Bambu Lab P2S
- Price
- $549
- Score
- 9.2/10
- Wins
- 4/5
Bambu Lab P2S vs Elegoo Neptune 4 Max
- The Bambu Lab P2S wins, 9.2 vs 7 out of 10.
- Neptune 4 Max prints 5.0× the volume (420×420×480 ÷ 256³ = 5.05) and costs $80 ($549 − $469) less.
- Same 500 mm/s top speed.
- Pick the P2S 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
- 0/5
The verdict
Buy the P2S.
9.2/10 vs Neptune 4 Max's 7/10, and it wins 4 of 5 categories. Best enclosed CoreXY under $600 right now. New buyers: this is the answer, skip the P1S comparison. P1S owners: the nozzle system and AMS 2 Pro drying tip the scales toward upgrading, but only if you use those features regularly.
Specs, side by side
Teal wins the row.
P2SBambu Lab · FDM
vsNeptune 4 MaxElegoo · FDM
| P2S | Spec | Neptune 4 Max |
|---|---|---|
| $549 | Price | $469 (wins) |
| 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 |
| 14.9 kg | Weight | 22 kg |
Features
| P2S | Feature | Neptune 4 Max |
|---|---|---|
| Yes | Enclosed CoreXY | No |
| Yes | AMS 2 Pro compatible | No |
| Yes | 5-inch touchscreen | No |
| Yes | 1080p AI camera | No |
| Yes | Quick-swap nozzle system | No |
| Yes | PMSM servo extruder (8.5kg force) | 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
$549 ÷ 16.8 L and $469 ÷ 84.7 L. Lower is more printer for the money.
| P2S | Spec | Neptune 4 Max |
|---|---|---|
| $32.72 | $ per liter | $5.54 (wins) |
| $1.10 | $ per mm/s | $0.94 (wins) |
Scores out of 10
| P2S | Spec | Neptune 4 Max |
|---|---|---|
| 9 | Value | 9 |
| 9 (wins) | Beginner Friendliness | 5 |
| 10 (wins) | Print Quality | 7 |
| 9 (wins) | Speed | 7 |
| 9 (wins) | Reliability | 7 |
| 9.2 (wins) | Overall | 7 |
Build space, front view, to one scale
- 256 × 256 × 256 mm
- 420 × 420 × 480 mm
What owners say
The quick nozzle swap makes me jealous even as an X1C owner.
P2S owner, r/BambuLabGoldilocks gets a glow up. The P2S refreshes a best seller with meaningful upgrades.
P2S owner, Tom's HardwareFor new buyers, the P2S is recommended without hesitation. Meaningfully better than the P1S in every way.
P2S owner, 3DTechValley420mm 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
P2S
- +Quick-swap nozzle: no tools, no waiting for cool-down, no thread damage from hot-tightening
- +1080p AI camera pauses the print when it detects layer failures, not just notifies you
- +AMS 2 Pro dries filament while printing so you don't need a separate drybox for standard materials
- −No LiDAR sensor: that capability is still exclusive to the X-series
- −P1S owners have no trade-in path; the upgrade cost is the full $549
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 P2S better than the Elegoo Neptune 4 Max?
By the numbers, the Bambu Lab P2S scores higher (9.2/10). 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 P2S or Elegoo Neptune 4 Max?
The Bambu Lab P2S is more beginner-friendly (9/10 vs 5/10) with easier setup and a gentler learning curve.
Is the Bambu Lab P2S worth $80 more than the Elegoo Neptune 4 Max?
The Bambu Lab P2S scores higher overall (9.2/10 vs 7/10). The extra $80 gets you quick-swap nozzle: no tools, no waiting for cool-down, no thread damage from hot-tightening.
What's the main difference between Bambu Lab P2S and Elegoo Neptune 4 Max?
Build volume (256x256x256mm vs 420x420x480mm) and print speed (500 vs 500 mm/s). The Bambu Lab P2S is best for speed; the Elegoo Neptune 4 Max targets large-prints.