The Centauri Carbon 2 and Neptune 4 Pro are both prosumer-tier printers from Elegoo, so the brand and ecosystem question is already settled — this comes down to size, features and price. Both are open-frame printers with a 500 mm/s rated top speed and automatic calibration. The Centauri Carbon 2 costs $99 more and gets you 4-slot multicolor and 25% more build volume.
First-generation product — recently released, still early days
Best for: Elegoo users and budget-conscious makers who want multicolor FDM from a brand known for resin printers — or those looking for a capable CoreXY with high-temperature nozzle capability at $449.
Full details →Overdue for a refresh — no successor announced yet. Prices should be at their lowest
Best for: Budget-conscious makers who want a capable bed-slinger with Klipper firmware for customization — without Bambu's closed ecosystem or Prusa's premium pricing.
Full details →| Elegoo Centauri Carbon 2 | Elegoo Neptune 4 Pro | |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing | ||
| Starting Price | $359 | ★ $260 |
| Print Specs | ||
| Tier | Prosumer | Prosumer |
| Motion | CoreXY | BedSlinger |
| Build Volume | ★ 256 × 256 × 256 mm | 225 × 225 × 265 mm |
| Max Speed | 500 mm/s | 500 mm/s |
| Multicolor | ★ ✅ 4 slots | ❌ No |
| Enclosure | ❌ | ❌ |
| Auto Calibration | ✅ | ✅ |
| Open Source | ❌ | ❌ |
| Upgrade Kit | — | — |
| Buy Timing | ||
| Released | Jan 26, 2026 | Jul 15, 2023 |
| Cycle length | — | ~450 days |
| Cycle advice | Buy | Wait |
| Deals advice | Buy | Buy |
| Next model | — | — |
The Centauri Carbon 2 was released on Jan 26, 2026, 290 days ago. It is a first-generation product, so there is no earlier cycle to predict its successor from.
The Neptune 4 Pro was released on Jul 15, 2023, 1,216 days ago. Its previous release cycle ran about 450 days; it is now 766 days past that point and no successor has been announced.
On timing alone, the Centauri Carbon 2 is the safer buy right now — it launched only 290 days ago, while the Neptune 4 Pro is 766 days past its ~450-day cycle with no successor announced.
Cycle and deal status as of November 12, 2026. See the launch calendar →
The Neptune 4 Pro lists at $260 and the Centauri Carbon 2 at $359 — $99 apart, so the Centauri Carbon 2 costs 38% more.
Per litre of build volume, that works out to $21 for the Centauri Carbon 2 versus $19 for the Neptune 4 Pro — the Neptune 4 Pro is the better value per litre as well.
Our pick for most buyers is the Centauri Carbon 2, for 4-slot multicolor and 25% more build volume, plus a higher editor score (8.4 vs 7.7) and better buy-now timing. Go for the Neptune 4 Pro instead if you want to spend less — it is $99 cheaper ($260 vs $359).
How we judge timing and deals: read our methodology →
The Centauri Carbon 2 marks Elegoo's entry into multicolor FDM printing — bringing the brand's value-focused approach to a segment dominated by Bambu and Anycubic.
The high-temperature nozzle enables printing of PA, PA-CF, and PC on an open-frame CoreXY — a notable differentiator at this price point.
Elegoo's proprietary CANVAS system provides 4-color filament switching at a competitive all-in price of $449.
The Neptune 4 Pro ships with Klipper pre-installed — enabling advanced input shaping, pressure advance, and configuration flexibility without modding.
A 500 mm/s rated speed at a price significantly below Bambu and Prusa alternatives.
Full automatic bed leveling reduces setup time and calibration friction.