# Bambu Lab A1 vs Elegoo Centauri 2

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.

Prices checked Nov 4, 2026. HTML version: https://robotsforthat.com/vs/bambu-lab-a1-vs-elegoo-centauri-2/

## 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 |

## 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](https://tomshardware.com/3d-printing/bambu-lab-a1-review)
- 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](https://www.techradar.com/pro/bambu-labs-a1-review)

### 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](https://tomshardware.com/3d-printing/elegoo-centauri-2-combo-review)
- 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](https://www.irishexaminer.com/business/technology/arid-41918086.html)

## 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.

Full reviews: [Bambu Lab A1](https://robotsforthat.com/robot/bambu-lab-a1/index.md), [Elegoo Centauri 2](https://robotsforthat.com/robot/elegoo-centauri-2/index.md)