Elegoo Centauri Carbon 2 vs Flashforge AD5X
Researched by Riley Hart · prices checked Oct 27, 2026
As of Oct 27, 2026, the Elegoo Centauri Carbon 2 costs $319 and the Flashforge AD5X costs $349, so the Elegoo Centauri Carbon 2 is $30 cheaper. Pick the Elegoo Centauri Carbon 2 for budget enclosed printing with room to add color. Pick the Flashforge AD5X for cheap 4 color printing in a small space.
- Build volume
- 256 x 256 x 256 mm
- Max speed
- Up to 500 mm/s
- Multicolor
- Upgrade ready
- Enclosure
- Yes
The Centauri Carbon 2 is one of the cheapest enclosed CoreXY printers, with a 350 °C hardened nozzle for tough filaments. You can start with one color and add the CANVAS unit for four colors later. Skip it if you need more than four colors or want polished software, since reviewers saw connectivity hiccups and false failure alerts.
Full Elegoo Centauri Carbon 2 review →- Build volume
- 220 x 220 x 220 mm
- Max speed
- Up to 300 mm/s print
- Multicolor
- Yes
- Enclosure
- No
The AD5X is one of the cheapest ways to print in four colors, with a small footprint and quick change nozzles. Print quality is excellent for the price. Skip it if you want a camera, an enclosure out of the box or polished software, since reviewers hit slicer crashes.
Full Flashforge AD5X review →Side by side
| Elegoo Centauri Carbon 2 | Flashforge AD5X | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $319 | $349 |
| 3 year cost | $319 | $349 |
| Our score | Not scored yet | Not scored yet |
| Rank in 3D printers | #10 | #11 |
| Status | on sale | on sale |
| Warranty | 12 months; 6 months on the extruder kit; consumables not covered | 1 year limited; 3 months on extruder parts |
| Build volume | 256 x 256 x 256 mm | 220 x 220 x 220 mm |
| Print speed | Up to 500 mm/s, 20,000 mm/s² acceleration | Up to 300 mm/s print, 600 mm/s travel, 20,000 mm/s² acceleration |
| Multi color | Upgrade ready; up to 4 colors with the CANVAS unit (sold separately or in the Combo) | Yes, 4 colors with the built in IFS |
| Enclosure | Yes, enclosed chamber with auto controlled grille | No, open frame; DIY enclosure kit sold separately |
| Auto leveling | Yes, full auto calibration with auto Z offset (121 points per Notebookcheck) | Yes, one click auto leveling |
| Max nozzle temp | 350 °C, hardened steel nozzle | 300 °C |
| Heated bed | Yes, up to 110 °C | Yes, up to 110 °C, PEI steel sheet |
| Filament types | PLA, PETG, TPU, PET, PC, ASA and fiber filled such as PA6-CF | PLA, PETG, TPU 95A, TPU 64D to 75D, PLA-CF, PETG-CF |
| Connectivity | Elegoo Matrix app, ElegooSlicer, USB drive | Wi-Fi, Ethernet, USB |
| Camera | Yes, with AI spaghetti detection (Notebookcheck) | None (Tom's Hardware notes no camera) |
| Noise | Under 45 dB in silent mode (Elegoo claim); 44 to 47 dB average measured by Notebookcheck | About 58 dB without the enclosure (ProToolReviews) |
| Weight | About 20 kg (Notebookcheck) | 11.4 kg (Tom's Hardware) |
| Assembly | n/a | Three steps: screen, filament holder and multi color module |
| Best for | budget enclosed printing with room to add color | cheap 4 color printing in a small space |
| Skip if | you need more than 4 colors | you want a camera or enclosed printing |
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
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
- 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
Pros and cons
Elegoo Centauri Carbon 2
Pros
- Low price for an enclosed CoreXY printer
- 350 °C hardened nozzle for engineering filaments
- Add 4 colors later with CANVAS
- Quiet, about 44 to 47 dB in Notebookcheck testing
Cons
- Limited to 4 colors with no way to chain units
- Connectivity was inconsistent in Notebookcheck testing
- AI spaghetti detection gave false alarms
- Color swaps waste filament
Flashforge AD5X
Pros
- Low price for 4 color printing
- Compact, spools mount on the side
- Quick change nozzles up to 300 °C
- Wi-Fi and Ethernet built in
Cons
- No camera or built in lighting
- Open frame; enclosure costs extra
- Slicer crashed often in Tom's Hardware testing
- Louder than enclosed printers
Questions buyers ask
Which is better, the Elegoo Centauri Carbon 2 or the Flashforge AD5X?
Pick the Elegoo Centauri Carbon 2 for budget enclosed printing with room to add color. Pick the Flashforge AD5X for cheap 4 color printing in a small space.
Which is cheaper?
The Elegoo Centauri Carbon 2 at $319, versus $349 for the Flashforge AD5X, checked Oct 27, 2026.
What is the difference between the Centauri Carbon 2 and the AD5X?
Build volume: 256 x 256 x 256 mm on the Centauri Carbon 2, 220 x 220 x 220 mm on the AD5X. Print speed: Up to 500 mm/s, 20,000 mm/s² acceleration on the Centauri Carbon 2, Up to 300 mm/s print, 600 mm/s travel, 20,000 mm/s² acceleration on the AD5X. Multi color: Upgrade ready; up to 4 colors with the CANVAS unit (sold separately or in the Combo) on the Centauri Carbon 2, Yes, 4 colors with the built in IFS on the AD5X.
Also consider
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