The Prusa Mini is always worth recommending.
this post was submitted on 03 Feb 2025
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This. Had a mini since they were released and it’s been a low maintenance workhorse. Prusa adding input shaping, etc. via firmware was just icing on the cake.
Sure it's similar size and kinematics, but if they're expecting similar UX and speed as the BL A1 from the Prusa mini they're in for a nasty disappointment.
IMO there are currently not really any direct replacement to BL printers, you'll have to sacrifice on speed, UX or both no matter which printer you get. I hope someone will pick up with the gap in the market since BL did their switcheroo.
Edit: maybe Qidi is pretty close to a direct replacement, but I haven't used those.
Noting that the ease of maintenance and speed will be much lower on the Prusa. But otherwise is a great machine.
The Qidi X-Smart 3 leaps to mind, if nobody is offended by my constant shilling of Qidi printers. (Not for any particular reason other than having owned two, and having no trouble with them in contrast with other machines.)
The X smart 3 is no longer available. Much to my sadness, I was going to buy one and it's no longer available. Not surprising due to most consumers wanting bigger and bigger printers.
There are really only choices in this size range any more that are actually decent. There are a couple of 'build it yourself' models out there, but most won't want to be bothered to do so. So the A1 Mini and the Prusa Mini are about it. It would be nice if someone else stepped up an made a good budget 180^3^ sized printer.
And yes, sadly I did end up with the Bambu Mini.
Well, that's annoying.
I'm here to shill with you. Qidi is looked over and is an amazing bang for your buck.
Bambu lab A1 is still the best for your usecase if no tinkering
Quality and construction? Cetus mk3
ease of use? definitly not a Cetus mk3
I heard about the Creality Hi Combo from Frankly Built. It's a blatant copy of the A1 Mini but with a better AMS system.
I would not trust Crealty. They have a long ways to go to get over the "We don't care about customers" And the "We got your money, now get out of here. You bother me kid" mentality. They've sold too much junk for too long.