The Centauri Carbon was a thunderclap: an enclosed CoreXY at 256 mm, 350 °C hardened nozzle, capable of carbon composites — for ≈ $300, half a Bambu P1S. The Centauri Carbon 2 (early 2026) keeps the formula and adds a touchscreen, a cloud-free workflow and an optional multicolor feeder. Elegoo thus goes from "king of resin" to a serious FDM player.
Against the P1S and the QIDI Q2, the Centauri Carbon plays price and independence (LAN/USB, no cloud). For large open format at Elegoo, see the Neptune 4.
In brief
Enclosed CoreXY 256 × 256 × 256 mm, 350 °C hardened nozzle (carbon composites OK), flexible PEI plate, filament runout sensor, power-loss recovery. Runs over LAN/USB with no cloud dependency. The Carbon 2 adds a 5" touchscreen and the CANVAS multicolor feeder (Combo version). Budget ≈ $300 (Carbon), ≈ $450 (Carbon 2) and ≈ $570 (Carbon 2 Combo, multicolor).
Carbon vs Carbon 2
| Spec | Centauri Carbon | Centauri Carbon 2 |
|---|---|---|
| Volume | 256 × 256 × 256 mm | 256 × 256 × 256 mm |
| Motion | Enclosed CoreXY | Enclosed CoreXY |
| Nozzle | 350 °C, hardened | 350 °C, hardened |
| Screen | Basic | 5" touchscreen |
| Multicolor | No (single) | CANVAS option (Combo, 4 colors) |
| Connectivity | LAN / USB, no cloud | LAN / USB, no cloud |
| Indicative price | ≈ $300 | ≈ $450 (/ $570 Combo) |
What the Carbon 2 adds
The Carbon 2 isn't a revolution but a welcome maturation:
- 5" touchscreen: pleasant local control, no more minimalist interface from the first.
- CANVAS multicolor: the in-house 4-color system (AMS equivalent), in the Combo version.
- Cloud-free workflow: everything runs over LAN/USB — a privacy argument against connected ecosystems.
- Finishing touches: PEI plate, filament sensor and power-loss recovery as standard.
The original Carbon is still a smart buy if you find it at ≈ $300 and print single-color. The Carbon 2 earns its keep for the touchscreen and especially CANVAS multicolor.
CANVAS & multicolor
CANVAS is Elegoo's multi-spool feeder (AMS / CFS equivalent): up to 4 colors on a single nozzle, bundled with the Carbon 2 Combo. Like any single-nozzle system, every color change purges filament — the usual waste applies (see the multicolor guide). It's the most accessible color path on an enclosed CoreXY.
Strengths & limits
Strengths
- Unbeatable price for an enclosed CoreXY: ≈ half a P1S.
- 350 °C + hardened nozzle: ABS, ASA and carbon composites within reach.
- No cloud: LAN/USB, your data stays with you.
- Multicolor (Carbon 2 Combo): optional CANVAS 4-color.
Limits
- Younger ecosystem than Bambu: app and software finish still maturing.
- 256 mm volume: for larger, that's the Neptune (but open).
- No actively heated chamber: passive heat, like a P1S.
- Multicolor waste: inherent to the single-nozzle CANVAS.
Who's it for?
The Centauri Carbon is the value enclosed CoreXY: ideal for those who want speed, an enclosure and carbon composites without paying for a P1S, and who value the cloud-free workflow. Get the Carbon 2 Combo if multicolor matters, the original Carbon to save. For large format, see the Neptune 4; for technical materials with an active chamber, the QIDI Plus 4.
The cheapest enclosed CoreXY that prints carbon — and stays off the cloud. The Carbon 2 adds a screen and multicolor.