Bambu Lab A1 vs Prusa MK4S: print cost head-to-head
Side-by-side specs, energy and amortization numbers for the Bambu Lab A1 and the Prusa MK4S, plus a quick verdict on the dimensions that move per-part cost.
Specs side by side
Bambu Lab · 2024
- Average power
- 130 W
- Useful life
- 20,000 h
- Build volume
- 256 × 256 × 256 mm
- Best for
- Enthusiasts
Prusa · 2024
- Average power
- 130 W
- Useful life
- 25,000 h
- Build volume
- 250 × 210 × 220 mm
- Best for
- Professionals
Sample calculation
Same input on both columns: 50 g PLA part, 6 h print time, 8% failure rate. Energy cost held at $0.18/kWh so the only thing changing is the printer.
Bambu Lab A1
- Energy$0.14
- Amortization$0.15
- Unit Cost$1.50
- Final Consumer Price$6.53
Prusa MK4S
- Energy$0.14
- Amortization$0.12
- Unit Cost$1.47
- Final Consumer Price$6.39
Verdict by dimension
Cheaper to run
TieBoth printers land within the noise threshold for this dimension.
Longer useful life
Prusa MK4SPrusa MK4S is rated at 25,000 h vs 20,000 h for the Bambu Lab A1, so amortization spreads over more printing hours.
Larger build volume
Bambu Lab A1Bambu Lab A1 ships with 256 × 256 × 256 mm build volume vs 250 × 210 × 220 mm on the Prusa MK4S — bigger plates or batched parts fit without splitting.
More recent release
TieBoth printers land within the noise threshold for this dimension.
Over a 5-year horizon, the Prusa MK4S amortizes 1.3× more print-hours than the Bambu Lab A1.