The Bambu Lab X2D is Amazing... But Not Perfect

Product reviewed

• Bambu Lab X2D (dual-nozzle system)
• Bundled/paired with AMS2 Pro (optional active drying function)

Key features mentioned

Unboxing/setup

• Setup is “surprisingly simple”.
• The machine is ready within just a few minutes.

Dual hotend performance

• A two-color bench demo shows both nozzles working in parallel.

Filament cutter moved to the rear

• The filament cutter was moved to the rear.
• This frees up space that earlier models reserved for cutting.
• Result: you can use the entire build area.

Lighting upgrades

• Upgraded to two LED strips instead of one.
• Helps with:
  • Time-lapses
  • Inspections
  • Print monitoring

Cooling / acceleration upgrade

• An additional auxiliary fan improves performance for:
  • Challenging overhangs
  • High-speed printing

Maintenance improvements

• Lead screw tops covered to reduce long-term dust/grease buildup.
• Bottom angled surface reduces dust/small part accumulation and makes cleaning easier.

Wireless hotend / tool-less swapping

• No tools required for hotend swaps.
• Hotends can be swapped quickly.

Storage changes

• Uses external USB storage instead of integrated microSD.
• (The USB drive sticks out.)

Door opening limitation (minor drawback)

• The enclosure door cannot open a full 180°.

Noise testing notes

• A decibel meter was placed about 32 cm away.
• Noise was measured with the door closed vs door open.
• Exact dB values were not provided.

Materials tested / use cases

• PLA (including multicolor testing via the bench + extra PLA parts)
• PETG
• NinjaFlex TPU85A
  • Printed an RC car tire
  • Printed a vacuum cleaner adapter using TPU for AMS; reported as sealing well when vacuum formed
• PHCF
  • Used with a 0.6 mm nozzle for stronger functional parts
• Multi-material (PLA + TPU in one print)
  • Example: pliers with a PLA frame and TPU jaws/spring
  • Reported workflow/result:
    • TPU loaded in the left nozzle
    • PLA loaded in the right nozzle
    • Completed without issues
    • Reported as faster than their P1S
    • Reported as less waste

Pros (as stated / implied)

• Improved lighting (two LED strips).
• More usable print space thanks to the rear-mounted cutter.
• Better high-speed / overhang performance via the added aux fan.
• Easier maintenance/cleaning (covered lead screw tops, angled bottom).
• Quick hotend swaps with a tool-less design.
• AMS2 Pro active drying effectiveness:
  • In hot/humid conditions, filament became “noticeably drier” after 1 hour
  • For PA, TPU, and engineering filaments, helps reduce stringing and improves print quality
• Multi-material capability:
  • Reported faster material changes and less waste than their P1S
• Print quality note:
  • With correct setup (notably a prime tower), text quality was excellent
  • Without prime tower, text quality was noticeably worse

Cons / downsides mentioned

• PTFE/PTV tube clearance issue: unloading can leave the tube “a little too close” to the rotating spool.
• Manual spool rewind may be needed: unloading may require rotating the spool for neat rewinding; reviewer wishes for automatic rewind (similar to “AMS light”).
• USB drive sticks out (instead of integrated microSD).
• Door cannot open a full 180° (minor inconvenience).
• Overall, these were described as the only real downsides.

AMS2 Pro (upgrade details + pricing)

Cost and what you get

• Costs about $50 more than the previous generation.
• Includes:
  • Higher loading speeds
  • Built-in active drying

Power supply requirement

• AMS2 Pro’s power supply is sold separately.
• It connects to the back of the AMS and is required for drying.

Active drying mechanism and workflow

• AMS uses two fans to actively remove warm air from the enclosure.
• Drying workflow:
  1. Select material type inside AMS
  2. Choose drying temperature and duration
  3. AMS checks which spools are free to rotate (filament must rotate)
  4. Start the cycle; AMS handles the rest

Comparisons made

• Versus older Bambu model (implied P1 series):
  • Rear cutter frees full build area vs earlier space reserved for cutting
  • Lighting expanded (dual LED strips vs single)
  • Added cooling fan improves overhang/high-speed results
  • Multi-material printing reported as faster with less waste vs P1S
• Versus P1S:
  • Dual-nozzle multi-material prints reportedly finished faster and with less waste
• No direct comparison to another dual-nozzle competitor was highlighted, though the door-opening limitation was contrasted with “some other models” that open fully.

User experience / workflow notes

• Setup is quick and uncomplicated.
• Hotend swapping is very easy (no tools).
• Multi-material printing works well for functional parts.
• Prime tower significantly affects fine text readability.
• Active drying is automated and straightforward once the required power supply is installed.

Unique points mentioned (consolidated)

1. Simple setup (ready in minutes).
2. Rear-mounted filament cutter frees entire build area.
3. Dual LED strips improve monitoring/time-lapse/inspection.
4. Additional aux fan improves overhangs and high-speed printing.
5. Covered lead screw tops reduce dust/grease buildup.
6. Angled bottom surface makes cleaning easier and reduces buildup.
7. Dual-nozzle design performs exceptionally well despite mechanical simplicity.
8. PT(T)V tube sometimes too close to the rotating spool.
9. Unloading may require spool rotation for neat rewinding (no automatic rewind).
10. USB storage replaces integrated microSD; USB stick protrudes.
11. Door cannot open full 180° (minor).
12. Noise test uses door-closed vs door-open measurements (no exact dB values).
13. Tested materials: PLA, PETG, TPU85A, PHCF, plus mixed PLA+TPU.
14. TPU vacuum adapter prints seal well for vacuum former use.
15. PHCF tested with a 0.6 mm nozzle.
16. Wireless hotend swapping (tool-less).
17. PLA+TPU single-print pliers example succeeded.
18. Dual nozzle reduces time/waste vs P1S for multi-material.
19. Prime tower yields excellent text readability; without it quality worsens.
20. AMS2 Pro update: +$50, faster loading, active drying.
21. AMS2 Pro drying requires separate power supply.
22. Drying uses two fans; drying steps are guided in-device.
23. After ~1 hour in very hot/humid conditions, filament looks noticeably drier.
24. Drying helps reduce stringing and improves engineering filament output.
25. Overall sentiment: positive evolution, especially vs P1/P1S, described as “very interesting evolution.”

Speakers / perspectives

• The provided notes reflect a single main reviewer.
• No other distinct speakers are explicitly contributing separate viewpoints in the supplied material.

Overall verdict / recommendation

Recommended for users who want:

• Improved dual-nozzle usability
• Better day-to-day monitoring and maintenance
• Plans to print “engineering”/sensitive materials

The reviewer views X2D + AMS2 Pro as a meaningful upgrade—especially due to active drying and improved multi-material performance—with only minor usability drawbacks (tube/spool unloading behavior, external USB drive, and the door’s inability to open fully).