The Anycubic Kobra X and Elegoo Centauri 2 are cross-brand rivals: both are entry-tier printers, listed $100 apart. Both are open-frame printers with 4-slot multicolor and automatic calibration. The Kobra X costs $100 more and gets you a top speed of 600 mm/s (vs 500) and extra engineering materials (ABS); the Centauri 2 answers with support for PLA-CF and PETG-CF.
First-generation product — recently released, still early days
Best for: Budget-conscious makers who want multicolor printing at the lowest possible entry price and don't need a large build volume or premium features.
Full details →First-generation product — recently released, still early days
Best for: Budget buyers who mainly print PLA, PETG and TPU and want fast CoreXY multicolor for as little as possible, without paying for an enclosure they won't use.
Full details →| Anycubic Kobra X | Elegoo Centauri 2 | |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing | ||
| Starting Price | $399 | ★ $299 |
| Print Specs | ||
| Tier | Entry | Entry |
| Motion | BedSlinger | CoreXY |
| Build Volume | ★ 260 × 260 × 260 mm | 256 × 256 × 256 mm |
| Max Speed | ★ 600 mm/s | 500 mm/s |
| Multicolor | ✅ 4 slots | ✅ 4 slots |
| Enclosure | ❌ | ❌ |
| Auto Calibration | ✅ | ✅ |
| Open Source | ❌ | ❌ |
| Upgrade Kit | — | — |
| Buy Timing | ||
| Released | Mar 1, 2026 | Jun 24, 2026 |
| Cycle length | — | — |
| Cycle advice | Buy | Buy |
| Deals advice | Caution | Buy |
| Next model | — | — |
The Kobra X was released on Mar 1, 2026, 256 days ago. It is a first-generation product, so there is no earlier cycle to predict its successor from.
The Centauri 2 was released on Jun 24, 2026, 141 days ago. It is a first-generation product, so there is no earlier cycle to predict its successor from.
Both are early enough in their cycles that timing should not decide this one. The Kobra X launched 256 days ago and the Centauri 2 launched 141 days ago. Pick on features and price.
Cycle and deal status as of November 12, 2026. See the launch calendar →
The Centauri 2 lists at $299 and the Kobra X at $399 — $100 apart, so the Kobra X costs 33% more.
Per litre of build volume, that works out to $23 for the Kobra X versus $18 for the Centauri 2 — the Centauri 2 is the better value per litre as well.
If you are buying before Dec 5, 2026, the active sale tips value toward the Centauri 2.
Our pick for most buyers is the Centauri 2, for a lower price ($100 less) and support for PLA-CF and PETG-CF, plus a higher editor score (8.2 vs 8.0). Go for the Kobra X instead if print speed matters — it is rated for 600 mm/s against 500 mm/s. The Centauri 2 is also in a sale window right now (Black Friday 2026, until Dec 5, 2026).
How we judge timing and deals: read our methodology →
Listed at $399 and frequently on sale for $279–299 with ACE Gen 2 included, the Kobra X is one of the most affordable ways to get into multicolor FDM printing.
The same cube-format build volume as the pricier Kobra 4 — practical for most everyday prints.
The second-generation ACE Gen 2 offers improved filament switching reliability over the original ACE Pro, with support for up to 4 colors per print.
The Centauri 2 Combo includes the 4-color CANVAS system with RFID filament detection, auto refill and tangle detection. It is one of the cheapest CoreXY multicolor packages from a major brand.
It uses the same 256×256×256 mm CoreXY motion system, 500 mm/s top speed, 350°C hardened nozzle and 121-point auto leveling as the Centauri Carbon 2, for $50–100 less.
The camera, air filter, LED lighting and smart exhaust grill are optional add-ons, so you pay only for the features you need.