As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Links to Amazon on this page are affiliate links.

Multi-color 3D printing: check what is in the box

Updated September 18, 2026

A listing that shows colorful prints may still need a separate add-on to make them. The Bambu Lab A1, A1 mini and P1S all say so in fine print. Only the A1 mini Combo here includes the add-on, called the AMS lite.

What each listing says

Printer	Multi-color claim	What you need
Bambu Lab A1 mini	Multi-color with AMS lite	AMS lite sold separately, or buy the Combo
A1 mini Combo	Multi-color with AMS lite	Included
Bambu Lab A1	Multi-color with AMS lite	AMS lite required. Buy the A1 Combo or the AMS lite separately
Bambu Lab P1S	Up to 16 colors	Connecting a Bambu Lab AMS is required
Creality Ender 3 V3 SE, FLASHFORGE Adventurer 5M, ELEGOO Centauri Carbon	Not claimed on these listings	Single color

Details from Bambu Lab's A1 FAQ

The A1 can also use the bigger AMS, but it needs an accessory called the AMS HUB.
Bambu Lab recommends 50 mm between the A1 and the AMS lite, so plan desk space.
Filaments fed through the AMS lite must meet the AMS lite's own filament requirements.

The tradeoffs nobody puts in the photo

Waste. Each color change pushes out the old color. The more changes per layer, the more filament you throw away. Use the filament calculator with the slicer's total, which includes purge.
Time. Each change takes time, so a multi-color print runs much longer than the same print in one color.
Size stays the same. The A1 mini Combo still has a 180 x 180 x 180 mm build area.

Should a beginner start with multi-color?

If color is the whole point, yes: buy the Combo up front rather than adding it later. If you mostly want useful parts, start single color with the Bambu Lab A1 and learn the basics. Caveat: adding the AMS lite later is a second purchase. The A1 mini Combo is the simplest start for color. Caveat: small build area, and some owners report filament breaking off inside the hotend.