As 2024 comes to a close, 3D printing industry news site All3DP has introduced its recommended multi/dual extruder 3D printers for 2024, categorized into five groups. The selections include IDEX, single-nozzle, tool-changer, and related dual-nozzle printers.
3D printing with dual (or multi) extruders offers significant advantages for many manufacturers.
One reason is that it enables multi-color modeling, reducing post-processing and finishing work.
It is also attractive because it allows for more complex structures by using soluble or breakaway support materials. This is difficult to achieve with standard single-extruder 3D printers.
Quick Overview
| Model | Key Features | Brand |
| Bambu Lab A1 Mini + AMS Lite | Compact, network-enabled printer. Ideal for multi-color printing. | Bambu Lab |
| Bambu Lab P1S + AMS | Improved filament protection and expanded multi-color printing possibilities. | Bambu Lab |
| Ultimaker S5 | Highly scalable professional printing and reliable software. | Ultimaker |
| Snapmaker J1s | Compact yet robust design. Equipped with productivity-enhancing print modes. |
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| Original Prusa XL | Independent tool-changer system that can be expanded according to use and needs. | Original Prusa |
How to Choose a Dual Extruder 3D Printer
The points to consider when choosing a dual extruder 3D printer are not particularly complex. Ultimately, it comes down to what you want to achieve with your 3D prints and how cleanly the printer can print.
In systems that feed material from two extruders into a single nozzle, there is a risk of materials mixing, which requires more thorough nozzle cleaning to achieve a clean print. On the other hand, IDEX or tool-changer 3D printers use independent nozzles for each material, minimizing material cross-contamination. However, a disadvantage is that the drive systems and calibration are more complex.
In the IDEX system, physical or software offset adjustments may be required to accurately align the two nozzles. Therefore, choosing a printer that can reliably automate this process is essential for a seamless multi-color/multi-material printing experience.
There are also dual-nozzle printers that feature two independently extruding nozzles on a single print head. These offer more flexibility than standard single-nozzle 3D printers and allow for faster multi-material printing. Print speeds are improved because the time taken to switch filaments is reduced. Furthermore, the ability to use different nozzle diameters in a single print expands the range of applications.
Each method has its own distinct advantages.
The single-nozzle method features a simple structure, makes it easier to achieve stable basic printing performance, and involves fewer calibration adjustments.
Conversely, the tool-changer method excels in material flexibility and minimizes material waste.
When choosing a multi-extruder 3D printer, first clarify your intended application.
If your primary goal is multi-color printing, the single-nozzle system is the most affordable option and reduces maintenance burdens.
If you want to use soluble supports or print with different nozzle diameters, you should consider systems with multiple nozzles, such as IDEX, dual-nozzle, or tool-changer systems.
[Budget-Friendly] Bambu Lab A1 Mini + AMS Lite
High-speed printing and auto-calibration functions
Highly consistent print quality
Comfortable operation, easy for beginners
As its compact size suggests, the Bambu Lab A1 Mini is a small yet surprisingly well-refined 3D printer. Despite its space-saving design, it offers a smooth, well-connected, and efficient printing experience, just like Bambu Lab's higher-end models.
This makes it a recommended entry-level machine to start multi-color printing at an affordable price.
The machine is a cantilever 3D printer with a build volume of 180 x 180 x 180 mm. In addition to automatic calibration, flow compensation, and motor vibration/noise cancellation, it also features a self-monitoring system that detects issues and suggests how to address them.
These features show that it is a smart, albeit small, machine. You can also quickly swap nozzles without tools if needed. There are many other reasons to recommend the A1 Mini, but we are focusing on its multi-material and multi-color capabilities here.
To print with multiple filaments on the Bambu Lab A1 Mini, you use a dedicated peripheral device. This unit, called the "AMS Lite," is placed next to the printer and feeds filament to the buffer on top of the print head through multiple tubes. The AMS Lite is powered by the printer and connected via a single data/power cable.
Using genuine Bambu Lab materials makes filament setup even smoother. The company’s filament spools are equipped with RFID tags, which the AMS Lite reads to retrieve detailed spool information and communicate it to the printer.
Combining the A1 Mini with the AMS Lite allows you to use up to four filament spools in a single print. You can combine different colors of the same material or, within certain limits, combine different materials.
The A1 Mini is compatible with materials that can be printed at relatively low temperatures, such as PLA, PETG, PVA, and TPU.
[Single-Nozzle System] Bambu Lab P1S + AMS
Closed-chamber design for temperature control
High-speed, high-quality printing with effective cooling
Easy-to-use, well-integrated software environment
The Bambu Lab P1S is the successor to the affordable P1P. Even when combined with the AMS, it offers the same excellent cost-performance as the P1P.
Designed with high-speed printing in mind, this single-extruder 3D printer can output high-quality prints in less time than many other printers on the market.
On its own, it is not a multi-color or multi-material printer. However, by combining it with the "AMS," an independent unit that can store four filament spools, you can use up to four spools in a single print. This evolves the P1S into a highly versatile machine capable of serious multi-color and multi-material printing.
A major difference between the Bambu Lab AMS and AMS Lite is that up to four standard AMS units can be linked together.
The machine features a reliable software environment and excellent user experience, supported by the Bambu Studio slicer software and the dedicated Bambu Handy app.
Conveniently, there is no need to split models for multi-color printing. You can simply assign colors to the model in the slicer software to create colorful objects from a single model.
Note that when using multiple filaments, you can print more efficiently by combining materials of the same type. Using different materials may increase print time due to necessary temperature shifts.
Otherwise, it is an excellent 3D printer that makes it easy to create beautiful objects without the hassle.
[Independent Dual-Nozzle System] Ultimaker S5
Comprehensive printer management software
Simple and easy-to-use printing experience
Easy nozzle replacement via the print core system
With the simple and efficient UltiMaker S5, printing with two materials is also easy.
The Ultimaker S5 has a build volume of 330 x 240 x 300 mm and achieves dual-extruder 3D printing through the use of interchangeable "print cores."
These compact hot-ends can be quickly attached or removed from the printer. Each print core is designed for specific materials or printing methods, offering a wide selection ranging from PVA water-soluble support cores to large-diameter hardened steel nozzles suitable for abrasive polymers.
By combining these print cores, you can select printing methods based on your objectives, greatly expanding your creative freedom.
To maximize the performance of the S5, we recommend upgrading the system with bundles that allow the addition of an enclosure or air filtration system, as well as a Material Station for long-term continuous printing.
The UltiMaker software environment starts with "Cura," a free, open-source slicer. It features a simple user interface and allows you to select settings from an extensive material list. You can also search for material information in an online database or create your own material profiles. Furthermore, you can expand your utility with the enterprise-grade UltiMaker platform, which includes model management, printer management, online support, software plugins, educational content, and certification programs.
[IDEX System] Snapmaker J1s
High-quality appearance and ease of use
Easy-to-understand calibration procedure
Productivity-enhancing IDEX print modes
There are not many affordable IDEX 3D printers on the market. Furthermore, the number of products that can pass a rigorous evaluation is limited. The Snapmaker J1s is one of those few products.
The J1s excels in calibration, which is particularly important for the IDEX system. With Snapmaker’s proprietary system, you don’t have to adjust everything manually. It automatically adjusts X and Y-axis offsets and guides you through the process on an easy-to-read 5-inch touchscreen.
The hardware build quality is also excellent. Featuring a die-cast frame, metal side panels, cover, and base, it has a high-quality finish. The robust drive system operates on linear guides, and from any angle, the J1 gives the impression of being a very sturdy machine.
The build volume is 320 x 200 x 200 mm, and two high-speed swappable nozzles move smoothly within the build area. The nozzles can also be swapped for ones with different diameters.
Even in standard printing, the J1s offers a modern, high-speed printing experience, equipped with vibration compensation and linear advance to suppress print irregularities caused by extrusion.
Because it adopts the IDEX system, the J1s features independent nozzles and utilizes multiple printing modes to improve productivity.
You can also minimize filament waste and wait times when switching materials. Depending on the material used, the heating time required when switching extruders can also be reduced.
The Snapmaker slicer software, "Luban," is the same software used for the company's 3-in-1 CNC and laser machines. While it is perfectly capable of basic printing, the options for fine-tuning print settings are somewhat limited compared to other popular slicers today.
However, you can also use your preferred slicer software, such as Orca Slicer, PrusaSlicer, ideaMaker, or Cura.
Snapmaker provides a profile for Cura, so for beginners, we recommend starting with Cura.
[Tool-Changer System] Original Prusa XL
Extremely high material compatibility
Expandable to match print scale
Fast and high-quality printing experience
Prusa Research's Original Prusa XL leverages its large build volume of 360 x 360 x 360 mm to demonstrate unique strengths in multi-material printing. There are not many other machines that can fully accommodate such applications.
Because it can be equipped with up to five independent nozzles, the material options are significantly expanded, making the Prusa XL an excellent multi-material 3D printer.
The fact that each nozzle is completely independent is also a major benefit. Since materials do not share nozzles, the risk of clogs due to differences in viscosity, fillers, and print temperatures is reduced.
Each nozzle can be heated up to 290°C and the heatbed up to 120°C, so stable printing is expected even with high-performance filaments like polycarbonate.
Furthermore, since each nozzle can be kept at a ready-to-use temperature, waiting time when switching nozzles is minimized.
The tool changer achieves fast and stable operation. Therefore, compared to single-nozzle systems, you can secure more actual printing time.
The XL's heatbed is divided into 16 independent segments, which can be heated individually depending on the position and area of the print.
The Prusa XL flexibly responds to a variety of needs, from the materials used to the print size, while minimizing material waste as much as possible.
Tool-changer and IDEX systems have a somewhat blurry boundary, but both share many of the same advantages over the single-nozzle system.
Of course, there is the disadvantage of having more moving parts and potential for failure. However, the Original Prusa XL is backed by the track record that Original Prusa has cultivated in quality control and new feature development.
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