Bambu Lab A1 vs Elegoo Neptune 4 Max
Researched by Riley Hart · prices checked Nov 4, 2026
As of Nov 4, 2026, the Bambu Lab A1 costs $359 and the Elegoo Neptune 4 Max costs $394, so the Bambu Lab A1 is $35 cheaper. The Elegoo Neptune 4 Max has a published review score and ranks #2 in our 3D printers ranking; the Bambu Lab A1 is not scored yet. Pick the Bambu Lab A1 for beginners who want full size multi color prints. Pick the Elegoo Neptune 4 Max for budget makers who need very large PLA, PETG or TPU prints. They split the points we can measure, 1 each.
Who wins, point by point
They split the points we can measure, 1 each. Built from today's prices, the specs and independent tests for these two robots.
| A1 | Neptune 4 Max | Winner | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Price today | $359 | $394 | A1 |
| Build volume | 256 x 256 x 256 mm | 420 x 420 x 480 mm | Neptune 4 Max |
| Top print speed | 500 mm/s | 500 mm/s | Tie |
| Max nozzle temp | 300°C | 300°C | Tie |
- You want to spend less (saves $35)
- Best for beginners who want full size multi color prints
- You care most about build volume (420 x 420 x 480 mm vs 256 x 256 x 256 mm)
- Best for budget makers who need very large PLA, PETG or TPU 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
- 420 x 420 x 480 mm
- Max speed
- Up to 500 mm/s
- Multicolor
- No
- Enclosure
- No
Budget 420 x 420 x 480 mm Klipper printer for big prints
Full Elegoo Neptune 4 Max review, pros and cons →Side by side
| Bambu Lab A1 | Elegoo Neptune 4 Max | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $359 | $394 |
| 3 year cost | $359 | $394 |
| Our score | Not scored yet | 8.6/10 |
| Rank in 3D printers | #36 | #2 |
| Status | on sale | on sale |
| Warranty | 2 years (Bambu Lab US store product page) | Not checked |
| Build volume | 256 x 256 x 256 mm | 420 x 420 x 480 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 (Elegoo); Tom's Hardware says 140 mm/s is the recommended optimal speed |
| Multi color | Up to 4 colors with one AMS lite (Combo version); AMS units need the AMS HUB accessory | No, single extruder (Tom's Hardware) |
| Enclosure | No, open frame; Bambu Lab does not recommend enclosing it | No, open frame (Tom's Hardware) |
| Auto leveling | Yes, full auto calibration of Z offset, bed level, vibration and nozzle pressure before each print | Yes, 121 point inductive auto leveling plus manual knobs (Tom's Hardware) |
| Max nozzle temp | 300 C | 300 C, 0.4 mm high flow nozzle (Elegoo, Tom's Hardware) |
| Heated bed | Yes, up to 100 C | Yes, PEI textured spring steel plate (Tom's Hardware); max temperature not confirmed |
| Filament types | Ideal: PLA, PETG, TPU, PVA. ABS, ASA, PC, PA and fiber filled types only for small, low infill parts | PLA, PETG, TPU, ABS (Tom's Hardware); 3DWithUs found ABS warped without an enclosure |
| Connectivity | Bambu cloud service or LAN only mode; app and PC control | Wi-Fi, microSD, USB (Tom's Hardware) |
| Camera | Yes, low frame rate camera up to 1080p with timelapse | No (not listed by Tom's Hardware or Elegoo) |
| Noise | As low as 49 dB (Bambu Lab claim) | No dB figure; Tom's Hardware called the curtain fan way too noisy |
| Assembly | Ships mostly assembled | n/a |
| Weight | 8.3 kg net; 465 x 410 x 430 mm | 18.1 kg; 658 x 632 x 740 mm (Tom's Hardware) |
| Firmware | n/a | Klipper (Tom's Hardware) |
| Best for | beginners who want full size multi color prints | budget makers who need very large PLA, PETG or TPU prints |
| Skip if | you print ABS or ASA often | you want a plug and play or enclosed printer |
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 Neptune 4 Max
- Tom's Hardware: Speed Benchy took 31 min 12 s. A 250% articulated frog took 10 h 26 min with rough spots and a near layer shift. A TPU purse printed well at 45 mm/s. About twice as fast as the Neptune 3 Max. Source
- 3DWithUs (4.5 out of 5): Assembly took about 30 minutes. Printed a 520 mm window handle and eight PETG brackets in one batch. The screen failed out of the box and needed a manual fix. ABS warped. Source
Questions buyers ask
Which is better, the Bambu Lab A1 or the Elegoo Neptune 4 Max?
The Elegoo Neptune 4 Max has a published review score and ranks #2 in our 3D printers ranking; the Bambu Lab A1 is not scored yet. Pick the Bambu Lab A1 for beginners who want full size multi color prints. Pick the Elegoo Neptune 4 Max for budget makers who need very large PLA, PETG or TPU prints.
Which is cheaper?
The Bambu Lab A1 at $359, versus $394 for the Elegoo Neptune 4 Max, checked Nov 4, 2026.
What is the difference between the A1 and the Neptune 4 Max?
Build volume: 256 x 256 x 256 mm on the A1, 420 x 420 x 480 mm (Elegoo, Tom's Hardware) on the Neptune 4 Max. Print speed: Up to 500 mm/s toolhead speed, 10,000 mm/s2 acceleration (Bambu Lab) on the A1, Up to 500 mm/s (Elegoo); Tom's Hardware says 140 mm/s is the recommended optimal speed on the Neptune 4 Max. Multi color: Up to 4 colors with one AMS lite (Combo version); AMS units need the AMS HUB accessory on the A1, No, single extruder (Tom's Hardware) on the Neptune 4 Max.
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