Elegoo Centauri Carbon: The next leap in 3D printing?
Elegoo Centauri Carbon 3D printer. Picture: Elegoo.
Elegoo has just unveiled its first Core-XY 3D printer, the Centauri Carbon, and it’s already making waves. With pre-orders now open, the company is positioning this machine as a game-changer for makers, hobbyists, and professionals alike.
The world of 3D printing is evolving rapidly, and Elegoo, known for its resin printers and FDM machines, is now stepping into Core-XY territory for the first time. The Centauri Carbon promises high-speed, high-precision printing with a fully enclosed die-cast metal frame, a 320°C nozzle, and a blazing 1000W AC heated bed. It’s designed to be both powerful and accessible, emphasising reliability, ease of use, and support for high-temperature materials.
Chris Hong, CEO of Elegoo, sees this as an opportunity to push 3D printing further into the mainstream. "The Centauri Carbon aims to be a breakthrough, lowering the barriers to creativity and enabling more people to tap into the power of this technology," he says.
Elegoo isn’t messing around when it comes to speed. The Centauri Carbon can hit speeds of 500mm/s with an acceleration of 20,000mm/s², making it one of the fastest printers in its class. A custom smartphone stand can be printed in just 30 minutes, according to Elegoo Lab.
The high-temp printing capabilities are just as impressive. The 320°C nozzle, combined with a 60W ceramic heater and an enclosed chamber, means the printer can handle a wide range of materials. Whether you’re working with PLA, PETG, TPU, ABS, ASA, or even carbon-fibre-infused filaments, the Centauri Carbon is built to take on tougher, more durable prints.
The printer comes with a dual-sided magnetic build plate (textured PEI on one side, a PLA-optimised surface on the other), which ensures prints adhere well and can be removed easily. Plus, the 1000W heated bed reaches printing temperatures in record time, eliminating long wait times.
One of the biggest barriers to 3D printing has been the steep learning curve, making it historically a hobby for those who like to tinker and problem-solve. In recent years, Bambu Labs, a newcomer to the industry, has disrupted it with its philosophy that 3D printing should be as easy as 2D printing. The new Centauri Carbon follows the same ethos, with features like auto bed levelling, which a few years ago required tedious manual calibration. What makes the Centauri Carbon stand out from similar Bambu Lab printers is its impressive balance of price, performance, and features. Bambu Labs' cheapest enclosed printer, the P1S, costs €620.
The fully enclosed metal frame isn’t just about aesthetics — it helps maintain consistent print temperatures, reduces warping, and improves overall print quality. This is a significant advantage when printing temperature-sensitive materials like ABS.
Elegoo has also integrated Vibration Compensation and Pressure Advance Compensation, which work together to reduce print artefacts and ensure smoother, more detailed prints — even at high speeds.
Elegoo has included many smart features to enhance usability. The 4.3-inch capacitive touchscreen offers an intuitive interface, and Wi-Fi and USB connectivity allow for flexible printing options. Users can also send files wirelessly, update firmware via OTA (over-the-air), and store models with the 8GB internal ROM.
The built-in camera is a welcome addition for those who like to monitor their prints remotely or capture time-lapse recordings. The silent stepper drivers also ensure quieter operation, which is always a plus for home users.
Perhaps one of the most exciting aspects is the open-source compatibility. The ElegooSlicer software is based on Orca Slicer, and Elegoo has made it open-source, encouraging the community to tweak and improve it. The Centauri Carbon profile can also be manually added to Orca Slicer, and official integration is expected in an upcoming update.
The Elegoo Centauri Carbon is priced at €329.99 (excluding shipping) — a competitive entry point for a fully enclosed Core-XY 3D printer with high-speed and high-temperature capabilities.
This could be a strong contender for makers looking for an out-of-the-box experience, high-speed printing, and support for advanced materials. Its easy setup, smart features, and enclosed design make it especially appealing for those who want a powerful yet hassle-free machine.
The biggest question? Whether Elegoo can deliver long-term reliability at this price point. But if the Centauri Carbon performs as promised, it could be a serious rival to more expensive Core-XY printers on the market. Check back for a full review coming soon.
Pre-orders are now open. Elegoo Centauri Carbon
