# Bambu Lab A1 vs Elegoo Centauri Carbon 2

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.

Prices checked Oct 27, 2026. HTML version: https://robotsforthat.com/vs/bambu-lab-a1-vs-elegoo-centauri-carbon-2/

## 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 |

## 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 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](https://www.notebookcheck.net/Elegoo-Centauri-Carbon-2-3D-printer-review-Lot-of-features-for-not-a-lot-of-money.1239803.0.html)
- 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](https://www.hackster.io/news/the-maker-s-toolbox-elegoo-centauri-carbon-2-3d-printer-review-99788f603c96)

## 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.

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