Artillery M1 Pro: The Best Alternative to Bambu Lab at an Unbeatable Price?
If you want a 3D printer that works right out of the box, comes enclosed and is extremely affordable, the Artillery M1 Pro could be your next big buy. Bambu Lab has long been the go-to for "plug and print" ease of use, but Artillery has shaken things up with this model, proving you don’t need to spend a fortune to get a top-notch user experience. In this review, we break down why this machine is getting so much attention, from unboxing to real-world tests with technical materials.
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Video📦 Unboxing and First Impressions: More Than a Printer
The first thing that stands out when you receive the Artillery M1 Pro (shipped from European warehouses for fast delivery) is the excellent packaging. But the real surprise is what's inside:
- Free filament: In addition to the 1kg spool of white PLA included with the printer, there's a promotional pack that adds up to 7kg of extra filament in assorted colors. That gives you 8kg of material to start creating right away!
- Accessories included: Inside the box you'll find a simple manual, assembly tools, a touchscreen, an 8GB microSD card and a kit to build a functional spatula with a replaceable blade.
🛠️ Assembly and Setup: Literally "Plug and Print"
Unlike other models that require hours of assembly, the M1 Pro arrives almost fully built. The steps are minimal:
- Unboxing: Remove the foam and cardboard protections from the print head.
- Release the bed: Remove the four safety screws marked with yellow arrows.
- Install the screen: A simple process of connecting a cable and snapping the screen into its side mount.
- Filament holder: You can place it on the side or on the back depending on your workspace.
Once powered on, the printer guides you through an initial setup where you connect the Wi-Fi and run an automatic Self Test. Forget the old paper method: the M1 Pro performs automatic bed leveling and a vibration test to self-calibrate perfectly.
🚀 Technical Features That Make a Difference
The Artillery M1 Pro isn't just "easy"—it's powerful:
- Speeds up to 600 mm/s: An impressive speed that dramatically reduces wait times.
- Enclosed chassis: Ideal for working with technical materials like ABS, ASA, PC or PA-CF, keeping temperatures stable.
- Filament drying mode: A clever feature that lets you use the printer's heated base to dry spools, avoiding the need to buy external accessories.
- Built-in AI camera: Not only does it enable remote monitoring and the creation of timelapses, it also uses artificial intelligence to detect "spaghetti" and stop the print if something goes wrong.
- Reversible bed: Includes one side for cold printing (PLA) and a rough side for better adhesion with technical materials.
💻 Software and Remote Control
With Artillery Studio, integration is seamless. You can send designs directly from your PC over Wi-Fi and monitor prints in real time via the built-in camera. During our tests, the ease of sending a file and watching it start without leaving the desk was one of the best experiences.
🖨️ Print Tests and Results
We tested the machine with three different models to evaluate its versatility:
- Tool set: Printed directly from the microSD. Quality was excellent, even handling overhang details without supports.
- Landroid mower guard: A functional design downloaded from the internet. Even when we pushed the print without supports in bridge areas, the result was fully functional and durable.
- R2-D2 for Google Home Mini: A decorative multi-color print that showcases the machine's precision. After a little glue on the detailed parts, the final result is stunning.
Where to buy
If you are interested in any of the options mentioned, here are the available links:
- Artillery M1 Pro — Reviewed in the video: Geekbuying (coupon: ) · GB con 7 Kg. filamento (coupon: )
- Artillery M1 Pro S1 — Superior version (Mejoras sobre el modelo original): Geekbuying · AliExpress
✅ Conclusions: Is it Worth It?
Strengths:
- Unbeatable price for an enclosed, fast printer.
- True automatic calibration (leveling and vibration).
- AI camera and Wi-Fi control.
- Built-in filament drying mode.
Areas for improvement:
- The Spanish translation in the menus could be improved (although it's functional).
- We're waiting for the multicolor printing accessory, which has already appeared in official images.
Final verdict: If you want to get started with 3D printing without headaches, or if you already use open-frame printers and want to upgrade to an enclosed machine for technical materials without paying what a Bambu Lab costs, the Artillery M1 Pro is currently the best alternative on the market.
