Creality Ender-3 V3 SE vs Elegoo Centauri 2 Combo
Technical comparison · Fused filament fabrication (FFF/FDM)
Two ways to spend money: the Ender-3 V3 SE sits at roughly 150 to 200 euros and prints in a single color, while the Centauri 2 Combo prints in four colors at double the rated speed, 500 against 250 mm/s.
| Parameter | ||
|---|---|---|
| Awards | — | |
| Identity | ||
| Launch year | 2023 | — |
| Use tier | F2 — Intermediate | F2 — Intermediate |
| Price | ||
| Price (€) | ~150–200 € | — |
| Price updated on | 06/2026 | — |
| Universal specs | ||
| Dimensions (W×D×H) (cm) | 42 × 36.6 × 49 cm | — |
| Weight (kg) | 7.34 kg | — |
| Work area (mm) | 220 × 220 mm | 256 × 256 mm |
| Z-axis height (mm) | 250 mm | 256 mm |
| Power (W) | 350 W | — |
| Voltage (V) | 220 V | — |
| Maximum speed | 250 mm/s | 500 mm/s |
| Declared precision | 0.1 ±mm | — |
| Category specs | ||
| Footprint X×Y (short side) (mm) | 220 mm | 256 mm |
| Build height Z (mm) | 250 mm | 256 mm |
| Kinematics | Cartesian | CoreXY |
| Max nozzle temperature (°C) | 260 °C | — |
| Max bed temperature (°C) | 100 °C | — |
| Max print speed (mm/s) | 250 mm/s | 500 mm/s |
| Enclosed chamber | No | — |
| Filament sensor | No | Yes |
| Auto bed leveling | Mesh | — |
| Standard nozzle diameter (mm) | 0.4 mm | — |
| Multi-extruder | No | — |
| Native Klipper | No | — |
| Input shaper | No | — |
| Multicolor printing | No | Yes |
| Multicolor requires accessory | — | No |
| Max colors | 1 | 4 |
| Ecosystem | ||
| Cloud dependency | No | No |
| Software notes | The printer runs Creality's proprietary Marlin-based firmware. It is compatible with Creality Print and Cura 5.0 or later; Simplify3D support is documented by third-party resellers. Print files are transferred via SD card. Community guides exist for converting to Klipper, but this is not an officially supported configuration and requires manual hardware and firmware intervention. | Four-color printing runs through the CANVAS system included in the Combo version. |
MakerSpecs Awards
Best price Intermediate
The lowest list price among intermediate Fused filament fabrication (FFF/FDM) machines: €175. The second cheapest starts at €229. (Excluding manufacturer or retailer discounts.)
How we assign awards →Nessun riconoscimento in questa fascia.
The differences that matter
- Colors 1 vs 4 → a multicolor object on the Ender-3 V3 SE needs separate parts glued together.
- Rated speed 250 vs 500 mm/s → manufacturer-declared values: on a large, simple part the Centauri finishes in far less time.
- No filament sensor on the Ender-3 V3 SE → a spool that runs out wastes the print.
- Volume 220 × 220 × 250 mm vs 256 × 256 × 256 mm → a 240 mm base fits only in the Centauri.
Which one to choose
Choose Ender-3 V3 SE if…
You want the cheapest printer for prototypes and single-color parts, with SD card files and Creality's Marlin firmware. The trade-off: no filament sensor, so a spool that runs out mid-print goes unreported, and a 220 × 220 mm bed.
Choose Centauri 2 Combo if…
You print multicolor objects, up to four colors, and want a filament sensor and a volume of 256 mm per side. The Ender-3 V3 SE remains the pick if your ceiling is 150–200 euros.
Where to buy
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