3D Printing Guides

Elegoo centauri VS Flashforge 5M-Which is better？

by MadisonJames on Mar 20, 2025

Key Points

The Elegoo Centauri and Flashforge 5M are both strong 3D printers, but which is better depends on your needs.
Research suggests the Elegoo Centauri is better for larger prints and high-temperature filaments, while the Flashforge 5M excels in speed and current pricing.
The 3D printing industry is in a price war, making printers more affordable but threatening smaller companies.

Printer Comparison

Both the Elegoo Centauri and Flashforge 5M offer impressive features for 3D printing enthusiasts. The Elegoo Centauri has a larger build volume (256x256x256mm) and can handle higher extruder temperatures (up to 320°C), making it ideal for larger projects and advanced materials like carbon fiber-filled filaments. On the other hand, the Flashforge 5M boasts a higher maximum printing speed (600 mm/s). he Flashforge 5M is currently on sale for $279 (regularly $399). While the Centauri is priced at $199 for pre-orders, the Flashforge is still relatively high, even though it's cheaper than many other 3D printers.

Industry Context: The Price War

The 3D printing market is experiencing intense price competition, with manufacturers lowering prices to attract consumers. This has made printers more accessible, but it’s putting pressure on smaller companies, potentially leading to consolidation and reduced innovation as they struggle to compete.

Detailed Analysis of Elegoo Centauri vs Flashforge 5M

The comparison between the Elegoo Centauri and Flashforge 5M, alongside the broader context of the 3D printing industry’s price dynamics, reveals a complex landscape for both consumers and manufacturers. This note provides a comprehensive analysis, drawing on detailed specifications, market trends, and industry challenges as of March 20, 2025.

Detailed Printer Comparison

To begin, let’s break down the key specifications of both printers, using data from recent reviews and manufacturer details:

Feature	Elegoo Centauri	Flashforge 5M
Build Volume	256x256x256mm	220x220x220mm
Max Printing Speed	500 mm/s	600 mm/s
Max Acceleration	20,000 mm/s²	20,000 mm/s²
Extruder Temperature	Up to 320°C	Up to 280°C
Build Plate Temperature	Up to 110°C	Up to 100°C
Enclosure	Fully enclosed	Optional enclosure
Filament Compatibility	Wide range, including high-temperature materials	PLA, PETG, TPU, etc. (ABS not compatible)
Price	$199	$279 (on sale, regular $399)
Connectivity	USB, Wifi (no-cloud)	Wi-Fi, Ethernet, USB
Display	4.3” color touch screen	4.3-inch touchscreen

Build Volume and Use Case: The Elegoo Centauri’s larger build volume (256x256x256mm) is particularly advantageous for users needing to print larger objects, such as prototypes or models, without splitting them into multiple parts. In contrast, the Flashforge 5M’s build volume (220x220x220mm) is more compact, suitable for smaller, detailed prints like miniatures or jewelry.

Speed and Efficiency: The Flashforge 5M's higher maximum printing speed (600 mm/s) compared to the Centauri's 500 mm/s is a significant factor for users prioritizing throughput, especially in settings like small print farms or educational environments. This speed is supported by its CoreXY structure, which enhances stability at high speeds.

Temperature Capabilities: The Elegoo Centauri's extruder temperature of up to 320°C allows for printing with a broader range of materials, including engineering-grade plastics and carbon fiber-filled filaments, which require higher temperatures. The Flashforge 5M, limited to 280°C, is less versatile in this regard but still compatible with common filaments like PLA, PETG, and TPU.

Price and Value: As of March 2025, the Flashforge 5M is available for $279, reduced from its regular price of $399, making it an attractive option for budget-conscious buyers. The Elegoo Centauri, priced at $199 for pre-orders, is very competitively positioned and may appeal more to users looking to make a purchase. However, the only limitation is the shortage in production capacity.

Additional Features: The Elegoo Centauri and Flashforge 5M both offer optional enclosures, allowing users to print high-temperature materials like ABS and nylon filament. Additionally, their connectivity options differ; the Centauri avoids cloud dependency, which is appealing to users who are concerned about data security.

Which is Better?

The choice depends on user needs:

Elegoo Centauri is better for those needing larger build volumes, printing with high-temperature filaments, or preferring a fully enclosed design for environmental control.
Flashforge 5M is preferable for users prioritizing speed, seeking a lower current price (especially with the sale), or needing connectivity options like Ethernet for networked printing.

This comparison highlights that neither printer is universally better; it’s a matter of aligning features with specific use cases.

The Fierce Price War in 3D Printing

The 3D printing industry, as of March 2025, is marked by intense price competition, often described as a price war. This competition is driven by several factors, including market growth projections and consumer demand for affordable options.

Market Growth and Competition: Research suggests the global 3D printing market is projected to grow from $23.41 billion in 2025 to $101.74 billion by 2032, with a CAGR of 23.4% (3D Printing Market Size, Share, Trends, Growth | Forecast [2032]). This growth has attracted numerous players, leading to aggressive pricing strategies to capture market share. The influx of budget-friendly options, with printers under $300 offering features once reserved for high-end models, is a direct result of this competition.

Evidence of Price Competition: Recent market analyses show significant price drops, such as the Flashforge 5M’s sale price of $279 from $399, and other models like Creality Ender-3 S1 Plus dropping by $250 (46.38%) as tracked by 3D Printer Price Tracker & Comparison by Aurora Tech Channel (FDM). Notably, the Elegoo Centauri has also dropped to $199, representing a 50% decrease compared to last year's models in the same class.

Articles like “Best Budget 3D Printers of 2025” from CNET (Best Budget 3D Printers of 2025: I’ve Tested These Cheap Machines to Find the Best) highlight that 3D printers have never been more affordable, suggesting manufacturers are using price as a competitive tool.

Impact on Small Companies: This price war, while beneficial for consumers, poses significant risks to smaller 3D printer manufacturers. The evidence leans toward margin compression, with smaller companies struggling to maintain profitability as prices drop. Industry reports indicate challenges like weak financials and headcount reductions, with some segments seeing sales drops of up to 24% YoY in Q3 2024 (New CONTEXT Report Highlights 24% Sales Drop in “Chaotic” 3D Printing Industry). This could lead to consolidation, with larger companies absorbing smaller ones, and potentially stagnate innovation as smaller firms, often drivers of niche solutions, lose resources.

Long-Term Implications: The price war may make 3D printing more accessible, but it risks reducing the diversity of players in the market. Consumers benefit from lower prices, but the long-term health of the industry could suffer if smaller companies fail, potentially limiting future innovation and specialized offerings.

Conclusion

The Elegoo Centauri and Flashforge 5M are both excellent 3D printers, each catering to different needs. The Centauri is ideal for larger prints and high-temperature materials, while the Flashforge 5M excels in speed and current affordability. The ongoing price war in the 3D printing industry is making these technologies more accessible, but it’s also putting pressure on smaller manufacturers, potentially leading to market consolidation and reduced innovation. As consumers, we enjoy the benefits of lower prices, but we must also consider the broader impact on the industry’s future.