Summary
Highlights
The video introduces Bambu Lab's new A2L printer, highlighting its large build volume and accessory compatibility. It immediately addresses the prevailing controversy surrounding Bambu Lab's treatment of its community and open-source contributions, setting the stage for an objective and critical review despite the current negative sentiment.
The reviewer openly discusses the controversy, explaining that Bambu Studio, based on open-source software, has tightly integrated closed-source cloud components. This has led to accusations of non-compliance with the AGPL license and recent legal threats against a developer who restored cloud communication to an OrcaSlicer fork. The reviewer expresses disappointment in Bambu's actions and calls for accountability, noting that while Bambu has innovated, their community engagement is problematic.
The A2L, standing for 'Large,' boasts a build volume of 330x320x325mm, making it a big version of the A-series. It is a Cartesian printer with a moving bed, making it more affordable than H-series machines. Assembly involves attaching the frame to the base, with attention needed for screw placement. Notable mechanical features include diagonal support braces, granular dampers in the top brace for vibration reduction, and a wide 22mm belt with a partially toothless design to reduce VFAs.
The printer comes with a spool holder or the AMS Lite in the combo version. The AMS Lite provides multicolor printing capabilities and is also useful for long single-color prints by allowing automatic filament switching when a spool runs out. The video is sponsored by VoxelPLA, which offers affordable, high-speed PLA and PETG filaments, as well as upgrades for Bambu Lab printers like anti-vibration solutions and filtration systems.
Users can connect the A2L to Bambu Lab’s cloud for remote monitoring, use it in LAN-only mode with local network control (though without the phone app), or operate it completely offline via microSD card. The setup involves a 45-minute calibration routine for vibration tuning, motor noise compensation, and bed leveling. The built-in microSD card stores files for reprinting and timelapses.
The A2L's build volume is double that of the A1. Its bed heats to 80°C, suitable for PLA, PETG, and TPU, but not high-temp materials like ASA. A notable innovation is the hybrid magnetic bed with stronger corner magnets to prevent lifting during large prints. Temperature distribution across the bed is good, and first-layer adhesion is flawless. The printer requires significant desk space due to its moving bed and AMS Lite placement.
The A2L resembles a scaled-up A1, with a similar screen and extruder. It uses A1-style 300°C nozzles, but has a shorter melt zone, indicating a cost-cutting measure that limits flow rate compared to H-series machines. New features include a servo motor for the extruder for higher torque and jam detection, and a front rail system for accessories, making it a 'Hybrid' machine in function.
The multicolor printing system is a single-nozzle multiplexing type, leading to purge waste. A new blob detector flap at the purge station can prevent 'blobs of doom' by identifying material accumulating on the nozzle. However, this feature is only active during multicolor prints. The integrated camera is still basic, with poor frame rate and suboptimal positioning, lacking spaghetti detection found in other Bambu printers.
The reviewer questions the 'A2L' designation as a 'second-generation' machine, given that many features feel like scaled-up A1 elements rather than true innovations. Despite this, the print quality is excellent. A 3D Benchy printed perfectly in 38 minutes, with sharp details and no VFAs. Torture tests and Gridfinity bins also showed impressive surface quality. Larger PETG parts for a hydroponics tower came out smoothly.
Printing many parts at once highlighted limitations with the cancel-object function on the A2L. Larger prints, especially in PETG, can suffer from warping, requiring bed adhesive and brims. Taller, slimmer parts can experience artifacts due to the moving bed of the Cartesian system; proper part orientation and 'Slow Down at Height' settings in Bambu Studio helped mitigate this. The heavy moving bed also causes significant workbench vibration.
The A2L supports up to 19 colors with multiple AMS units, including the included AMS Lite. While quality is good, multicolor printing generates purge waste and is slow. The AMS Lite's close filament loading offers faster color changes than box-style AMS units but can lead to filament breakage issues with brittle materials. TPU prints (90A) are successful with dry filament, completing a Benchy efficiently.
The A2L is about 10-20% slower than CoreXY H-Series machines due to motion system limits and a lower hotend melt rate. Firmware bugs encountered during testing were addressed by Bambu. Reliability concerns regarding NTC thermistors on older A1 units have been fixed on the A2L by removing the component entirely, improving safety. Power consumption is around 900W during heating and averages 120-150W during printing. Noise levels are around 50dB, making it relatively quiet, but proper ventilation is crucial due to the open design.
The A2L supports the cutting module, costing about $60, including the platform and cut-and-draw head. The large working area accommodates A4/letter-size sheets. The module uses a force sensor for precise pressure control. While the A2L lacks the H-series' bird's-eye camera for precise placement, Bambu plans a phone-assisted positioning feature. The reviewer successfully used it to create a heat-transfer vinyl design, finding it more practical on the A2L than on high-end H-series machines, particularly for cosplayers who can print and cut on the same device.
The Bambu Lab A2L offers an excellent, approachable printing experience within Bambu's ecosystem. However, venturing outside it leads to complications due to the closed nature of the cloud and material recognition. The reviewer acknowledges concerns about Bambu's open-source practices and data privacy. It is recommended for users seeking an affordable, large-volume workhorse for PLA, PETG, and TPU, especially for cosplay and functional parts, who are comfortable with the Bambu ecosystem. It is not recommended for those needing open software, printing engineering materials, or wishing to avoid reliance on the cloud. The A2L is a very good, large A1 but not a true 'second-generation' machine.