Elegoo Neptune 4 Family: 4, 4 Pro, 4 Plus and 4 Max Explained
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The Neptune 4 family is four open Klipper bedslingers sharing a 300 °C direct-drive hotend and 121-point auto levelling: Neptune 4 (225 × 225 × 265 mm), 4 Pro (same size, dual-gear extruder, more cooling, segmented bed), 4 Plus (320 × 320 × 385 mm) and 4 Max (420 × 420 × 480 mm). They were the budget speed champions of 2023 to 2024. In 2026 Elegoo’s focus has moved to the enclosed Centauri Carbon, Amazon US stock is patchy, and the Creality Ender-3 V3 KE is the direct rival at the small end.
Where to buy
The four models
| Model | Build volume | Bed temp | Extruder | Cooling | Accel | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Neptune 4 | 225 × 225 × 265 mm | 110 °C | Direct drive | Standard | 8000 mm/s² | Base |
| Neptune 4 Pro | 225 × 225 × 265 mm | 110 °C | Dual-gear direct drive | Four auxiliary fans | 20000 mm/s² | Segmented heatbed |
| Neptune 4 Plus | 320 × 320 × 385 mm | 85 °C | Dual-gear direct drive | Auxiliary fans | 8000 mm/s² | Mid size |
| Neptune 4 Max | 420 × 420 × 480 mm | 85 °C | Dual-gear direct drive | Auxiliary fans | 8000 mm/s² | Large |
What they share
- Klipper firmware with input shaping and a rated 500 mm/s; practical speeds are 150 to 250 mm/s on the small ones and lower on the Max.
- 300 °C hotend; PLA, PETG, TPU. Open frame, so no ABS at size.
- 121-point auto levelling with a manual Z-offset step.
- Elegoo’s stock Klipper build lags upstream; many owners flash community firmware.
Which to buy, if any
- Small: the 4 Pro over the 4 for the extruder and cooling; see the Neptune 4 Pro page. The Ender-3 V3 KE is the Amazon-listed alternative with better spares.
- Large: the 4 Max for cheap 420 mm PLA; see the Neptune 4 Max page and its upgrades.
- Enclosed: Elegoo’s own Centauri Carbon replaced the Neptune line as its mainstream printer.
The units in the box
Neptune 4 listings on Amazon US come and go. Shown are the Neptune 3 Pro that preceded the line, the Ender-3 V3 KE as the direct small rival and the Kobra 3 Max as the large-format alternative.
FAQ
Neptune 4 or Ender-3 V3 KE? Similar machines; the KE has steadier Amazon stock and spares in 2026.
Do Neptune 3 parts fit the 4? Some; hotends and boards differ.
LayerWalker
Print defect diagnosis, calibration procedures and parts that actually fit. Corrections welcome through the contact page.
