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Best Multicolor 3D Printers 2024
The competition for the best multicolor 3D printers is heating up, and now consumers have more choices when it comes to 3D printing in color.
Bambu Lab didn’t invent multicolor 3D printing but made it reliable, accessible, and fairly affordable with its AMS (Automatic Material System). Before the launch of the X1-Carbon in 2022, we may have seen the occasional two-headed IDEX printer or expensive color add-on devices like the Mosaic Palette 3 Pro. However, these machines were often inaccurate and difficult to dial in. Only Prusa Research persisted with its MMU system and finally launched a reliable “full color” mod for its 3D printers.
Anycubic Kobra 3 with ACE was the first to clone Bambu Lab’s AMS. And Creality is expected to release a four-color Core XY later this year. Many others will surely follow.
Not all multicolor printers are created equal. We’ve tested and compared some of the best on the market to help you make an informed buying decision. Below, you will find a list of the best Multicolor 3D Printers. And if multicolor isn’t your top priority, check out our list of the best 3D printers overall.
Quick List
Best Enclosed
1. Bambu Lab P1S with AMS View at Bambu LabCheck Amazon
AMS compatible with Bambu Lab X1-Carbon and P1P
The Bambu Lab P1S AMS combo is a powerhouse multicolor printing machine. It has four filament slots available and supports up to 16 colors. It runs at amazingly fast speeds, is reliable, and is easy to use. It’s a great choice for anyone who wants to try color 3D printing for the first time or start a print farm. It costs $349 by itself and $849 for the combo ($100 cheaper). You can find it on sale at the Bambu Lab online store or at a Micro Center near you.
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Best for Beginners
2. Bambu Lab A1 Mini with AMS Lite View at AmazonView at Bambu Lab
Also compatible with Bambu Lab A1
The Bambu Lab A1 Mini with AMS Lite is a small but mighty color machine that is great for novice users and is kid-friendly. It is super easy to set up, and you’ll get almost perfect prints each time. It also runs as fast as the P1S but for $500 less. If you can live with a smaller build volume, then the A1 mini with AMS Lite is worth considering. Available directly from the Bambu Lab site and at Micro Center.
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Best Low Waste
3. Prusa MK4 with MMU View at PrusaCheck Amazon
Compatible with Prusa Research MK3S+ and MK4S
Not for the faint of heart, the MMU3 requires an experienced maker to install and use. It’s an add-on tool for Prusa 3D printers, enabling 5-color printing using a single extruder. It’s an awesome mod if you are up for the challenge. As per our testing results, it outputs clean results with very little waste, which makes it eco-friendlier than other multicolor 3D printers out in the market.
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Best Multi Material
4. Original Prusa XL View at PrusaView at PrusaCheck Amazon
Built into the Prusa XL Tool Changer
Designed for multicolor and multi-material printing, the Prusa XL allows you to effortlessly combine PLA and PETG filaments in your print jobs. However, this convenience does come at a premium. You can buy the XL semi-assembled for $2,499 with a single tool head or add up to five tool heads for a whopping $3,999.
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Best Multitasker
5. Anycubic Kobra 3 with ACE View at AnycubicView at Amazon
ACE – Only Compatible with Kobra 3
The Anycubic Kobra 3 with the ACE Pro system enables four to eight-color high-quality prints and doubles as a filament dryer during printing and for storage. You can purchase ACE Pro separately for $289 or get the Kobra 3 combo at an affordable $379 and save yourself $160.
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Denise Bertacchi3D Printer Reviewer
Denise has been using 3D printing as a creative outlet since 2020 when she got her first Creality CR10s. She’s been a freelance newspaper reporter, online columnist and craft blogger with an eye for kid’s STEM activities. She’s added YouTube to her social media skills and has traveled cross county and overseas to talk 3D printing with fellow makers. She’s analyzed nearly 100 different 3D printers, from a tote bag sized delta to a meter wide Elegoo OrangeStorm Giga currently camped out in her living room. When she’s not building 3D printed RC cars or stirring glitter into a batch of resin, you’ll find her at the latest superhero movie with her husband and two sons.
Best Multicolor 3D Printers You Can Buy Today
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Best Enclosed Multicolor 3D Printer
1. Bambu Lab P1S with AMS
AMS compatible with Bambu Lab X1-Carbon and P1P
Our expert review:
Specifications
Slicers: Bambu Studio, Orca SlicerTime for Color Swap: 1 minute, 46 secondsPrice: $849 printer combo, $349 AMS aloneToday’s Best DealsView at Bambu LabCheck Amazon
Reasons to buy
+AMS Fully assembled+Can be daisy-chained for up to 16 colors
Reasons to avoid
–Limited spool sizes–Doesn’t work well with cardboard spools
Bambu Lab’s AMS is the first of its kind and has introduced many to the world of multicolor printing. Most of the unit is enclosed in a neat shoebox-sized contraption that can sit on top of or next to your Bambu Lab P1S, X1-Carbon, or P1P. The P1S is an excellent choice for color 3D printing, as the enclosure allows it to print high-temperature filaments like ASA and ABS.