Creality K2 vs Elegoo Neptune 4 Max
Researched by Riley Hart · prices checked Nov 4, 2026
As of Nov 4, 2026, the Creality K2 costs $399 and the Elegoo Neptune 4 Max costs $394, so the Elegoo Neptune 4 Max is $5 cheaper. The Elegoo Neptune 4 Max has a published review score and ranks #2 in our 3D printers ranking; the Creality K2 is not scored yet. Pick the Creality K2 for budget enclosed multi color printing. Pick the Elegoo Neptune 4 Max for budget makers who need very large PLA, PETG or TPU prints. The Creality K2 wins 2 of 5 points we can measure (2 tied).
Who wins, point by point
The Creality K2 wins 2 of 5 points we can measure (2 tied). Built from today's prices, the specs and independent tests for these two robots.
| K2 | Neptune 4 Max | Winner | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Price today | $399 | $394 | Tie |
| Build volume | 260 x 260 x 260 mm | 420 x 420 x 480 mm | Neptune 4 Max |
| Top print speed | 600 mm/s | 500 mm/s | K2 |
| Max nozzle temp | 300°C | 300°C | Tie |
| Release year | 2025 | 2023 | K2 |
- You care most about top print speed (600 mm/s vs 500 mm/s)
- You want the newer model (2025 vs 2023)
- Best for budget enclosed multi color printing
- You care most about build volume (420 x 420 x 480 mm vs 260 x 260 x 260 mm)
- Best for budget makers who need very large PLA, PETG or TPU prints
- 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
- 420 x 420 x 480 mm
- Max speed
- Up to 500 mm/s
- Multicolor
- No
- Enclosure
- No
Budget 420 x 420 x 480 mm Klipper printer for big prints
Full Elegoo Neptune 4 Max review, pros and cons →Side by side
| Creality K2 | Elegoo Neptune 4 Max | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $399 | $394 |
| 3 year cost | $399 | $394 |
| Our score | Not scored yet | 8.6/10 |
| Rank in 3D printers | #38 | #2 |
| Status | on sale | on sale |
| Warranty | 1 year (Creality store) | Not checked |
| Build volume | 260 x 260 x 260 mm (Creality) | 420 x 420 x 480 mm (Elegoo, Tom's Hardware) |
| Print speed | Up to 600 mm/s (Creality) | Up to 500 mm/s (Elegoo); Tom's Hardware says 140 mm/s is the recommended optimal speed |
| 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) | No, single extruder (Tom's Hardware) |
| Enclosure | Yes, enclosed chamber without active heating (Notebookcheck) | No, open frame (Tom's Hardware) |
| Auto leveling | Yes, smart auto leveling of the target print area (Creality) | Yes, 121 point inductive auto leveling plus manual knobs (Tom's Hardware) |
| Max nozzle temp | 300 C (Notebookcheck, The Gadgeteer) | 300 C, 0.4 mm high flow nozzle (Elegoo, Tom's Hardware) |
| Heated bed | Yes, up to 100 C, double sided textured PEI plate (Notebookcheck) | Yes, PEI textured spring steel plate (Tom's Hardware); max temperature not confirmed |
| Filament types | PLA, PETG, ABS, PLA CF (The Gadgeteer); TPU only through the external feed (Notebookcheck) | PLA, PETG, TPU, ABS (Tom's Hardware); 3DWithUs found ABS warped without an enclosure |
| Connectivity | Wi-Fi, USB Type A; Creality Print desktop, web and phone apps (Notebookcheck) | Wi-Fi, microSD, USB (Tom's Hardware) |
| Camera | No nozzle camera, per Notebookcheck; Creality lists print failure detection | No (not listed by Tom's Hardware or Elegoo) |
| Noise | Creality says it runs as quietly as typing on a laptop; The Gadgeteer measured about 46 dB across its K2 series test units | No dB figure; Tom's Hardware called the curtain fan way too noisy |
| 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) | 18.1 kg; 658 x 632 x 740 mm (Tom's Hardware) |
| Firmware | n/a | Klipper (Tom's Hardware) |
| Best for | budget enclosed multi color printing | budget makers who need very large PLA, PETG or TPU prints |
| Skip if | you need a heated chamber | you want a plug and play or enclosed printer |
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 Neptune 4 Max
- Tom's Hardware: Speed Benchy took 31 min 12 s. A 250% articulated frog took 10 h 26 min with rough spots and a near layer shift. A TPU purse printed well at 45 mm/s. About twice as fast as the Neptune 3 Max. Source
- 3DWithUs (4.5 out of 5): Assembly took about 30 minutes. Printed a 520 mm window handle and eight PETG brackets in one batch. The screen failed out of the box and needed a manual fix. ABS warped. Source
Questions buyers ask
Which is better, the Creality K2 or the Elegoo Neptune 4 Max?
The Elegoo Neptune 4 Max has a published review score and ranks #2 in our 3D printers ranking; the Creality K2 is not scored yet. Pick the Creality K2 for budget enclosed multi color printing. Pick the Elegoo Neptune 4 Max for budget makers who need very large PLA, PETG or TPU prints.
Which is cheaper?
The Elegoo Neptune 4 Max at $394, versus $399 for the Creality K2, checked Nov 4, 2026.
What is the difference between the K2 and the Neptune 4 Max?
Build volume: 260 x 260 x 260 mm (Creality) on the K2, 420 x 420 x 480 mm (Elegoo, Tom's Hardware) on the Neptune 4 Max. Print speed: Up to 600 mm/s (Creality) on the K2, Up to 500 mm/s (Elegoo); Tom's Hardware says 140 mm/s is the recommended optimal speed on the Neptune 4 Max. Multi color: Yes with the CFS (included in the Combo), 4 spools per unit and up to 16 colors with… on the K2, No, single extruder (Tom's Hardware) on the Neptune 4 Max.
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