Flashforge · FDM CoreXY
AD5X
Multi-colour printing on a tight budget.
$349approx. USD
- 220 × 220 × 220 mm
- 600 mm/s
- Open frame
- Multi-colour
Ease8
Speed8
Materials5
Openness4
Value9
Bambu Lab · FDM bedslinger · 2024
Bambu Lab A1 review
The A1 Mini grown up: same hands-off calibration and quick-swap nozzles, but a full 256 mm bed. The best open-frame printer under $400.
Best for: The value pick for a first printer if you want a full-size bed.
The PIF Score
7.0PIFEase10
Speed8
Materials5
Openness3
Value9
Five axes, each out of ten, averaged with no weighting. How we score.
What we like
- Full-size bed with A1 Mini simplicity
- Tool-free nozzle swaps in seconds
- Optional 4-colour AMS lite
- Very quiet
What we don't
- Open frame rules out ABS and ASA
- Bedslinger wobble on tall thin parts
- Cloud-leaning ecosystem
True cost
What it really costs to own in your country
Pre-filled with typical local rates. Change anything to match your own use.
Running cost / year—power · filament
Per print hour—incl. upkeep
3-year total—printer + running
Assumes ~100 W average draw while printing and a small yearly allowance for nozzles, plates and PTFE. An estimate for comparing printers against each other, not a quote.
Full specifications
| Type | FDM bedslinger |
| Released | 2024 |
| Build volume | 256 × 256 × 256 mm |
| Max speed | 500 mm/s |
| Hotend max temp | 300 °C |
| Bed max temp | 100 °C |
| Nozzle | 0.4 mm quick-swap |
| Bed levelling | Fully automatic |
| Enclosure | No |
| Multi-material | Optional AMS lite (4 colours) |
| Connectivity | Wi-Fi, LAN, microSD |
| Recommended slicer | Bambu Studio / Orca |
| Typical power draw | ~100 W while printing (our estimate) |
Specifications are the manufacturer's published figures. "Max speed" is a peak that no printer holds across a whole part, so use it for comparison and don't expect it in real print times.