The Elegoo Centauri Carbon 2 (prosumer) and Qidi Tech Max4 (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 4-slot multicolor and automatic calibration. The Max4 costs $690 more and gets you an enclosed chamber (with PA, PA-CF, PC and PPS-CF on its materials list) and 208% 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 →First-generation product — recently released, still early days
Best for: Professional makers and small studios who need the maximum enclosed build volume in Qidi's lineup for large engineering parts, architectural models, or batch production — at a price point below the Bambu H2S.
Full details →| Elegoo Centauri Carbon 2 | Qidi Tech Max4 | |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing | ||
| Starting Price | ★ $359 | $1,049 |
| Print Specs | ||
| Tier | Prosumer | Professional |
| Motion | CoreXY | CoreXY |
| Build Volume | 256 × 256 × 256 mm | ★ 390 × 390 × 340 mm |
| Max Speed | 500 mm/s | ★ 800 mm/s |
| Multicolor | ✅ 4 slots | ✅ 4 slots |
| Enclosure | ❌ | ★ ✅ |
| Auto Calibration | ✅ | ✅ |
| Open Source | ❌ | ❌ |
| Upgrade Kit | — | — |
| Buy Timing | ||
| Released | Jan 26, 2026 | Dec 1, 2025 |
| Cycle length | — | — |
| Cycle advice | Buy | Buy |
| 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 Max4 was released on Dec 1, 2025, 346 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 Centauri Carbon 2 launched 290 days ago and the Max4 launched 346 days ago. 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 Max4 at $1,049 — $690 apart, so the Max4 costs 192% more.
Per litre of build volume, that works out to $21 for the Centauri Carbon 2 versus $20 for the Max4 — so the pricier Max4 actually gives you more build space per dollar.
Our pick for most buyers is the Max4, for an enclosed chamber (with PA, PA-CF, PC and PPS-CF on its materials list) and 208% more build volume. Go for the Centauri Carbon 2 instead if you want to spend less — it is $690 cheaper ($359 vs $1,049).
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 Max4 offers the largest build volume in Qidi's lineup — enabling large functional parts, architectural models, and production batch runs that exceed Plus5 capacity.
The Max4's closed-loop XY adds positional feedback for improved accuracy at high speeds — a differentiating feature at this price tier that reduces dimensional errors on large prints.
Qidi's proven active chamber heating technology scaled to a 390×390 mm bed — critical for consistent ABS, ASA, PA-CF, and PPS-CF results across the full build plate.