The Elegoo Centauri Carbon 2 (prosumer) and Qidi Tech Q1 Pro (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. Note that the Q1 Pro has been replaced by the Q2 and is no longer sold new. Both are CoreXY printers with automatic calibration. The Q1 Pro costs $140 more and gets you an enclosed chamber (with PA, PA-CF and PC on its materials list) and a top speed of 600 mm/s (vs 500); the Centauri Carbon 2 answers with 4-slot multicolor and 16% 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 →This printer is no longer sold new. It has been replaced by the Qidi Tech Q2.
Best for: Budget-conscious makers who need active chamber heating for ABS, ASA, and PA printing. Look for clearance deals — the Q2 is the better long-term buy if available.
Full details →| Elegoo Centauri Carbon 2 | Qidi Tech Q1 Pro | |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing | ||
| Starting Price | ★ $359 | $499 |
| Print Specs | ||
| Tier | Prosumer | Entry |
| Motion | CoreXY | CoreXY |
| Build Volume | ★ 256 × 256 × 256 mm | 245 × 245 × 240 mm |
| Max Speed | 500 mm/s | ★ 600 mm/s |
| Multicolor | ★ ✅ 4 slots | ❌ No |
| Enclosure | ❌ | ★ ✅ |
| Auto Calibration | ✅ | ✅ |
| Open Source | ❌ | ❌ |
| Upgrade Kit | — | — |
| Buy Timing | ||
| Released | Jan 26, 2026 | Mar 20, 2024 |
| Cycle length | — | ~518 days |
| Cycle advice | Buy | Superseded |
| Deals advice | Buy | Clearance |
| 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The Q1 Pro has been replaced by the Q2 and is no longer sold new, so there is no release cycle left to time — any unit you find now is leftover or second-hand stock.
On timing alone, the Centauri Carbon 2 is the safer buy right now — it launched only 290 days ago, while the Q1 Pro has already been replaced by the Q2.
Cycle and deal status as of November 12, 2026. See the launch calendar →
The Centauri Carbon 2 lists at $359 and the Q1 Pro at $499 — $140 apart, so the Q1 Pro costs 39% more.
Per litre of build volume, that works out to $21 for the Centauri Carbon 2 versus $35 for the Q1 Pro — the Centauri Carbon 2 is both cheaper and roomier, so it wins on value outright.
Buy the Centauri Carbon 2. The Q1 Pro has already been replaced by the Q2 and is no longer sold new, so it is only worth considering at a clearance price. If the Q1 Pro appealed to you, the fair comparison today is the Centauri Carbon 2 against the Q2.
Compare Elegoo Centauri Carbon 2 vs Qidi Tech Q2 →
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 Q1 Pro's heated chamber was groundbreaking at its price point. ABS, ASA, and PA prints come out without warping that plagues open-frame printers.
Same speed class as Bambu Lab printers at a fraction of the price for enclosed printing.