Snapmaker U1 vs Bambu Lab A1+AMS: Two Approaches to Multi-Color 3D Printing

Multi-color 3D printing is no longer a niche feature in 2025. The two most discussed approaches are the tool changer system and the automatic material system (AMS). The Snapmaker U1 at $999 offers four independent extruders with instant swapping, while the Bambu Lab A1 Combo at ~$450 uses a single hotend with automatic loading of up to 4 colors via AMS Lite. Both printers solve the same problem in fundamentally different ways, and each has compelling arguments in its favor.

How Each Technology Works

Snapmaker U1 — SnapSwap Tool Changer. The printer has four full-fledged print heads, each with its own extruder, hotend, and loaded filament. When a color change is needed, the carriage parks the current head at a docking station and picks up another one. The filament stays in each head in a molten state — there is no need to retract old material and load new. The swap takes approximately 5 seconds.

Bambu Lab A1 + AMS Lite — Automatic Material Feeding. The printer has a single hotend, and the AMS Lite is an external unit holding four spools. During a color change, the system retracts the current filament from the hotend back into the unit, feeds in the new one, then pushes enough plastic through the nozzle to fully flush the previous color (the so-called purge). The entire process takes about 60-90 seconds per swap.

Specs Comparison Table

Where the Snapmaker U1 Wins

Color change speed and time savings. On a three-color Cinderwing spider model, the AMS system added approximately 2.5 hours for filament swaps, while SnapSwap added only 24 minutes. For large multi-color models with hundreds of swaps, this difference translates into days. According to Tom's Hardware, a four-color turtle model that takes several days on a Bambu printer was completed in 24 hours on the U1.

Minimal material waste. This is the tool changer's biggest advantage. Since each head retains its filament, there is no need for a purge tower. In a test with 90 color changes, the U1 used only 4 g for the prime tower, while a Bambu P1S with AMS wasted 823 g of plastic. On real projects with active multi-color use, the U1 saves up to 80% of material.

Flexible and multi-material printing. Four independent extruders allow combining PLA, PETG, TPU, and PVA supports in a single model. The AMS Lite cannot feed flexible filament (TPU) due to the long path between the unit and the hotend. For engineering tasks — such as a PETG enclosure with TPU gaskets and PVA supports — the U1 is the only affordable option in this price range.

Energy efficiency. Less print time and no purge tower mean lower power consumption. In tests, the U1 consumed 1.6 kWh for a multi-color model, while the Bambu P1S used 4.4 kWh for the same model.

Where the Bambu Lab A1 + AMS Wins

Half the price. The A1 Combo costs around $450 — more than half the price of the U1 at $999. For those who want to try multi-color printing without a major investment, Bambu Lab offers the most accessible entry point. Even accounting for filament waste costs, the A1 remains cheaper over several months of typical use.

Up to 16 colors with multiple AMS units. The A1 is limited to one AMS Lite (4 colors), but Bambu Lab's higher-end models (P1S, X1C) support up to 4 AMS units — that is 16 colors in a single model. If you need complex gradients or models with many colors, the Bambu Lab ecosystem offers that capability. The U1 is hard-limited to four colors.

Mature ecosystem and community. Bambu Lab has been on the market since 2022, and the ecosystem includes the vast MakerWorld model library, RFID filament profiles, Bambu Studio integration, and an active community. Snapmaker Orca is a fork of Bambu Studio with solid functionality, but its model library and material profiles are still catching up.

Quieter operation and compact size. The A1 weighs 9.3 kg versus 18.2 kg for the U1 and runs quieter at 49 dB compared to 55 dB. For a small desk or a living space, the A1 is a better fit. The A1's maximum print speed is 500 mm/s, higher than the U1's 300 mm/s (though real-world speed depends on the model and settings).

Which One Is Right for You

Choose the Snapmaker U1 if:

• You print many multi-color models and want to minimize material waste
• You need multi-material printing: PLA + TPU, PETG + PVA, and other combinations
• Color change speed is critical — large batches or commercial printing
• You are willing to pay more upfront for long-term savings on filament and time

Choose the Bambu Lab A1 + AMS Lite if:

• Your budget is limited and you want multi-color printing at the lowest cost
• Multi-color printing is a bonus, not the main task — you mostly print single-color models
• Compact size and quiet operation matter to you
• You value a mature ecosystem: MakerWorld, RFID profiles, large community

Conclusion

The Snapmaker U1 and Bambu Lab A1 + AMS Lite are not direct competitors in the traditional sense — they represent two different philosophies of multi-color printing. The U1 wins on efficiency: 5-second color changes, 4 g of waste instead of hundreds, TPU support, and true multi-material capability. The A1 wins on accessibility: $450 for the full kit, quiet operation, a better ecosystem, and the ability to scale to 16 colors on higher-end models.

If you are serious about multi-color printing and track your filament costs, the U1 will pay for itself within a few months of active use. If multi-color is a nice-to-have rather than a must-have, the A1 with AMS Lite delivers great results at half the price.