Bambu Lab vs Prusa vs Elegoo: Best Printer for Pokemon Figures
Three great printers, three different strengths. A practical comparison of Bambu Lab, Prusa and Elegoo for printing Pokemon, whether you want speed, multicolor or fine detail.
The printer you buy shapes what your Pokemon shelf looks like. These three brands dominate the hobby right now, and each is genuinely good — just at different things. Here's how they compare specifically for figures.
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Bambu's X1C, P1S and A1 series changed the game with fast, reliable printing and the AMS multicolor unit. For Pokemon, that means a fully colored Pikachu straight off the plate using our AMS 3MF files. Strengths: speed, ease, hands-off multicolor. Trade-offs: color changes create purge waste, and fine sub-50 mm detail still trails resin.
Prusa (FDM, reliability + tuning)
The Prusa MK4/MK4S and the MMU add-on are the workhorses of the hobby: rock-solid, endlessly documented, and highly tunable. If you like understanding and adjusting every setting, Prusa rewards you. Compatibility depends on the supplied project and your slicer; a Bambu project is not automatically a prepared Prusa MMU profile. Trade-offs: MMU multicolor is more fiddly to dial in than Bambu's AMS, and the machines cost more.
Elegoo (resin, detail on a budget)
Elegoo's Saturn and Mars resin printers deliver display-grade detail for surprisingly little money. For a highly detailed Mewtwo or Lugia's feathered wings, resin is unmatched (see resin vs FDM). Trade-offs: single color only, plus the resin workflow — gloves, IPA wash, UV cure and ventilation.
Side by side
| Bambu Lab | Prusa | Elegoo | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Type | FDM | FDM | Resin |
| Multicolor | Best (AMS) | Yes (MMU) | No |
| Detail | Good | Good | Excellent |
| Ease | Easiest | Tinkerer-friendly | Messier |
| Best for | Colored shelves fast | Control + reliability | Display minis |
How to pick
Want a colored Pokedex with minimal fuss? Bambu Lab. Love tuning and reliability? Prusa. Chasing display-grade detail on a budget? Elegoo resin.
Check the individual pack for available formats. Printer profiles, supported colors and slicing requirements differ between machines.
Don't forget running costs
Sticker price is only part of the picture. FDM machines sip cheap PLA and need little beyond the odd nozzle. Resin adds ongoing costs — resin itself, IPA for washing, gloves, and FEP film that wears out — plus the space and ventilation to work safely. Factor those in before deciding a budget resin printer is the cheapest route.
When to buy a second printer
Many hobbyists end up with two machines rather than one perfect one. If you already have FDM and keep wishing for sharper detail on small pieces, that's the signal to add a resin printer. If you have resin and are tired of painting everything, an FDM with an AMS gives you effortless color. Buying for the job in front of you beats chasing a single do-everything machine.
FAQ
What's the best 3D printer for Pokemon figures overall?
For most people, a Bambu Lab with AMS: fast, easy and multicolor. For display-grade detail, an Elegoo resin printer. For control and reliability, Prusa.
Can I get multicolor without a Bambu Lab?
A compatible Prusa MMU setup can print multicolor, but do not assume a supplied Bambu project includes a Prusa profile. Confirm color import, filament mapping and sliced layers first.
Is resin worth it just for Pokemon?
If you want the sharpest possible detail and enjoy painting, yes. If you want colored figures with minimal fuss, FDM with an AMS is the easier path.
