Artillery Sidewinder X4 Plus vs Elegoo Centauri Carbon 2 Combo
Head-to-head 3D printer comparison — 2026
The Artillery Sidewinder X4 Plus and Elegoo Centauri Carbon 2 Combo are both FDM 3D printers competing in different tiers — $349 vs $449. We scored both across value, beginner-friendliness, quality, speed, and reliability. Here's the full breakdown.
Our Verdict
The Elegoo Centauri Carbon 2 Combo takes the crown with 8/10 vs 7.4/10. It pulls ahead in Beginner Friendliness, Print Quality, Reliability. That said, the Artillery Sidewinder X4 Plus saves you $100.
Score Breakdown
Specifications
| Spec | Artillery Sidewinder X4 Plus | Elegoo Centauri Carbon 2 Combo |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $349 | $449 |
| Type | FDM | FDM |
| Build Volume | 300 x 300 x 400 mm | 256 x 256 x 256 mm |
| Print Speed | 500 mm/s | 500 mm/s |
| Min Resolution | 0.05 mm | 0.08 mm |
| Weight | 14.5 kg | 19.35 kg |
| Overall Score | 7.4/10 | 8/10 |
Pros & Cons
Artillery Sidewinder X4 Plus
+Massive build volume at $349
+Klipper pre-installed
+Direct drive
+Great for cosplay
−Mixed QC reviews
−Smaller community
−Can be loud
−No enclosure
Elegoo Centauri Carbon 2 Combo
+First sub-$500 enclosed multi-color CoreXY
+91% first-attempt success rate on multi-color jobs
+RFID auto-identifies filament type and properties
+Excellent TPU printing performance
−Finicky spool holders need improvement
−Loading routine doesn't get hot enough for high-temp filaments
−Cold build plate could use more grip
−Canvas software is functional but visually awkward
Who Should Buy Which?
Choose the Artillery Sidewinder X4 Plus if you want:
- A great printer for large-prints
- A great printer for budget
- A great printer for speed
- 300x300x400mm build
- Klipper
- Auto bed leveling
Choose the Elegoo Centauri Carbon 2 Combo if you want:
- A great printer for multi-color
- A great printer for budget
- A great printer for enclosed
- Enclosed CoreXY
- 4-color Canvas multi-color system
- 350C hardened steel nozzle
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Artillery Sidewinder X4 Plus better than the Elegoo Centauri Carbon 2 Combo?
By the numbers, the Elegoo Centauri Carbon 2 Combo scores higher (8/10). But "better" depends on your use case — the Artillery Sidewinder X4 Plus may be the smarter buy if you need large-prints.
Which is better for beginners, Artillery Sidewinder X4 Plus or Elegoo Centauri Carbon 2 Combo?
The Elegoo Centauri Carbon 2 Combo is more beginner-friendly (7/10 vs 6/10) with easier setup and a gentler learning curve.
Is the Elegoo Centauri Carbon 2 Combo worth $100 more than the Artillery Sidewinder X4 Plus?
The Elegoo Centauri Carbon 2 Combo scores higher overall (8/10 vs 7.4/10). The extra $100 gets you first sub-$500 enclosed multi-color corexy.
What's the main difference between Artillery Sidewinder X4 Plus and Elegoo Centauri Carbon 2 Combo?
Build volume (300x300x400mm vs 256x256x256mm) and print speed (500 vs 500 mm/s). The Artillery Sidewinder X4 Plus is best for large-prints; the Elegoo Centauri Carbon 2 Combo targets multi-color.