# Elegoo Centauri Carbon 2 vs Flashforge AD5X

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.

Prices checked Oct 27, 2026. HTML version: https://robotsforthat.com/vs/elegoo-centauri-carbon-2-vs-flashforge-ad5x/

## 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 |

## 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](https://www.notebookcheck.net/Elegoo-Centauri-Carbon-2-3D-printer-review-Lot-of-features-for-not-a-lot-of-money.1239803.0.html)
- 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](https://www.hackster.io/news/the-maker-s-toolbox-elegoo-centauri-carbon-2-3d-printer-review-99788f603c96)

### 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 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.

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