The best budget multicolor 3D printer for most buyers is the $328.99 Elegoo Centauri 2 Combo, which includes a four-color system with RFID filament recognition and auto refill (Amazon listing, Oct 16, 2026). It ranked #6 in Amazon Best Sellers in 3D Printers that day.
The cheapest way to built-in color is the $299.99 Anycubic Kobra X, which finished long multicolor prints hours sooner than the Bambu Lab A1, according to Rist Innovations, a YouTube channel that tested them head to head. In a same-model test by Figure Feedback, a YouTube channel that compares printers, the $349 Flashforge AD5X wasted about 6.5 g of filament to the A1’s 8.3 g.
The A1 also costs $299.99 but needs the AMS lite, sold separately or as the A1 Combo, to print in color.
Best budget multicolor 3D printer: Quick Comparison
Prices checked on Amazon Oct 16, 2026. I may earn a commission from links, at no cost to you.
| Spec | Elegoo Centauri 2 Combo | Anycubic Kobra X | Flashforge AD5X | Bambu Lab A1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Price (Oct 16, 2026) | $328.99 | $299.99 | $349.00 | $299.99 |
| Amazon Best Seller rank | #6 in 3D Printers | #12 in 3D Printers | #17 in 3D Printers | #4 in 3D Printers |
| Build volume | 256 × 256 × 256 mm | 260 × 260 × 260 mm | 220 × 220 × 220 mm | 256 × 256 × 256 mm |
| Speed (listed) | 500 mm/s, 20,000 mm/s² acceleration | 600 mm/s max | up to 600 mm/s travel, 20 m/s² acceleration | 500 mm/s max speed, 10,000 mm/s² acceleration |
| Buy | Check price | Check price | Check price | Check price |
Elegoo Centauri 2 Combo: Best overall value
Includes the 4-color CANVAS system with RFID and auto refill. $328.99, #6 on the list. See the Elegoo Centauri 2 Combo on Amazon.
- CANVAS 4-color system with RFID filament recognition and auto refill
- Full auto calibration and 22 sensors
- CoreXY with linear guides
- 350 °C nozzle
- 5-inch touchscreen
Anycubic Kobra X: Lowest price with built-in color
Native 4-color system at $299.99, expandable to 19 colors. See the Anycubic Kobra X on Amazon.
- Native 4-color printing built in
- Expands up to 19 colors with 4 ACE 2 Pro units (older ACE Pro is not compatible)
- Hardened steel nozzle, 300 °C
- LeviQ 3.0 49-point auto leveling
- Dual-band Wi-Fi and LAN; AI spaghetti detection
Flashforge AD5X: Flashforge 4-color pick
4-color IFS with up to 4 kg auto refill. $349.00. See the Flashforge AD5X on Amazon.
- 4-color Intelligent Filament System (IFS) built in
- Auto load/unload and up to 4 kg auto refill
- CoreXY all-metal frame
- 300 °C nozzle, 32 mm³/s high-flow hotend
- Remote camera monitoring needs an add-on camera kit
Bambu Lab A1: Best if you want the Bambu ecosystem
$299.99 for the printer. Add the AMS lite for color (or buy the A1 Combo). See the Bambu Lab A1 on Amazon.
- Full-auto calibration (Z-offset, bed leveling and more)
- Active flow rate compensation
- 1-clip quick-swap nozzle
- Active motor noise canceling
- Multicolor needs the AMS lite (sold as the A1 Combo or separately)
Is a Multicolor 3D Printer Worth It?
Multicolor saves painting and opens up decor and gift projects. The trade-off is wasted filament during color changes, which varies by printer and model. Planned test: I plan to measure purge waste on the same model across printers and add the results here.
What YouTube Reviewers Found About Budget Multicolor Printers
Until my own hands-on test is done, here is what independent YouTube reviewers reported. These are their findings, paraphrased and linked so you can watch the full videos. Prices they mention were current when each video was made.
- In a same-model test, the Flashforge AD5X wasted about 6.5 g vs about 8.3 g on the Bambu A1, and finished a little faster (Figure Feedback, “Bambu Lab A1 vs. Flashforge AD5X – Which Printer Wastes More Filament?”).
- In longer multicolor prints, one tester saw the Anycubic Kobra X finish hours sooner than the A1 (Rist Innovations, “NEW ANYCUBIC Kobra X vs. Bambu Lab A1 – Which is BETTER?”).
- A budget roundup calls the Elegoo Centauri Carbon 2 one of the best values for enclosed multicolor (3D Print Dood, “The 4 BEST Budget 3D Printers – Find the Right One for YOU!”).
- Expect waste: most multicolor printers purge plastic at every color change (3D Print Dood, “The BEST 3D Printer for YOU – Don’t Buy the Wrong One!”).
Video: ItsMeaDMaDe, “Which Multicolor 3D Printer Under 500 Dollars Is Actually Worth It?”
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the cheapest multicolor 3D printer here?
On October 16, 2026, the Anycubic Kobra X listed at $299.99 with 4-color built in.
Does the Bambu A1 print in color?
Only with the AMS lite, sold as the A1 Combo or separately.
How many colors can these printers do?
The Centauri 2 Combo, AD5X and Kobra X each list 4 colors. The Kobra X lists up to 19 with 4 ACE 2 Pro units.
Sources
- Amazon listing: Elegoo Centauri 2 Combo (B0GZZ7C12J)
- Amazon listing: Anycubic Kobra X (B0GQGSQNF8)
- Amazon listing: Flashforge AD5X (B0DNW25S87)
- Amazon listing: Bambu Lab A1 (B0D17TMWFB)
- Amazon Best Sellers in 3D Printers (snapshot Oct 16, 2026)
Related: Bambu Lab A1 vs Flashforge AD5X | Anycubic Kobra X vs Bambu Lab A1 | Best 3D Printer Under $500
Notes and disclosure
Note: Specs and prices below come from the Amazon listings and Amazon Best Sellers in 3D Printers as of October 16, 2026. Prices and ranks change often, so check the current listing. Hands-on results will be added after my planned test.
Affiliate Disclosure: If you purchase an item through the links on this page, I may receive a commission, at no additional cost to you. Thank you for supporting the channel.