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Multicolor systems compared
| System | Printer | Colors per unit | Max colors | Enclosed / drying |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| AMS lite | A1, A1 mini | 4 | 4 | Open, no drying |
| AMS / AMS 2 Pro | P2S | 4 | 20 | Enclosed; AMS 2 Pro dries |
| AMS / AMS 2 Pro | P1S, X1 | 4 | 16 | Enclosed; AMS 2 Pro dries |
| CFS | K2 Plus | 4 | 16 | Enclosed |
| MMU3 | CORE One | 5 | 5 | Open |
| Dual nozzle + AMS | H2D | 4 per AMS | 24–25 | Enclosed |
Source: MatterHackers' AMS compatibility guide, manufacturer pages.
Our multicolor picks
Best multicolor printer overall
Bambu Lab P2S
The P1S successor: touchscreen, stronger extruder, AMS 2 Pro.
Best for Most people buying an enclosed printer in 2026
Key specs manufacturer data
| Technology | FDM, CoreXY, enclosed with active airflow |
|---|---|
| Build volume | 256 × 256 × 256 mm |
| Max toolhead speed | Up to 600 mm/s (Bambu Lab launch figure; some retailer sheets list 500 mm/s) |
| Max acceleration | 20,000 mm/s² |
| Max nozzle temp | 300 °C |
| Max bed temp | 110 °C |
| Multicolor | AMS / AMS 2 Pro / AMS HT, up to 20 colors |
| Interface | 5-inch touchscreen, 1080p camera, Wi-Fi + USB |
Why it stands out
- Touchscreen and USB replace the P1S's D-pad and microSD
- Extruder force roughly 70% higher than P1S (per Tom's Hardware)
- AMS 2 Pro in the Combo adds filament drying
Trade-offs
- No actively heated chamber
- TPU cannot run through the AMS
- Same 256 mm cube as the P1S
Spec sources: tomshardware.com · 3djake.com · matterhackers.com
Best budget multicolor (with AMS lite)
Bambu Lab A1
Full-size build volume with the A1 mini's hands-off calibration.
Best for Beginners who want room to grow
Key specs manufacturer data
| Technology | FDM, bed-slinger (open frame) |
|---|---|
| Build volume | 256 × 256 × 256 mm |
| Max toolhead speed | 500 mm/s |
| Max acceleration | 10,000 mm/s² |
| Max nozzle temp | 300 °C |
| Max bed temp | 100 °C |
| Multicolor | AMS lite (4 colors) or AMS / AMS 2 Pro via A1 AMS Hub (up to 16) |
| Calibration | Nozzle-probed Z-offset, auto leveling, resonance & flow calibration, belt-tension monitoring |
Why it stands out
- 256 mm cube covers most household and cosplay parts
- Automatic calibration of Z-offset, flow and resonance
- Clear multicolor upgrade path
Trade-offs
- Open frame: drafts and fumes are not contained
- Bed-slinger motion is less suited to very tall prints than CoreXY
- Not the right tool for ABS/ASA
Spec sources: bambulab.com · matterhackers.com
Best large-format multicolor
Creality K2 Plus Combo
A 350 mm cube with an actively heated chamber and up to 16 colors.
Best for Cosplay armor, helmets, large functional parts
Key specs manufacturer data
| Technology | FDM, enclosed, actively heated & filtered chamber |
|---|---|
| Build volume | 350 × 350 × 350 mm |
| Max toolhead speed | 600 mm/s |
| Max acceleration | 30,000 mm/s² |
| Max nozzle temp | 350 °C |
| Multicolor | CFS: 4 colors per unit, up to 16 with 4 units (1 included in Combo) |
| Cameras | Two AI cameras |
| Motors | Step-servo motors |
Why it stands out
- Biggest build volume in this guide
- Heated chamber helps with ABS/ASA and larger parts
- 350 °C hotend for engineering filaments
Trade-offs
- Large footprint: plan the space
- Creality's software ecosystem is less polished than Bambu Studio for many users
- Big machine means big parts cost and weight
Spec sources: digikey.com · creality.com
Best for two materials
Bambu Lab H2D
Two nozzles, heated chamber, large format.
Best for Large cosplay builds, engineering materials, small businesses
Key specs manufacturer data
| Technology | FDM, dual nozzle, enclosed with heated chamber |
|---|---|
| Build volume | 325 × 320 × 325 mm (single nozzle); 300 × 320 × 325 mm (dual) |
| Max toolhead speed | 1,000 mm/s |
| Max acceleration | 20,000 mm/s² |
| Max nozzle temp | 350 °C |
| Max bed temp | 120 °C |
| Max chamber temp | 65 °C |
| Multicolor | Dual nozzle + AMS 2 Pro / AMS HT (up to 24–25 colors) |
Why it stands out
- Dual nozzles cut purge waste for two-material prints
- Heated chamber for engineering materials
- Largest build volume in Bambu's lineup at launch
Trade-offs
- Large, heavy and a significant investment
- Overkill for PLA-only hobby use
- More moving parts to maintain
Spec sources: 3dprintingindustry.com · blog.bambulab.com
Best open-source multicolor (with MMU3)
Prusa CORE One
Prusa's enclosed CoreXY, open-source and serviceable.
Best for Tinkerers, makerspaces, buyers who value openness
Key specs manufacturer data
| Technology | FDM, CoreXY, enclosed (chamber warmed by the bed, not separately heated) |
|---|---|
| Build volume | 250 × 210 × 270 mm |
| Leveling | Load-cell automatic bed leveling |
| Hotend | 0.4 mm High Flow CHT nozzle |
| Materials (per Prusa) | PLA, PETG, ASA, ABS, PC, TPU and more |
| Multicolor | Optional MMU3 (5 materials) |
| Formats | Assembled or DIY kit; MK4S upgrade kit available |
| Connectivity | USB, LAN, Wi-Fi |
Why it stands out
- Open-source firmware and slicer, strong repairability
- Available as a kit (cheaper) or assembled
- Door sensor and vented chamber designed for both PLA and ABS
Trade-offs
- Smaller XY area than a 256 mm cube
- MMU3 multicolor is an add-on, not a turnkey combo
- Typically priced above Bambu's enclosed models
Spec sources: tomshardware.com · 3dprintingindustry.com
Before you buy a multicolor setup
- Buy the combo. A printer bought with its color unit is usually cheaper than adding it later.
- Dry your filament. Damp PETG and TPU cause most feeding issues. See filament dryers.
- TPU and multicolor don't mix well. Most units, including the AMS, do not feed flexible TPU.
- Check spool compatibility. Cardboard spools can shed fibers in some units; adapter rings help.
Comparing Bambu's own options? Read AMS vs AMS lite.
Frequently asked questions
How does multicolor 3D printing work on a single nozzle?
A filament-changing unit (Bambu AMS, Creality CFS, Prusa MMU3) retracts one filament and feeds the next at each color change. The nozzle must purge the old color, which produces waste ("poop") and adds time. Dual-nozzle printers like the H2D cut purge waste when a print uses two materials.
How many colors can I print?
AMS lite: 4. One AMS or AMS 2 Pro: 4, chainable to 16 on P1/X1 printers and 20 on the P2S. Creality CFS: 4 per unit, up to 16 with four units on the K2 Plus. Prusa MMU3: 5.
Does multicolor waste a lot of filament?
It can. Waste depends on how many color changes each layer has. Slicer options such as flushing into infill or supports, and grouping colors by layer, reduce it.