Elegoo Centauri 2 vs Elegoo Mars 5 Ultra
Researched by Riley Hart · prices checked Nov 4, 2026
As of Nov 4, 2026, the Elegoo Centauri 2 costs $379 and the Elegoo Mars 5 Ultra costs $284, so the Elegoo Mars 5 Ultra is $95 cheaper. Pick the Elegoo Centauri 2 for budget buyers who want fast 4 color PLA and PETG prints. Pick the Elegoo Mars 5 Ultra for tabletop gamers and beginners printing miniatures. The Elegoo Centauri 2 wins 2 of 3 points we can measure.
Who wins, point by point
The Elegoo Centauri 2 wins 2 of 3 points we can measure. Built from today's prices, the specs and independent tests for these two robots.
| Centauri 2 | Mars 5 Ultra | Winner | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Price today | $379 | $284 | Mars 5 Ultra |
| Build volume | 256 x 256 x 256 mm | 153.36 x 77.76 x 165 mm | Centauri 2 |
| Release year | 2026 | 2024 | Centauri 2 |
- You care most about build volume (256 x 256 x 256 mm vs 153.36 x 77.76 x 165 mm)
- You want the newer model (2026 vs 2024)
- Best for budget buyers who want fast 4 color PLA and PETG prints
- You want to spend less (saves $95)
- Best for tabletop gamers and beginners printing miniatures
- Build volume
- 256 x 256 x 256 mm
- Max speed
- Up to 500 mm/s
- Multicolor
- Up to 4 colors
- Enclosure
- No
Low cost open CoreXY printer with optional 4 color CANVAS feeder
Full Elegoo Centauri 2 review, pros and cons →- Build volume
- 153.36 x 77.76 x 165 mm
- Max speed
- Up to 150 mm/h
- Multicolor
- No
- Enclosure
- Yes
Compact 9K resin printer for miniatures with a built in AI camera
Full Elegoo Mars 5 Ultra review, pros and cons →Side by side
| Elegoo Centauri 2 | Elegoo Mars 5 Ultra | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $379 | $284 |
| 3 year cost | $379 | $284 |
| Our score | Not scored yet | Not scored yet |
| Rank in 3D printers | #37 | #31 |
| Status | on sale | on sale |
| Warranty | Not checked | Not checked |
| Build volume | 256 x 256 x 256 mm (Elegoo, Tom's Hardware) | 153.36 x 77.76 x 165 mm (The Gadgeteer, Elegoo spec) |
| Print speed | Up to 500 mm/s, 300 mm/s recommended; 20,000 mm/s2 acceleration (Elegoo) | Up to 150 mm/h (Elegoo); Tom's Hardware printed a Rocket Bust in 2 h 27 min |
| Multi color | Up to 4 colors with the CANVAS system (Combo), with RFID and auto refill (Elegoo); Irish Examiner found multi color printing slow and wasteful versus multi toolhead printers | No, resin printer prints one resin at a time |
| Enclosure | No, open frame; no camera or lighting (Tom's Hardware) | Yes, lift off UV blocking cover with no hinge (The Gadgeteer) |
| Auto leveling | Yes, automatic leveling and Z offset at startup (Tom's Hardware) | Yes, factory leveled with auto leveling before each print (Tom's Hardware) |
| Max nozzle temp | 350 C, 0.4 mm hardened steel nozzle (Elegoo, Tom's Hardware) | Not applicable, resin (MSLA) printer with no nozzle |
| Heated bed | Yes, up to 110 C, PEI steel flex plate (Elegoo, Tom's Hardware) | No |
| Filament types | PLA, PETG, TPU (Tom's Hardware); ABS, ASA and nylon not recommended without an enclosure (Irish Examiner) | Not applicable, uses 405 nm resin (The Gadgeteer) |
| Connectivity | LAN, Wi-Fi, USB flash drive; no cloud needed (Tom's Hardware) | USB and Wi-Fi (Tom's Hardware) |
| Camera | No (Tom's Hardware) | Yes, AI camera for failed print detection and timelapse; detection only works once the model rises above the vat edge (Tom's Hardware) |
| Noise | No dB figure; Irish Examiner called it somewhat loud | n/a |
| Assembly | Mostly pre assembled (Tom's Hardware); 30 to 40 minutes for the Combo (Irish Examiner) | Practically plug and play (Tom's Hardware) |
| Weight | 15 kg; 500 x 480 x 500 mm (Tom's Hardware) | 8.8 kg; 260 x 268 x 451.5 mm (Tom's Hardware) |
| Resolution | n/a | 7 inch 9K mono LCD, 8520 x 4320, 18 x 18 micron XY; layers 0.01 to 0.2 mm (The Gadgeteer) |
| Best for | budget buyers who want fast 4 color PLA and PETG prints | tabletop gamers and beginners printing miniatures |
| Skip if | you want a camera or plan to print ABS, ASA or nylon | you need large resin parts or cannot ventilate the room |
Specs are maker claims unless a reviewer is named. Prices from the stores we link, checked daily.
What reviewers found
Elegoo Centauri 2
- Tom's Hardware: Called it a very good four color CoreXY printer. A four color fidget took 5 h 13 min and a PET-GF part printed at 350 C in 1 h 23 min. 95A TPU fed reliably; softer TPU clogged. Source
- Irish Examiner: Combo assembled in 30 to 40 minutes. PLA, silk PLA, TPU and PETG printed with excellent quality, matching the Centauri Carbon 2. Somewhat loud, and multi color printing was slow. Source
Elegoo Mars 5 Ultra
- Tom's Hardware: Editor's Choice. A Rocket Bust printed in 2 h 27 min, 46 min faster than the Saturn 4 Ultra. Fine chain mail detail on miniatures. The laser etched plate held prints so tightly the reviewer had to cut first layer exposure. Source
- The Gadgeteer: A support free test model printed well. The printer froze a few times mid print but resumed after a power cycle with no visible defect. Strong chemical smell; the Mars Mate purifier mostly removed it. Source
Questions buyers ask
Which is better, the Elegoo Centauri 2 or the Elegoo Mars 5 Ultra?
Pick the Elegoo Centauri 2 for budget buyers who want fast 4 color PLA and PETG prints. Pick the Elegoo Mars 5 Ultra for tabletop gamers and beginners printing miniatures.
Which is cheaper?
The Elegoo Mars 5 Ultra at $284, versus $379 for the Elegoo Centauri 2, checked Nov 4, 2026.
What is the difference between the Centauri 2 and the Mars 5 Ultra?
Build volume: 256 x 256 x 256 mm (Elegoo, Tom's Hardware) on the Centauri 2, 153.36 x 77.76 x 165 mm (The Gadgeteer, Elegoo spec) on the Mars 5 Ultra. Print speed: Up to 500 mm/s, 300 mm/s recommended; 20,000 mm/s2 acceleration (Elegoo) on the Centauri 2, Up to 150 mm/h (Elegoo); Tom's Hardware printed a Rocket Bust in 2 h 27 min on the Mars 5 Ultra. Multi color: Up to 4 colors with the CANVAS system (Combo), with RFID and auto refill (Elegoo); Irish… on the Centauri 2, No, resin printer prints one resin at a time on the Mars 5 Ultra.
Also consider at this price
See all ranked →More comparisons
- Elegoo Centauri 2 vs Elegoo Centauri Carbon 2
- Bambu Lab A1 vs Elegoo Centauri 2
- Bambu Lab P1S vs Elegoo Centauri 2
- Elegoo Centauri 2 vs Flashforge Adventurer 5M Pro
- Anycubic Kobra X vs Elegoo Centauri 2
- Bambu Lab P2S vs Elegoo Centauri 2
- Creality K2 Pro vs Elegoo Centauri 2
- Elegoo Centauri 2 vs Flashforge AD5X
All 3D printers, ranked
See the ranking →Affiliate links. We may earn a commission. It never changes our score. Disclosure