Elegoo Centauri 2 Review: Multicolor CoreXY Printing for Under $300

Elegoo has been quietly expanding its lineup beyond the Neptune FDM series for a while now, and the Centauri 2 represents its boldest move yet. The company shipped this open-frame CoreXY machine in June 2026, and it is already shaping up as a strong contender in the multicolor consumer 3D printing space.

What You Get for the Money

The base Centauri 2 starts at $299. The Centauri 2 Combo, which adds the full four-color CANVAS multicolor system, costs $379. That pricing puts it well below machines from Bambu Lab or Prusa that approach similar capabilities at significantly higher price points.

The build volume sits at 256 x 256 x 256 mm, which is compact but workable for most hobby projects. A 350 C nozzle enables high-temperature materials beyond standard PLA, and full auto-calibration means you are not spending an hour tramming the bed before your first print.

The CoreXY Advantage

Moving to CoreXY geometry gives the Centauri 2 a stated top speed of 500 mm/s. In practice, that translates to noticeably faster tall-part prints compared to a traditional Cartesian machine. The die-cast frame is meant to keep things rigid at those speeds, which matters if you want consistent layer lines.

Who This Printer Is For

The Centauri 2 is aimed at two distinct groups. Beginners who want multicolor capability without learning advanced slicer workflows will appreciate the simplified setup and the out-of-box experience. Makers upgrading from an older single-extruder machine get a genuine speed and quality step up without the premium price tag.

Things to Consider

The open-frame design means you will notice more vibration from the moving gantry on taller prints, especially at maximum speed. The 256 mm build volume is smaller than the Bambu Lab P1S or the Creality K2 Plus, so if you regularly print large functional parts, you may run out of room quickly. There is no enclosed chamber, which rules out ABS or ASA printing without a third-party enclosure.

Should You Buy It

If multicolor printing is your primary goal and your budget tops out around $300, the Centauri 2 is the most accessible entry point available right now. The Combo package at $379 is the better long-term buy if you plan to explore four-color projects seriously. For users who want the fastest possible single-material prints at a similar price, the Creality K3 with its auto nozzle-swapping system is also worth a look.

Check out the Elegoo Centauri 2 here