The 3D printer market is evolving rapidly, and we’re now seeing machines at prices that would have seemed impossible just a few years ago. Features once reserved for premium models are becoming accessible to hobbyists with limited budgets. Lower prices, ready-to-use setups, and functions that used to require tinkering or mods are now available out of the box. All of this makes starting out in 3D printing easier than ever, but it also creates a new challenge: choosing the right machine.

With a budget of around €300–350, it’s already possible to get a printer with CoreXY kinematics, an enclosed chamber, and high speeds that until recently were reserved for Bambu Lab or Prusa machines. Two models that stand out in this segment are the Elegoo Centauri Carbon and the Artillery M1 Pro. On paper, they look similar – both advertise high acceleration, automatic calibration, and enclosed frames that make printing with tricky filaments easier. But when you look closely, it’s the small differences that shape the day-to-day experience – and those differences can make or break your workflow.

Let’s go through the key aspects step by step – from technical specs, to real-world print quality, to community support and spare parts availability.

centauri carbon

Elegoo Centauri Carbon – A Strong Entry into the CoreXY World

The Centauri Carbon is one of Elegoo’s newest releases, and it’s also one of the most affordable CoreXY machines you can buy in Europe. The price sits around €330, and during sales it sometimes drops to as low as €299. Despite the budget-friendly tag, it doesn’t look or feel cheap – it comes with an enclosed frame, a rigid structure, and decent components.

The build volume is 256 × 256 × 256 mm, which is pretty standard in this price bracket. It’s large enough for bigger figurines, prototypes, functional parts, or electronics enclosures. Of course, for oversized models it won’t be enough, but for most hobbyist and semi-professional applications, it does the job.

One of the main selling points of the Carbon is speed. Elegoo claims 500 mm/s with 20,000 mm/s² acceleration, and while those numbers are more realistic for simple geometries, it still prints noticeably faster than older Cartesian-style printers like the Ender 3.

Elegoo also focused on making it as “plug and play” as possible. It comes with fully automatic bed leveling, which is a lifesaver for beginners. The hotend heats up to 300°C, so it can handle not just PLA, but also ABS and PETG, making it versatile enough for a wide range of projects.

Another plus is the built-in camera, which lets you monitor prints remotely. The downside is its mediocre quality – the image is dark, and details are hard to make out. Many users say a cheap LED strip upgrade completely transforms the experience, and it costs just a few euros.

In real-world tests, the Carbon performs impressively well for the price. The layers are neat, the prints look clean, and technical issues are rare. The most common complaint is the loud fans, which can get annoying during long sessions.

m1 pro

Artillery M1 Pro – A Step Toward More Demanding Applications

The M1 Pro from Artillery sells for around €350, so it’s not much more expensive than the Carbon. However, it does offer a few upgrades that could tip the scale for some users.

The build volume is slightly larger at 260 × 260 × 260 mm – not a game-changer, but still extra space for slightly bigger projects. The more important specs are elsewhere: a 600 mm/s top speed, a hotend that reaches 320°C, and most importantly, an actively heated chamber (up to 60°C). This last feature is a huge advantage when working with engineering-grade filaments such as nylon, ASA, or PC.

The M1 Pro also includes an AI-powered camera. Not only can it record timelapses, but it can also detect print failures in real time – something you’d normally expect from much more expensive machines.

On the downside, some users report that the frame may require small adjustments. Issues with filament path alignment or slight warping during enclosure assembly have been noted. These aren’t dealbreakers, but they can be frustrating for less patient users.

In practical tests, the M1 Pro is capable of printing a Benchy in about 16 minutes while still maintaining solid detail quality. That’s performance that was once only possible on high-end printers.

Real-World Comparison

On paper, the Centauri Carbon and M1 Pro don’t look all that different. But after using them for a while, the differences start to stand out.

  • Speed and stability: The Carbon handles PLA and PETG very well, but struggles more with ABS or ASA. The M1 Pro, thanks to its heated chamber, is more reliable with tougher filaments and can maintain high speeds without warping.
  • Noise levels: The Carbon tends to be louder due to its fans, while the M1 Pro has a better cooling system and runs quieter.
  • Reliability: Users praise the Carbon for its stability – many report running hundreds of hours without a single issue. The M1 Pro is more advanced, but sometimes requires minor fixes or adjustments.
  • Extra features: The AI camera in the M1 Pro is a real time-saver, especially for batch printing or long jobs, since it can detect problems before too much filament is wasted.

Price vs Value

The price gap between the two printers is only about €20, but whether that’s worth it depends entirely on your needs.

  • If you’re a beginner and just want a simple, reliable printer for PLA, PETG, and casual projects, the Elegoo Centauri Carbon is the smarter choice. It’s affordable, straightforward, and a great platform if you want to upgrade later.
  • If you care about speed, quiet operation, and especially the ability to print with engineering materials, then the Artillery M1 Pro is worth the small extra investment.

Both machines deliver far more than you’d expect for this budget. They provide roughly 70–80% of what premium printers like the Bambu Lab P1S can do, at half the price.

Community and Modding Potential

Another factor to consider is community support. Elegoo is very active in Europe, with plenty of spare parts available and a strong user base sharing advice on forums and groups. Artillery also has a loyal community, though sourcing spare parts can sometimes take longer.

Both printers have room for mods. For the Centauri Carbon, popular upgrades include better lighting and quieter fans. The M1 Pro, on the other hand, benefits from ongoing firmware updates that expand the AI camera’s capabilities.

Conclusion – Which One Should You Get?

In the end, it comes down to priorities:

  • Elegoo Centauri Carbon – the better choice if you want simplicity, affordability, and a reliable workhorse for common filaments. Ideal for beginners and hobbyists.
  • Artillery M1 Pro – the way to go if you plan to print fast, work with advanced filaments, and value features like an AI camera and heated chamber.

Both are excellent printers under €350 and can serve as a gateway into the world of fast, stable 3D printing – a world that used to cost twice as much to enter.

As a personal opinion, Artillery had some successful models a few years ago, like the Genius, whereas the later Sidewinders caused a lot of issues for users. On the other hand, Elegoo with their Neptune 4 Pro was a very successful and solid design – so it’s often hard to say which brand is better overall. On paper, it looks mixed: the M1 Pro has the edge when it comes to printing more technical filaments, but in practice, it may turn out that the Centauri Carbon handles everything better. We’ll be publishing a full review of the latter soon.