The Creality K1C (prosumer) and Elegoo Centauri 2 (entry) come from different brands and sit in different tiers, so this is less a head-to-head than a question of how much printer you need. Note that the K1C has been replaced by the K2 and is no longer sold new. Both are CoreXY printers with 4-slot multicolor and automatic calibration. The K1C costs $200 more and gets you an enclosed chamber (with ABS, ASA and PA-CF on its materials list) and a top speed of 600 mm/s (vs 500); the Centauri 2 answers with 39% more build volume and support for PLA-CF and PETG-CF.
This printer is no longer sold new. It has been replaced by the Creality K2.
Best for: Makers who need enclosed CoreXY printing for PA-CF and ASA on a budget — and want a capable alternative to Bambu without the ecosystem lock-in.
Full details →First-generation product — recently released, still early days
Best for: Budget buyers who mainly print PLA, PETG and TPU and want fast CoreXY multicolor for as little as possible, without paying for an enclosure they won't use.
Full details →| Creality K1C | Elegoo Centauri 2 | |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing | ||
| Starting Price | $499 | ★ $299 |
| Print Specs | ||
| Tier | Prosumer | Entry |
| Motion | CoreXY | CoreXY |
| Build Volume | 220 × 220 × 250 mm | ★ 256 × 256 × 256 mm |
| Max Speed | ★ 600 mm/s | 500 mm/s |
| Multicolor | ✅ 4 slots | ✅ 4 slots |
| Enclosure | ★ ✅ | ❌ |
| Auto Calibration | ✅ | ✅ |
| Open Source | ❌ | ❌ |
| Upgrade Kit | — | — |
| Buy Timing | ||
| Released | Jan 20, 2024 | Jun 24, 2026 |
| Cycle length | ~450 days | — |
| Cycle advice | Superseded | Buy |
| Deals advice | Clearance | Buy |
| Next model | — | — |
The K1C has been replaced by the K2 and is no longer sold new, so there is no release cycle left to time — any unit you find now is leftover or second-hand stock.
The Centauri 2 was released on Jun 24, 2026, 141 days ago. It is a first-generation product, so there is no earlier cycle to predict its successor from.
On timing alone, the Centauri 2 is the safer buy right now — it launched only 141 days ago, while the K1C has already been replaced by the K2.
Cycle and deal status as of November 12, 2026. See the launch calendar →
The Centauri 2 lists at $299 and the K1C at $499 — $200 apart, so the K1C costs 67% more.
Per litre of build volume, that works out to $41 for the K1C versus $18 for the Centauri 2 — the Centauri 2 is both cheaper and roomier, so it wins on value outright.
Buy the Centauri 2. The K1C has already been replaced by the K2 and is no longer sold new, so it is only worth considering at a clearance price. If the K1C appealed to you, the fair comparison today is the Centauri 2 against the K2.
Compare Creality K2 vs Elegoo Centauri 2 →
How we judge timing and deals: read our methodology →
The K1C ships with a hardened steel nozzle rated for carbon-fiber filaments — a significant cost advantage over printers that require aftermarket nozzle upgrades.
Few printers under $500 offer genuine enclosure capability. The K1C delivers ABS and ASA-capable chamber temperatures.
Matches the Bambu P2S's 600 mm/s top speed for about $50 less.
The Centauri 2 Combo includes the 4-color CANVAS system with RFID filament detection, auto refill and tangle detection. It is one of the cheapest CoreXY multicolor packages from a major brand.
It uses the same 256×256×256 mm CoreXY motion system, 500 mm/s top speed, 350°C hardened nozzle and 121-point auto leveling as the Centauri Carbon 2, for $50–100 less.
The camera, air filter, LED lighting and smart exhaust grill are optional add-ons, so you pay only for the features you need.