StoreDeal.ai store
Shop
  • Deals
  • Deal checker
  • Black Friday
  • Buying guides
  • Brands
  • Stores
Travel
  • Flight deals
  • Hotel deals
Company
  • Research
  • Press
  • Use in AI assistants
  • Contact
  • deal.ai apps
Black Friday 2026
  • Walmart
  • Best Buy
  • Target
  • TVs
  • Laptops
  • Headphones
  • Apple
  • Gaming
  • Vacuums
  • Kitchen
  • Toys
  • Smartwatches
  • Tablets
  • Furniture
  • Mattresses
© Deal.ai Inc.·2222 Ponce de Leon Blvd, Miami, FL 33134·support@deal.ai
TermsPrivacy
Deal.ai › Compare

Bambu Lab A1 mini vs Creality Ender 3 V3 SE

The A1 mini is the better printer for most people deciding between these two. It prints faster, calibrates itself fully, runs quieter, and has a camera and touchscreen; owners and reviewers consistently call it near problem-free. The Ender 3 V3 SE gives you a larger build volume (220 x 220 x 250 mm) and a direct-drive extruder for flexible filament, but it is slower, louder, and needs more tinkering. Pick the Bambu for small, detailed work and easy daily use; pick the Creality if you need the bigger bed and don't mind a more hands-on machine.

  • Choose the Bambu Lab A1 mini if you want fast, self-calibrating printing for miniatures, figurines and small parts, with a camera and touchscreen and little setup fuss.
  • Choose the Creality Ender 3 V3 SE if you need a taller, wider build volume and a direct-drive extruder for TPU, and you're comfortable adjusting settings yourself.

Prices

  • Bambu Lab A1 mini: $168.36 at Atome3D Imprimante 3D France (last seen Nov 10)
  • Creality Ender 3 V3 SE: $199.00 at Amazon (checked today)
  • Difference: the Bambu Lab A1 mini is $30.64 cheaper than the Creality Ender 3 V3 SE at the latest prices (Nov 10 and Nov 14)
Bambu Lab
Bambu Lab A1 mini

Bambu Lab A1 mini

$168.36at Atome3D Imprimante 3D FranceChecked Nov 10
See all prices and details
Visit Atome3D Imprimante 3D France
Pros
  • Fast printing with high acceleration and good print quality
  • Full-auto calibration makes setup and first layers easy
  • Quiet operation under 48 dB in silent mode
  • Built-in camera and touchscreen for monitoring and control
  • AMS lite option adds four-color printing
Cons
  • Small 180 mm cube build volume limits larger parts
  • No filament included in the box
  • Open frame, so ABS and similar materials are a stretch
Creality
Creality Ender 3 V3 SE

Creality Ender 3 V3 SE

2(1 rating)
$199.00at AmazonChecked 28 min ago
See all prices and details
Visit Amazon

Store links may earn us a commission. As an Amazon Associate, Deal.ai earns from qualifying purchases.

Pros
  • Larger 220 x 220 x 250 mm build volume
  • Direct-drive extruder handles TPU and flexible filaments well
  • CR Touch auto leveling gives consistent first layers
  • Simple open-frame design that is easy to service and upgrade
Cons
  • Slower: 250 mm/s max, 180 mm/s typical
  • No camera, touchscreen or multi-color option
  • Louder open-frame machine with more manual tuning
  • 260°C hotend limits high-temperature materials

What separates them

Bambu Lab A1 miniCreality Ender 3 V3 SE
Build volume180 x 180 x 180 mm220 x 220 x 250 mm
Max speed and accelerationUp to 500 mm/s toolhead, 10,000 mm/s²250 mm/s max, 180 mm/s typical, 2,500 mm/s²
CalibrationFull-auto calibration, no manual tuningCR Touch auto bed leveling only
HotendAll-metal, 300°C, swappable 0.2/0.4/0.6/0.8 mm nozzles260°C max, 0.4 mm nozzle
ExtruderDirect drive, multi-color with AMS liteDirect drive, single color
Noise and monitoringUnder 48 dB in silent mode, built-in camera, IPS touchscreenOpen frame, no camera, no touchscreen
Footprint and weight347 x 315 x 365 mm, 5.5 kg349 x 364 x 490 mm, 7.34 kg
Setup and tinkeringAssembles quickly, self-calibrates, reviewers report near problem-free printingQuick assembly but more manual tuning and slower profiles

Price history

$199.99$143.84
Nov 3Nov 14
  • Bambu Lab A1 mini: lowest $199.00 on Nov 3 at 3D Universe; $199.99 on Nov 14.
  • Creality Ender 3 V3 SE: lowest $143.84 on Nov 14 at Amazon.

Prices at every store

Bambu Lab A1 mini

  • Atome3D Imprimante 3D FranceNew

    In stockShips from abroad · priced in EUR (€150.42) · duties may applyReturn policy

    $168.36Checked Nov 10
    Visit Atome3D Imprimante 3D France
  • 3D Supply & MoreNew

    In stockReturn policy

    $199.00Checked 13 h ago
    Visit 3D Supply & More
  • 3D UniverseNew

    In stockReturn policy

    $199.00Checked 13 h ago
    Visit 3D Universe
  • bambulab.comNew

    In stock

    $199.00Free shippingChecked Nov 10
    Visit bambulab.com

Also available at

  • 3D UniverseCheck price at 3D Universe
All 20 stores and price history →

Creality Ender 3 V3 SE

  • Best BuyNew

    In stock

    $199.00Free shippingChecked 8 h ago
    Visit Best Buy
  • Creality USANew

    In stock

    $199.00Free shippingChecked Nov 10
    Visit Creality USA
  • WalmartNew

    In stockSold by CREALITY STORE

    $199.00Free shippingChecked Nov 10
    Visit Walmart
  • AmazonNew

    Availability unknown

    As an Amazon Associate, Deal.ai earns from qualifying purchases.

    $199.00Free shippingChecked 28 min ago
    Visit Amazon

Store links may earn us a commission. Some prices via Klarna.

All 13 stores and price history →

Specs compared

SpecBambu Lab A1 miniCreality Ender 3 V3 SE
Build Volume180 x 180 x 180 mm220*220*250mm
Filament Diameter1.75 mm1.75 mm
Filament TypePETGPLA, PETG
Printing Material TypeABSTPU, PETG, PLA, Plastic
Printing TechnologyFused Filament Fabrication (FFF), Fused Deposit…FDM
Layer Resolution50-300 microns0.1-0.35 mm
ConnectivityWi-FiWi-Fi
Type3D PrinterFDM (fused deposition modeling)
MaterialAll-metal linear rails and bearingsPlastic (base)
Design HighlightsEnclosed chamberOpen frame
Depth31.5 cm364 mm
Height36.5 cm490 mm
Show all 40 specsShow fewer specs
SpecBambu Lab A1 miniCreality Ender 3 V3 SE
Weight5.5 kg7.34 kg
Width34.7 cm349 mm
Printing SpeedUp to 10,000 mm/s² (acceleration)180 mm/s (Typical Printing Speed)
Number Of Extruders11
Display Screen TypeIPS Touch ScreenColor Knob Screen
Memory Card SlotYes (microSD)Yes (SD Card)
Built-In CameraYesNo
Safety FeaturesPower loss recoveryPower loss recovery
Supported File FormatsGcodeSTL, 3MF, AMF, OBJ

What reviewers say

Bambu Lab A1 mini

  • 4.8 / 5Google Shopping · 1,683 ratings

Reviewers call the A1 mini an easy, fast and capable entry-level printer with very good print quality, quick setup and simple filament loading. The main drawbacks they mention are its small print area and the lack of filament in the box.

What people mention
  • SetupPraisedOwners say auto-calibration makes the first print quick and painless.
  • Print qualityPraisedReviewers report clean, high-quality prints for the price.
  • SpeedPraisedFast acceleration makes short prints noticeably quick.
  • MulticolorPraisedThe AMS lite enables four-color prints, though it is sold separately.

Creality Ender 3 V3 SE

Reviewers treat the V3 SE as one of the best sub-entry Ender 3s, praising the auto leveling and direct drive at this tier. Most say print quality is good once dialed in, but real speeds sit near the recommended 180mm/s and the open frame limits materials.

What people mention
  • Bed levelingPraisedOwners say CR Touch takes the guesswork out of first-layer setup and rarely needs redoing.
  • Print speedCriticisedReviewers report that pushing past the recommended 180mm/s costs quality, so the 250mm/s figure is marketing.
  • ExtruderPraisedThe direct-drive feed is called a real upgrade for flexible filaments compared with older Bowden Ender 3s.
  • Build qualityMixedThe dual Z frame feels solid, but users mention needing to tension belts and adjust eccentric nuts soon after assembly.
Reviews
  • The Best 3D Printers We've Tested for 2026
  • Best Cheap 3D Printers
  • Best 3D Printers - The reviews on this page have been selected by our editors, but have been optimized by our commerce team
  • 3D Printer Reviews From Our Experts
  • These are the five best budget 3D printer deals for Amazon Prime Day — here's a guide to the best 3D printers for beginners - These are the
  • The Best Cheap 3D Printers for 2026 - PCMag editors select and review products independently

Questions and answers

Which is better for printing miniatures and tabletop models?
The A1 mini. Its 0.2 mm nozzle option, finer layer control and fast acceleration suit small detailed parts, and reviewers praise its print quality. The Ender 3 V3 SE can print miniatures too, but slower and with more tuning.
Which has the larger build volume?
The Ender 3 V3 SE, at 220 x 220 x 250 mm against 180 x 180 x 180 mm on the A1 mini. If your parts are taller than 180 mm, the Creality is the one that fits them.
Which is easier for a complete beginner?
The A1 mini. It calibrates itself fully, loads filament simply and reviewers report near problem-free printing out of the box. The Ender 3 V3 SE auto-levels the bed but still asks more of you on settings and speed profiles.
Which prints faster?
The A1 mini, by a wide margin: up to 500 mm/s toolhead speed and 10,000 mm/s² acceleration versus 250 mm/s max and 2,500 mm/s² on the Ender 3 V3 SE. Real print times favor the Bambu on most jobs.
Can either print flexible filament like TPU?
Both use direct-drive extruders, which handle TPU well. The Ender 3 V3 SE lists TPU explicitly; the A1 mini handles it too, though its Bowden-style tube path and higher speeds mean slower profiles work best.
Is the A1 mini worth stepping up to over the Ender 3 V3 SE?
For most home users, yes. You trade build volume for speed, quiet operation, a camera, a touchscreen and much less tuning. Step to the Creality only if the larger bed or open-frame servicing matters more to you.

Ask our shopping agent

It checks today's price at every store, compares the alternatives and answers in about a minute.

Enter to send, Shift+Enter for a new line

More comparisons

  • Bambu Lab A1 with AMS Lite vs Bambu Lab A1 mini
  • Bambu Lab A1 mini vs Elegoo Neptune 4 Plus
  • Bambu Lab A1 mini vs Creality Ender-3 V3 SE FDM 3D Printer
  • Bambu Lab A1 mini vs Creality Ender-3 V3 KE 3D printer
  • K2/K2 Combo 3D Printer vs Bambu Lab A1 mini
  • Bambu Lab P2S vs Bambu Lab A1 mini
  • Bambu Lab A1 mini vs Neptune 4 Pro
  • Bambu Lab P1S with AMS vs Bambu Lab A1 mini

Buying guides that pick them

  • Best 3D printers for beginners
  • Best entry-level 3D printers for beginners
  • Best beginner-friendly 3D printers
Storage Type
microSD
SD Card
Nozzle Diameter0.4 mm (Included) 0.2 mm, 0.6 mm, 0.8 mm0.4mm
Enclosurenone (open frame)none (open frame)
Calibrationfull automatic bed leveling, active flow rate c…CR Touch automatic bed leveling
Accelerationup to 10,000 mm/s²2500mm/s²
Max Hotend Temp300°C (All-metal)—
Filament ColorRandom Color (samples)—
Input VoltageAC 100-240 V—
BodyBuild Volume(WDH) 180180180 mm³—
ToolheadHot End All-Metal—
NozzleStainless Steel—
Max Hot End Temperature300 °C—
Max Build Plate Temperature80°C—
SpeedMax Speed of Tool Head 500mm/s—
Max Acceleration of Tool Head10000mm/s²—
Supported FilamentPLA, PETG, TPU, PVA Ideal—
SensorsMonitoring Camera Low Framerate Camera (Up to 1…—
Filament Run Out SensorYes—
Filament OdometryYes—