Elegoo Centauri Carbon vs Elegoo Saturn 4 Ultra
Head-to-head 3D printer comparison — 2026
Choosing between two Elegoo printers? The Elegoo Centauri Carbon ($299) and Elegoo Saturn 4 Ultra ($459) both come from one of the most trusted names in 3D printing, with a $160 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. The Elegoo Saturn 4 Ultra still puts up a fight in Print Quality and Reliability.
Score Breakdown
Specifications
| Spec | Elegoo Centauri Carbon | Elegoo Saturn 4 Ultra |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $299 | $459 |
| Type | FDM | RESIN |
| Build Volume | 256 x 256 x 256 mm | 218 x 123 x 220 mm |
| Print Speed | 500 mm/s | 150 mm/s |
| Min Resolution | 0.1 mm | 0.01 mm |
| Weight | 17.5 kg | 11 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 Saturn 4 Ultra
+Larger build plate than Mars series
+12K resolution
+Print multiple minis at once
+Good for busts and terrain
−More expensive than Mars
−Still requires post-processing
−Heavy resin smell even with purifier
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 Saturn 4 Ultra if you want:
- A great printer for resin
- A great printer for miniatures
- A great printer for large-prints
- 12K mono LCD
- Tilt release
- Air purifier
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Elegoo Centauri Carbon better than the Elegoo Saturn 4 Ultra?
By the numbers, the Elegoo Centauri Carbon scores higher (8.2/10). But "better" depends on your use case — the Elegoo Saturn 4 Ultra may be the smarter buy if you need resin.
Which is better for beginners, Elegoo Centauri Carbon or Elegoo Saturn 4 Ultra?
The Elegoo Centauri Carbon is more beginner-friendly (8/10 vs 6/10) with easier setup and a gentler learning curve.
Is the Elegoo Saturn 4 Ultra worth $160 more than the Elegoo Centauri Carbon?
The Elegoo Centauri Carbon actually scores higher (8.2/10) despite costing $160 less. The Elegoo Saturn 4 Ultra only makes sense if you specifically need resin.
What's the main difference between Elegoo Centauri Carbon and Elegoo Saturn 4 Ultra?
Technology: the Elegoo Centauri Carbon is FDM (filament) and the Elegoo Saturn 4 Ultra is RESIN (resin). FDM prints bigger functional parts; resin delivers finer surface detail.