Elegoo makes some of the best 3D printers, including the budget models we've tested here at CNET. The Elegoo Centauri Carbon earned our pick for the best budget 3D printers, and the Elegoo Mars 4 and Saturn 4 earned top spots as the best starter and midsize resin 3D printers, respectively. This makes us particularly excited for the new Elegoo Carbon 2, which launches today.
There are a lot of changes with the new 3D printer, despite a look that's similar to the previous model. For starters, there's a filament changer on the printer frame that supports up to four colors or materials per print. Elegoo says it has easy color switching, instant loading and automatic filament backup. The system also has an RFID auto-recognition feature, which identifies filament type and suggests the correct setting.
"Even if the Centauri 2 is just the first Centauri with a color system attached, it'll likely be worth the price of admission," says James Bricknell, CNET managing editor and 3D printing expert. "I have it in my workshop, and my testing should be complete in the coming weeks."
The Carbon 2 comes with four filament changers on the exterior that can switch automatically.Â
There's a high-temperature, 350 degree Celsius hardened steel nozzle that's intended to provide better heat and wear resistance, which is a nice improvement over the 320 degrees Celsius of the Carbon. It also supports high-performance filaments.
There's a new grille design that enables a more advanced, smarter temperature controller. It'll automatically adjust the chamber airflow by opening and closing shutters as needed. It can also vary things based on print material. For instance, with PolyLactic Acid (PLA) filament, it'll open automatically at a lower temperature, whereas with the previous model, you had to open the door yourself.
The new Elegoo Carbon 2 has a 5-inch capacitive touchscreen.Â
The Centuari Carbon 2 Combo also features four additional precise sensors and a new zone-leveling mode that enables faster, more accurate calibration. The entire process is 13.9% quicker, letting you print faster with less prep time. It's also quieter, with an operating noise of 45 decibels.
Other quality-of-life features include an upgrade to a 5-inch capacitive touchscreen. It supports 11 languages and is designed to be friendly for first-time users.