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Bambu Lab P1S vs Elegoo Centauri Carbon (2025): The Established Leader vs. The New Competitor

1. A New Competitor Arrives

In 2025's fast-moving world of home 3D printing, speed and easy use are the most important features. One printer became the standard that others are measured against, but now a new competitor has appeared, offering a similar experience for less money. This is the complete comparison of two of the most popular printers available today.

The first is the established leader: the Bambu Lab P1S. This machine changed what people expected from "ready-to-use" high-speed printing for hobbyists, providing a level of performance and simplicity that had never been seen before at this price.

The second is the new competitor: the Elegoo Centauri Carbon. As its design shows, it directly competes with the P1S by copying its main design and features, trying to shake up the market with an aggressive low price that has everyone talking.

The main question is straightforward. The Centauri is positioned as a P1S "copy." Does it truly match the performance and user experience of the established leader, or do the big cost savings come with hidden problems? This detailed, unbiased comparison is for anyone choosing between these two appealing options. We will examine every aspect, from mechanical parts to software, to help you identify which machine matches your personal needs, budget, and printing goals.

1.1. Quick Overview

Here is a fast comparison of the key specifications for the Bambu Lab P1S and the Elegoo Centauri Carbon.

2. Design Approach

2.1. An All-in-One System

Bambu Lab's approach can be compared to Apple's. The focus is on a smooth, fully integrated experience where every part works together perfectly. The hardware, the Bambu Studio and Bambu Handy software, and the Automatic Material System (AMS) are all designed as parts of a single, unified system. This approach focuses on simplicity, reliability, and predictable results. The trade-off for this polished experience is a more closed system, with proprietary parts and closed-source software that limit deep user customization.

2.2. A Competitor's Strategy

Elegoo, on the other hand, is using a classic competitor strategy. They have built a strong reputation for value and community support in the resin printing world, and they are applying that same approach here. The strategy involves taking a proven, successful design—the enclosed CoreXY format made popular by the P1S—and engineering it to be produced at a lower cost. Elegoo is trying to balance providing a polished, user-friendly experience while maintaining some openness, seen in its Klipper-based software and use of more standard components.

3. Technical Analysis

3.1. Size and Space Requirements

The build volumes of the two machines are almost identical on the X and Y axes, at 256mm for the P1S and 255mm for the Centauri. The Centauri offers a slight advantage in height with a 270mm Z-axis compared to the P1S's 256mm cube. In terms of desk space, their footprints are very similar, with the P1S being slightly deeper and the Centauri slightly wider. Neither has a significant space-saving advantage over the other; both are compact for enclosed CoreXY printers of this size.

3.2. Movement System and Frame

Both printers use the high-speed CoreXY motion system, essential for achieving rapid acceleration without losing quality. The key difference is in the materials used for the X-axis guide rods. The Bambu Lab P1S uses proven, durable steel rods. The Elegoo Centauri Carbon, as its name suggests, uses carbon fiber rods for the X-axis gantry. In theory, the lower weight of the carbon fiber rods reduces resistance, allowing for potentially higher acceleration and better control of vibrations (ringing) at extreme speeds. The frame construction on both is strong, using a combination of steel and aluminum to ensure stability during fast movements.

3.3. Hotend and Filament System

Both machines feature direct-drive extruders, which are critical for handling flexible materials like TPU and providing precise filament control at high speeds. They also both come equipped with all-metal hotends, enabling them to reach temperatures around 300°C. This makes them capable of printing a wide range of materials out of the box, including PLA, PETG, ABS, ASA, and flexible filaments.

A close look at the part cooling systems shows slight differences. The P1S features a powerful side-mounted cooling fan that provides excellent cooling for overhangs and bridges. The Centauri's cooling solution is also strong, but the duct design is slightly different. In practice, both are highly effective, but extreme tests may reveal a minor edge for one design over the other depending on the specific shape being printed.

3.4. Enclosure and Build Surface

The P1S and Centauri Carbon are both fully enclosed, a necessity for reliably printing temperature-sensitive materials like ABS and ASA. The P1S enclosure uses a combination of plastic and a glass top and door, giving it a slightly more premium feel. The Centauri's enclosure is primarily made from injection-molded plastic panels, which is a likely area of cost savings. Functionally, both enclosures do an excellent job of maintaining a stable, heated internal environment.

Out of the box, both printers typically ship with a dual-sided PEI build plate—one textured side and one smooth side. This has become the industry standard for good reason. It offers excellent adhesion for most materials when heated and allows for easy print removal once cooled. The experience with either plate is largely identical and highly reliable.

4. Performance Comparison

4.1. The First 30 Minutes

The out-of-the-box experience is a critical test. Unboxing either printer is a straightforward process. The P1S guides the user through a highly automated setup process. Automatic bed leveling, vibration compensation calibration, and initial setup are handled almost entirely by the machine itself with minimal user input.

The Centauri Carbon's setup is also highly streamlined but may require a touch more user involvement, such as manually confirming a few steps on the touchscreen. Both printers feature automatic bed leveling and input shaping (vibration compensation). The time from unboxing to starting the first pre-prepared test print is under 30 minutes for both, showing how far user-friendliness has come. The P1S feels slightly more polished, but the Centauri is by no means difficult.

4.2. Speed and Accuracy

To evaluate performance, we look at real-world prints.

On a standard 3D Benchy printed with default "fast" settings, both machines produce a visually impressive model in under 20 minutes. Side-by-side, the quality is remarkably close. The P1S may show slightly cleaner surfaces due to its mature, fine-tuned settings.

When pushed with a difficult test featuring extreme overhangs, fine spires, and long bridges, subtle differences emerge. The P1S's vibration compensation, refined over several generations of software, is exceptionally effective at eliminating ringing or ghosting artifacts. The Centauri's Klipper-based input shaping is also very powerful but may require a slight bit of profile tuning to fully match the out-of-the-box perfection of the P1S at the highest speeds. The lighter carbon rods on the Centauri show promise, but realizing their full potential may depend on community-developed settings.

4.3. Material Range

Switching between filaments is simple on both printers. Performance with PLA and PETG is flawless on both machines. When it comes to more challenging materials, the direct-drive extruders handle TPU well, though users may need to slow down the print speed for softer varieties. For high-temperature materials like ABS and ASA, the enclosed and heated chambers of both printers prove their worth, dramatically reducing the risk of warping and layer splitting. Neither printer shows a significant weakness with any common material type.

5. The Software and Features Battle

5.1. Multi-Material Systems

This is a game-changing feature that sets these printers apart from the budget market. The Bambu Lab AMS is the established leader. It's a highly integrated, reliable four-spool system that allows for automated filament changes for multi-color printing or for automatically switching to a new spool when one runs out. Its main drawbacks are its occasional pickiness with cardboard spools and the amount of filament wasted during changes.

Elegoo's multi-color solution for the Centauri is a direct response to the AMS. It functions on a similar principle, feeding up to four filaments into a single hotend. Early analysis shows it is highly functional and competitively priced. It appears to be less restrictive regarding spool types, a direct answer to a common AMS complaint. However, its software integration may not be as deeply polished as the P1S/AMS combination, at least in its initial 2025 release.

5.2. Software and Remote Control

The slicer software is the brain of the operation. Bambu Studio is a powerful, feature-rich slicer based on PrusaSlicer but with deep integration for Bambu printers and the AMS. Its workflow, cloud printing capabilities, and default settings are excellent.

Elegoo provides its own branded slicer, which is a customized version of the popular open-source Cura slicer. It's a familiar interface for many users and is very capable. Elegoo's cloud and mobile app infrastructure (Elegoo Link) provides remote monitoring and print management, similar to the Bambu Handy app. While both are functional, Bambu's ecosystem feels more mature and seamlessly connected.

5.3. Open vs. Closed Source

This is a fundamental philosophical difference. The P1S runs on proprietary, closed-source software. The major pro is stability; the printer is a reliable appliance. The con is the lack of control; users are entirely dependent on Bambu Lab for features and updates and cannot perform deep-level modifications.

The Elegoo Centauri Carbon runs a version of the popular open-source Klipper software. This is a huge advantage for tinkerers and advanced users. It allows for immense customization, access to a vibrant community developing new features, and the ability to fine-tune every aspect of the machine's performance. The downside is a potentially steeper learning curve for those who venture beyond the stock configuration and a system that may feel less "plug-and-play" if you start modifying core files.

6. Daily Use

6.1. Noise and Vibration

In operation, both printers are relatively quiet for their speed, thanks to their enclosures and stepper motor drivers. However, the high-speed fans used for part cooling and chamber regulation generate a noticeable amount of noise. The P1S is generally considered to have a slightly more pleasant sound profile, while the Centauri's fans can be a bit louder at full power—a common trade-off in value-oriented machines. Neither is silent, but both are acceptable for a workshop or a dedicated room.

6.2. Maintenance and Repair

Ease of maintenance is crucial for long-term ownership. Both printers have made common wear parts like nozzles and extruders relatively easy to access. The P1S often uses integrated modules, like the complete hotend assembly, which are very fast to swap but can be more expensive to replace. The Centauri tends to use more standard, individual components (like a standard V6-style nozzle), which may require a bit more disassembly to service but are often cheaper and more widely available.

6.3. The "Set and Forget" Factor

This metric measures how often you can simply send a print and walk away with confidence. Here, the maturity of the P1S platform gives it an edge. Its hardware and software have been refined to a point where print failures are genuinely rare. It requires very little tinkering to maintain consistent, high-quality results.

The Centauri Carbon also demonstrates high reliability, but as a newer product, users may encounter minor software bugs or setting inconsistencies that require a bit more attention. It comes very close, but the P1S has a slight lead in being a true "set and forget" appliance.

7. Making Your Choice

This comparison of the Bambu Lab P1S vs Elegoo Centauri Carbon doesn't have a single winner. The best choice depends entirely on your priorities.

7.1. The Bambu Lab P1S

This printer might be for you if:
* You prioritize a proven, highly integrated, and seamless user experience above all else.
* Your budget allows for a premium on a system known for its "it just works" reliability.
* You plan to heavily invest in a single, unified ecosystem (printer, AMS, software).
* You prefer not to tinker with software and want a stable, manufacturer-supported platform.

7.2. The Elegoo Centauri Carbon

This printer might be for you if:
* Your primary decision factor is getting the most performance for your money.
* You are comfortable with a newer product from a reputable brand that is challenging the status quo.
* You value the potential for greater flexibility and customization that a more open, Klipper-based system may provide.
* You are willing to potentially navigate a slightly steeper learning curve or minor initial issues in exchange for significant cost savings.

8. Final Thoughts

The Bambu Lab P1S established a new standard for the consumer 3D printing market. The Elegoo Centauri Carbon represents the market's aggressive and impressive response. This is the classic dynamic of the established leader versus the challenger, and it's a story we've seen play out in technology time and again.

The broader impact of this competition cannot be overstated. It speeds up innovation, forces manufacturers to improve their products, and, most importantly, drives down prices. This level of performance becoming accessible at these price points is a massive win for the entire 3D printing community, from beginners to seasoned experts.

Ultimately, the best printer isn't determined by a spec sheet or a review, but by how well it fits your specific workflow, budget, and creative goals. Both the P1S and the Centauri Carbon are incredibly powerful and capable tools. Your task is to choose the one that will best serve as your partner in turning digital ideas into physical reality.