Bambu Lab A1 vs Elegoo Centauri Carbon
Technical comparison · Fused filament fabrication (FFF/FDM)
The Centauri Carbon has an enclosed chamber that the A1 lacks: for anyone printing ABS or PC without warping, that's the deciding point. Anyone printing only PLA and PETG chooses based on which software ecosystem they'd rather use every day.
| Parameter | ||
|---|---|---|
| Identity | ||
| Launch year | 2023 | 2025 |
| Use tier | F2 — Intermediate | F2 — Intermediate |
| Price | ||
| Price (€) | 429 € | ~300–450 € |
| Universal specs | ||
| Dimensions (W×D×H) (cm) | 38.5 × 41 × 43 cm | 39.8 × 40.4 × 49 cm |
| Weight (kg) | 8.3 kg | 17.5 kg |
| Work area (mm) | 256 × 256 mm | 256 × 256 mm |
| Z-axis height (mm) | 256 mm | 256 mm |
| Power (W) | 1300 W | 1100 W |
| Voltage (V) | 220 V | — |
| Maximum speed | 500 mm/s | 500 mm/s |
| Declared precision | — | 0.1 ±mm |
| 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 | 320 °C |
| Max bed temperature (°C) | 100 °C | 110 °C |
| Max print speed (mm/s) | 500 mm/s | 500 mm/s |
| Enclosed chamber | No | Yes |
| Filament sensor | Yes | Yes |
| Auto bed leveling | Mesh | Mesh |
| Standard nozzle diameter (mm) | 0.4 mm | 0.4 mm |
| Multi-extruder | No | No |
| Native Klipper | No | — |
| Input shaper | Yes | Yes |
| Multicolor printing | Yes | Yes |
| Multicolor requires accessory | Yes | Yes |
| 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. | This printer is natively supported by Elegoo Slicer, a slicing software based on Orca Slicer that provides users with pre-configured, carefully optimized profiles designed to maximize both part detail and overall printing speed. Additionally, the machine's operating system is fully compatible with the most popular and community-endorsed third-party slicing software, such as Orca Slicer and Ultimaker Cura. The versatile onboard connectivity options include standard USB ports and a reliable dual-band Wi-Fi module (operating at 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz). This infrastructure enables effortless remote monitoring and comprehensive control of the printing process via its network interface and the built-in chamber camera, greatly streamlining daily workflow management. |
The differences that matter
- Enclosed chamber: only the Centauri Carbon has one → ABS and PC print without warping, the A1 stays limited to PLA/PETG on an open bed.
- Price: the Centauri Carbon costs €54 less.
- Max temperatures (manufacturer-declared): 320°C nozzle and 110°C bed on the Centauri Carbon, versus 300°C and 100°C on the A1 → more headroom for filaments that need higher temperatures.
Which one to choose
Choose A1 if…
Anyone mostly printing PLA and PETG at home, especially with other Bambu machines already in use, stays inside the Bambu Studio and Handy ecosystem for slicing and remote monitoring. The trade-off is the open bed: the A1 isn't built for ABS or PC, materials that tend to warp without an enclosure.
Choose Centauri Carbon if…
Anyone who needs to print ABS or PC without warping relies on the Centauri Carbon's enclosed chamber. Elegoo Slicer, based on Orca Slicer, ships with ready-made profiles and enables remote monitoring via dual-band Wi-Fi and a built-in chamber camera; the trade-off is leaving the Bambu ecosystem if other Bambu machines are already in use.
Where to buy
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Filaments for these printers
The most chosen spools among the materials both printers can print according to their specifications.
- ELEGOO PLA PLA1.75 mm1 kg Check the price on Amazon →
- Bambu Lab PLA PLA1.75 mm1 kg Check the price on Amazon →
- SUNLU PETG (Polyethylene Terephthalate Glycol) PETG (Polyethylene Terephthalate Glycol)1.75 mm1 kg Check the price on Amazon →
- SUNLU PLA PLA1.75 mm1 kg Check the price on Amazon →
- OVERTURE PETG (Polyethylene Terephthalate Glycol) PETG (Polyethylene Terephthalate Glycol)High speed1.75 mm1 kg Check the price on Amazon →
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