Elegoo Centauri Carbon vs Elegoo Mars 4 Ultra
Head-to-head 3D printer comparison — 2026
Choosing between two Elegoo printers? The Elegoo Centauri Carbon ($299) and Elegoo Mars 4 Ultra ($199) both come from one of the most trusted names in 3D printing, with a $100 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 7.8/10. It pulls ahead in Value, Beginner Friendliness, Speed. That said, the Elegoo Mars 4 Ultra saves you $100 and wins on Print Quality, Reliability.
Score Breakdown
Specifications
| Spec | Elegoo Centauri Carbon | Elegoo Mars 4 Ultra |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $299 | $199 |
| Type | FDM | RESIN |
| Build Volume | 256 x 256 x 256 mm | 153 x 77 x 165 mm |
| Print Speed | 500 mm/s | 100 mm/s |
| Min Resolution | 0.1 mm | 0.01 mm |
| Weight | 17.5 kg | 6.8 kg |
| Overall Score | 8.2/10 | 7.8/10 |
Pros & Cons
Elegoo Centauri Carbon
+Enclosed CoreXY at an unbelievable $299
+Excellent print quality across PLA, PETG, and ABS
+Pre-assembled — print within minutes of unboxing
+Handles carbon-fiber-infused materials
−Firmware can be unreliable and needs updates
−Heat creep issues on long prints above 270C
−Elegoo ecosystem is immature compared to Bambu
−Heavy at 17.5kg for a 256mm build volume
Elegoo Mars 4 Ultra
+9K resolution for exceptional detail
+Tilt release reduces FEP wear
+Built-in air purifier
+WiFi connectivity
−Smaller build plate than Saturn
−Requires wash & cure station
−Resin learning curve
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 Ultra if you want:
- A great printer for miniatures
- A great printer for resin
- A great printer for budget
- 9K mono LCD
- Tilt release
- WiFi
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Elegoo Centauri Carbon better than the Elegoo Mars 4 Ultra?
By the numbers, the Elegoo Centauri Carbon scores higher (8.2/10). But "better" depends on your use case — the Elegoo Mars 4 Ultra may be the smarter buy if you need miniatures.
Which is better for beginners, Elegoo Centauri Carbon or Elegoo Mars 4 Ultra?
The Elegoo Centauri Carbon is more beginner-friendly (8/10 vs 7/10) with easier setup and a gentler learning curve.
Is the Elegoo Centauri Carbon worth $100 more than the Elegoo Mars 4 Ultra?
The Elegoo Centauri Carbon scores higher overall (8.2/10 vs 7.8/10). The extra $100 gets you enclosed corexy at an unbelievable $299.
What's the main difference between Elegoo Centauri Carbon and Elegoo Mars 4 Ultra?
Technology: the Elegoo Centauri Carbon is FDM (filament) and the Elegoo Mars 4 Ultra is RESIN (resin). FDM prints bigger functional parts; resin delivers finer surface detail.