🖨 3D Printer Radar

Bambu Lab A1vsElegoo Neptune 4 Pro

💰Elegoo Neptune 4 Pro is $39 cheaper (15% less)
📐Bambu Lab A1 has 25% more build volume
🎨Only Bambu Lab A1 supports multicolor printing (4 slots)
Cross-ecosystem comparison: These printers use different software ecosystems. Accessories, filament profiles, and community support are not interchangeable between brands. Consider the total ecosystem cost, not just the printer price.
Bambu Lab A1
Buy/Wait:Wait

Overdue for a refresh — no successor announced yet. Prices should be at their lowest

Best for: Makers who want large prints and multicolor capability without an enclosure — ideal for PLA, PETG, and flexible materials.

Full details →
Elegoo Neptune 4 Pro
Buy/Wait:Wait

Overdue for a refresh — no successor announced yet. Prices should be at their lowest

Best for: Budget-conscious makers who want a capable CoreXY with Klipper firmware for customization — without Bambu's closed ecosystem or Prusa's premium pricing.

Full details →
Bambu Lab A1Elegoo Neptune 4 Pro
Pricing
Starting Price$299★ $260
Print Specs
TierEntryProsumer
MotionBedSlingerCoreXY
Build Volume★ 256 × 256 × 256 mm225 × 225 × 265 mm
Max Speed500 mm/s500 mm/s
Multicolor★ ✅ 4 slots❌ No
Enclosure❌❌
Auto Calibration✅✅
Open Source❌❌
Upgrade Kit——
Buy Timing
ReleasedOct 19, 2023Jul 15, 2023
Cycle length~365 days~450 days
Cycle adviceWaitWait
Deals adviceBuyBuy
Next model——

Quick Winner

💰
Budget pick
Elegoo Neptune 4 Pro
$260 starting
📐
Large prints
Bambu Lab A1
256×256×256 mm
⚡
Fastest prints
Tie
🔓
Open ecosystem
Tie

Bottom Line

🎨Bambu Lab A1 is the pick if multicolor printing is important to you

Materials

Bambu Lab A1 only
—
Both
PLAEasy to print, no enclosure needed — everyday parts
PETGTougher, slightly flexible, moisture-resistant
TPUFlexible rubber-like — phone cases, gaskets, wheels
ABSHeat and impact resistant — needs enclosure
Elegoo Neptune 4 Pro only
ASAUV-stable ABS alternative — outdoor parts, needs enclosure

Why buy each?

Bambu Lab A1

AMS Lite multicolor

The A1 Combo includes the AMS Lite for 4-color filament switching — the same system used on the A1 Mini and A2L.

256×256×256 mm build volume

Roughly 2.9 times the volume of the A1 Mini — great for terrain, cosplay props, and functional parts. The A2L is the step up if you need a larger bed-slinger.

Bambu ecosystem integration

Works with Bambu Studio, Bambu Handy app, and the full Bambu filament ecosystem including multi-material profiles.

Elegoo Neptune 4 Pro

Klipper firmware out of the box

The Neptune 4 Pro ships with Klipper pre-installed — enabling advanced input shaping, pressure advance, and configuration flexibility without modding.

500 mm/s at budget pricing

Competitive CoreXY speed at a price significantly below Bambu and Prusa alternatives.

Auto calibration

Full automatic bed leveling reduces setup time and calibration friction.