Bambu Lab A1 vs Elegoo Centauri Carbon 2
Researched by Riley Hart · prices checked Oct 27, 2026
As of Oct 27, 2026, the Bambu Lab A1 costs $299 and the Elegoo Centauri Carbon 2 costs $319, 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 Carbon 2 for budget enclosed printing with room to add color.
- Build volume
- 256 x 256 x 256 mm
- Max speed
- Up to 500 mm/s toolhead
- Multicolor
- Up to 4 colors with one
- Enclosure
- No
The A1 gives you a full 256 mm build volume and hands off calibration for $299, or $399 with the AMS lite for 4 color prints. It suits beginners and hobbyists who print PLA and PETG and want bigger parts than the A1 mini allows. Skip it if you want ABS or ASA parts often, because it has no enclosure.
Full Bambu Lab A1 review →- Build volume
- 256 x 256 x 256 mm
- Max speed
- Up to 500 mm/s
- Multicolor
- Upgrade ready
- Enclosure
- Yes
The Centauri Carbon 2 is one of the cheapest enclosed CoreXY printers, with a 350 °C hardened nozzle for tough filaments. You can start with one color and add the CANVAS unit for four colors later. Skip it if you need more than four colors or want polished software, since reviewers saw connectivity hiccups and false failure alerts.
Full Elegoo Centauri Carbon 2 review →Side by side
| Bambu Lab A1 | Elegoo Centauri Carbon 2 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $299 | $319 |
| 3 year cost | $299 | $319 |
| Our score | Not scored yet | Not scored yet |
| Rank in 3D printers | #9 | #10 |
| Status | on sale | on sale |
| Warranty | 2 years (Bambu Lab US store product page) | 12 months; 6 months on the extruder kit; consumables not covered |
| Build volume | 256 x 256 x 256 mm | 256 x 256 x 256 mm |
| Print speed | Up to 500 mm/s toolhead speed, 10,000 mm/s2 acceleration (Bambu Lab) | Up to 500 mm/s, 20,000 mm/s² acceleration |
| Multi color | Up to 4 colors with one AMS lite (Combo version); AMS units need the AMS HUB accessory | Upgrade ready; up to 4 colors with the CANVAS unit (sold separately or in the Combo) |
| Enclosure | No, open frame; Bambu Lab does not recommend enclosing it | Yes, enclosed chamber with auto controlled grille |
| Auto leveling | Yes, full auto calibration of Z offset, bed level, vibration and nozzle pressure before each print | Yes, full auto calibration with auto Z offset (121 points per Notebookcheck) |
| Max nozzle temp | 300 C | 350 °C, hardened steel nozzle |
| Heated bed | Yes, up to 100 C | Yes, up to 110 °C |
| Filament types | Ideal: PLA, PETG, TPU, PVA. ABS, ASA, PC, PA and fiber filled types only for small, low infill parts | PLA, PETG, TPU, PET, PC, ASA and fiber filled such as PA6-CF |
| Connectivity | Bambu cloud service or LAN only mode; app and PC control | Elegoo Matrix app, ElegooSlicer, USB drive |
| Camera | Yes, low frame rate camera up to 1080p with timelapse | Yes, with AI spaghetti detection (Notebookcheck) |
| Noise | As low as 49 dB (Bambu Lab claim) | Under 45 dB in silent mode (Elegoo claim); 44 to 47 dB average measured by Notebookcheck |
| Assembly | Ships mostly assembled | n/a |
| Weight | 8.3 kg net; 465 x 410 x 430 mm | About 20 kg (Notebookcheck) |
| Best for | beginners who want full size multi color prints | budget enclosed printing with room to add color |
| Skip if | you print ABS or ASA often | you need more than 4 colors |
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 Carbon 2
- Notebookcheck: PLA and PETG printed cleanly on stock profiles. Measured 44 to 47 dB on average, color swaps took about 70 seconds, and multi color prints made heavy purge waste. Connectivity was inconsistent. Source
- Hackster: Called it strong value for a multi material printer. CANVAS swaps were fast and reliable and print quality matched the original Centauri Carbon, but it is limited to four spools and swaps still purge. Source
Pros and cons
Bambu Lab A1
Pros
- Large 256 mm cube build volume
- Full auto calibration before every print
- 4 color printing with the AMS lite Combo
- Quick change nozzles
- Editor's Choice at Tom's Hardware and TechRadar
Cons
- No enclosure for high temperature filaments
- AMS lite purges filament on color changes
- Needs a lot of desk space with the AMS lite
- Early units were recalled in 2024 over a heatbed cable
Elegoo Centauri Carbon 2
Pros
- Low price for an enclosed CoreXY printer
- 350 °C hardened nozzle for engineering filaments
- Add 4 colors later with CANVAS
- Quiet, about 44 to 47 dB in Notebookcheck testing
Cons
- Limited to 4 colors with no way to chain units
- Connectivity was inconsistent in Notebookcheck testing
- AI spaghetti detection gave false alarms
- Color swaps waste filament
Questions buyers ask
Which is better, the Bambu Lab A1 or the Elegoo Centauri Carbon 2?
Pick the Bambu Lab A1 for beginners who want full size multi color prints. Pick the Elegoo Centauri Carbon 2 for budget enclosed printing with room to add color.
Which is cheaper?
The Bambu Lab A1 at $299, versus $319 for the Elegoo Centauri Carbon 2, checked Oct 27, 2026.
What is the difference between the A1 and the Centauri Carbon 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, 20,000 mm/s² acceleration on the Centauri Carbon 2. Multi color: Up to 4 colors with one AMS lite (Combo version); AMS units need the AMS HUB accessory on the A1, Upgrade ready; up to 4 colors with the CANVAS unit (sold separately or in the Combo) on the Centauri Carbon 2. Enclosure: No, open frame; Bambu Lab does not recommend enclosing it on the A1, Yes, enclosed chamber with auto controlled grille on the Centauri Carbon 2.
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