A1
“My default answer for a first printer under $300.”
Will’s take Top pick
- Compare
- A1 vs Centauri Carbon 2
Bambu Lab A1 vs Elegoo Centauri Carbon 2
Centauri Carbon 2
“My favourite budget enclosed printer.”
Will’s take Top pick
The short version
- The A1 costs $50 less.
- Only the Centauri Carbon 2 is enclosed, which matters for ABS, ASA and indoor use.
By the numbers
Side by side, drawn to scale
- Bambu Lab A1
- Elegoo Centauri Carbon 2
Price
Build volume
Top speed
Max colours
Bed size from above
- A1 256 × 256
- Centauri Carbon 2 256 × 256
Full specs
Marked where one is clearly aheadSpec for spec
| Spec | Bambu Lab A1 | Elegoo Centauri Carbon 2 |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $299 | $349 |
| Released | December 2023 | January 2026 |
| Technology | Filament (FDM) | Filament (FDM) |
| Motion system | Bed slinger | CoreXY |
| Build volume | 256 × 256 × 256 mm | 256 × 256 × 256 mm |
| Top speed | 500 mm/s | 500 mm/s |
| Acceleration | 10,000 mm/s² | 20,000 mm/s² |
| Max colours | 4 (AMS lite) | 4 (CANVAS) |
| Frame | Open frame | Enclosed |
| Hotend, max | 300 °C | 350 °C |
| Bed, max | 100 °C | 110 °C |
| Chamber heating | None | None |
| Weight | 8.3 kg | 17.5 kg |
| Materials | PLA, PETG, TPU, PVA | PLA, PETG, TPU, PLA-CF, ABS, ASA, PET, PETG-CF, PC, PA, PPS, PPA-CF |