Everything is happening in 3D Printing right now
Competition is stiffening and all the major manufacturers have shown their cards for 2025. We’re getting new “budget large format” H2S 3D printer from Bambu Lab, Creality is launching the K2 Pro and Snapmaker U1 gives us accessible tool changing 3D printing.
The official teaser image for Bambu Lab H2S. Notice the single extruder.
You win when they compete!
The 3D Printing market is buzzing right now and you’re in for a treat. Some of the most anticipated releases are happening in a few days, and Snapmakers U1 Toolchanger 3D Printer is already 100x it’s funding goal with over 11 000 backers (i’m one!). And the Creality K2 Pro Combo gets released at a really competitive price on august 24. All the others, what do they do? Well they’re discounting their stock, which means you can save a lot.
On top of the new arrivals, where does Bambu Lab H2D, Prusa Core One stand in the 2025 3D Printer lineup? And is Anycubic or Flashforge here for the ride?
The 2025 3D Printer lineup
Let’s start with the big news. Bambu Lab H2S is coming August 26th. We’ve already seen some images in the wild, and it’s clear that this is the same design as the H2D, but with a single extruder.
These are leaks collected from Facebook, twitter and readit of the Bambu Lab H2S 3D Printer. Click the image to zoom in.
We also suspect fewer sensors/cameras and no functionality for laser and cutting. Mostly to keep the price down for those that just want a Bambu Lab 3D Printer with larger volume.
We expect the price should be around $1299 without AMS, and $1549 with the regular AMS. But check the actual price yourself here (August 26).
Snapmaker U1 toolheads lined up.
Snapmaker are on the rise with an extremely well funded Snapmaker U1 3D Printer kickstarter campaign. This is set to deliver starting october/november 2025 and the price (during writing) starts at $799 for a freaking 4-toolhead tool-changing 3D printer with 270mm build volume! This really looks like a fantastic way for those who run small farms that print multi-color figurines to save on filament in the long run. On just 52 (one a week for a year) of a single, tiny 4-color 3D print, they estimate you save $182 in filament compared to a bambu lab AMS style filament change. If you sell prints at dozens or hundreds a month.. this adds up!
The Creality K2 Pro with 4 CFS units combined. In the “Combo” one CFS is included.
Just around the corner is the Creality K2 Pro launching on August 24th. This, smaller than K2 Plus version (300mm cubed vs. 350mm) has the same actively heated build chamber and 4-filament CFS included in the K2 Pro price of $1049, which makes it an really interesting option for those printing a bit more complex materials in larger formats.
Where are the rest of the 3D Printing manufacturers?
Prusa Research are shipping out Prusa Core one at full speed, and although it’s less sexy, the price, reliability and non-asian manufacturing origin makes very relevant in the 2025 lineup. You do have to pay a slight premium price, specially if you want the MMU3 (5-color printing), you’re set for an fantastic experience that can be both hands on or off. This 250 x 220 x 270mm heated build volume can be yours (assembled) for $1199 and for $369 more, you’ll get the MMU3 as well. This truly is the best “non-chinese” option, and one that comes from true innovation.
The Flashforge AD5X 3D Printer with plenty of multi-color prints.
If you “hate” Bambu Lab and want a cheap way into 3D Printing, the low cost options of Flashforge AD5X (CoreXY 4-color printing) is yours for $399 ($438 with enclosure). This is a really fast 3D printer, that has the quality of printing that comes with it, for cheaps! Competing at least on price and performance compared to the Bambu Lab P1S Combo at $749.
You also have the option of going with Anycubic S1 Combo, which is a great value at $600. This is a fast 250mm cubed CoreXY that is enclosed and has the ACE Pro ( a 4-color filament changer with active drying).
If you’re OK with an open printer and want multi-color at the absolute minimum price, the Anycubic Kobra 3 V2 Combo gets you 4-color printing at 255x255x260mm “bed-slinger” volume for only $399. That is cheaper than Bambu Lab A1 Combo at $499…
Finally. if you just want high speed, single color 3D Printing with CoreXY design, Elegoo Centauri starts at $199 without enclosure and $299 with one. That is NOT bad at all!
Which of the 2025 3D Printers is best for YOU?
That depends on your needs and what you value…
I would love to help you for free with a personal recommendation, just send me a message and we can have a discussion. But in general, Bambu Lab are extremely popular for a reason. The work, they have a exciting ecosystem of apps, profiles, materials and guides that all makes 3D printing in multiple materials and colors a breeze. The competition is more or less catching up, but you often have to have a particular budget or other feature requests to avoid them.
In general the recommendation is often to start with a Bambu Lab A1 Combo if you want to get into printing PLA in multi-color. If you need more than 4 colors you should look at a Bambu Lab P1S Combo with 2 (or more) AMS units. The P1S also lets you go a bit harder on materials that are tricky to print with, although a passive chamber, the CoreXY and enclosed volume helps reduce warping and models coming loose.
For even more advanced materials, the Prusa core one, Creality K2 (pro or plus) starts to get interesting, instead of going with the Bambu Lab H2D or even X1E that are more expensive again.
Feel free to reach out with your needs, and I’ll get back to you as soon as possible with a suggestion of which printer suits you!
