Elegoo Centauri 2 vs Elegoo Neptune 4 Max
Researched by Riley Hart · prices checked Nov 4, 2026
As of Nov 4, 2026, the Elegoo Centauri 2 costs $379 and the Elegoo Neptune 4 Max costs $394, so the Elegoo Centauri 2 is $15 cheaper. The Elegoo Neptune 4 Max has a published review score and ranks #2 in our 3D printers ranking; the Elegoo Centauri 2 is not scored yet. Pick the Elegoo Centauri 2 for budget buyers who want fast 4 color PLA and PETG prints. Pick the Elegoo Neptune 4 Max for budget makers who need very large PLA, PETG or TPU prints. The Elegoo Centauri 2 wins 3 of 5 points we can measure (1 tied).
Who wins, point by point
The Elegoo Centauri 2 wins 3 of 5 points we can measure (1 tied). Built from today's prices, the specs and independent tests for these two robots.
| Centauri 2 | Neptune 4 Max | Winner | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Price today | $379 | $394 | Centauri 2 |
| Build volume | 256 x 256 x 256 mm | 420 x 420 x 480 mm | Neptune 4 Max |
| Top print speed | 500 mm/s | 500 mm/s | Tie |
| Max nozzle temp | 350°C | 300°C | Centauri 2 |
| Release year | 2026 | 2023 | Centauri 2 |
- You want to spend less (saves $15)
- You care most about max nozzle temp (350°C vs 300°C)
- You want the newer model (2026 vs 2023)
- Best for budget buyers who want fast 4 color PLA and PETG prints
- You care most about build volume (420 x 420 x 480 mm vs 256 x 256 x 256 mm)
- Best for budget makers who need very large PLA, PETG or TPU prints
- 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
- 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
| Elegoo Centauri 2 | Elegoo Neptune 4 Max | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $379 | $394 |
| 3 year cost | $379 | $394 |
| Our score | Not scored yet | 8.6/10 |
| Rank in 3D printers | #37 | #2 |
| Status | on sale | on sale |
| Warranty | Not checked | Not checked |
| Build volume | 256 x 256 x 256 mm (Elegoo, Tom's Hardware) | 420 x 420 x 480 mm (Elegoo, Tom's Hardware) |
| Print speed | Up to 500 mm/s, 300 mm/s recommended; 20,000 mm/s2 acceleration (Elegoo) | Up to 500 mm/s (Elegoo); Tom's Hardware says 140 mm/s is the recommended optimal speed |
| 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, single extruder (Tom's Hardware) |
| Enclosure | No, open frame; no camera or lighting (Tom's Hardware) | No, open frame (Tom's Hardware) |
| Auto leveling | Yes, automatic leveling and Z offset at startup (Tom's Hardware) | Yes, 121 point inductive auto leveling plus manual knobs (Tom's Hardware) |
| Max nozzle temp | 350 C, 0.4 mm hardened steel nozzle (Elegoo, Tom's Hardware) | 300 C, 0.4 mm high flow nozzle (Elegoo, Tom's Hardware) |
| Heated bed | Yes, up to 110 C, PEI steel flex plate (Elegoo, Tom's Hardware) | Yes, PEI textured spring steel plate (Tom's Hardware); max temperature not confirmed |
| Filament types | PLA, PETG, TPU (Tom's Hardware); ABS, ASA and nylon not recommended without an enclosure (Irish Examiner) | PLA, PETG, TPU, ABS (Tom's Hardware); 3DWithUs found ABS warped without an enclosure |
| Connectivity | LAN, Wi-Fi, USB flash drive; no cloud needed (Tom's Hardware) | Wi-Fi, microSD, USB (Tom's Hardware) |
| Camera | No (Tom's Hardware) | No (not listed by Tom's Hardware or Elegoo) |
| Noise | No dB figure; Irish Examiner called it somewhat loud | No dB figure; Tom's Hardware called the curtain fan way too noisy |
| Assembly | Mostly pre assembled (Tom's Hardware); 30 to 40 minutes for the Combo (Irish Examiner) | n/a |
| Weight | 15 kg; 500 x 480 x 500 mm (Tom's Hardware) | 18.1 kg; 658 x 632 x 740 mm (Tom's Hardware) |
| Firmware | n/a | Klipper (Tom's Hardware) |
| Best for | budget buyers who want fast 4 color PLA and PETG prints | budget makers who need very large PLA, PETG or TPU prints |
| Skip if | you want a camera or plan to print ABS, ASA or nylon | 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
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 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 Elegoo Centauri 2 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 Elegoo Centauri 2 is not scored yet. Pick the Elegoo Centauri 2 for budget buyers who want fast 4 color PLA and PETG prints. Pick the Elegoo Neptune 4 Max for budget makers who need very large PLA, PETG or TPU prints.
Which is cheaper?
The Elegoo Centauri 2 at $379, versus $394 for the Elegoo Neptune 4 Max, checked Nov 4, 2026.
What is the difference between the Centauri 2 and the Neptune 4 Max?
Build volume: 256 x 256 x 256 mm (Elegoo, Tom's Hardware) on the Centauri 2, 420 x 420 x 480 mm (Elegoo, Tom's Hardware) on the Neptune 4 Max. Print speed: Up to 500 mm/s, 300 mm/s recommended; 20,000 mm/s2 acceleration (Elegoo) on the Centauri 2, 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: Up to 4 colors with the CANVAS system (Combo), with RFID and auto refill (Elegoo); Irish… on the Centauri 2, No, single extruder (Tom's Hardware) on the Neptune 4 Max.
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