Elegoo Centauri Carbon 2 vs Elegoo Neptune 4 Max
Researched by Riley Hart · prices checked Nov 3, 2026
As of Nov 3, 2026, the Elegoo Centauri Carbon 2 costs $349 and the Elegoo Neptune 4 Max costs $394, so the Elegoo Centauri Carbon 2 is $45 cheaper. The Elegoo Neptune 4 Max has a published review score and ranks #2 in our 3D printers ranking; the Elegoo Centauri Carbon 2 is not scored yet. Pick the Elegoo Centauri Carbon 2 for budget enclosed printing with room to add color. Pick the Elegoo Neptune 4 Max for budget makers who need very large PLA, PETG or TPU prints. The Elegoo Centauri Carbon 2 wins 2 of 4 points we can measure (1 tied).
Who wins, point by point
The Elegoo Centauri Carbon 2 wins 2 of 4 points we can measure (1 tied). Built from today's prices, the specs and independent tests for these two robots.
| Centauri Carbon 2 | Neptune 4 Max | Winner | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Price today | $349 | $394 | Centauri Carbon 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 Carbon 2 |
- You want to spend less (saves $45)
- You care most about max nozzle temp (350°C vs 300°C)
- Best for budget enclosed printing with room to add color
- 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
- 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
- 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 Carbon 2 | Elegoo Neptune 4 Max | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $349 | $394 |
| 3 year cost | $349 | $394 |
| Our score | Not scored yet | 8.6/10 |
| Rank in 3D printers | #35 | #2 |
| 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 | 420 x 420 x 480 mm (Elegoo, Tom's Hardware) |
| Print speed | Up to 500 mm/s, 20,000 mm/s² acceleration | Up to 500 mm/s (Elegoo); Tom's Hardware says 140 mm/s is the recommended optimal speed |
| Multi color | Upgrade ready; up to 4 colors with the CANVAS unit (sold separately or in the Combo) | No, single extruder (Tom's Hardware) |
| Enclosure | Yes, enclosed chamber with auto controlled grille | No, open frame (Tom's Hardware) |
| Auto leveling | Yes, full auto calibration with auto Z offset (121 points per Notebookcheck) | Yes, 121 point inductive auto leveling plus manual knobs (Tom's Hardware) |
| Max nozzle temp | 350 °C, hardened steel nozzle | 300 C, 0.4 mm high flow nozzle (Elegoo, Tom's Hardware) |
| Heated bed | Yes, up to 110 °C | Yes, PEI textured spring steel plate (Tom's Hardware); max temperature not confirmed |
| Filament types | PLA, PETG, TPU, PET, PC, ASA and fiber filled such as PA6-CF | PLA, PETG, TPU, ABS (Tom's Hardware); 3DWithUs found ABS warped without an enclosure |
| Connectivity | Elegoo Matrix app, ElegooSlicer, USB drive | Wi-Fi, microSD, USB (Tom's Hardware) |
| Camera | Yes, with AI spaghetti detection (Notebookcheck) | No (not listed by Tom's Hardware or Elegoo) |
| Noise | Under 45 dB in silent mode (Elegoo claim); 44 to 47 dB average measured by Notebookcheck | No dB figure; Tom's Hardware called the curtain fan way too noisy |
| Weight | About 20 kg (Notebookcheck) | 18.1 kg; 658 x 632 x 740 mm (Tom's Hardware) |
| Firmware | n/a | Klipper (Tom's Hardware) |
| Best for | budget enclosed printing with room to add color | budget makers who need very large PLA, PETG or TPU prints |
| Skip if | you need more than 4 colors | 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 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 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 Carbon 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 Carbon 2 is not scored yet. Pick the Elegoo Centauri Carbon 2 for budget enclosed printing with room to add color. Pick the Elegoo Neptune 4 Max for budget makers who need very large PLA, PETG or TPU prints.
Which is cheaper?
The Elegoo Centauri Carbon 2 at $349, versus $394 for the Elegoo Neptune 4 Max, checked Nov 3, 2026.
What is the difference between the Centauri Carbon 2 and the Neptune 4 Max?
Build volume: 256 x 256 x 256 mm on the Centauri Carbon 2, 420 x 420 x 480 mm (Elegoo, Tom's Hardware) on the Neptune 4 Max. Print speed: Up to 500 mm/s, 20,000 mm/s² acceleration on the Centauri Carbon 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: Upgrade ready; up to 4 colors with the CANVAS unit (sold separately or in the Combo) on the Centauri Carbon 2, No, single extruder (Tom's Hardware) on the Neptune 4 Max.
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