Elegoo Neptune 4
- Speed
- 500 mm/s
- Score
- 8.2/10
- Wins
- 2/5
Elegoo Neptune 4 vs Prusa Core One
- Tied at 8.2 out of 10.
- Near-same build volume (250×220×270 vs 225×225×265 mm, 1.11×) and the same 500 mm/s top speed.
- The Prusa Core One costs more, and that money buys features, not size or speed.
Specs from the PrintPick catalog, checked 2026-09-29. Scores are PrintPick ratings out of 10.
Prusa Core One
- Speed
- 500 mm/s
- Score
- 8.2/10
- Wins
- 2/5
The verdict
Tied at 8.2/10. Buy the Neptune 4, the cheaper one.
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
vsPrusa Core OnePrusa Research · FDM
| Neptune 4 | Spec | Prusa Core One |
|---|---|---|
| 13.4 L | Build volume | 14.8 L (wins) |
| 500 mm/s | Top speed | 500 mm/s |
| 0.05 mm | Finest layer | 0.05 mm |
| 9.5 kg | Weight | 22.5 kg |
Features
| Neptune 4 | Feature | Prusa Core One |
|---|---|---|
| Yes | Klipper firmware | No |
| Yes | Auto bed leveling | No |
| Yes | Direct drive | No |
| Yes | PEI build plate | No |
| Yes | High-speed mode | No |
| No | Enclosed CoreXY with active chamber heating (55C) | Yes |
| No | Nextruder direct drive (10:1 planetary) | Yes |
| No | 360-degree cooling duct | Yes |
| No | Ethernet + WiFi + NFC | Yes |
| No | MMU3 multi-material compatible | Yes |
| No | Open-source firmware (PrusaSlicer) | Yes |
Scores out of 10
| Neptune 4 | Spec | Prusa Core One |
|---|---|---|
| 10 (wins) | Value | 6 |
| 8 (wins) | Beginner Friendliness | 7 |
| 8 | Print Quality | 10 (wins) |
| 8 | Speed | 8 |
| 7 | Reliability | 10 (wins) |
| 8.2 | Overall | 8.2 |
Build space, front view, to one scale
- 225 × 225 × 265 mm
- 250 × 220 × 270 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)Finally, Prusa takes on Bambu! The Core One is better in a box.
Prusa Core One owner, Tom's HardwareRail smoothness holds up well after months of hard use, minimal belt wear, and consistent chamber heat stability.
Prusa Core One owner, Prusa ForumIf you value open source and lifetime support, Prusa is still the gold standard. Just bring your wallet.
Prusa Core One owner, r/3Dprinting
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
Prusa Core One
- +Prusa reliability is not marketing. It's earned over years.
- +55C active chamber heating handles demanding materials
- +Fully open-source, no vendor lock-in anywhere
- −The assembled price is hard to justify against the Bambu alternatives
- −Build volume is smaller than what you'd expect at this price
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 Prusa Core One?
They tie at 8.2/10. The Elegoo Neptune 4 suits budget and speed, while the Prusa Core One is aimed at precision and professional.
Which is better for beginners, Elegoo Neptune 4 or Prusa Core One?
The Elegoo Neptune 4 is more beginner-friendly (8/10 vs 7/10) with easier setup and a gentler learning curve.
Is the Prusa Core One worth paying more for over the Elegoo Neptune 4?
The Elegoo Neptune 4 actually scores higher (8.2/10) despite costing less. The Prusa Core One only makes sense if you specifically need precision.
What's the main difference between Elegoo Neptune 4 and Prusa Core One?
Build volume (225x225x265mm vs 250x220x270mm) and print speed (500 vs 500 mm/s). The Elegoo Neptune 4 is best for budget; the Prusa Core One targets precision.