goodbye to manual calibration hassles. The A1 Mini 3D printer takes care of all the calibration processes automatically, ensuring optimal performance for every print. Enjoy a seamless printing experience with precise Z-offset, bed-leveling, and more.
- Active Flow Rate Compensation: Achieve consistently smooth prints with active flow rate compensation. The algorithm actively compensates the flow rate according to the readings to extrude with accuracy, ensuring flawless prints.
- Easy and Quiet 3D Printing: A1 mini 3D printer offers easy printing with a user-friendly interface and simplified touchscreen. Setup for your first print takes just 20 minutes thanks to its pre-assembled design. The 1-Clip quick swap nozzle allows for convenient maintenance and versatile printing options. Plus, enjoy a quiet printing environment with active motor noise cancellation, ensuring ≤48 dB noise levels.
Take fumes seriously when printing ASA or ABS
The enclosed chamber helps control the printing environment for ASA and ABS, which the review describes as high-temperature materials prone to warping. But enclosure and filtration did not make Merck’s ASA test odor-free: she found the fumes intense, shut the room door, opened windows, and turned on an air purifier. She reported that the rear carbon filter did not prevent perceived leakage around the door and other gaps.
For impact-modified plastics, the review advises using a room with a closable door. Bambu Lab’s Wiki also has a printable exhaust kit: P2S printed parts and accessories. Merck’s ASA print used a separately purchased smooth engineering plate; the P2S came with a rough-textured plate. Her setup does not establish that the smooth plate is required for every ASA print.
Rank #4
- High-Speed Precision: The Bambu Lab P2S 3D printer prints up to 600 mm/s while maintaining exceptional accuracy. With the PMSM Servo Extruder and Active Flowrate Compensation, every layer of your printed object stays sharp and smooth, delivering flawless corners and consistent results.
- Ready to Print in 15 Minutes: Set up your P2S FDM 3D printer and start printing in just 15 minutes. With AI failure detection, quick-swap nozzles, and automatic calibration, this 3D printer makes professional-grade 3D printing effortless, even for beginners.
- Effortless Multi-Color Printing: The AMS 2 Pro enables seamless multi-color/multi-material 3D printing. It features built-in filament drying at up to 65 °C, keeping every spool ready for flawless prints. (Note: The P2S 3D printer does not support multi-color printing; Combo version required.)
- Smart Airflow for Any Filament: The Adaptive Airflow System automatically balances cooling and heat retention—keeping overhangs crisp with cool air, or maintaining a 50 °C chamber for engineering-grade materials. A carbon filter ensures clean, safe air while you print.
- Limitless Creativity, Seamless Workflow: Explore over one million 3D models on MakerWorld and bring them to life with a smooth, unified workflow using Bambu Studio, Bambu Handy, and your FDM 3D printer, from design to finished print.
Account for cleanup and know what it cannot do
Automatic nozzle cleaning leaves filament blobs behind the machine. Merck recommends adding a printed waste chute or collection basket, particularly for multicolor printing, where cleanup waste can accumulate.
The P2S does not offer dual nozzles or commercial-grade laser cutting and engraving. If either capability is central to your projects, this review does not present the P2S Combo as a substitute.
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Best Value
- Wide Compatibility: This upgraded H2/X2D/P2S hotend kit is specially designed for Bambu Lab X2D, H2D, H2S, H2C,P2S, ensuring a perfect fit and optimal performance.Can print a variety of filaments, such as common filaments such as PLA/PETG/TPU/ABS
- High Hardness & Clog - Resistant: The H2D/H2S/H2C/P2S nozzle print head Made with hardened materials and smooth inner walls (Ra 0.4 throat tube and nozzle), reducing clogs and improving print quality. The titanium - alloy throat tube with 0.25mm wall thickness enhances durability
- Meet different printing needs: This H2D/H2S/H2C/X2D/P2S hot end kit includes 0.2mm, 0.4mm, 0.6mm and 0.8mm hardened steel nozzles print head, which can be easily replaced at any time to achieve high-precision extrusion and fast printing
- Quick Disassembly & Installation: Allows 30-second nozzle replacement for convenient maintenance. Ensure hotend is cooled before replacement to prevent burns
- Easy to Use: This bamboo lab combo hotend extruder comes with a replacement guide. Preheat nozzle to 250°C (or printing temperature) for installation/removal. Use 5.0mm hex wrench and 3.0mm socket wrench (anti - slip recommended) for secure operation
Who should consider this printer?
- Good fit: someone who wants to make a mix of practical household or garage parts and decorative projects, and values the review’s reported ease of use and consistent output.
- Consider the Combo: if multicolor printing, automatic filament feeding, or the AMS drying function would be useful in your workflow.
- Consider the printer without AMS: if your planned work is mostly single-color and you do not need the bundle’s extra workflow features.
- Reconsider your setup: if you lack a stable surface or a suitable room for ventilation when printing materials such as ASA.
- Look elsewhere: if dual-nozzle printing or commercial-grade laser cutting and engraving is a requirement.
Merck’s review answers whether an average consumer can put a 3D printer to useful work with a qualified yes: her project range is broad, and she reports a smooth experience across more than 30 prints. Whether the P2S Combo makes sense for you depends on the AMS features you will use and whether you can accommodate the printer’s physical and ventilation needs.
Quick Recap
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
