Elegoo Neptune 4
- Speed
- 500 mm/s
- Score
- 8.2/10
- Wins
- 4/5
Elegoo Neptune 4 vs Elegoo Neptune 4 Max
- The Elegoo Neptune 4 wins, 8.2 vs 7 out of 10.
- Neptune 4 Max prints 6.3× the volume (420×420×480 ÷ 225×225×265 = 6.31) for more money.
- Same 500 mm/s top speed.
- Pick the Neptune 4 if your prints fit in 26.5 cm.
Specs from the PrintPick catalog, checked 2026-09-29. Scores are PrintPick ratings out of 10.
Elegoo Neptune 4 Max
- Speed
- 500 mm/s
- Score
- 7/10
- Wins
- 0/5
The verdict
Buy the Neptune 4.
8.2/10 vs Neptune 4 Max's 7/10, and it wins 4 of 5 categories. Very close race with the Ender 3 V3 KE. The KE has WiFi, this has a slightly larger bed. Pick based on brand preference or which one is in stock. Neither is wrong.
Specs, side by side
Teal wins the row.
Neptune 4Elegoo · FDM
vsNeptune 4 MaxElegoo · FDM
| Neptune 4 | Spec | Neptune 4 Max |
|---|---|---|
| 13.4 L | Build volume | 84.7 L (wins) |
| 500 mm/s | Top speed | 500 mm/s |
| 0.05 mm | Finest layer | 0.05 mm |
| 9.5 kg | Weight | 22 kg |
Features
| Neptune 4 | Feature | Neptune 4 Max |
|---|---|---|
| Yes | Klipper firmware | Yes |
| Yes | Auto bed leveling | Yes |
| Yes | Direct drive | Yes |
| Yes | PEI build plate | Yes |
| Yes | High-speed mode | No |
| No | 420x420x480mm build | Yes |
Scores out of 10
| Neptune 4 | Spec | Neptune 4 Max |
|---|---|---|
| 10 (wins) | Value | 9 |
| 8 (wins) | Beginner Friendliness | 5 |
| 8 (wins) | Print Quality | 7 |
| 8 (wins) | Speed | 7 |
| 7 | Reliability | 7 |
| 8.2 (wins) | Overall | 7 |
Build space, front view, to one scale
- 225 × 225 × 265 mm
- 420 × 420 × 480 mm
What owners say
Klipper for [this price] with a direct drive? Elegoo is giving Creality a real run for their money.
Neptune 4 owner, r/3DprintingSolid budget machine. Does what it says at a price that's hard to beat.
Neptune 4 owner, Maker's Muse (YouTube)420mm Klipper for [this price]. Elegoo just won the large format budget race.
Neptune 4 Max owner, r/3DprintingPrinted a full cosplay breastplate in one go. Absolutely remarkable value.
Neptune 4 Max owner, r/cosplay
Pros & Cons
Neptune 4
- +Klipper at this price means real input shaping and pressure advance, not just fast travel speeds
- +Direct drive handles TPU without a fight
- +500mm/s capable on stock profiles
- −No WiFi on the base model: Elegoo charges extra for connectivity the KE includes free
- −Elegoo's community is smaller than Creality's, which matters when you hit unusual problems
Neptune 4 Max
- +420x420x480mm with Klipper: the price-to-volume ratio is hard to beat
- +Direct drive on a bed this large is unusual and useful for flexible materials
- +Klipper gives you full control to tune speed and acceleration for the mass of this bed
- −Open frame at this scale means ABS warping will ruin prints without serious prep
- −The sheer footprint means a dedicated table minimum; don't try to share desk space
Buy these with it
A printer does nothing without these. Grab them in the same order.
- ELEGOO PLA filament, 1kgThe easy filament to start on. Prints at low temperatures and warps less.
- ELEGOO PETG filament, 1kgTougher and more heat tolerant than PLA, for parts that get handled or sit in the sun.
- SUNLU filament dryer S1 PlusWet filament causes stringing and rough surfaces. A dryer fixes that before you blame the printer.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Elegoo Neptune 4 better than the Elegoo Neptune 4 Max?
By the numbers, the Elegoo Neptune 4 scores higher (8.2/10). But "better" depends on your use case, the Elegoo Neptune 4 Max may be the smarter buy if you need large-prints.
Which is better for beginners, Elegoo Neptune 4 or Elegoo Neptune 4 Max?
The Elegoo Neptune 4 is more beginner-friendly (8/10 vs 5/10) with easier setup and a gentler learning curve.
Is the Elegoo Neptune 4 Max worth paying more for over the Elegoo Neptune 4?
The Elegoo Neptune 4 actually scores higher (8.2/10) despite costing less. The Elegoo Neptune 4 Max only makes sense if you specifically need large-prints.
What's the main difference between Elegoo Neptune 4 and Elegoo Neptune 4 Max?
Build volume (225x225x265mm vs 420x420x480mm) and print speed (500 vs 500 mm/s). The Elegoo Neptune 4 is best for budget; the Elegoo Neptune 4 Max targets large-prints.