The Elegoo Centauri 2 and Prusa Research Mini+ are cross-brand rivals: both are entry-tier printers, listed $160 apart. Both are open-frame printers with automatic calibration. The Mini+ costs $160 more and gets you an open-source design and extra engineering materials (ASA); the Centauri 2 answers with 188% more build volume and a top speed of 500 mm/s (vs 200).
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 →Overdue for a refresh — no successor announced yet. Prices should be at their lowest
Best for: Beginners who prioritize open-source hardware, community support, and long-term reliability over speed — and don't mind a slower, more deliberate printing experience.
Full details →| Elegoo Centauri 2 | Prusa Research Mini+ | |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing | ||
| Starting Price | ★ $299 | $459 |
| Print Specs | ||
| Tier | Entry | Entry |
| Motion | CoreXY | BedSlinger |
| Build Volume | ★ 256 × 256 × 256 mm | 180 × 180 × 180 mm |
| Max Speed | ★ 500 mm/s | 200 mm/s |
| Multicolor | ★ ✅ 4 slots | ❌ No |
| Enclosure | ❌ | ❌ |
| Auto Calibration | ✅ | ✅ |
| Open Source | ❌ | ★ ✅ |
| Upgrade Kit | — | — |
| Buy Timing | ||
| Released | Jun 24, 2026 | Apr 25, 2021 |
| Cycle length | — | ~730 days |
| Cycle advice | Buy | Wait |
| Deals advice | Buy | Buy |
| Next model | — | — |
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.
The Mini+ was released on Apr 25, 2021, 2,027 days ago. Its previous release cycle ran about 730 days; it is now 1,297 days past that point and no successor has been announced.
On timing alone, the Centauri 2 is the safer buy right now — it launched only 141 days ago, while the Mini+ is 1,297 days past its ~730-day cycle with no successor announced.
Cycle and deal status as of November 12, 2026. See the launch calendar →
The Centauri 2 lists at $299 and the Mini+ at $459 — $160 apart, so the Mini+ costs 54% more.
Per litre of build volume, that works out to $18 for the Centauri 2 versus $79 for the Mini+ — the Centauri 2 is both cheaper and roomier, so it wins on value outright.
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 ($160 less) and 188% more build volume, plus a higher editor score (8.2 vs 7.9) and better buy-now timing. Go for the Mini+ instead if you want an open-source printer you can modify and repair yourself — the Centauri 2 is not open source. 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 →
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.
The Mini+ has been on the market since 2021 and has proven its durability with thousands of community print-hours logged.
Prusa stocks replacement parts for all Mini+ components. Community guides cover every repair scenario.
The lowest-cost way to enter the Prusa ecosystem with a fully supported printer.