Elegoo Centauri Carbon vs Elegoo Mars 4
Head-to-head 3D printer comparison, 2026
Choosing between two Elegoo printers? The Elegoo Centauri Carbon ($299) and Elegoo Mars 4 ($149) both come from one of the most trusted names in 3D printing, with a $150 gap between them. Here's how they compare across every category that matters.
Our Verdict
The Elegoo Centauri Carbon takes the crown with 8.2/10 vs 7.2/10. It pulls ahead in Beginner Friendliness, Speed. That said, the Elegoo Mars 4 saves you $150.
Score Breakdown
Specifications
| Spec | Elegoo Centauri Carbon | Elegoo Mars 4 |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $299 | $149 |
| Type | FDM | RESIN |
| Build Volume | 256 x 256 x 256 mm | 153 x 77 x 165 mm |
| Print Speed | 500 mm/s | 80 mm/s |
| Min Resolution | 0.1 mm | 0.02 mm |
| Weight | 17.5 kg | 6.2 kg |
| Overall Score | 8.2/10 | 7.2/10 |
Pros & Cons
Elegoo Centauri Carbon
+Enclosed CoreXY at $299. Yes, really.
+PLA, PETG, ABS: all print well out of the box
+Pre-assembled, printing within minutes of opening the box
+Carbon-fiber-infused materials are a go
−Firmware needs attention after unboxing
−Heat creep shows up on long prints above 270C
−Elegoo's ecosystem is years behind Bambu's
−17.5kg for a 256mm build volume is heavy
Elegoo Mars 4
+$149 entry into Elegoo's quality resin lineup
+7K resolution is still detailed enough for D&D and Warhammer minis
+WiFi monitoring included even at this price
+Elegoo's brand reliability is the best in budget resin
−No tilt release: FEP films will need replacing more often than the Ultra variants
−7K detail is noticeably softer than the 9K and 12K machines on fine surface textures
−Slower at 80mm/hr vs 100mm/hr on the Ultra
Who Should Buy Which?
Choose the Elegoo Centauri Carbon if you want:
- A great printer for budget
- A great printer for enclosed
- A great printer for beginners
- Enclosed CoreXY
- Auto bed leveling (4 pressure sensors)
- Chamber camera monitoring
Choose the Elegoo Mars 4 if you want:
- A great printer for budget
- A great printer for resin
- A great printer for miniatures
- 7K mono LCD
- WiFi
- USB
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Elegoo Centauri Carbon better than the Elegoo Mars 4?
By the numbers, the Elegoo Centauri Carbon scores higher (8.2/10). But "better" depends on your use case, the Elegoo Mars 4 may be the smarter buy if you need budget.
Which is better for beginners, Elegoo Centauri Carbon or Elegoo Mars 4?
The Elegoo Centauri Carbon is more beginner-friendly (8/10 vs 6/10) with easier setup and a gentler learning curve.
Is the Elegoo Centauri Carbon worth $150 more than the Elegoo Mars 4?
The Elegoo Centauri Carbon scores higher overall (8.2/10 vs 7.2/10). The extra $150 gets you enclosed corexy at $299. yes, really..
What's the main difference between Elegoo Centauri Carbon and Elegoo Mars 4?
Technology: the Elegoo Centauri Carbon is FDM (filament) and the Elegoo Mars 4 is RESIN (resin). FDM prints bigger functional parts; resin delivers finer surface detail.