Bambu Lab AMS — Product Spotlight
The Bambu Lab AMS (Automatic Material System) is the standard multi-colour unit for P1, P2, X1, and H2 series printers. It holds four spools and automates filament switching during a print, enabling multi-colour and multi-material output without manual intervention between colour changes. Up to four AMS units can be connected to a single printer, bringing the maximum filament count to 16. For P1S owners and users on compatible printers who want multi-colour capability, the AMS is the established, proven option in the Bambu Lab accessory range.
How It Works
The AMS connects to the printer via a Bambu Bus cable and feeds filament through a PTFE buffer system to the toolhead. When a colour change is required during a print, the AMS retracts the current filament back into its spool slot, feeds the next colour forward, and the printer performs a short purge before resuming. The purge waste is collected in the printer's waste chute. For prints with many colours and frequent switches, the total purge waste can be significant; planning colour regions to minimise unnecessary switches reduces this.
Filament runout detection monitors each of the four slots and automatically advances to a backup spool if one runs dry mid-print, provided a compatible backup is loaded. RFID readers in each slot recognise official Bambu Lab filament spools and automatically populate the correct temperature, speed, and retraction settings in Bambu Studio, so there is no manual profile entry required for supported filaments.
Printer Compatibility
The standard AMS is compatible with the P1S, X1 series, and H2 series printers directly. Compatibility with P2 series printers requires additional accessories. The P1S Combo includes one AMS unit. Users on P2S, X2D, or H2 series printers who are purchasing an AMS unit separately may want to consider the AMS 2 Pro instead, which adds active filament drying and a faster brushless feeding motor with broader printer support.
The AMS is not compatible with the A1 or A1 Mini, which use the AMS Lite instead.
Filament Storage and Drying
The AMS stores filament in a semi-enclosed housing that provides basic protection from dust and ambient handling, but it does not include active heating or humidity control. Filament stored in the AMS is not actively dried. For hygroscopic materials like PA (nylon) or TPU in humid environments, this means filament can absorb moisture during extended storage in the AMS. Users who print regularly with moisture-sensitive filaments and want integrated drying should consider the AMS 2 Pro (65°C active drying) or the AMS HT (85°C active drying for high-temperature engineering filaments).
Expanding to 16 Colours
Up to four AMS units can be connected to a single compatible printer for up to 16 filaments available in a single print. Each additional AMS adds four more slots. The AMS units connect in a daisy-chain configuration via the Bambu Bus system. Multiple AMS types can be mixed — for example, combining a standard AMS with an AMS 2 Pro — depending on the printer model and accessory configuration. Compatibility details for multi-unit setups vary by printer model and should be checked before purchasing additional units.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between the AMS and AMS 2 Pro?
The AMS 2 Pro adds active filament drying at up to 65°C with electromagnetic air venting, a brushless servo motor that feeds filament 60% faster, auto-rotating spools during drying, RFID-based automatic drying profile matching, and tool-free maintenance access. The standard AMS does not include active drying or the upgraded feeding motor. For users who print with moisture-sensitive filaments or want faster, more reliable filament feeding, the AMS 2 Pro is the better choice. The standard AMS suits users whose primary need is multi-colour printing with PLA and PETG, where drying is less critical.
Can the AMS be used with a P2S?
The standard AMS is compatible with P2 series printers but requires additional accessories. If you own a P2S and are considering an AMS purchase, the AMS 2 Pro is generally the recommended option as it is natively designed for the P2 series and does not require the same accessory additions.
How many AMS units can I connect to one printer?
Up to four AMS units can be connected to a single compatible printer, providing up to 16 filament slots. The AMS units connect in a daisy-chain via the Bambu Bus system. The specific multi-unit configuration and any required accessories depend on the printer model.
Does the AMS work with third-party filament?
Yes. The AMS feeds any standard 1.75mm filament. RFID auto-recognition only works with Bambu Lab branded filaments; third-party spools require manual profile selection in Bambu Studio. The AMS feeding and switching mechanism works with third-party filament regardless of RFID support.
Summary
The Bambu Lab AMS is the standard multi-colour accessory for P1S, X1, and H2 series printers, enabling up to 16-colour printing across four connected units with RFID filament recognition and automatic runout backup. For users who also need integrated filament drying, the AMS 2 Pro is the upgraded alternative. View the Bambu Lab AMS at Everyday Home Living, and browse the full 3D Printers collection.