Hands-on and First Face-to-Face with the X1 Series
The new X2D from Bambu Lab has finally arrived! The little sister of the X1 series is not just a "simple" improvement but a more ambitious version seeking better versatility for multi-material printing.
The X1 set a standard in the world of advanced consumer 3D printers. The X2D takes this foundation but adds a logic of versatility that changes how the machine is viewed daily.
Premium packaging and organized accessories. Source: Bambu Lab Wiki
Sleek, compact, and technically dense. Source: Bambu Lab
Unboxing
From the moment of unboxing, the X2D stays true to Bambu Lab's philosophy: a "premium" but "Plug and Print" machine. Assembly of the various parts takes 15 minutes (clock in hand), thanks to the always-detailed Quick Start guide. We appreciate the work done to simplify installation for users.
Tools are still provided, along with some extras (oil and grease for initial maintenance, a spare 0.4mm nozzle). It might be a detail, but on a machine of this level, it prepares for a more serene start. You can find our unboxing right here:
Vous pouvez retrouver notre unboxing juste ici :
Dual-Nozzle System
The standout feature: a dual-nozzle head that minimizes purge waste and enables complex multi-material prints without sacrificing speed.
AI-Driven Monitoring
Onboard AI assists the user by detecting errors, failures, and defects in real-time, ensuring a worry-free printing experience.
Heated Chamber
A dedicated heating system maintains optimal chamber temperature, crucial for high-performance technical materials.
First Visual Observations
At first glance, the X2D retains the compact, enclosed silhouette that made the X1 series successful. But looking closer at the details, you quickly notice an evolution designed to optimize volume.
The auxiliary nozzle extruder is mounted at the back of the machine to minimize the head size and not cut into the print volume (256x256x260mm).
Another element mounted at the back: The filtration box, designed to allow safe use of filaments like ABS by capturing airborne particles.
Inside, the side space is occupied by the heating system, designed to maintain the chamber temperature for demanding filaments and limit risks like warping.
You don't necessarily see it, but the onboard technology with an AI trained to assist the user and detect potential errors/failures/defects makes usage more serene.
And finally, the element that takes the X2D to the next level: its head with 2 nozzles.
As mentioned above, the auxiliary nozzle extruder is offset to the back of the machine, allowing for a minimized head size without losing print volume.
Overall, compared to an X1, the X2D feels like a more evolved machine, technically denser, and especially more oriented towards complex parts and mixed uses.
For more information on the changes between the X1 series & X2D, you can find our technical comparison here : X1 and X2D Comparison
First Tests
On the first trials, the X2D feels like a very mature machine. Launching is fast, and the whole unit behaves like a printer that knows exactly what it's doing. The quality of the first parts confirms this impression, with clean surfaces, good detail retention, and very convincing consistency.
The real interest appears as soon as you tackle multi-material prints. The dual extrusion significantly reduces purges compared to a single-nozzle approach, making material changes much more efficient. On this point, the X2D takes a clear lead over the X1, particularly for prints with supports or for parts combining several colors or properties.
The heated chamber also plays an important role in the overall feel. It stabilizes prints in technical materials and improves peace of mind on more demanding parts. You feel the machine was designed to print "cleanly" in more situations without forcing the user to spend time monitoring the part's behavior.
Test Feedback
The first strong point of the X2D is clearly its coherence. It combines speed, automation, intelligent monitoring, and true versatility without feeling like a machine cobbled together around a single marketing idea. This is what makes it credible for more serious use than simple desktop prototyping.
However, it doesn't erase all compromises. The auxiliary nozzle is, as its name suggests, "auxiliary." The remote Bowden extruder doesn't allow for printing TPU, for example, and this nozzle is more intended for handling filaments meant for printing supports. Print quality won't be identical between the two nozzles, so multi-color/multi-material prints may need meticulous adjustments. However, this places the X2D in a logic of assumed technical compromise.
At the same time, this auxiliary nozzle brings a significant advantage: technical prints, clean supports, complex assemblies, and series where material savings matter as much as the final result. Managing a technical filament/support filament pair is great for avoiding wasted time and material while guaranteeing a clean, fast print.
Usage Tips
The X2D will give its best if used for what it does most interestingly: multi-materials, technical parts, complex supports, and materials requiring good thermal stability.
For users coming from an X1, the main advice is not to treat it as an identical machine with an extra nozzle. The X2D requires a slightly different logic in print preparation, material choice, and how to optimize prints. Well-utilized, it can save time and simplify multi-material projects.
Target Users
The X2D is primarily aimed at advanced users who want a machine capable of handling several constraints at once without losing the simplicity of use characteristic of Bambu Lab. It will also suit workshops, fablabs, and small production structures that regularly print technical parts.
Conversely, if the primary need remains classic, fast, single-material printing, the X1 retains solid arguments. The choice between X1 and X2D depends less on raw performance level than on the complexity level of future projects.
Conclusion
With the X2D, Bambu Lab isn't just signing an incremental evolution of the X1. The brand offers a machine that retains its historical qualities but projects them towards more ambitious, technical, and versatile uses.
What stands out from the first tests is a very serious printer, very pleasant to use, and clearly designed for users who have moved beyond the stage of simple occasional printing. The X1 remains a solid reference, but the X2D marks a real change in scale for those who want a more complete, flexible, and capable machine.
WANT TO TAKE IT A STEP FURTHER?
At Machines 3D, we help you choose the machine that truly fits your needs, get up to speed efficiently, and get the most out of it over the long term.
→ Have a question about which model to choose? Our team is available to provide personalized, no-obligation advice based on your project and your actual needs.
→ Want to see the X2D in action before making a decision? Come visit us at our showroom. We have demo machines available, and you’ll leave with everything you need to make your choice with confidence.
→ Are you just starting out or looking to quickly master multi-material processing? We offer tailored training, either in-person at our workshop or remotely, depending on your availability.
