🖨 3D Printer Radar

Elegoo Centauri Carbon 2vsQidi Tech Q1 Pro

💰Elegoo Centauri Carbon 2 is $61 cheaper (14% less)
Qidi Tech Q1 Pro tops out at 600 mm/s vs 500 mm/s
🏠Only Qidi Tech Q1 Pro has an enclosure — required for ABS, ASA, PA engineering filaments
🎨Only Elegoo Centauri Carbon 2 supports multicolor printing (4 slots)
Cross-ecosystem comparison: These printers use different software ecosystems. Accessories, filament profiles, and community support are not interchangeable between brands. Consider the total ecosystem cost, not just the printer price.
Elegoo Centauri Carbon 2
Buy/Wait:Buy

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 →
Qidi Tech Q1 Pro
Buy/Wait:Superseded

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 It has been replaced by the Qidi Tech Q2.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 2Qidi Tech Q1 Pro
Pricing
Starting Price$438$499
Print Specs
TierProsumerEntry
MotionCoreXYCoreXY
Build Volume256 × 256 × 256 mm245 × 245 × 240 mm
Max Speed500 mm/s600 mm/s
Multicolor✅ 4 slots❌ No
Enclosure
Auto Calibration
Open Source
Upgrade Kit
Buy Timing
ReleasedJan 26, 2026Mar 20, 2024
Cycle length~518 days
Cycle adviceBuySuperseded
Deals adviceCautionClearance
Next model

Quick Winner

💰
Budget pick
Elegoo Centauri Carbon 2
$438 starting
📐
Large prints
Elegoo Centauri Carbon 2
256×256×256 mm
Fastest prints
Qidi Tech Q1 Pro
600 mm/s
🔓
Open ecosystem
Tie

Bottom Line

🏠Qidi Tech Q1 Pro is the only choice if you print ABS, ASA, PA, or PC — those materials require an enclosure
🎨Elegoo Centauri Carbon 2 is the pick if multicolor printing is important to you

Materials

Elegoo Centauri Carbon 2 only
Both
PLAEasy to print, no enclosure needed — everyday parts
PETGTougher, slightly flexible, moisture-resistant
ABSHeat and impact resistant — needs enclosure
ASAUV-stable ABS alternative — outdoor parts, needs enclosure
TPUFlexible rubber-like — phone cases, gaskets, wheels
Qidi Tech Q1 Pro only
PANylon — strong and wear-resistant, needs dry storage
PA-CFCarbon-fibre nylon — very stiff, abrasive to standard nozzles
PCPolycarbonate — extremely tough, challenging to print

Why buy each?

Elegoo Centauri Carbon 2

Elegoo's first multicolor FDM

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.

350°C nozzle for engineering filaments

The high-temperature nozzle enables printing of PA, PA-CF, and PC on an open-frame CoreXY — a notable differentiator at this price point.

CANVAS 4-color multicolor system

Elegoo's proprietary CANVAS system provides 4-color filament switching at a competitive all-in price of $449.

Qidi Tech Q1 Pro

Active 60°C chamber heating

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.

600 mm/s CoreXY speed

Same speed class as Bambu Lab printers at a fraction of the price for enclosed printing.