Published: April 20, 2026 | Category: 3D Printing News | By Review3DPrinting.com
This week’s key headlines at a glance:
• Bambu Lab has officially discontinued the X1 series (X1, X1 Carbon, X1E) — a significant end of an era
• The Bambu Lab P2S is the natural successor at around €749 (EU) / £699 (UK) — available now
• Elegoo’s Centauri Carbon 2 Combo launches at $449 — strong Bambu alternative for value-conscious buyers
• Formlabs launches Form Now, an on-demand professional print service
• RAPID + TCT trade show: Snapmaker U1 and industrial multi-function machines shown
For European buyers: all consumer-facing products mentioned here ship to the EU and UK.
Right, let’s talk about what’s been happening in the 3D printing world over the past week or so, because there’s been quite a lot to unpack. I’ve been following these stories closely and a couple of them genuinely surprised me — particularly the Bambu Lab news, which felt like the end of a chapter I didn’t quite expect to close this soon.
Bambu Lab Pulls the Plug on the X1 Series
Bambu Lab had officially discontinued the X1 series on 31 March 2026. The X1, X1 Carbon, and X1E are all done — no more being manufactured. For European owners, the support roadmap remains reassuring: firmware updates until May 2027, security patches until May 2029, and spare parts through to March 2031 — so your existing machine is not going anywhere.
The big question was: what replaces it? Bambu is now pushing the P-series as the flagship. The Bambu Lab P2S at around €749 (EU) / £699 (UK) is the recommended upgrade path. It has a 5-inch touchscreen, AI-based failure detection, the upgraded PMSM servo extruder, and a 256 x 256 x 256 mm build volume. It is quieter and more consistent than the X1C in real-world testing.
What this means for European buyers: The X1C was the gold standard for enclosed FDM printing in Europe. The P2S is its direct replacement and is available from Amazon.de, Amazon.fr, and Amazon.co.uk, plus Bambu Lab’s EU store. EU warehouse stock is confirmed.
Bambu Lab P2S: ➜ Amazon.de (Germany/EU) | ➜ Amazon.fr (France/EU) | ➜ Amazon.co.uk (UK)
Also see: Our full review of the Bambu Lab X2D (the dual-nozzle flagship) and our best beginner printer comparison.
Elegoo’s Centauri Carbon 2 Is Quietly Impressive
Elegoo’s Centauri Carbon 2 Combo launched at $449 (approximately €415 / £385 in Europe), adding their Canvas multi-material system — up to four filament spools. The hotend now tops out at 350°C, supporting high-temperature engineering filaments. AI print monitoring is included, and speeds reach up to 500 mm/s. It is substantially cheaper than a Bambu P2S Combo.
What this means for European buyers: If you are looking at Bambu’s multi-colour ecosystem but baulk at the price, the Centauri Carbon 2 Combo is now the most competitive alternative. Available via Amazon EU.
Elegoo Centauri Carbon 2 Combo: ➜ Amazon.de (EU) | ➜ Amazon.co.uk (UK)
Formlabs Goes Into the Service Game
Formlabs — the company behind the Form series of resin printers — has launched Form Now, an on-demand print service. Upload your file, choose your material (SLS nylon, SLA resin, various options), and get your parts delivered within two days in the US.
Why does this matter? Because professional SLS printing has always been either expensive-machine-you-own or expensive-service-bureau territory. Formlabs are trying to cut out the awkward middle ground. The service is currently US-only, but European expansion has been signalled. Worth watching if you occasionally need professional-quality SLS parts without owning a €10,000+ machine.
RAPID + TCT: What Caught My Eye
The RAPID + TCT trade show (one of the biggest additive manufacturing events in North America) produced a few interesting exhibits for the consumer side of the market:
- Snapmaker’s U1 — a multi-function machine combining 3D printing, CNC routing, and laser engraving. Larger format, more industrial feel than the original Snapmaker range. Priced for the prosumer market.
- FilaDC I10 from SUNLU and Inslogic — positioned between desktop FDM and entry-level industrial. Interesting for small businesses wanting more print reliability than a consumer machine but without industrial costs.
Education Push from SPE and 3DSHQ
The Society of Plastics Engineers has teamed up with 3D Supply Headquarters on an equipment grant programme for schools and educational institutions. This is US-focused, but it mirrors growing initiatives in Europe where 3D printing is entering schools at pace — particularly in France and Germany, where STEM education funding has supported printer purchases in secondary schools.
So What Should You Actually Buy?
After this week’s news, here are our clear recommendations for European buyers:
- Best enclosed printer overall (EU): Bambu Lab P2S at ~€749 — mature ecosystem, excellent software, reliable results
- Best value multicolour (EU): Elegoo Centauri Carbon 2 Combo at ~€415 — saves real money vs Bambu multi-colour
- Best entry point into Bambu ecosystem (EU): Bambu Lab P1S at ~€399 — excellent beginner-to-intermediate machine
- Best dual-nozzle beginner printer (EU): Bambu Lab X2D at €629 — see our full review
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