Bambu Lab P1S vs Elegoo Neptune 4 Max
Technical comparison · Fused filament fabrication (FFF/FDM)
The P1S is built around enclosed-chamber multicolor printing in a compact footprint; the Neptune 4 Max trades that for a print volume nearly double the size. The choice comes down to what needs to fit on the bed: colorful detail work at moderate scale, or large single-color parts.
| Parameter | ||
|---|---|---|
| Identity | ||
| Launch year | 2023 | 2023 |
| Use tier | F2 — Intermediate | F2 — Intermediate |
| Price | ||
| Price (€) | ~399–499 € | 549 € |
| Universal specs | ||
| Dimensions (W×D×H) (cm) | 38.9 × 38.9 × 45.8 cm | 65.8 × 63.2 × 74 cm |
| Weight (kg) | 12.95 kg | 18.1 kg |
| Work area (mm) | 256 × 256 mm | 420 × 420 mm |
| Z-axis height (mm) | 256 mm | 480 mm |
| Power (W) | 1000 W | — |
| Voltage (V) | 100 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 | CoreXY | 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 | Yes | 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 | 16 | 1 |
| Ecosystem | ||
| Cloud dependency | No | No |
| Software notes | The P1S is managed through Bambu Studio, Bambu Lab's proprietary slicer available for Windows, macOS, and Linux, or via OrcaSlicer, the widely adopted open-source fork that provides finer parameter control. The Bambu Handy mobile app enables remote monitoring and print launching. The printer supports local LAN connections without a mandatory cloud account, though some advanced features — such as remote timelapses and OTA firmware updates — require a Bambu account. | 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
- Print bed: 256×256 mm on the P1S, 420×420 mm on the Neptune 4 Max — decides whether a large part fits in one piece or has to be split.
- Enclosed chamber: only on the P1S, useful for warp-free ABS and PC.
- Multicolor: the P1S handles up to 16 colors with the separately bought AMS; the Neptune 4 Max stays single-color.
- Price: €449 for the P1S, €549 for the Neptune 4 Max — a hundred euros more for the larger bed.
Which one to choose
Choose P1S if…
Anyone printing miniatures, cosplay pieces or multi-color prototypes gets an enclosed chamber that keeps ABS and PC from warping, plus a bed that reaches 100 °C. Multicolor still needs the separately sold AMS, and the 256×256 mm bed stays tight for anything larger than a desktop object.
Choose Neptune 4 Max if…
With a 420×420 mm bed and 480 mm of Z height, the Neptune 4 Max prints in one pass parts that would need splitting and gluing on the P1S — frames, brackets or drone components. It has no enclosed chamber, so ABS and PC need extra precautions against warping, and multicolor isn't an option.
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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