Bambu Lab X1E vs X1C 3D Printers
【3D Printing】Bambu Lab's Popular Machines Compared: X1E vs X1C!
Which version of Bambu Lab's popular machines, the X1E or X1C, best suits your needs? Below, AII3DP's hands-on review will introduce the differences between the X1E and X1C, helping you understand which one to choose!
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When the Bambu Lab X1 Carbon (X1C) was released in 2022, it revolutionized the consumer 3D printing industry with its high-speed printing, extreme reliability, and patch-free operation, quickly becoming the top choice for many hobbyists! Around late 2023, Bambu Lab introduced the X1E, targeting professional users like engineering firms and R&D departments. It addressed some well-known security issues in the X1C and made the X1E overall more suitable for enterprise use through a host of impressive cybersecurity features.
But if you're a general consumer or a business owner, which one is right for you? That's what we'll discuss today! This article will introduce the core differences between the X1C and X1E in terms of security features, design upgrades, and price. After reading, you'll have a clear understanding of the unique value propositions and distinctions of these two printers.
Without further ado, let's get started!
BAMBU LAB X1E VS X1C: Differences
Design
3D printed build plate coasters on a Bambu Lab print plate (Source: 3DChihuahua via Printables)
When choosing a printer, build volume can be one of your key deciding factors. If it's too small, you might not be able to print many small models or one large model simultaneously; if it's too large, even small models will take longer to heat up. Fortunately, Bambu Lab's build size is just right!
Build VolumeBoth the X1E and X1C have a build volume of 256 x 256 x 256 mm, with an 18 x 28 mm section in the front left corner reserved for accessories. You can make slight modifications to unlock the full build volume, but then you won't be able to use the AMS (discussed further below).
Compared to most similar 3D printers (usually 220 x 220 x 250 mm), this build volume is still relatively large and sufficient for printing most practical or decorative models. Additionally, one advantage of a medium volume is that heating time is not excessively long.
Both printers are equipped with flexible and removable magnetic build plates, which make print removal easy—a fairly standard design today—but the surface materials differ.
The X1C comes with a textured PEI plate. The textured PEI surface enhances durability and improves adhesion between the print and the plate, without the need for adhesives.
The X1E comes with a smooth PEI plate, which gives the first layer a silky smooth finish. However, smooth PEI plates are not ideal for printing difficult materials like ABS or PETG, as glue is needed to prevent damage to the bed, which can be messy. This plate is better suited for PLA, and ordering a smooth plate for a high-temperature printer doesn't make much sense, as target users might prefer a textured PEI plate.
Nevertheless, the cost of purchasing a textured PEI plate or a smooth plate is relatively low, representing a small fraction of the printer's total price and not significantly affecting the overall deal. Both machines have a maximum bed temperature of 110 °C, supporting all nozzle-compatible heat-resistant materials.
👉 Related article: A Comprehensive Guide to Bambu Lab Print Plates for 3D Printing Novices
The hotend of the X1 Carbon heats up to a maximum of 300 °C (Source: All3DP)
The X1E is a key breakthrough here! Both the X1E and X1C use a direct extrusion setup, equipped with an all-metal extruder with a hardened steel nozzle. However, the X1E nozzle can reach up to 320 °C, while the X1C can only heat up to 300 °C. Although this 20 °C difference is small, it expands the possibilities for printing high-temperature engineering materials.
The X1C cannot print special materials like carbon fiber or glass fiber-filled PPA (polyphthalamide) and PPS (polyphenylene sulfide) that require nozzle temperatures exceeding 300 °C, but the X1E can handle them.
In addition to a more powerful hotend, the X1E also features a built-in chamber heater, which heats the build chamber to 60 °C, effectively preventing failures due to warping when printing high-temperature materials like nylon (PA), PC, ABS, and ASA. The 5-inch display allows control of the chamber temperature, making printing more stable!
Although the X1C does not have an actively heated chamber, its enclosed design allows the chamber to heat up through continuous heating of the bed. However, this is time-consuming and energy-intensive, and temperature control is not reliable.
BAMBU LAB X1E VS X1C: Differences
Under the Hood
Both the X1C and X1E are equipped with the same controller board (Source: Bambu Lab Store)
The electronics of the X1 series are well-designed and operate stably. Here are the key points.
Mainboard Both models are equipped with a proprietary Bambu Lab control board, with identical performance and specifications. This 32-bit board features an SPC2168 microcontroller and AT8236 stepper motor drivers, capable of handling high-speed printing. While it may be slightly noisier than other machines, it does not affect use.However, the X1E adds a network interface board, providing critical enterprise-grade security features. Due to user concerns about the X1C's cloud connectivity and the non-removable Wi-Fi module and lack of an Ethernet port, it was vulnerable and failed to meet the requirements of large enterprises.
The X1E adds an Ethernet port and a network "off" switch (for Wi-Fi and Ethernet), a detachable Wi-Fi module, supports 802.1X enterprise network access control and WPA-Enterprise, and supports network authentication protocols like EAP-PEAP, EAP-TLS, and TAP-TTLS, enabling encrypted communication between the printer and users. The X1E can operate completely offline without connecting to the Bambu Lab cloud.
The only drawback is that firmware updates still require a cloud connection via a mobile application, but the enterprise-grade network features are a significant advantage for the X1E. Firmware
The X1 series firmware is not a common open-source firmware like Marlin or Klipper; it uses Bambu Lab's independently developed Linux-based proprietary firmware.
There are minimal differences between the X1 Carbon and X1E firmware. Both achieve a maximum speed of 500 mm/s and acceleration of 20,000 mm/s². The X1E firmware additionally supports its enterprise network hardware.
👉 Related article: Bambu Lab X1 Carbon Combo Hands-On: Unboxing, Software Operation Revealed
BAMBU LAB X1E VS X1C: Differences
Quality of Life Features
The 5-inch display shows all important information on the dashboard (Source: All3DP)
As is typical for Bambu Lab, both the X1C and X1E are equipped with numerous quality-of-life (QoL) features. While these don't directly affect print quality, they make usage much easier, such as automatic bed leveling.
Bed Leveling and AI-based Failure Detection SystemEven most entry-level machines on the market today feature automatic bed leveling, but users may still need to set the Z-offset, which can be confusing for novices and sometimes requires recalibration.
Fortunately, the X1C and X1E come with fully automatic bed leveling. The nozzle repeatedly taps three points on the bed, and combined with weight sensors, it automatically calculates the Z-offset without manual intervention. At the same time, an advanced lidar sensor scans the bed during the first layer to check for issues. If the AI detects a print risk, it will prompt the user to check and decide whether to continue or stop the print.
The print bed is calibrated and positioned at the factory, and can also be finely adjusted manually using three screws under the bed.
The X1C and X1E use the same 5-inch (1,200x720 pixel) full-color LCD touchscreen. The interface is responsive and smooth, allowing easy operation of the printer, including controlling heating (X1E can set chamber temperature), starting, pausing, stopping prints, and changing filament. The X1E can also use this screen to configure network hardware.
Most users prefer to control the printer remotely via Bambu Studio without leaving their computer, but the machine's built-in display is also a convenient feature.
Bambu Lab's open-source slicing software, Bambu Studio, is the recommended tool for both the X1C and X1E. Although some users have successfully used Cura, it is not officially supported and lacks preset configurations, requiring manual addition. Bambu Studio is based on a fork of PrusaSlicer, with an intuitive and user-friendly interface. It also integrates some advanced features from SuperSlicer, such as adjustable dynamic print speed and cooling settings.
Bambu Studio uses sensors on the printer to automatically perform input shaping and linear pressure advance. With a built-in 1080p camera, you can monitor the printing process in real-time.
The slicing part of the software is open-source, while its cloud connection and encrypted data links are closed-source for security reasons. As long as your device and printer are on the same network, you can remotely control most of the printer's functions.
If you are away, you can monitor and control the printer anytime via the Bambu Handy mobile application.
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