Elegoo Centauri Carbon vs Longer Orange 4K
Head-to-head 3D printer comparison — 2026
Comparing FDM to resin? The Elegoo Centauri Carbon ($299, FDM) and Longer Orange 4K ($129, RESIN) use fundamentally different technologies. FDM melts filament layer by layer; resin cures liquid with UV light. Here's how they stack up.
Our Verdict
The Elegoo Centauri Carbon takes the crown with 8.2/10 vs 6.4/10. It pulls ahead in Beginner Friendliness, Print Quality, Speed, Reliability. That said, the Longer Orange 4K saves you $170.
Score Breakdown
Specifications
| Spec | Elegoo Centauri Carbon | Longer Orange 4K |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $299 | $129 |
| Type | FDM | RESIN |
| Build Volume | 256 x 256 x 256 mm | 118 x 66 x 190 mm |
| Print Speed | 500 mm/s | 80 mm/s |
| Min Resolution | 0.1 mm | 0.01 mm |
| Weight | 17.5 kg | 4.5 kg |
| Overall Score | 8.2/10 | 6.4/10 |
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
Longer Orange 4K
+Cheapest resin printer
+WiFi at this price
+Decent 4K resolution
−Very small build plate
−4K resolution below current standard
−Less reliable long-term
−Tiny community
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 Longer Orange 4K if you want:
- A great printer for budget
- A great printer for resin
- 5.5" 4K mono LCD
- WiFi
- USB
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Elegoo Centauri Carbon better than the Longer Orange 4K?
By the numbers, the Elegoo Centauri Carbon scores higher (8.2/10). But "better" depends on your use case — the Longer Orange 4K may be the smarter buy if you need budget.
Which is better for beginners, Elegoo Centauri Carbon or Longer Orange 4K?
The Elegoo Centauri Carbon is more beginner-friendly (8/10 vs 5/10) with easier setup and a gentler learning curve.
Is the Elegoo Centauri Carbon worth $170 more than the Longer Orange 4K?
The Elegoo Centauri Carbon scores higher overall (8.2/10 vs 6.4/10). The extra $170 gets you enclosed corexy at an unbelievable $299.
What's the main difference between Elegoo Centauri Carbon and Longer Orange 4K?
Technology: the Elegoo Centauri Carbon is FDM (filament) and the Longer Orange 4K is RESIN (resin). FDM prints bigger functional parts; resin delivers finer surface detail.