Elegoo Neptune 4
- Speed
- 500 mm/s
- Score
- 8.2/10
- Wins
- 4/5
Elegoo Neptune 4 vs Voxelab Aquila X2
- The Elegoo Neptune 4 wins, 8.2 vs 6.6 out of 10.
- Near-same build volume (225×225×265 vs 220×220×250 mm, 1.11×).
- The Neptune 4 is faster (500 ÷ 180 = 2.8×) but costs more.
- Pick the Aquila X2 unless print time is your bottleneck.
Specs from the PrintPick catalog, checked 2026-09-29. Scores are PrintPick ratings out of 10.
Voxelab Aquila X2
- Speed
- 180 mm/s
- Score
- 6.6/10
- Wins
- 0/5
The verdict
Buy the Neptune 4.
8.2/10 vs Aquila X2's 6.6/10, 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
vsAquila X2Voxelab · FDM
| Neptune 4 | Spec | Aquila X2 |
|---|---|---|
| 13.4 L (wins) | Build volume | 12.1 L |
| 500 mm/s (wins) | Top speed | 180 mm/s |
| 0.05 mm | Finest layer | 0.05 mm |
| 9.5 kg | Weight | 7.8 kg |
Features
| Neptune 4 | Feature | Aquila X2 |
|---|---|---|
| Yes | Klipper firmware | No |
| Yes | Auto bed leveling | No |
| Yes | Direct drive | No |
| Yes | PEI build plate | No |
| Yes | High-speed mode | No |
| No | Resume printing | Yes |
| No | Filament runout sensor | Yes |
| No | Glass build plate | Yes |
| No | Silent stepper drivers | Yes |
Scores out of 10
| Neptune 4 | Spec | Aquila X2 |
|---|---|---|
| 10 (wins) | Value | 9 |
| 8 (wins) | Beginner Friendliness | 7 |
| 8 (wins) | Print Quality | 6 |
| 8 (wins) | Speed | 4 |
| 7 | Reliability | 7 |
| 8.2 (wins) | Overall | 6.6 |
Build space, front view, to one scale
- 225 × 225 × 265 mm
- 220 × 220 × 250 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)Solid starter printer. Not flashy, but it works and teaches you the fundamentals.
Aquila X2 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
Aquila X2
- +Silent stepper drivers mean it runs without disturbing the room
- +Manual leveling teaches you what auto-leveling actually does
- +Ender 3-compatible mods are everywhere and cheap
- −Manual bed leveling is a chore you'll do every few prints until you upgrade it
- −Bowden extruder makes TPU printing a frustrating exercise
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 Voxelab Aquila X2?
By the numbers, the Elegoo Neptune 4 scores higher (8.2/10). But "better" depends on your use case, the Voxelab Aquila X2 may be the smarter buy if you need budget.
Which is better for beginners, Elegoo Neptune 4 or Voxelab Aquila X2?
The Elegoo Neptune 4 is more beginner-friendly (8/10 vs 7/10) with easier setup and a gentler learning curve.
Is the Elegoo Neptune 4 worth paying more for over the Voxelab Aquila X2?
The Elegoo Neptune 4 scores higher overall (8.2/10 vs 6.6/10). The extra money gets you klipper at this price means real input shaping and pressure advance, not just fast travel speeds.
What's the main difference between Elegoo Neptune 4 and Voxelab Aquila X2?
Build volume (225x225x265mm vs 220x220x250mm) and print speed (500 vs 180 mm/s). The Elegoo Neptune 4 is best for budget; the Voxelab Aquila X2 targets budget.