Creality K2 vs Elegoo Centauri Carbon 2
Researched by Riley Hart · prices checked Nov 4, 2026
As of Nov 4, 2026, the Creality K2 costs $399 and the Elegoo Centauri Carbon 2 costs $349, so the Elegoo Centauri Carbon 2 is $50 cheaper. Pick the Creality K2 for budget enclosed multi color printing. Pick the Elegoo Centauri Carbon 2 for budget enclosed printing with room to add color. They split the points we can measure, 2 each.
Who wins, point by point
They split the points we can measure, 2 each. Built from today's prices, the specs and independent tests for these two robots.
| K2 | Centauri Carbon 2 | Winner | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Price today | $399 | $349 | Centauri Carbon 2 |
| Warranty | 1 year | 12 months | Tie |
| Build volume | 260 x 260 x 260 mm | 256 x 256 x 256 mm | K2 |
| Top print speed | 600 mm/s | 500 mm/s | K2 |
| Max nozzle temp | 300°C | 350°C | Centauri Carbon 2 |
- You care most about build volume (260 x 260 x 260 mm vs 256 x 256 x 256 mm)
- You care most about top print speed (600 mm/s vs 500 mm/s)
- Best for budget enclosed multi color printing
- You want to spend less (saves $50)
- You care most about max nozzle temp (350°C vs 300°C)
- Best for budget enclosed printing with room to add color
- Build volume
- 260 x 260 x 260 mm
- Max speed
- Up to 600 mm/s
- Multicolor
- Yes
- Enclosure
- Yes
Affordable enclosed CoreXY printer with optional 4 color CFS
Full Creality K2 review, pros and cons →- Build volume
- 256 x 256 x 256 mm
- Max speed
- Up to 500 mm/s
- Multicolor
- Upgrade ready
- Enclosure
- Yes
Low cost enclosed printer that adds 4 colors with CANVAS
Full Elegoo Centauri Carbon 2 review, pros and cons →Side by side
| Creality K2 | Elegoo Centauri Carbon 2 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $399 | $349 |
| 3 year cost | $399 | $349 |
| Our score | Not scored yet | Not scored yet |
| Rank in 3D printers | #38 | #35 |
| Status | on sale | on sale |
| Warranty | 1 year (Creality store) | 12 months; 6 months on the extruder kit; consumables not covered |
| Build volume | 260 x 260 x 260 mm (Creality) | 256 x 256 x 256 mm |
| Print speed | Up to 600 mm/s (Creality) | Up to 500 mm/s, 20,000 mm/s² acceleration |
| Multi color | Yes with the CFS (included in the Combo), 4 spools per unit and up to 16 colors with four units (Creality); CFS cannot feed TPU and has no active drying (Notebookcheck) | Upgrade ready; up to 4 colors with the CANVAS unit (sold separately or in the Combo) |
| Enclosure | Yes, enclosed chamber without active heating (Notebookcheck) | Yes, enclosed chamber with auto controlled grille |
| Auto leveling | Yes, smart auto leveling of the target print area (Creality) | Yes, full auto calibration with auto Z offset (121 points per Notebookcheck) |
| Max nozzle temp | 300 C (Notebookcheck, The Gadgeteer) | 350 °C, hardened steel nozzle |
| Heated bed | Yes, up to 100 C, double sided textured PEI plate (Notebookcheck) | Yes, up to 110 °C |
| Filament types | PLA, PETG, ABS, PLA CF (The Gadgeteer); TPU only through the external feed (Notebookcheck) | PLA, PETG, TPU, PET, PC, ASA and fiber filled such as PA6-CF |
| Connectivity | Wi-Fi, USB Type A; Creality Print desktop, web and phone apps (Notebookcheck) | Elegoo Matrix app, ElegooSlicer, USB drive |
| Camera | No nozzle camera, per Notebookcheck; Creality lists print failure detection | Yes, with AI spaghetti detection (Notebookcheck) |
| Noise | Creality says it runs as quietly as typing on a laptop; The Gadgeteer measured about 46 dB across its K2 series test units | Under 45 dB in silent mode (Elegoo claim); 44 to 47 dB average measured by Notebookcheck |
| Assembly | Ready to print in about an hour including calibration and a software update (Notebookcheck) | n/a |
| Weight | 18.3 kg without CFS; 404 x 436 x 545 mm (Notebookcheck, The Gadgeteer) | About 20 kg (Notebookcheck) |
| Best for | budget enclosed multi color printing | budget enclosed printing with room to add color |
| Skip if | you need a heated chamber | you need more than 4 colors |
Specs are maker claims unless a reviewer is named. Prices from the stores we link, checked daily.
What reviewers found
Creality K2
- Notebookcheck: Ready to print in about an hour. A 20 mm calibration cube measured within 0.005 mm, threads worked down to M3 and overhangs to 70 degrees printed without supports. Auto filament changes were reliable; one clog cleared in minutes. Cons were no heated chamber and no CFS drying. Source
- The Gadgeteer: Tested alongside the K2 Pro. A fidget, a fine loop mesh and a PLA pirate ship (with noticeable stringing in the sail gaps) printed fine, but a chainmail style print failed twice. Called it a strong pick for buyers who want a cheaper feature rich printer. Source
Elegoo Centauri Carbon 2
- Notebookcheck: PLA and PETG printed cleanly on stock profiles. Measured 44 to 47 dB on average, color swaps took about 70 seconds, and multi color prints made heavy purge waste. Connectivity was inconsistent. Source
- Hackster: Called it strong value for a multi material printer. CANVAS swaps were fast and reliable and print quality matched the original Centauri Carbon, but it is limited to four spools and swaps still purge. Source
Questions buyers ask
Which is better, the Creality K2 or the Elegoo Centauri Carbon 2?
Pick the Creality K2 for budget enclosed multi color printing. Pick the Elegoo Centauri Carbon 2 for budget enclosed printing with room to add color.
Which is cheaper?
The Elegoo Centauri Carbon 2 at $349, versus $399 for the Creality K2, checked Nov 4, 2026.
What is the difference between the K2 and the Centauri Carbon 2?
Build volume: 260 x 260 x 260 mm (Creality) on the K2, 256 x 256 x 256 mm on the Centauri Carbon 2. Print speed: Up to 600 mm/s (Creality) on the K2, Up to 500 mm/s, 20,000 mm/s² acceleration on the Centauri Carbon 2. Multi color: Yes with the CFS (included in the Combo), 4 spools per unit and up to 16 colors with… on the K2, Upgrade ready; up to 4 colors with the CANVAS unit (sold separately or in the Combo) on the Centauri Carbon 2.
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