In short
- An hour of printing on the P1S costs about € 0.28, excluding filament.
- With PLA it uses around 105 watts on average, with ABS about 150 watts.
- Standby is 5 to 6 watts, about € 15 per year if it is always on.
- A 40 gram PLA phone stand (2.5 hours) costs about € 1.58.
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Cost per print hour
| Cost item | Per hour | How it is calculated |
|---|---|---|
| Depreciation | € 0.14 | € 560 purchase (Combo) ÷ 4,000 print hours |
| Maintenance | € 0.10 | nozzles, build plate, filters, lubricant |
| Electricity | € 0.04 | about 130 W average (mix of PLA and ABS) × € 0.30 per kWh |
| Total | € 0.28 | excluding filament and failed prints |
If you only print PLA, electricity is about 3 cents per hour and the total is € 0.27. Buy the P1S without the AMS and depreciation is lower.
Power consumption of the P1S
The specifications list a high maximum power. The printer only reaches that for a few minutes while the bed and nozzle heat up. While printing, consumption is much lower:
| Situation | Consumption |
|---|---|
| Standby | 5 – 6 W |
| Printing PLA | about 105 W |
| Printing ABS or ASA | about 150 W |
With ABS and ASA the bed runs hotter (around 90 – 100 °C) and the door stays closed. That uses more power, but the difference is less than 2 cents per hour.
Per year: printing 10 hours a week costs about € 16 of electricity with PLA and about € 23 with ABS. See also electricity cost of a 3D printer.
What does a print on the P1S cost?
| Material | Weight | Print time | Cost price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Keychain | PLA | 8 g | 0.5 hours | € 0.32 |
| Phone stand | PLA | 40 g | 2.5 hours | € 1.58 |
| Plant pot | PLA | 120 g | 6 hours | € 4.28 |
| Car part | ABS | 100 g | 5 hours | € 3.81 |
PLA € 20 and ABS € 22 per kg, 5% failure rate included.
The P1S compared
| Printer | Typical price | Enclosed? | Cost per hour |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bambu Lab A1 mini | € 220 | no | € 0.18 |
| Bambu Lab A1 | € 350 | no | € 0.22 |
| Bambu Lab P1S Combo | € 560 | yes | € 0.28 |
Bambu Lab has since released the P2S as its successor, so the P1S is often on sale. A lower purchase price also lowers depreciation per hour. Compare all models in the printer comparison.
When is the P1S worth it?
- You want to print ABS or ASA, for example for car parts, outdoor use or near heat.
- You print a lot and want fewer problems with drafts and warping.
- You want to keep smell and noise contained.
- If you only print PLA and PETG, an A1 mini or A1 is cheaper per hour and per print.
How to print cheaper on the P1S
- Use PLA or PETG where you can. It saves electricity and prints fail less often.
- Fill the plate: with ABS the chamber takes a while to warm up, so print several parts at once.
- Keep the door closed for ABS, but open for PLA. Otherwise PLA can clog the nozzle.
- Switch the printer off if you are not printing for a few days.
Frequently asked questions
How much electricity does the Bambu Lab P1S use?
About 105 watts on average with PLA and about 150 watts with ABS or ASA. In standby it is 5 to 6 watts.
What does an hour of printing on the P1S cost?
About € 0.28 excluding filament, based on the P1S Combo at € 560. If you only print PLA, it is about € 0.27.
Is the P1S more expensive per hour than the A1?
Yes, by about 6 cents per hour. That is mostly due to the higher purchase price. Electricity only accounts for 1 to 2 cents of the difference.
Can you print PETG on the P1S?
Yes. For PETG and PLA, open the top lid or leave the door ajar so it does not get too hot inside the printer.
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