Elegoo Centauri Carbon: A Real Competitor to Bambu Lab?
The Elegoo Centauri Carbon has made a bold entrance into the market: a CoreXY 3D printer featuring a carbon fiber frame, high performance, and a more affordable price tag than its closest rivals. But does it actually live up to the hype? Is it a genuine alternative to printers like the Bambu Lab X1 Carbon or the P1S? In this in-depth review, we break down its features, strengths, and weaknesses so you can make the best choice.
And just a heads up! I know this isn't our usual resin topic, but if you're looking for resins compatible with Elegoo printers, check out our full Elegoo resin collection. 😋
🔍 Elegoo Centauri Carbon vs. Bambu Lab: Where Does It Shine and Where Does It Fall Short?
The Centauri Carbon isn't just another CoreXY printer. Elegoo has packed in advanced features including a carbon fiber frame, automatic bed leveling, and an optimized heated bed. That said, when stacked up against established printers in the premium CoreXY segment, there are areas where it doesn't quite measure up.
✅ Elegoo Centauri Carbon: Key Strengths
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Carbon Fiber Frame 🏗️
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Reduces vibrations and improves stability — essential for fast, accurate prints.
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A clear advantage over the Bambu Lab P1S, which uses a standard steel chassis.
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A clear advantage over the Bambu Lab P1S, which uses a standard steel chassis.
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Reduces vibrations and improves stability — essential for fast, accurate prints.
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Excellent Value for Money 💰
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Delivers many of the X1 Carbon's features at a lower price point.
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However, its software and ecosystem are still less polished by comparison.
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However, its software and ecosystem are still less polished by comparison.
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Delivers many of the X1 Carbon's features at a lower price point.
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Improved Print Speed ⚡
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Thanks to its CoreXY mechanics, it can reach speeds of over 300 mm/s.
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It doesn't match the 500 mm/s of the Bambu Lab X1 Carbon, but it's still a significant step up from conventional options.
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It doesn't match the 500 mm/s of the Bambu Lab X1 Carbon, but it's still a significant step up from conventional options.
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Thanks to its CoreXY mechanics, it can reach speeds of over 300 mm/s.
Wide Filament Compatibility 🎨
Works well with PLA, PETG, ASA, and high-speed filaments.
Without an advanced material detection system like Bambu Lab's AMS, filament changes are manual and less streamlined.
❌ Where Does It Fall Short Compared to Bambu Lab?
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Software & Ecosystem 🖥️
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Bambu Lab's system is more intuitive and polished, with a well-developed remote control app.
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Elegoo is still in the early stages with its software, which could mean bugs or a lack of optimization.
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Elegoo is still in the early stages with its software, which could mean bugs or a lack of optimization.
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Bambu Lab's system is more intuitive and polished, with a well-developed remote control app.
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Multi-Color Printing 🎨
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The Bambu Lab X1 Carbon features the AMS (Automatic Material System), enabling effortless multi-color printing.
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The Centauri Carbon lacks a comparable system, which limits advanced multi-color printing capabilities.
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The Centauri Carbon lacks a comparable system, which limits advanced multi-color printing capabilities.
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The Bambu Lab X1 Carbon features the AMS (Automatic Material System), enabling effortless multi-color printing.
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Print Quality & Reliability 🔍
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While the carbon fiber frame helps, the X1 Carbon still offers superior vibration compensation.
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In testing, the Centauri Carbon has shown some inconsistency with larger prints, which may require frequent fine-tuning.
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In testing, the Centauri Carbon has shown some inconsistency with larger prints, which may require frequent fine-tuning.
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While the carbon fiber frame helps, the X1 Carbon still offers superior vibration compensation.
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Ecosystem & Support 📡
- Bambu Lab has built a robust ecosystem with regular updates and a large, active community.
Elegoo is still in its early days in this segment, which means fewer resources and less documentation available.
🏆 Who Is the Elegoo Centauri Carbon For?
If you're looking for a fast, stable, and affordable CoreXY 3D printer, the Centauri Carbon is a solid choice. However, if you need a machine with an optimized workflow, advanced multi-color printing, and a more refined experience, the Bambu Lab X1 Carbon or even the P1S are still a step ahead.
To get the most out of the Centauri Carbon, using high-quality filaments is key to minimizing retraction issues, warping, and clogs. Here are some recommendations:
🔹 Compatible filaments you'll find at Mr Resin for the Elegoo Centauri Carbon
✔️PLA+ (View product) - Take advantage of its strength without compromising print quality.
✔️ High Speed PLA (View product) - Get the most out of its speed without compromising on quality.
✔️ Anycubic PETG (View product) - Ideal for functional and mechanical parts.
✔️ Anycubic ASA (View product) - Perfect for outdoor applications.
✔️ Silk Multicolor PLA (View product) - Stunning decorative finishes with a glossy sheen.
🔥 Verdict: Is the Centauri Carbon Worth It?
The Elegoo Centauri Carbon shows a lot of promise and comes in at an attractive price point, but it still needs to mature before it can genuinely challenge Bambu Lab in the premium CoreXY printer market. If you're looking for a budget-friendly alternative with solid speed and stability, it's a worthy contender. That said, if your top priorities are reliability, software integration, and ease of use, the Bambu Lab X1 Carbon remains the gold standard.
Either way, choosing quality filaments will make a significant difference in your print results. Browse our range and get the best performance from your printer.
✨ Happy Printing! 🚀