P2S vs P1S: Hands-On Test, Upgrades, and Cooling Notes
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Time to read 7 min
For many Bambu Lab users, P2S vs P1S is not just a spec-sheet comparison. The P1S has been one of the most popular enclosed CoreXY printers in its class, so the real question is simple: does the P2S feel like a meaningful upgrade, or just a refreshed P1S?
After hands-on testing, the answer is mostly clear. The P2S keeps the broad appeal of the P1S but improves several everyday pain points: easier handling, better onboard controls, more advanced extrusion sensing, updated connectivity, and a stronger foundation for chamber airflow management.
That said, the P2S is not magic. If you print heat-sensitive materials in a closed chamber, airflow still matters. This is where accessories like an external exhaust fan kit or a dedicated P2S ventilation system can make sense, depending on your material, room setup, and tolerance for odor or heat buildup.
Author : Dayu
Dayu DIY is a renowned tech influencer specializing in hands-on 3D printer reviews and DIY tech content. Known for thorough, user-centric testing, Dayu shares actionable insights for makers.
Table of contents
P2S vs P1S: What Changed First?
The biggest difference in a P2S vs P1S comparison is that the P2S feels more like a second-generation machine built around daily usability. The P1S already prints well, but some of its compromises are familiar to long-term users: limited screen controls, awkward moving weight, passive ventilation habits, and fewer smart checks around extrusion problems.
The P2S addresses those areas without completely changing the printer’s identity. It still aims at users who want a fast, enclosed Bambu printer, but it adds enough refinement that the experience feels more modern.
If you already own a P1S and it works reliably for your print mix, there may be no urgent reason to replace it. But if you are buying now and comparing P2S vs P1S, the P2S looks like the more future-proof option.
Design and Handling: Small Changes That Matter
One of the most practical upgrades is the addition of ergonomic carry cutouts. The P1S is not a lightweight printer, especially once accessories and packaging are involved. Moving it around a workshop or home office is not something most users want to do often.
The P2S uses cutouts that can function as carry handles, making the printer easier to lift and reposition. More importantly, these openings are also part of the airflow story. They help support active chamber cooling when cooling mode is enabled.
In daily use, that matters because enclosed printers can trap heat. When printing PLA or other heat-sensitive materials with the door closed, excessive chamber temperature can contribute to softening, feeding issues, stringing, or nozzle-related problems. The P1S often pushed users toward opening the door or removing panels for better airflow. The P2S improves this, but airflow management is still worth paying attention to.
For users who print frequently in enclosed spaces, the updated product path is now:
These are not mandatory for every user, but they are relevant if your prints show heat-related stringing, chamber odor is a concern, or you want a cleaner airflow route for longer enclosed jobs.
User Experience: Touchscreen and Second-Generation UI
Another obvious P2S vs P1S difference is the interface. The P1S’s button-and-screen setup works, but it does not feel as fluid as newer Bambu machines. The P2S moves to a larger touchscreen with a newer interface style, making basic controls easier to access.
This matters more than it sounds. Most printer problems are not caused by one headline feature. They come from small repeated moments: loading filament, confirming settings, checking status, pausing a job, or reacting to a warning. A better screen reduces friction in those moments.
For new users, this can make the P2S feel easier to learn. For experienced P1S users, it makes the printer feel less dated.
Extrusion and Hardware: Where the P2S Gets More Serious
On the outside, the P2S toolhead may look familiar, but the internal updates are meaningful. The source article highlights a newer extrusion setup, improved sensing, and a stronger ability to detect issues such as clogs or mismatches between printer hardware and slicer settings.
In a P2S vs P1S buying decision, this is one of the more important areas. Speed is nice, but consistency is more important. A printer that can detect feeding problems earlier can save filament, reduce failed prints, and help users diagnose issues faster.
The P2S also improves connectivity with dual-band Wi-Fi support, addressing one of the P1S’s practical limitations. For users in homes or offices with crowded 2.4 GHz networks, 5 GHz support can make file transfer and remote monitoring feel smoother.
Real-World Print Testing: What Stood Out
In hands-on testing, the P2S performed strongly across several practical print scenarios:
First-layer test: The P2S delivered a clean first layer with strong adhesion and no obvious failed-start behavior.
Tall, Thin Dual-Model Test: Both models printed with perfect structural integrity, no deformation, and consistent layer lines.
Autodesk Model Test:the P2S reproduced 9 tiny pillars on the model’s top—showcasing unmatched detail resolution for intricate textures. However the temp inside still causing minor stringing. So that we suggest a vent or a exaust fan kit is useful.
Large part test: A large multi-hour print completed successfully with smooth surfaces and controlled layer consistency.
These results support the main P2S vs P1S conclusion: the P2S is not just slightly different. It feels like a refined machine with better usability and more confidence on demanding jobs.
However, the detailed model test also showed why chamber temperature and airflow should not be ignored. Even with improved cooling design, certain enclosed printing conditions can still produce minor stringing or heat-related artifacts. If you routinely print in a closed chamber, especially in a warm room, a dedicated exhaust or ventilation upgrade may be worth considering.
Cooling and Ventilation: Do You Need an Upgrade?
This is where the comparison needs to stay realistic. The P2S improves airflow compared with the P1S, but no built-in system can cover every material, room temperature, enclosure setup, and print profile.
The important detail is that Bambu appears to have recognized this cooling and heat-management issue after the product launch. That is why a dedicated fan kit was later added as an optional accessory path: it gives users a way to improve chamber airflow instead of relying only on the printer’s built-in ventilation design.
If you mainly print PLA with the door closed, watch for:
- Stringing that gets worse during long prints
- Softer filament behavior near the extruder path
- Heat buildup inside the chamber
- Odor accumulation in the room
- More frequent clog-like symptoms during extended jobs
If those issues appear, the updated product links are the better fit for this article:
- Use the External Exhaust Fan Kit for P2S if your main goal is active airflow support for the P2S chamber.
- Consider the Ventilation System for Bambu Lab P2S if you want a more complete external filtration or ventilation route.
For customers who can vent air directly outdoors, an exhaust setup is usually the cleaner solution. If you cannot exhaust to the outside, we recommend adding a purifier as the next layer of protection, especially when odor, fine particles, or indoor air circulation are concerns.
Before buying, still check compatibility, installation requirements, available space, and whether your material actually benefits from the added airflow. For high-temperature materials, too much cooling can be counterproductive. For PLA-style materials, better ventilation can be helpful.
P2S vs P1S: Which One Should You Choose?
If you already own a P1S and your printer is tuned, reliable, and matched to your materials, the P2S may not be an automatic upgrade. The P1S remains a capable printer.
But if you are choosing between P2S vs P1S as a new purchase, the P2S has the stronger long-term case. It brings better handling, a more modern touchscreen, smarter extrusion-related features, dual-band Wi-Fi, and improved airflow design.
The P1S is still attractive if price is the main factor. The P2S is more attractive if you care about usability, stability, and a printer that feels closer to Bambu Lab’s newer generation.
Verdict: P2S Feels Like the Better Long-Term Pick
The final P2S vs P1S verdict is straightforward: the P2S looks like the more complete mid-range enclosed Bambu printer. It does not erase the value of the P1S, but it does address enough real user complaints to feel like a proper successor.
For most new buyers, the P2S is the safer recommendation. For existing P1S owners, the decision depends on how much you value the touchscreen, improved sensing, easier handling, and airflow-related refinements.
Is the P2S better than the P1S?
In most usability-focused areas, yes. The P2S improves the screen experience, handling, connectivity, airflow design, and extrusion-related intelligence. The P1S is still capable, but the P2S feels more refined.
Is P2S vs P1S mainly about print quality?
Not only. Print quality matters, but the bigger difference is overall experience: easier controls, better handling, smarter monitoring, and improved chamber airflow management.
Do I need an exhaust fan kit for the P2S?
Not always. If your prints are clean and your room setup is fine, you may not need one. If you see heat-related stringing, odor buildup, or chamber temperature issues, an external exhaust or ventilation solution may help.
Should P1S owners upgrade to P2S?
If your P1S already works well, upgrading is optional. If you want a newer interface, improved sensing, better airflow design, and a more refined daily workflow, the P2S is the stronger machine.
