After a month of use, the Elegoo Centauri Carbon 2 has become my top pick for 3D printing.

I’ve been diving into the Elegoo Centauri Carbon 2 Combo, and it has quickly become my favorite 3D printer.

This highly-anticipated model has finally been unveiled with all the details and specifications, and you can now preorder it directly from the Elegoo store. Here are the key highlights: the filament-based Elegoo Centauri Carbon 2 Combo can accommodate up to four reels simultaneously and features an on-board Canvas feed system. It also comes equipped with a 350 °C nozzle, an enclosed chamber, and an auto-controlled ‘Smart Grille’ to manage temperature. Plus, it offers full-auto calibration, 31 sensors for comprehensive monitoring, and operates at a noise level below 45db.

You can snag the Centauri Carbon 2 Combo for just under $450/£400, and while it may eventually show up on other retail sites, those prices are likely to be higher. 3D printer manufacturers often launch with competitive pricing, and based on my experience, these initial offers tend to remain better than the competition even months after release.

Having used the Centauri Carbon 2 Combo for about a month, I can say that as a fan of the original Centauri Carbon, this new model had a high bar to meet. And honestly? It delivers impressively, like a superhero making a grand entrance. The overall experience is enhanced with numerous quality-of-life improvements. While it may not completely revolutionize your printing experience, it’s undoubtedly a superior product.

Elegoo emphasizes that this is more of a standalone model than a direct sequel, despite the ‘2’ in its name. However, if you’re familiar with the Centauri Carbon, you’ll feel right at home. The design and functionality remain consistent, from the enclosed structure to the touchscreen interface. Yet, the enhancements are noticeable. For starters, it’s quieter than its predecessor, which I previously criticized for being quite loud during operation. While it’s not completely silent, the reduction in noise is significant. I can close my home office door and hardly notice it’s running, even with our bedroom just on the other side of the wall. That’s a major improvement compared to the earlier model.

I recently mentioned 3D printing a board game for my family for Christmas, and I used the Elegoo Centauri Carbon 2 Combo for a significant portion of it. I was genuinely impressed with how it handled the complex project.

This aligns with Elegoo’s claim that the Centauri Carbon 2 Combo is a great ‘family’ printer, as it can be used at home without causing much disruption. I can definitely agree with that so far.

While I wouldn’t say the print quality is necessarily better or that this machine is faster, it does maintain the same CoreXY speeds of up to 500mm/s and acceleration of up to 20,000 mm/s². However, the added features make for a much smoother experience. The ability to quickly and easily switch colors is a major selling point as well. Yes, the original Centauri Carbon is set to receive a multi-color add-on soon, but if you’re weighing the choice between the original and the Carbon 2, the inclusion of Canvas and all the other enhancements makes it a clear winner for me. It may be a bit pricier, but I believe the investment is justified.

For some inspiration on what to print, consider checking out some of the best board games and tabletop RPGs.