Bambu Lab R1 CO2 Laser Cutter Review: Smart, sealed, and surprisingly affordable
The Bambu Lab R1 is a 55W CO2 laser cutter with automatic mirror alignment, vision-based calibration, a sealed enclosure, and a rich sensor set. It delivers precise engraving and reliable cutting, especially on acrylic, plywood, and foam, and supports large-format work with optional Riser Base and Conveyor. However, its software (Bambu Suite) lags behind competitors like xTool Studio and lacks in-canvas camera integration and some process controls. At $2,499 it competes with the xTool P2S, offering strong hardware and automatic alignment, with the caveat that software maturity and ecosystem may influence the long-term experience.
