The Elegoo Centauri Carbon 2 (prosumer) and Prusa Research CORE One L+ (professional) come from different brands and sit in different tiers, so this is less a head-to-head than a question of how much printer you need. Both are CoreXY printers with a 500 mm/s rated top speed and automatic calibration. The CORE One L+ costs $1,640 more and gets you an enclosed chamber (with PA, PA-CF and PC on its materials list) and 77% more build volume; the Centauri Carbon 2 answers with 4-slot multicolor.
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 →Early in release cycle — no urgency to wait
🔧 Upgrade kit available — from CORE One L
Best for: Engineers and professional makers who need large-format enclosed printing with active chamber heating — and want Prusa's open-source ethos and long-term support over a closed-ecosystem competitor.
Full details →| Elegoo Centauri Carbon 2 | Prusa Research CORE One L+ | |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing | ||
| Starting Price | ★ $359 | $1,999 |
| Print Specs | ||
| Tier | Prosumer | Professional |
| Motion | CoreXY | CoreXY |
| Build Volume | 256 × 256 × 256 mm | ★ 300 × 300 × 330 mm |
| Max Speed | 500 mm/s | 500 mm/s |
| Multicolor | ★ ✅ 4 slots | ❌ No |
| Enclosure | ❌ | ★ ✅ |
| Auto Calibration | ✅ | ✅ |
| Open Source | ❌ | ★ ✅ |
| Upgrade Kit | — | 🔧 From CORE One L |
| Buy Timing | ||
| Released | Jan 26, 2026 | Aug 13, 2026 |
| Cycle length | — | ~279 days |
| Cycle advice | Buy | Buy |
| Deals advice | Buy | Caution |
| 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 CORE One L+ was released on Aug 13, 2026, 91 days ago. Its previous release cycle ran about 279 days, so it is 33% of the way through — roughly 188 days before a successor would be due at that pace.
Both are early enough in their cycles that timing should not decide this one. The Centauri Carbon 2 launched 290 days ago and the CORE One L+ has roughly 188 days of runway on past cadence. Pick on features and price.
Cycle and deal status as of November 12, 2026. See the launch calendar →
The Centauri Carbon 2 lists at $359 and the CORE One L+ at $1,999 — $1,640 apart, so the CORE One L+ costs 457% more.
Per litre of build volume, that works out to $21 for the Centauri Carbon 2 versus $67 for the CORE One L+ — the Centauri Carbon 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 Carbon 2.
Our pick for most buyers is the CORE One L+, for an enclosed chamber (with PA, PA-CF and PC on its materials list) and 77% more build volume, plus a higher editor score (8.6 vs 8.4). Go for the Centauri Carbon 2 instead if you want to spend less — it is $1,640 cheaper ($359 vs $1,999).
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.
A large enclosed build volume with genuine active chamber heating — making the CORE One L+ reliable for ABS, ASA, PA, and PC across the full build plate.
All firmware, hardware designs, and slicing profiles are open source. Prusa backs the CORE One L+ with long-term parts availability and community support.
For institutional, government, and production customers, a dedicated Critical Infrastructure Edition is offered — Prusa's commitment to secure supply for professional users.