The Elegoo Centauri Carbon 2 (prosumer) and Prusa Research Mini+ (entry) 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 open-frame printers with automatic calibration. The Mini+ costs $100 more and gets you an open-source design; the Centauri Carbon 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: 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: 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 Carbon 2 | Prusa Research Mini+ | |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing | ||
| Starting Price | ★ $359 | $459 |
| Print Specs | ||
| Tier | Prosumer | 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 | Jan 26, 2026 | Apr 25, 2021 |
| Cycle length | — | ~730 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 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 Carbon 2 is the safer buy right now — it launched only 290 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 Carbon 2 lists at $359 and the Mini+ at $459 — $100 apart, so the Mini+ costs 28% more.
Per litre of build volume, that works out to $21 for the Centauri Carbon 2 versus $79 for the Mini+ — the Centauri Carbon 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 Carbon 2.
Our pick for most buyers is the Centauri Carbon 2, for a lower price ($100 less) and 188% more build volume, plus a higher editor score (8.4 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 Carbon 2 is not open source. The Centauri Carbon 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 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 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.