Bambu Lab X1 Carbon vs Creality Ender-3 V3 Plus
Technical comparison · Fused filament fabrication (FFF/FDM)
The two machines serve different jobs: the X1 Carbon is an enclosed CoreXY with up to 16 colours, the Ender-3 V3 Plus an open Cartesian with a large bed and a single colour. Enclosure and colours on one side, cheap volume on the other.
| Parameter | ||
|---|---|---|
| Identity | ||
| Launch year | 2022 | 2024 |
| Use tier | F2 — Intermediate | F2 — Intermediate |
| Price | ||
| Price (€) | ~1050–1250 € | 479 € |
| Price updated on | — | 06/2026 |
| Universal specs | ||
| Dimensions (W×D×H) (cm) | 38.9 × 38.9 × 45.7 cm | 41 × 44.5 × 57.7 cm |
| Weight (kg) | 14.13 kg | 11.5 kg |
| Work area (mm) | 256 × 256 mm | 300 × 300 mm |
| Z-axis height (mm) | 256 mm | 330 mm |
| Power (W) | 1000 W | 350 W |
| Voltage (V) | — | 230 V |
| Maximum speed | 500 mm/s | 600 mm/s |
| Declared precision | 7 μm | 0.2 mm |
| Category specs | ||
| Footprint X×Y (short side) (mm) | 256 mm | 410 mm |
| Build height Z (mm) | 256 mm | 330 mm |
| Kinematics | CoreXY | Cartesian |
| Max nozzle temperature (°C) | 300 °C | 300 °C |
| Max bed temperature (°C) | 110 °C | 100 °C |
| Max print speed (mm/s) | 500 mm/s | 600 mm/s |
| Enclosed chamber | Yes | No |
| Filament sensor | Yes | Yes |
| Auto bed leveling | Mesh | Mesh |
| Standard nozzle diameter (mm) | 0.4 mm | 0.4 mm |
| Multi-extruder | No | No |
| Native Klipper | No | Yes |
| Input shaper | Yes | Yes |
| Multicolor printing | Yes | No |
| Multicolor requires accessory | Yes | — |
| Max colors | 16 | — |
| Ecosystem | ||
| Cloud dependency | No | No |
| Software notes | The printer is controlled via Bambu Studio, the proprietary slicer available for Windows, macOS, and Linux, as well as the Bambu Handy mobile app. LAN mode is supported, allowing full local control without an internet connection or cloud account. Remote monitoring via Bambu Cloud is optional. Bambu Studio accepts 3MF, STL, OBJ, and STEP files and includes advanced features such as vibration compensation and flow rate control. | Powered by Creality OS (Klipper-based) and supports Creality Print, integrating smoothly with major third-party slicers like Cura and PrusaSlicer. |
The differences that matter
- Price: about €1,150 (listed between €1,050 and €1,250) vs €479 → the Ender-3 V3 Plus costs about €670 less.
- Volume: 256 × 256 × 256 mm vs 300 × 300 × 330 mm → parts up to 33 cm tall fit only on the Ender-3 V3 Plus.
- Chamber and colours: X1 Carbon enclosed, bed up to 110 °C, up to 16 colours with the accessory; Ender-3 V3 Plus open, bed at 100 °C, no multicolor printing → anyone who needs colour or an enclosure has no alternative here.
Which one to choose
Choose X1 Carbon if…
For printing in several colours inside an enclosed chamber, with Bambu Studio and a LAN mode that needs no cloud. The trade-offs are a smaller volume and a much higher price.
Choose Ender-3 V3 Plus if…
For single-colour parts that are wide and tall, on Klipper, with Creality Print or slicers such as Cura and PrusaSlicer, for little money. The trade-off is giving up the enclosure and multicolor.
Where to buy
Paid link: the price for you does not change. Methodology
Filaments for these printers
The most chosen spools among the materials both printers can print according to their specifications.
- ELEGOO PLA PLA1.75 mm1 kg Check the price on Amazon →
- Bambu Lab PLA PLA1.75 mm1 kg Check the price on Amazon →
- SUNLU PETG (Polyethylene Terephthalate Glycol) PETG (Polyethylene Terephthalate Glycol)1.75 mm1 kg Check the price on Amazon →
- SUNLU PLA PLA1.75 mm1 kg Check the price on Amazon →
- OVERTURE PETG (Polyethylene Terephthalate Glycol) PETG (Polyethylene Terephthalate Glycol)High speed1.75 mm1 kg Check the price on Amazon →
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