Bambu Lab A1 mini vs Elegoo Mars 5 Ultra
Researched by Riley Hart · prices checked Nov 4, 2026
As of Nov 4, 2026, the Bambu Lab A1 mini costs $299 and the Elegoo Mars 5 Ultra costs $284, so the Elegoo Mars 5 Ultra is $15 cheaper. Pick the Bambu Lab A1 mini for first time buyers printing small PLA parts. Pick the Elegoo Mars 5 Ultra for tabletop gamers and beginners printing miniatures. The Elegoo Mars 5 Ultra wins 2 of 3 points we can measure.
Who wins, point by point
The Elegoo Mars 5 Ultra wins 2 of 3 points we can measure. Built from today's prices, the specs and independent tests for these two robots.
| A1 mini | Mars 5 Ultra | Winner | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Price today | $299 | $284 | Mars 5 Ultra |
| Build volume | 180 x 180 x 180 mm | 153.36 x 77.76 x 165 mm | A1 mini |
| Release year | 2023 | 2024 | Mars 5 Ultra |
- You care most about build volume (180 x 180 x 180 mm vs 153.36 x 77.76 x 165 mm)
- Best for first time buyers printing small PLA parts
- You want to spend less (saves $15)
- You want the newer model (2024 vs 2023)
- Best for tabletop gamers and beginners printing miniatures
- Build volume
- 180 x 180 x 180 mm
- Max speed
- Up to 500 mm/s toolhead
- Multicolor
- Up to 4 colors
- Enclosure
- No
Small, quiet starter 3D printer with optional 4 color AMS lite
Full Bambu Lab A1 mini review, pros and cons →- Build volume
- 153.36 x 77.76 x 165 mm
- Max speed
- Up to 150 mm/h
- Multicolor
- No
- Enclosure
- Yes
Compact 9K resin printer for miniatures with a built in AI camera
Full Elegoo Mars 5 Ultra review, pros and cons →Side by side
| Bambu Lab A1 mini | Elegoo Mars 5 Ultra | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $299 | $284 |
| 3 year cost | $299 | $284 |
| Our score | Not scored yet | Not scored yet |
| Rank in 3D printers | #32 | #31 |
| Status | on sale | on sale |
| Warranty | 2 years (Bambu Lab US store product page) | Not checked |
| Build volume | 180 x 180 x 180 mm | 153.36 x 77.76 x 165 mm (The Gadgeteer, Elegoo spec) |
| Print speed | Up to 500 mm/s toolhead speed, 10,000 mm/s2 acceleration (Bambu Lab) | Up to 150 mm/h (Elegoo); Tom's Hardware printed a Rocket Bust in 2 h 27 min |
| Multi color | Up to 4 colors with the AMS lite (Combo version); AMS, AMS 2 Pro or AMS HT need the AMS HUB accessory | No, resin printer prints one resin at a time |
| Enclosure | No, open frame | Yes, lift off UV blocking cover with no hinge (The Gadgeteer) |
| Auto leveling | Yes, full auto calibration of Z offset, bed level, vibration and nozzle pressure before each print | Yes, factory leveled with auto leveling before each print (Tom's Hardware) |
| Max nozzle temp | 300 C | Not applicable, resin (MSLA) printer with no nozzle |
| Heated bed | Yes, up to 80 C | No |
| Filament types | Ideal: PLA, PETG, TPU, PVA. Not recommended: ABS, ASA, PC, PA, PET, carbon or glass fiber filled | Not applicable, uses 405 nm resin (The Gadgeteer) |
| Connectivity | Wi-Fi, Bambu Bus, microSD card; app and PC control | USB and Wi-Fi (Tom's Hardware) |
| Camera | Yes, low frame rate camera up to 1080p with timelapse | Yes, AI camera for failed print detection and timelapse; detection only works once the model rises above the vat edge (Tom's Hardware) |
| Noise | As low as 49 dB (Bambu Lab claim) | n/a |
| Assembly | Ships pre assembled; about 20 minutes to the first print (Bambu Lab) | Practically plug and play (Tom's Hardware) |
| Weight | 5.5 kg net; 347 x 315 x 365 mm | 8.8 kg; 260 x 268 x 451.5 mm (Tom's Hardware) |
| Resolution | n/a | 7 inch 9K mono LCD, 8520 x 4320, 18 x 18 micron XY; layers 0.01 to 0.2 mm (The Gadgeteer) |
| Best for | first time buyers printing small PLA parts | tabletop gamers and beginners printing miniatures |
| Skip if | you need large prints or ABS and ASA | you need large resin parts or cannot ventilate the room |
Specs are maker claims unless a reviewer is named. Prices from the stores we link, checked daily.
What reviewers found
Bambu Lab A1 mini
- Tom's Hardware: Called it fast, quiet and easy to use. A speed Benchy took 19 min 15 s on a fast profile. A four color fire truck print took 22 h 25 min versus 4 h 19 min in one color, with 115 g of purge waste after tuning. Source
- All3DP: Found it consistent and reliable with clean multicolor prints. Complaints were a rattling purge wiper, no carry handle, a laggy touchscreen at times and no flexible filament support in the AMS lite. Source
Elegoo Mars 5 Ultra
- Tom's Hardware: Editor's Choice. A Rocket Bust printed in 2 h 27 min, 46 min faster than the Saturn 4 Ultra. Fine chain mail detail on miniatures. The laser etched plate held prints so tightly the reviewer had to cut first layer exposure. Source
- The Gadgeteer: A support free test model printed well. The printer froze a few times mid print but resumed after a power cycle with no visible defect. Strong chemical smell; the Mars Mate purifier mostly removed it. Source
Questions buyers ask
Which is better, the Bambu Lab A1 mini or the Elegoo Mars 5 Ultra?
Pick the Bambu Lab A1 mini for first time buyers printing small PLA parts. Pick the Elegoo Mars 5 Ultra for tabletop gamers and beginners printing miniatures.
Which is cheaper?
The Elegoo Mars 5 Ultra at $284, versus $299 for the Bambu Lab A1 mini, checked Nov 4, 2026.
What is the difference between the A1 mini and the Mars 5 Ultra?
Build volume: 180 x 180 x 180 mm on the A1 mini, 153.36 x 77.76 x 165 mm (The Gadgeteer, Elegoo spec) on the Mars 5 Ultra. Print speed: Up to 500 mm/s toolhead speed, 10,000 mm/s2 acceleration (Bambu Lab) on the A1 mini, Up to 150 mm/h (Elegoo); Tom's Hardware printed a Rocket Bust in 2 h 27 min on the Mars 5 Ultra. Multi color: Up to 4 colors with the AMS lite (Combo version); AMS, AMS 2 Pro or AMS HT need the AMS… on the A1 mini, No, resin printer prints one resin at a time on the Mars 5 Ultra.
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