Bambu P1S with AMS2 Pro: Is the Upgrade Worth the Extra Cost?

When Bambu Lab launched the AMS 2 Pro, it raised an immediate question for anyone buying a P1S combo: pay the premium for AMS2 Pro, or save the roughly $100 and take the original AMS? The answer depends almost entirely on one question — how much moisture affects your filament choices.

Why This Comparison Matters

The P1S is Bambu’s enclosed, high-speed workhorse. It handles engineering filaments, multi-material printing via AMS, and print speeds up to 500mm/s. The AMS (Automatic Material System) handles filament switching — both versions support up to four materials simultaneously on the P1S.

The original AMS is a mature system. It works. It doesn’t dry filament.

The AMS 2 Pro adds three meaningful differences:

1. Built-in filament drying: A heating module reaches 65°C, enabling active drying with external air circulation. RFID-tagged Bambu filaments auto-configure temperature and time.
2. Improved feeder and spool mechanics: Reduced operating noise and a more accessible interior when filament breaks mid-path — a common frustration with the original AMS.
3. Dry-while-print capability: Dry one slot while printing from another.

What Makes It Different

The drying capability is the substantive difference. PETG, ASA, nylon, PC, and PA12 all absorb moisture and print better dry. If you regularly run these materials on the P1S — which is specifically designed for engineering filaments — the built-in drying removes a workflow step that currently means maintaining a separate filament dryer or planning drying cycles before each session.

For users who primarily print PLA and don’t deal with moisture-sensitive materials, the original AMS’s lack of drying is rarely consequential. PLA is less hygroscopic and tolerates ambient humidity better than PETG or engineering filaments.

The Catch / Who It’s For

The upgrade pays for itself in workflow time if you print engineering filaments regularly. The AMS 2 Pro removes the external dryer from the equation and eliminates the scheduling discipline of dry-before-print. If your P1S primarily runs PLA or PETG for functional prototypes, the return on the $100 premium is real.

If you’re a PLA-focused maker who occasionally runs other materials, the original AMS combo is the right buy — and the AMS 2 Pro is available as a standalone upgrade later if your material palette expands.

Source: r/BambuLab

Content created with AI assistance and reviewed for accuracy.