BTT Octopus V1.1 vs Manta M8P V2: Which Klipper Mainboard?
The Manta M8P V2 wins for new Voron builds because it integrates an SBC socket, runs a faster 550MHz Cortex-M7, and supports CANFD natively. The Octopus V1.1 remains the proven workhorse with a larger community, lower price, and years of battle-tested reliability.
Head-to-Head Comparison
| Category | Winner | Why |
|---|---|---|
| MCU Performance | BIGTREETECH Manta M8P V2.0 | The Manta M8P V2 runs an STM32H723 (ARM Cortex-M7) at 550MHz — more than 3x faster than the Octopus V1.1's STM32F446 (Cortex-M4) at 180MHz. This headroom matters for complex multi-stepper kinematics and high step rates. |
| SBC Integration | BIGTREETECH Manta M8P V2.0 | The Manta M8P V2 has a BTB socket that accepts a CB1, CB2, or Raspberry Pi CM4 directly on the board, eliminating the need for a separate SBC and USB cable. The Octopus V1.1 requires a standalone Pi or BTT Pi connected via USB. Integrated design means one board, one power supply, fewer failure points. |
| CAN Bus | BIGTREETECH Manta M8P V2.0 | The Manta M8P V2 has native CANFD support at up to 5Mbps, communicating directly with CAN toolhead boards like the EBB36. The Octopus V1.1 requires a separate U2C bridge board for CAN bus connectivity. |
| Community and Documentation | BIGTREETECH Octopus V1.1 | The Octopus V1.1 has been the Voron community standard since 2021. Five years of Klipper configs, wiring diagrams, and troubleshooting threads exist. The Manta M8P V2 has good documentation from BTT but a smaller community knowledge base. |
| Price | BIGTREETECH Octopus V1.1 | The Octopus V1.1 costs $65 versus the Manta M8P V2 at $99. However, the Manta's integrated SBC socket saves $30-45 on a separate host board, making the total system cost comparable. |
| Driver Voltage Support | BIGTREETECH Manta M8P V2.0 | The Manta M8P V2 supports HV drivers up to 60V, enabling TMC5160 drivers at higher voltages for more powerful stepper motors. The Octopus V1.1 is limited to standard 24V driver operation. |
Which Board for Your Project?
| Use Case | Recommended | Why |
|---|---|---|
| New Voron 2.4 build (2026) | BIGTREETECH Manta M8P V2.0 | Integrated SBC socket, native CANFD, and 550MHz MCU make it the modern choice. Pair with CB2 for 2GB RAM and Gigabit Ethernet. |
| Existing Voron with proven config | BIGTREETECH Octopus V1.1 | If you have a working Octopus config, switching gains marginal benefit. The Octopus V1.1 is still fully supported in Klipper and perfectly capable. |
| CAN bus toolhead build | BIGTREETECH Manta M8P V2.0 | Native CANFD eliminates the need for a separate U2C bridge board. Connect EBB36/42 directly to the mainboard CAN bus. |
| Budget Voron or VzBot build | BIGTREETECH Octopus V1.1 | At $65 it's $34 cheaper. Add a $30 BTT Pi or BTT CB1 for a total under $100. The 180MHz MCU handles all practical step rates. |
| Just want to print, not tinker | Bambu Lab A1 Mini | If configuring a Klipper mainboard, wiring stepper drivers, and tuning firmware feels like a lot, the Bambu Lab A1 Mini prints out of the box for under $200 with zero configuration. |
Where to Buy
Final Verdict
For new custom printer builds in 2026, the Manta M8P V2 is the smarter choice — integrated SBC socket, native CANFD, and a 3x faster MCU future-proof your build. The Octopus V1.1 remains excellent for budget builds or when you need the deepest community support. Either board runs Klipper perfectly; the Manta just does it with fewer separate components.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use my existing Octopus V1.1 Klipper config on the Manta M8P V2?
Not directly. The pin mappings are different, so you need to update your printer.cfg with Manta-specific pin definitions. BTT provides reference configs, and the Voron community has validated Manta configs available.
Do I still need a Raspberry Pi with the Manta M8P V2?
No. The Manta M8P V2 has a BTB socket that accepts a CB1 ($35) or CB2 ($45) compute module that runs Klipper directly on the board. A separate Pi is no longer needed, though you can still use one via USB if preferred.
Which board is better for the Voron Trident?
Either works well. The Manta M8P V2 is recommended for new builds due to integrated SBC and CANFD. The Octopus V1.1 is fine if you already own one or want to save money.
Is the Octopus Pro worth the upgrade over the V1.1?
The Octopus Pro adds an optional STM32F429 chip and improved power regulation but isn't a dramatic upgrade. If buying new, the Manta M8P V2 is a better investment than upgrading from Octopus V1.1 to Pro.
Can both boards run Marlin firmware?
Yes. Both support Marlin and Klipper. However, both boards are overwhelmingly used with Klipper in the custom printer community. Marlin is more common on Ender-class boards like the SKR Mini E3.