Bambu Lab A1 vs Elegoo Centauri 2 Combo
Technical comparison · Fused filament fabrication (FFF/FDM)
Same build area, same declared maximum speed, same four-color maximum: on paper the two machines are equal. The deciding difference: on the A1 multicolor needs an accessory, on the Centauri 2 Combo it is already included.
| Parameter | ||
|---|---|---|
| Identity | ||
| Launch year | 2023 | — |
| Use tier | F2 — Intermediate | F2 — Intermediate |
| Price | ||
| Price (€) | 429 € | — |
| Universal specs | ||
| Dimensions (W×D×H) (cm) | 38.5 × 41 × 43 cm | — |
| Weight (kg) | 8.3 kg | — |
| Work area (mm) | 256 × 256 mm | 256 × 256 mm |
| Z-axis height (mm) | 256 mm | 256 mm |
| Power (W) | 1300 W | — |
| Voltage (V) | 220 V | — |
| Maximum speed | 500 mm/s | 500 mm/s |
| Category specs | ||
| Footprint X×Y (short side) (mm) | 256 mm | 256 mm |
| Build height Z (mm) | 256 mm | 256 mm |
| Kinematics | Cartesian | CoreXY |
| Max nozzle temperature (°C) | 300 °C | — |
| Max bed temperature (°C) | 100 °C | — |
| Max print speed (mm/s) | 500 mm/s | 500 mm/s |
| Enclosed chamber | No | — |
| Filament sensor | Yes | Yes |
| Auto bed leveling | Mesh | — |
| Standard nozzle diameter (mm) | 0.4 mm | — |
| Multi-extruder | No | — |
| Native Klipper | No | — |
| Input shaper | Yes | — |
| Multicolor printing | Yes | Yes |
| Multicolor requires accessory | Yes | No |
| Max colors | 4 | 4 |
| Ecosystem | ||
| Cloud dependency | No | No |
| Software notes | The A1 works natively with Bambu Studio, Bambu Lab's proprietary slicer available for Windows and macOS, which handles slicing, automatic calibrations, and remote monitoring via the Bambu Handy app. Third-party slicers — including PrusaSlicer, SuperSlicer, and Ultimaker Cura — are supported via standard G-code export, but advanced features such as vibration compensation and active flow control are only available within the Bambu ecosystem. | Four-color printing runs through the CANVAS system included in the Combo version. |
The differences that matter
- Multicolor with an accessory against multicolor included → on the A1 the color system is bought separately; the Centauri 2 Combo already has CANVAS.
- Cartesian against CoreXY geometry → with the same build area and declared speed, this is the mechanical difference between the two.
- Vibration compensation and active flow control only inside the Bambu ecosystem → with a third-party slicer the A1 runs without these features.
Which one to choose
Choose A1 if…
You mostly print in a single color and want the A1, which costs €429, with its ecosystem: Bambu Studio, automatic calibrations and remote monitoring with the Bambu Handy app. The trade-off: third-party slicers work through G-code export, but advanced features stay inside the Bambu ecosystem, and multicolor costs an extra accessory.
Choose Centauri 2 Combo if…
You want four colors from day one without adding anything, on a CoreXY frame. With the data available, the compromise is to weigh the total cost: the Centauri 2 Combo's price has to be compared with the A1's plus the accessory.
Where to buy
Paid link: the price for you does not change. Methodology
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