Elegoo has entered the Core XY arena with their latest creation, the Centauri Carbon, and it’s shaking things up with massive speed and precision at a price point that’s hard to beat. Launching at a sale price of $299.99, this fully enclosed 3D printer is packed with features that make it one of the best affordable options in 2025.
What I Love:
- Core XY Motion: The Centauri Carbon uses a Core XY design, offering fast and precise prints that stand out in its price range.
- Impressive Speed: I ran a "Speed Benchy" in just 18 minutes and 19 seconds — that's fast!
- Fully Enclosed: The printer's enclosure keeps drafts at bay, making it a great option for printing materials like ABS and PETG.
- User-Friendly: The touchscreen interface is intuitive, making it easy to navigate all the essential settings.
- Affordable: With a price of $299, the Centauri Carbon offers great value, especially for those looking for an affordable Core XY machine.
What Could Be Better:
- No Heated Chamber: While the enclosure is well-sealed, there’s no dedicated heated chamber, which could be useful for high-temperature filaments.
- Dim Chamber Lighting: The interior lighting could be much brighter, especially when monitoring prints.
- Cold Build Plate Lack Grip: The double sided steel flex plate is good on the textured side, but the smooth side can't hold at the recommended low temps. It works well once heated to 60°C.
Design & Build Quality:
The Elegoo Centauri Carbon is a well-built printer with an all-metal frame and a sleek design. The 256mm³ build volume makes this an "average" sized printer that can handle most prints. I like the double sided flex plate, with smooth and textured sides, but the smooth side could use more grip, especially at lower temperatures. When I ran it at a normal 60 degrees for PLA, it worked fine.
The printer includes a built-in camera for print monitoring and time-lapse videos, though the dim lighting makes it harder to get a clear view of your prints.
Thankfully, Elegoo worked out a good, Klipper-like firmware that delivers precise automatic bed leveling. Previous machines had issues with this.
The Elegoo Centauri Carbon has won me over with its speed, precision, and affordable price. At $299, it’s an incredible value for anyone looking for a fast, reliable Core XY printer. While it could benefit from a better lighting system and a heated chamber, it delivers solid results across a range of filaments. Whether you're a beginner or an experienced user, this printer is an excellent choice for anyone looking to boost their printing game without breaking the bank.
FAQ: Elegoo Centauri Carbon
1. What is the Elegoo Centauri Carbon?
- The Elegoo Centauri Carbon is an affordable, fully enclosed Core XY 3D printer designed for high-speed printing. It features a 256mm cubed build volume and is suitable for materials like PLA, PETG, TPU, and ABS. It's an entry-level Core XY printer aimed at offering precision and speed at a budget-friendly price.
2. How much does the Elegoo Centauri Carbon cost?
- The Centauri Carbon is currently available for $299.99, making it one of the most affordable Core XY printers on the market.
3. Is Elegoo a Chinese company?
- Yes, Elegoo was founded in 2015 by Chris Hong and is headquartered in Shenzhen, China.
4. Does the Centauri Carbon require cloud access?
- No, the Centauri Carbon does not require cloud access. It uses a Klipper-like firmware and can be accessed securely via LAN without relying on cloud services.
5. What materials can the Centauri Carbon print with?
- The printer is compatible with most filaments, such as PLA, PETG, TPU, and ABS (up to 320°C). It's an excellent choice for both beginners and those who want to print with a variety of materials.
6. What is the build volume of the Centauri Carbon?
- The Centauri Carbon has a 256 x 256 x 256 mm build volume, which is similar to the Bambu P1S.
7. Does the Centauri Carbon have an enclosed chamber?
- Yes, the Centauri Carbon features a fully enclosed chamber, which helps maintain stable printing conditions, especially for high temperature materials like ABS.
8. Does the printer have a heated chamber?
- No, the Centauri Carbon does not have a heated chamber, which could affect printing with certain filaments like ABS and PC Blend.
9. Is there a camera for monitoring prints?
- Yes, the Centauri Carbon comes with a built-in camera for monitoring prints and creating time-lapses. However, the camera’s visibility is limited by the dim interior light, which can be improved by removing the lid for better lighting.
10. Does the Centauri Carbon have auto-bed leveling?
- Yes, the printer includes automatic bed leveling, as well as Z-offset calibration and input shaping, making setup and use more convenient.