Bambu Lab A1 vs Qidi Tech i-Fast
Technical comparison · Fused filament fabrication (FFF/FDM)
A1 and i-Fast are not direct competitors: very different prices (~5×). A1 costs less (~€429) and is the entry-level choice; i-Fast offers more capability at a higher price (~€2150). Judge them by budget, not head-to-head.
| Parameter |
A1
Bambu Lab
F2 · Intermediate
|
i-Fast
Qidi Tech
F3 · Advanced
|
|---|---|---|
| Identity | ||
| Launch year | 2023 | 2021 |
| Use tier | F2 — Intermediate | F3 — Advanced |
| Price | ||
| Price (€) | 429 € | ~1800–2500 € |
| Universal specs | ||
| Dimensions (W×D×H) (cm) | 38.5 × 41 × 43 cm | 71 × 51 × 67 cm |
| Weight (kg) | 8.3 kg | 33 kg |
| Work area (mm) | 256 × 256 mm | 330 × 250 mm |
| Z-axis height (mm) | 256 mm | 320 mm |
| Power (W) | 1300 W | — |
| Voltage (V) | 220 V | — |
| Maximum speed | 500 mm/s | 150 mm/s |
| Category specs | ||
| Footprint X×Y (short side) (mm) | 256 mm | 250 mm |
| Build height Z (mm) | 256 mm | 320 mm |
| Kinematics | Cartesian | CoreXY |
| Max nozzle temperature (°C) | 300 °C | 300 °C |
| Max bed temperature (°C) | 100 °C | 100 °C |
| Max print speed (mm/s) | 500 mm/s | 150 mm/s |
| Enclosed chamber | False | True |
| Filament sensor | True | True |
| Auto bed leveling | Mesh | — |
| Standard nozzle diameter (mm) | 0.4 mm | 0.4 mm |
| Multi-extruder | False | True |
| Native Klipper | False | False |
| Input shaper | True | False |
| Multicolor printing | True | True |
| Multicolor requires accessory | True | False |
| Max colors | 4 | 2 |
| Ecosystem | ||
| Cloud dependency | No | No |
| Software notes | The A1 works natively with Bambu Studio, Bambu Lab's proprietary slicer available for Windows and macOS, which handles slicing, automatic calibrations, and remote monitoring via the Bambu Handy app. Third-party slicers — including PrusaSlicer, SuperSlicer, and Ultimaker Cura — are supported via standard G-code export, but advanced features such as vibration compensation and active flow control are only available within the Bambu ecosystem. | The machine comes with the proprietary Qidi Print software, a slicer based on proven open-source architectures, specifically optimized for the profiles of the technical materials supported by the printer. Users can still generate G-code using other widely adopted third-party slicers on the market, such as Ultimaker Cura, PrusaSlicer, or Simplify3D, after manual configuration of machine and extruder parameters. Although it lacks native cloud features or advanced remote connectivity for corporate fleet management, it supports direct file transfer via local Wi-Fi or USB drives, ensuring a secure offline workflow for intellectual property protection. |
The differences that matter
- Price: A1 429 € vs i-Fast 2150 € — A1 wins (+401%)
- Max print speed: A1 500 mm/s vs i-Fast 150 mm/s — A1 wins (+233%)
- Enclosed chamber: i-Fast yes, A1 no
- Max colors: A1 4 vs i-Fast 2 — A1 wins (+100%)
- Work area: A1 256×256 mm vs i-Fast 330×250 mm — i-Fast wins (+26%)
Which one to choose
MakerSpecs is an independent atlas. We don't sell products: this comparison links to both sheets, where you'll find complete data and official links.