# Elegoo Centauri 2 vs Flashforge AD5X

As of Nov 4, 2026, the Elegoo Centauri 2 costs $379 and the Flashforge AD5X costs $349, so the Flashforge AD5X is $30 cheaper. Pick the Elegoo Centauri 2 for budget buyers who want fast 4 color PLA and PETG prints. Pick the Flashforge AD5X for cheap 4 color printing in a small space.

Prices checked Nov 4, 2026. HTML version: https://robotsforthat.com/vs/elegoo-centauri-2-vs-flashforge-ad5x/

## Side by side

| | Elegoo Centauri 2 | Flashforge AD5X |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $379 | $349 |
| 3 year cost | $379 | $349 |
| Our score | Not scored yet | Not scored yet |
| Rank in 3D printers | #37 | #34 |
| Status | on sale | on sale |
| Warranty | Not checked | 1 year limited; 3 months on extruder parts |
| Build volume | 256 x 256 x 256 mm (Elegoo, Tom's Hardware) | 220 x 220 x 220 mm |
| Print speed | Up to 500 mm/s, 300 mm/s recommended; 20,000 mm/s2 acceleration (Elegoo) | Up to 300 mm/s print, 600 mm/s travel, 20,000 mm/s² acceleration |
| 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 | Yes, 4 colors with the built in IFS |
| Enclosure | No, open frame; no camera or lighting (Tom's Hardware) | No, open frame; DIY enclosure kit sold separately |
| Auto leveling | Yes, automatic leveling and Z offset at startup (Tom's Hardware) | Yes, one click auto leveling |
| Max nozzle temp | 350 C, 0.4 mm hardened steel nozzle (Elegoo, Tom's Hardware) | 300 °C |
| Heated bed | Yes, up to 110 C, PEI steel flex plate (Elegoo, Tom's Hardware) | Yes, up to 110 °C, PEI steel sheet |
| Filament types | PLA, PETG, TPU (Tom's Hardware); ABS, ASA and nylon not recommended without an enclosure (Irish Examiner) | PLA, PETG, TPU 95A, TPU 64D to 75D, PLA-CF, PETG-CF |
| Connectivity | LAN, Wi-Fi, USB flash drive; no cloud needed (Tom's Hardware) | Wi-Fi, Ethernet, USB |
| Camera | No (Tom's Hardware) | None (Tom's Hardware notes no camera) |
| Noise | No dB figure; Irish Examiner called it somewhat loud | About 58 dB without the enclosure (ProToolReviews) |
| Assembly | Mostly pre assembled (Tom's Hardware); 30 to 40 minutes for the Combo (Irish Examiner) | Three steps: screen, filament holder and multi color module |
| Weight | 15 kg; 500 x 480 x 500 mm (Tom's Hardware) | 11.4 kg (Tom's Hardware) |
| Best for | budget buyers who want fast 4 color PLA and PETG prints | cheap 4 color printing in a small space |
| Skip if | you want a camera or plan to print ABS, ASA or nylon | you want a camera or enclosed printing |

## 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](https://tomshardware.com/3d-printing/elegoo-centauri-2-combo-review)
- 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](https://www.irishexaminer.com/business/technology/arid-41918086.html)

### Flashforge AD5X

- Tom's Hardware: Excellent print quality across PLA, PETG, TPU and ASA, but the Orca based slicer crashed about every third print. A 33 frog plate wasted 11 g over 23 color swaps. [Source](https://www.tomshardware.com/3d-printing/flashforge-ad5x-review)
- ProToolReviews: Called it a well rounded multicolor printer with sharp prints and reliable runs. Noted about 58 dB noise unless enclosed and suggested the optional enclosure. [Source](https://www.protoolreviews.com/flashforge-ad5x-3d-printer-review/)

## Questions buyers ask

### Which is better, the Elegoo Centauri 2 or the Flashforge AD5X?

Pick the Elegoo Centauri 2 for budget buyers who want fast 4 color PLA and PETG prints. Pick the Flashforge AD5X for cheap 4 color printing in a small space.

### Which is cheaper?

The Flashforge AD5X at $349, versus $379 for the Elegoo Centauri 2, checked Nov 4, 2026.

### What is the difference between the Centauri 2 and the AD5X?

Build volume: 256 x 256 x 256 mm (Elegoo, Tom's Hardware) on the Centauri 2, 220 x 220 x 220 mm on the AD5X. Print speed: Up to 500 mm/s, 300 mm/s recommended; 20,000 mm/s2 acceleration (Elegoo) on the Centauri 2, Up to 300 mm/s print, 600 mm/s travel, 20,000 mm/s² acceleration on the AD5X. Multi color: Up to 4 colors with the CANVAS system (Combo), with RFID and auto refill (Elegoo); Irish… on the Centauri 2, Yes, 4 colors with the built in IFS on the AD5X.

Full reviews: [Elegoo Centauri 2](https://robotsforthat.com/robot/elegoo-centauri-2/index.md), [Flashforge AD5X](https://robotsforthat.com/robot/flashforge-ad5x/index.md)