Bambu Lab A1 vs Elegoo Centauri 2
Researched by Riley Hart · prices checked Nov 4, 2026
As of Nov 4, 2026, the Bambu Lab A1 costs $359 and the Elegoo Centauri 2 costs $379, so the Bambu Lab A1 is $20 cheaper. Pick the Bambu Lab A1 for beginners who want full size multi color prints. Pick the Elegoo Centauri 2 for budget buyers who want fast 4 color PLA and PETG prints. The Elegoo Centauri 2 wins 2 of 5 points we can measure (2 tied).
Who wins, point by point
The Elegoo Centauri 2 wins 2 of 5 points we can measure (2 tied). Built from today's prices, the specs and independent tests for these two robots.
| A1 | Centauri 2 | Winner | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Price today | $359 | $379 | A1 |
| Build volume | 256 x 256 x 256 mm | 256 x 256 x 256 mm | Tie |
| Top print speed | 500 mm/s | 500 mm/s | Tie |
| Max nozzle temp | 300°C | 350°C | Centauri 2 |
| Release year | 2023 | 2026 | Centauri 2 |
- You want to spend less (saves $20)
- Best for beginners who want full size multi color prints
- You care most about max nozzle temp (350°C vs 300°C)
- You want the newer model (2026 vs 2023)
- Best for budget buyers who want fast 4 color PLA and PETG prints
- Build volume
- 256 x 256 x 256 mm
- Max speed
- Up to 500 mm/s toolhead
- Multicolor
- Up to 4 colors
- Enclosure
- No
Full size starter printer with optional 4 color AMS lite
Full Bambu Lab A1 review, pros and cons →- Build volume
- 256 x 256 x 256 mm
- Max speed
- Up to 500 mm/s
- Multicolor
- Up to 4 colors
- Enclosure
- No
Low cost open CoreXY printer with optional 4 color CANVAS feeder
Full Elegoo Centauri 2 review, pros and cons →Side by side
| Bambu Lab A1 | Elegoo Centauri 2 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $359 | $379 |
| 3 year cost | $359 | $379 |
| Our score | Not scored yet | Not scored yet |
| Rank in 3D printers | #36 | #37 |
| Status | on sale | on sale |
| Warranty | 2 years (Bambu Lab US store product page) | Not checked |
| Build volume | 256 x 256 x 256 mm | 256 x 256 x 256 mm (Elegoo, Tom's Hardware) |
| Print speed | Up to 500 mm/s toolhead speed, 10,000 mm/s2 acceleration (Bambu Lab) | Up to 500 mm/s, 300 mm/s recommended; 20,000 mm/s2 acceleration (Elegoo) |
| Multi color | Up to 4 colors with one AMS lite (Combo version); AMS units need the AMS HUB accessory | Up to 4 colors with the CANVAS system (Combo), with RFID and auto refill (Elegoo); Irish Examiner found multi color printing slow and wasteful versus multi toolhead printers |
| Enclosure | No, open frame; Bambu Lab does not recommend enclosing it | No, open frame; no camera or lighting (Tom's Hardware) |
| Auto leveling | Yes, full auto calibration of Z offset, bed level, vibration and nozzle pressure before each print | Yes, automatic leveling and Z offset at startup (Tom's Hardware) |
| Max nozzle temp | 300 C | 350 C, 0.4 mm hardened steel nozzle (Elegoo, Tom's Hardware) |
| Heated bed | Yes, up to 100 C | Yes, up to 110 C, PEI steel flex plate (Elegoo, Tom's Hardware) |
| Filament types | Ideal: PLA, PETG, TPU, PVA. ABS, ASA, PC, PA and fiber filled types only for small, low infill parts | PLA, PETG, TPU (Tom's Hardware); ABS, ASA and nylon not recommended without an enclosure (Irish Examiner) |
| Connectivity | Bambu cloud service or LAN only mode; app and PC control | LAN, Wi-Fi, USB flash drive; no cloud needed (Tom's Hardware) |
| Camera | Yes, low frame rate camera up to 1080p with timelapse | No (Tom's Hardware) |
| Noise | As low as 49 dB (Bambu Lab claim) | No dB figure; Irish Examiner called it somewhat loud |
| Assembly | Ships mostly assembled | Mostly pre assembled (Tom's Hardware); 30 to 40 minutes for the Combo (Irish Examiner) |
| Weight | 8.3 kg net; 465 x 410 x 430 mm | 15 kg; 500 x 480 x 500 mm (Tom's Hardware) |
| Best for | beginners who want full size multi color prints | budget buyers who want fast 4 color PLA and PETG prints |
| Skip if | you print ABS or ASA often | you want a camera or plan to print ABS, ASA or nylon |
Specs are maker claims unless a reviewer is named. Prices from the stores we link, checked daily.
What reviewers found
Bambu Lab A1
- Tom's Hardware (Editor's Choice): Called it a reliable and quiet high speed printer at a competitive price. A speed Benchy took 19 min 15 s, and a panda print took 2 h 40 min in one color versus 6 h 46 min in three colors. Source
- TechRadar (Editor's Choice): Scored 29 of 30 in its print quality test with a combined dimensional error of 0.099 mm. Flagged the software as complex for beginners and the open frame as a limit for ABS and PC. Source
Elegoo Centauri 2
- Tom's Hardware: Called it a very good four color CoreXY printer. A four color fidget took 5 h 13 min and a PET-GF part printed at 350 C in 1 h 23 min. 95A TPU fed reliably; softer TPU clogged. Source
- Irish Examiner: Combo assembled in 30 to 40 minutes. PLA, silk PLA, TPU and PETG printed with excellent quality, matching the Centauri Carbon 2. Somewhat loud, and multi color printing was slow. Source
Questions buyers ask
Which is better, the Bambu Lab A1 or the Elegoo Centauri 2?
Pick the Bambu Lab A1 for beginners who want full size multi color prints. Pick the Elegoo Centauri 2 for budget buyers who want fast 4 color PLA and PETG prints.
Which is cheaper?
The Bambu Lab A1 at $359, versus $379 for the Elegoo Centauri 2, checked Nov 4, 2026.
What is the difference between the A1 and the Centauri 2?
Build volume: 256 x 256 x 256 mm on the A1, 256 x 256 x 256 mm (Elegoo, Tom's Hardware) on the Centauri 2. Print speed: Up to 500 mm/s toolhead speed, 10,000 mm/s2 acceleration (Bambu Lab) on the A1, Up to 500 mm/s, 300 mm/s recommended; 20,000 mm/s2 acceleration (Elegoo) on the Centauri 2. Multi color: Up to 4 colors with one AMS lite (Combo version); AMS units need the AMS HUB accessory on the A1, Up to 4 colors with the CANVAS system (Combo), with RFID and auto refill (Elegoo); Irish… on the Centauri 2.
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