Bambu Lab P1P vs Elegoo Mars 4
Head-to-head 3D printer comparison, 2026
Comparing FDM to resin? The Bambu Lab P1P ($499, FDM) and Elegoo Mars 4 ($149, RESIN) use fundamentally different technologies. FDM melts filament layer by layer; resin cures liquid with UV light. Here's how they stack up.
Our Verdict
The Bambu Lab P1P takes the crown with 8.8/10 vs 7.2/10. It pulls ahead in Beginner Friendliness, Print Quality, Speed, Reliability. That said, the Elegoo Mars 4 saves you $350 and wins on Value.
Score Breakdown
Specifications
| Spec | Bambu Lab P1P | Elegoo Mars 4 |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $499 | $149 |
| Type | FDM | RESIN |
| Build Volume | 256 x 256 x 256 mm | 153 x 77 x 165 mm |
| Print Speed | 500 mm/s | 80 mm/s |
| Min Resolution | 0.05 mm | 0.02 mm |
| Weight | 13.5 kg | 6.2 kg |
| Overall Score | 8.8/10 | 7.2/10 |
Pros & Cons
Bambu Lab P1P
+Identical CoreXY motion system as the P1S: same speed, same print head, same quality
+Aftermarket enclosure panels are $60 and turn this into a near-P1S for less money
+Bambu's slicer and cloud ecosystem work the same as on every other Bambu
−$499 open frame when the A1 Combo is $399 with AMS Lite: the value math is awkward
−AMS sold separately: the one thing the A1 Combo has that this doesn't
−Discontinued: replaced by the P2S, which is just better
Elegoo Mars 4
+$149 entry into Elegoo's quality resin lineup
+7K resolution is still detailed enough for D&D and Warhammer minis
+WiFi monitoring included even at this price
+Elegoo's brand reliability is the best in budget resin
−No tilt release: FEP films will need replacing more often than the Ultra variants
−7K detail is noticeably softer than the 9K and 12K machines on fine surface textures
−Slower at 80mm/hr vs 100mm/hr on the Ultra
Who Should Buy Which?
Choose the Bambu Lab P1P if you want:
- A great printer for speed
- A great printer for beginners
- A great printer for budget
- CoreXY
- Auto bed leveling
- WiFi
Choose the Elegoo Mars 4 if you want:
- A great printer for budget
- A great printer for resin
- A great printer for miniatures
- 7K mono LCD
- WiFi
- USB
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Bambu Lab P1P better than the Elegoo Mars 4?
By the numbers, the Bambu Lab P1P scores higher (8.8/10). But "better" depends on your use case, the Elegoo Mars 4 may be the smarter buy if you need budget.
Which is better for beginners, Bambu Lab P1P or Elegoo Mars 4?
The Bambu Lab P1P is more beginner-friendly (9/10 vs 6/10) with easier setup and a gentler learning curve.
Is the Bambu Lab P1P worth $350 more than the Elegoo Mars 4?
The Bambu Lab P1P scores higher overall (8.8/10 vs 7.2/10). The extra $350 gets you identical corexy motion system as the p1s: same speed, same print head, same quality.
What's the main difference between Bambu Lab P1P and Elegoo Mars 4?
Technology: the Bambu Lab P1P is FDM (filament) and the Elegoo Mars 4 is RESIN (resin). FDM prints bigger functional parts; resin delivers finer surface detail.