Elegoo Centauri Carbon 2 vs Qidi Tech i-Fast
Technical comparison · Fused filament fabrication (FFF/FDM)
Centauri Carbon 2 and i-Fast are not direct competitors: very different prices (~5.7×). Centauri Carbon 2 costs less (~€374) and is the entry-level choice; i-Fast offers more capability at a higher price (~€2150). Judge them by budget, not head-to-head.
| Parameter |
Centauri Carbon 2
Elegoo
F2 · Intermediate
|
i-Fast
Qidi Tech
F3 · Advanced
|
|---|---|---|
| Identity | ||
| Launch year | 2026 | 2021 |
| Use tier | F2 — Intermediate | F3 — Advanced |
| Price | ||
| Price (€) | ~349–399 € | ~1800–2500 € |
| Universal specs | ||
| Dimensions (W×D×H) (cm) | 50 × 48 × 74.3 cm | 71 × 51 × 67 cm |
| Weight (kg) | 19.35 kg | 33 kg |
| Work area (mm) | 256 × 256 mm | 330 × 250 mm |
| Z-axis height (mm) | 256 mm | 320 mm |
| Power (W) | 1100 W | — |
| Maximum speed | 500 mm/s | 150 mm/s |
| Declared precision | 0.1 mm | — |
| Category specs | ||
| Footprint X×Y (short side) (mm) | 256 mm | 250 mm |
| Build height Z (mm) | 256 mm | 320 mm |
| Kinematics | CoreXY | CoreXY |
| Max nozzle temperature (°C) | 350 °C | 300 °C |
| Max bed temperature (°C) | 110 °C | 100 °C |
| Max print speed (mm/s) | 500 mm/s | 150 mm/s |
| Enclosed chamber | True | True |
| Filament sensor | True | True |
| Auto bed leveling | Mesh | — |
| Standard nozzle diameter (mm) | 0.4 mm | 0.4 mm |
| Multi-extruder | False | True |
| Native Klipper | True | False |
| Input shaper | True | False |
| Multicolor printing | True | True |
| Multicolor requires accessory | True | False |
| Max colors | 4 | 2 |
| Ecosystem | ||
| Cloud dependency | No | No |
| Software notes | The proprietary Elegoo OS, built on Klipper architecture, manages full-auto calibration routines and AI-assisted monitoring. The machine is primarily supported by Elegoo Slicer (an Orca Slicer derivative), ensuring optimal control over material profiles and dynamic color changes. Users can also natively use Orca Slicer or export G-code from third-party alternatives like Cura. The intuitive touchscreen and Wi-Fi connectivity enable seamless remote management and direct job queuing over the local network. | The machine comes with the proprietary Qidi Print software, a slicer based on proven open-source architectures, specifically optimized for the profiles of the technical materials supported by the printer. Users can still generate G-code using other widely adopted third-party slicers on the market, such as Ultimaker Cura, PrusaSlicer, or Simplify3D, after manual configuration of machine and extruder parameters. Although it lacks native cloud features or advanced remote connectivity for corporate fleet management, it supports direct file transfer via local Wi-Fi or USB drives, ensuring a secure offline workflow for intellectual property protection. |
The differences that matter
- Price: Centauri Carbon 2 374 € vs i-Fast 2150 € — Centauri Carbon 2 wins (+475%)
- Max print speed: Centauri Carbon 2 500 mm/s vs i-Fast 150 mm/s — Centauri Carbon 2 wins (+233%)
- Max colors: Centauri Carbon 2 4 vs i-Fast 2 — Centauri Carbon 2 wins (+100%)
- Work area: Centauri Carbon 2 256×256 mm vs i-Fast 330×250 mm — i-Fast wins (+26%)
- Build height Z: Centauri Carbon 2 256 mm vs i-Fast 320 mm — i-Fast wins (+25%)
Which one to choose
Choose Centauri Carbon 2 if…
you value price, max print speed and max colors.
MakerSpecs is an independent atlas. We don't sell products: this comparison links to both sheets, where you'll find complete data and official links.