Bambu Lab A1 vs Elegoo Neptune 4 Max
Technical comparison · Fused filament fabrication (FFF/FDM)
Two open Cartesian printers: the A1 costs 120 € less and prints up to 4 colours with an accessory; the Neptune 4 Max is single-colour and has a 420 × 420 mm bed.
| Parameter | ||
|---|---|---|
| Identity | ||
| Launch year | 2023 | 2023 |
| Use tier | F2 — Intermediate | F2 — Intermediate |
| Price | ||
| Price (€) | 429 € | 549 € |
| Universal specs | ||
| Dimensions (W×D×H) (cm) | 38.5 × 41 × 43 cm | 65.8 × 63.2 × 74 cm |
| Weight (kg) | 8.3 kg | 18.1 kg |
| Work area (mm) | 256 × 256 mm | 420 × 420 mm |
| Z-axis height (mm) | 256 mm | 480 mm |
| Power (W) | 1300 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 | 420 mm |
| Build height Z (mm) | 256 mm | 480 mm |
| Kinematics | Cartesian | Cartesian |
| Max nozzle temperature (°C) | 300 °C | 300 °C |
| Max bed temperature (°C) | 100 °C | 85 °C |
| Max print speed (mm/s) | 500 mm/s | 500 mm/s |
| Enclosed chamber | No | No |
| 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 | Yes |
| Input shaper | Yes | Yes |
| Multicolor printing | Yes | No |
| Multicolor requires accessory | Yes | No |
| Max colors | 4 | 1 |
| 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. | The system relies on an open ecosystem thanks to the motherboard with pre-installed Klipper. Users can manage the machine both through the 4.3-inch capacitive touchscreen interface and via local network using the integrated web interface (Fluidd). Elegoo provides its own customized version of the Cura slicer, but the printer remains fully compatible with most third-party slicers such as PrusaSlicer, OrcaSlicer, and Simplify3D. Native support for Wi-Fi and LAN connectivity facilitates sending and monitoring G-code files without the need for physical media. |
The differences that matter
- 256 × 256 × 256 mm vs 420 × 420 × 480 mm → the Neptune 4 Max takes parts up to 480 mm tall, the A1 stops at 256 mm.
- Up to 4 colours with an accessory vs 1 → colour changes within a part only on the A1.
- 429 € vs 549 € → the A1 costs 120 € less.
- Bed up to 100 °C vs 85 °C → the A1 has more headroom for materials that want a hotter bed.
Which one to choose
Choose A1 if…
A compact printer of 8.3 kg with a 256 × 256 × 256 mm volume, multicolour up to 4 colours with an accessory and a bed up to 100 °C, for 429 €. It works with Bambu Studio and the Bambu Handy app; the price of that is a much smaller build volume.
Choose Neptune 4 Max if…
Large parts in a single colour: a bed of 420 × 420 mm and 480 mm of height, with Klipper and Fluidd on the local network. It costs 120 € more, weighs 18.1 kg, does not print in several colours and its bed stops at 85 °C.
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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