Bambu Lab built its reputation by stripping the tedious manual calibration out of 3D printing. Now the company is trying the exact same playbook on laser cutters.
Notebookcheck tested the Bambu Lab R1, a standalone 55-watt CO2 laser cutter selling for $2,499 in the United States, alongside European packages like the Long Material Bundle priced at €3,289. The publication found that the machine largely delivers on its plug-and-play promise, bypassing the most aggravating parts of traditional laser ownership while presenting a few physical ergonomic quirks.
Automated Alignment and Fast Setup
Setting up a typical CO2 laser usually requires tedious manual mirror alignment. According to Notebookcheck, the R1 completely removes that friction. An integrated Laser Alignment Sensor adjusts the internal mirrors on its own, cutting the entire unboxing and calibration process to around 90 minutes. Roughly half an hour of that span is completely automated.
The hardware ships preassembled with an acrylic sheet and a basswood plywood sheet in the box, requiring buyers only to remove transit screws and fill the cooling reservoir with distilled water. Out of the box, the machine is rated as a Class 1 laser device, meaning operators do not need protective goggles provided the enclosure stays intact. A lid interlock halts operations immediately when opened, while built-in sensors watch for flare-ups.
Cutting Precision Versus Workshop Noise
Measuring 940 × 560 × 200 mm with a 600 × 300 mm bed, the R1 is more compact than rival machines like the xTool P2. In its testing, Notebookcheck reported clean cuts and engravings across cardboard, wood, and glass with minimal scorching. Software integration stood out as well. Bambu Studio handles design and job execution cleanly, and the overhead camera setup accurately traces irregular workpieces onto the digital workspace using automated contour detection.
Yet the R1 is far from discreet. Bambu Lab rates the operational noise at 68 dB at a distance of one meter, which Notebookcheck noted is substantially louder than a standard 3D printer. The outlet’s reviewer frequently relied on active noise-canceling headphones while supervising jobs, noting that laser cutters cannot safely run unattended.
Hardware layout also drew minor criticism. Notebookcheck pointed out that the emergency stop switch is mounted on the machine's side, placing it outside the operator's forward line of sight during an incident. The left flank also houses an offline USB Type-C port, a safety key slot on USB Type-A, and hookups for an optional fire suppression system.
The Bambu Lab R1 is currently available through Bambu Lab's online storefront for $2,499.
RRFiled by The Reviews Roundup Desk
What the reviews are saying: verdicts on new devices from the outlets that tested them, summarised and credited to each. This desk does not test products itself.
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