(Credit: Bambu Lab)
The recently released Bambu Lab H2D 3D printer has generated a lot of buzz for its ability to easily print in multiple colors and materials. It's also noteworthy for its laser engraver/digital cutter add-on, which prompted Bambu to dub the H2D a digital manufacturing hub. It's not cheap, but it promises extensive functionality and exceptional ease of use, which could make it a compelling choice for those who need and can afford it.
But my extensive experience testing 3D printers for PCMag has opened my eyes to the frequently frustrating aspects of the 3D printing hobby, from clogged nozzles to printed models that string or ooze material. So while I haven't tested the H2D yet, I'm here to caution newbies that it likely isn't a solution for those looking to dream up an object and then print it out in a finished state, all in one go.
Bambu Lab: A Company on the Rise
Bambu Lab, founded in Shenzhen, China, in 2020, specializes in filament-based 3D printers, and has released four product lines: X1, P1, A1, and now H2D. While the X1, P1, and H2D are largely geared to advanced users, the A1 line is for beginners and budget-conscious hobbyists.
The company quickly developed a reputation for building high-quality 3D printers, which our experience bears out. The two that we have reviewed so far, both budget models—the Bambu A1 and A1 mini—each earned PCMag Editors' Choice awards.
The A1 models are open-frame 3D printers, notable for their print quality, their reasonable prices, and the availability of an add-on that holds up to four filament spools to let you print in multiple colors and/or filament types.
Although the A1 was superb in our testing, it had earlier suffered a knock when a few users reported damaged electrical cables, leading Bambu to recall the whole lot of them as potential fire hazards and offer owners several options for repair or replacement. The company has since resumed the sale of these models.
What Makes the H2D Stand Out?
The H2D is an entirely different beast than the A1: a closed-frame, dual-extruder model that starts at $1,999 and when fully kitted out adds the AMS 2 Pro (a four-spool filament holder and feeder), a laser engraver (with a choice of a 10W or 40W laser), and a digital cutter to the mix.
After teasing the launch of a new 3D printer, Bambu Lab officially announced the H2D in March. Although the first couple of batches of the H2D AMS Combo (the printer bundled with the AMS 2 Pro filament holder/feeder unit) sold out almost immediately, the bundle is now back in stock and ready to ship. The standalone H2D and the H2D Laser Combo are due to arrive in June.
The Bambu Lab H2D is essentially an upgrade to the popular Bambu X1 Carbon (X1C)—with a larger print volume and build plate, upgraded components, and dual-extruder arrangement—selling for a considerably higher price. It is the twin extruders which—when combined with the AMS 2 Pro—facilitate printing objects in multiple colors and/or multiple materials (the latter can, for example, allow you to print a design with both rigid and soft elements). A maximum nozzle temperature of 350 degrees centigrade permits printing with an enormous variety of filaments.
What's more, before each print, the H2D can help you choose an optimal extruder arrangement to minimize both printing time and filament waste. This versatility can make it a compelling choice for 3D-printing enthusiasts, hobbyists, and craftspeople who want to go beyond printing single-color objects. Other 3D printers can print in multiple colors, but the H2D excels at making the job as user-friendly and efficient as possible.
The addition of the laser engraver/cutter and digital cutter only increases that versatility, allowing makers to decorate materials such as wood, rubber, metal sheets, leather, and even stone. The digital cutter has a hole into which you can insert a pen for plotting (shown in the image below).
(Credit: Bambu Lab)Buying the bundle with the 10W laser adds about $600 to the price of the H2D plus AMS Combo; with a 40W laser, it adds about $1,200 to the price. With the addition of a professional bundle of accessories, the 40W laser combo maxes out at around $4,700.
The Bambu Lab H2D: Is It for You?
With all the attention that the Bambu Labs H2D launch has received, you might think it's the best thing since laser-sliced bread, but is it really worth the hype? That depends on what sort of user you are and if you have money to spare.
The H2D is intended primarily for makers, designers, and craftspeople, whether or not they have previous 3D-printing experience. If you plan or hope to 3D print in multiple colors or materials, the H2D AMS Combo lets you do so seamlessly, with a minimum of hassle or wasted materials. The addition of one of the laser engraver and cutter options will have particular appeal to craftspeople, product designers, and short-run manufacturers, and the price of one of these modules is reasonable when you consider that good-quality laser engravers alone frequently cost several thousand dollars. Many designers will already have a laser engraver, so they may want to stick to the H2D AMS Combo.
If you can do without printing with multiple colors or materials, there are far less expensive yet highly capable options. Bambu's own X1C costs about $1,000 less than the H2D base model, and you can always add an AMS module down the line if you see fit. The Editors' Choice Original Prusa MK4 is a fine open-frame alternative.
But if the H2D's functionality appeals to you and you have the money, it could prove a valuable addition to your workbench. Check back soon for our full review.