Elegoo Centauri Carbon 2 vs Elegoo Mars 5 Ultra
Researched by Riley Hart · prices checked Nov 4, 2026
As of Nov 4, 2026, the Elegoo Centauri Carbon 2 costs $349 and the Elegoo Mars 5 Ultra costs $284, so the Elegoo Mars 5 Ultra is $65 cheaper. Pick the Elegoo Centauri Carbon 2 for budget enclosed printing with room to add color. Pick the Elegoo Mars 5 Ultra for tabletop gamers and beginners printing miniatures. They split the points we can measure, 1 each.
Who wins, point by point
They split the points we can measure, 1 each. Built from today's prices, the specs and independent tests for these two robots.
| Centauri Carbon 2 | Mars 5 Ultra | Winner | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Price today | $349 | $284 | Mars 5 Ultra |
| Build volume | 256 x 256 x 256 mm | 153.36 x 77.76 x 165 mm | Centauri Carbon 2 |
- You care most about build volume (256 x 256 x 256 mm vs 153.36 x 77.76 x 165 mm)
- Best for budget enclosed printing with room to add color
- You want to spend less (saves $65)
- Best for tabletop gamers and beginners printing miniatures
- 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 →- 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 Carbon 2 | Elegoo Mars 5 Ultra | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $349 | $284 |
| 3 year cost | $349 | $284 |
| Our score | Not scored yet | Not scored yet |
| Rank in 3D printers | #35 | #31 |
| Status | on sale | on sale |
| Warranty | 12 months; 6 months on the extruder kit; consumables not covered | Not checked |
| Build volume | 256 x 256 x 256 mm | 153.36 x 77.76 x 165 mm (The Gadgeteer, Elegoo spec) |
| Print speed | Up to 500 mm/s, 20,000 mm/s² acceleration | Up to 150 mm/h (Elegoo); Tom's Hardware printed a Rocket Bust in 2 h 27 min |
| Multi color | Upgrade ready; up to 4 colors with the CANVAS unit (sold separately or in the Combo) | No, resin printer prints one resin at a time |
| Enclosure | Yes, enclosed chamber with auto controlled grille | Yes, lift off UV blocking cover with no hinge (The Gadgeteer) |
| Auto leveling | Yes, full auto calibration with auto Z offset (121 points per Notebookcheck) | Yes, factory leveled with auto leveling before each print (Tom's Hardware) |
| Max nozzle temp | 350 °C, hardened steel nozzle | Not applicable, resin (MSLA) printer with no nozzle |
| Heated bed | Yes, up to 110 °C | No |
| Filament types | PLA, PETG, TPU, PET, PC, ASA and fiber filled such as PA6-CF | Not applicable, uses 405 nm resin (The Gadgeteer) |
| Connectivity | Elegoo Matrix app, ElegooSlicer, USB drive | USB and Wi-Fi (Tom's Hardware) |
| Camera | Yes, with AI spaghetti detection (Notebookcheck) | Yes, AI camera for failed print detection and timelapse; detection only works once the model rises above the vat edge (Tom's Hardware) |
| Noise | Under 45 dB in silent mode (Elegoo claim); 44 to 47 dB average measured by Notebookcheck | n/a |
| Weight | About 20 kg (Notebookcheck) | 8.8 kg; 260 x 268 x 451.5 mm (Tom's Hardware) |
| Assembly | n/a | Practically plug and play (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 enclosed printing with room to add color | tabletop gamers and beginners printing miniatures |
| Skip if | you need more than 4 colors | 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 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
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 Carbon 2 or the Elegoo Mars 5 Ultra?
Pick the Elegoo Centauri Carbon 2 for budget enclosed printing with room to add color. Pick the Elegoo Mars 5 Ultra for tabletop gamers and beginners printing miniatures.
Which is cheaper?
The Elegoo Mars 5 Ultra at $284, versus $349 for the Elegoo Centauri Carbon 2, checked Nov 4, 2026.
What is the difference between the Centauri Carbon 2 and the Mars 5 Ultra?
Build volume: 256 x 256 x 256 mm on the Centauri Carbon 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, 20,000 mm/s² acceleration on the Centauri Carbon 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: Upgrade ready; up to 4 colors with the CANVAS unit (sold separately or in the Combo) on the Centauri Carbon 2, No, resin printer prints one resin at a time on the Mars 5 Ultra.
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