ELEGOO Centauri 2 Review (2026): A Fast CoreXY Printer Under $300
How this review was made
- We have not tested this printer ourselves. This is a research-based review: manufacturer specifications, the Amazon.com listing and published hands-on reviews by independent outlets, which we link below.
- Where a point comes from a third party, we say who reported it.
The ELEGOO Centauri 2 is one of the cheapest CoreXY printers with full auto calibration. It is our best value pick: fast, with a 256 mm build volume, at $279. Unlike the more expensive Centauri Carbon 2, it has an open frame.
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Specs at a glance
| Spec | ELEGOO Centauri 2 |
|---|---|
| Price on Amazon.com | $279, Combo $329 (checked Nov 8, 2026) |
| Build volume | 256 × 256 × 256 mm |
| Design | Open frame, CoreXY (the bed only moves down) |
| Calibration | Full auto calibration and pre-print checks |
| Speed | Up to 500 mm/s (manufacturer) |
| Nozzle | Up to 350 °C |
| Multicolor | Combo: CANVAS system, 4 colors, RFID filament recognition and auto refill |
| Recommended materials | PLA, PETG, TPU |
What ELEGOO promises
ELEGOO markets the Centauri 2 as an open, beginner-friendly CoreXY printer. CoreXY means the print head moves in X and Y while the bed only moves down, which allows high speeds without shaking the print. The printer calibrates itself and runs checks before each print. Models can be found on ELEGOO’s Nexprint model hub and started from the app. In the Combo, the CANVAS unit holds four spools, recognizes ELEGOO filament by RFID and switches to a new spool when one runs out.
Centauri 2 or Centauri Carbon 2?
The names are close, but the printers are not the same. The Centauri Carbon 2 Combo ($399) is enclosed, which helps with ABS and ASA. Tom’s Hardware describes the Centauri 2 Combo as a stripped-down Centauri Carbon 2: no camera, no lights, no enclosure and no ventilation. Its reviewer questions whether the saving is worth giving these up.
What published reviews report
- Value and print quality: How-To Geek calls it the best budget CoreXY 3D printer and reports nearly flawless prints.
- Noise: the same review finds it noticeably louder than more expensive CoreXY printers, a trade-off it considers acceptable at this price.
- Features left out: as Tom’s Hardware notes, there is no camera and no enclosure. You cannot watch prints remotely, and ABS or ASA are not a good fit.
Who should buy the Centauri 2?
Beginners who want a fast printer with a full-size bed and automatic calibration for as little money as possible, mainly for PLA and PETG. With the Combo, it is also one of the cheapest ways into four-color printing.
Who should look elsewhere
- You want a quiet printer: the Bambu Lab A1 Mini is advertised as quiet.
- You want ABS, ASA or a camera: the enclosed Centauri Carbon 2, the Bambu Lab P1S or the Creality K1C.
- You want the simplest software: Bambu Lab’s ecosystem is the most polished. The A1 Combo is the closest multicolor alternative.
Our verdict
Based on the specifications and independent reviews, the Centauri 2 offers a lot of printer for $279: CoreXY speed, a 256 mm bed and full auto calibration. The trade-offs are noise and the missing camera and enclosure. If those don’t matter to you, it is hard to beat at this price.
FAQ
Is the ELEGOO Centauri 2 enclosed?
No. The Centauri 2 and Centauri 2 Combo have an open frame. The enclosed model is the Centauri Carbon 2.
Is the Centauri 2 good for beginners?
Yes. It calibrates itself, checks before each print and is fast. Reviewers praise the print quality. It is louder than some more expensive printers.
Centauri 2 or Centauri 2 Combo?
The Combo adds the CANVAS system for four colors and automatic spool switching. If you only print in one color, the base model costs less.