Bambu Lab P1S
- Price
- $449
- Score
- 9/10
- Wins
- 4/5
Bambu Lab P1S vs Elegoo Neptune 4 Max
- The Bambu Lab P1S wins, 9 vs 7 out of 10.
- Neptune 4 Max prints 5.0× the volume (420×420×480 ÷ 256³ = 5.05) for $20 ($469 − $449) more.
- Same 500 mm/s top speed.
- Pick the P1S if your prints fit in 25.6 cm.
Specs and US prices from the PrintPick catalog, checked 2026-09-29. Scores are PrintPick ratings out of 10.
Elegoo Neptune 4 Max
- Price
- $469
- Score
- 7/10
- Wins
- 1/5
The verdict
Buy the P1S.
9/10 vs Neptune 4 Max's 7/10, and it wins 4 of 5 categories. Buy this if you print ABS, ASA, or anything that smells or warps in open air. The enclosure and filtration aren't optional extras, they're the whole point. If you only print PLA, save $50 and get the A1 Combo.
Specs, side by side
Teal wins the row.
P1SBambu Lab · FDM
vsNeptune 4 MaxElegoo · FDM
| P1S | Spec | Neptune 4 Max |
|---|---|---|
| $449 (wins) | Price | $469 |
| 16.8 L | Build volume | 84.7 L (wins) |
| 500 mm/s | Top speed | 500 mm/s |
| 0.05 mm | Finest layer | 0.05 mm |
| 14.13 kg | Weight | 22 kg |
Features
| P1S | Feature | Neptune 4 Max |
|---|---|---|
| Yes | Enclosed | No |
| Yes | Multi-material (AMS) | No |
| Yes | WiFi | No |
| Yes | Camera | No |
| Yes | HEPA filter | No |
| Yes | Active chamber heating | No |
| No | Klipper firmware | Yes |
| No | Auto bed leveling | Yes |
| No | Direct drive | Yes |
| No | PEI build plate | Yes |
| No | 420x420x480mm build | Yes |
Value math
$449 ÷ 16.8 L and $469 ÷ 84.7 L. Lower is more printer for the money.
| P1S | Spec | Neptune 4 Max |
|---|---|---|
| $26.76 | $ per liter | $5.54 (wins) |
| $0.90 (wins) | $ per mm/s | $0.94 |
Scores out of 10
| P1S | Spec | Neptune 4 Max |
|---|---|---|
| 8 | Value | 9 (wins) |
| 8 (wins) | Beginner Friendliness | 5 |
| 10 (wins) | Print Quality | 7 |
| 9 (wins) | Speed | 7 |
| 10 (wins) | Reliability | 7 |
| 9 (wins) | Overall | 7 |
Build space, front view, to one scale
- 256 × 256 × 256 mm
- 420 × 420 × 480 mm
What owners say
The P1S is the printer I tell people to buy when they say 'I want something that just works.'
P1S owner, r/3DprintingRefreshing a best seller. The P1S is the strong choice for anyone wanting to print ABS without headaches.
P1S owner, Tom's Hardware420mm Klipper for $469. Elegoo just won the large format budget race.
Neptune 4 Max owner, r/3DprintingPrinted a full cosplay breastplate in one go. Absolutely remarkable value.
Neptune 4 Max owner, r/cosplay
Pros & Cons
P1S
- +HEPA filter actually handles ABS fumes, not just PLA smell
- +CoreXY at 500mm/s inside an enclosed chamber
- +Reliability track record is as good as anything at this price
- −$449 without AMS, which adds another $100-150 on top
- −Enclosure lid has to come off to reach prints mid-job
Neptune 4 Max
- +420x420x480mm with Klipper for $469: the price-to-volume ratio is hard to beat
- +Direct drive on a bed this large is unusual and useful for flexible materials
- +Klipper gives you full control to tune speed and acceleration for the mass of this bed
- −Open frame at this scale means ABS warping will ruin prints without serious prep
- −The sheer footprint means a dedicated table minimum; don't try to share desk space
Buy these with it
A printer does nothing without these. Grab them in the same order.
- ELEGOO PLA filament, 1kgThe easy filament to start on. Prints at low temperatures and warps less.
- ELEGOO PETG filament, 1kgTougher and more heat tolerant than PLA, for parts that get handled or sit in the sun.
- SUNLU filament dryer S1 PlusWet filament causes stringing and rough surfaces. A dryer fixes that before you blame the printer.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Bambu Lab P1S better than the Elegoo Neptune 4 Max?
By the numbers, the Bambu Lab P1S scores higher (9/10). But "better" depends on your use case, the Elegoo Neptune 4 Max may be the smarter buy if you need large-prints.
Which is better for beginners, Bambu Lab P1S or Elegoo Neptune 4 Max?
The Bambu Lab P1S is more beginner-friendly (8/10 vs 5/10) with easier setup and a gentler learning curve.
Is the Elegoo Neptune 4 Max worth $20 more than the Bambu Lab P1S?
The Bambu Lab P1S actually scores higher (9/10) despite costing $20 less. The Elegoo Neptune 4 Max only makes sense if you specifically need large-prints.
What's the main difference between Bambu Lab P1S and Elegoo Neptune 4 Max?
Build volume (256x256x256mm vs 420x420x480mm) and print speed (500 vs 500 mm/s). The Bambu Lab P1S is best for engineering; the Elegoo Neptune 4 Max targets large-prints.