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 $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
Longer Orange 4K
+$129 is the absolute floor for resin printing
+WiFi at this price is genuinely surprising
+4K resolution is enough to see if resin is your thing
−118x66mm build plate: one mini at a time, if they're small
−4K resolution is dated next to 9K and 12K competitors
−Long-term reliability is unknown; smaller community means fewer fixes documented online
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 $299. yes, really..
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.