Our Pick: Avid CNC PRO4896 CNC Router
It scores 90/100 overall versus 80/100, winning 8 out of 10 comparison categories.
Avid CNC PRO4896 CNC Router wins 4 of 5 spec categories. Avid CNC Benchtop Pro 2436 costs $4,200 less. Avid CNC PRO4896 CNC Router leads by 10 points overall — here’s where those points come from:
Benchmark Scores
Side-by-side score comparison across all five benchmark dimensions.
Overall
Avid CNC Benchtop Pro 2436
Pros
- Industrial-grade linear rails and ball screws
- Aluminum frame with profile linear guides and ball screws on every axis
- Designed for wood, plastics and non-ferrous metal work with a suitable spindle and tooling
- True CNC motion controller (not GRBL) for advanced features
Cons
- Expensive for the work area offered
- Spindle, control package and work surface affect the complete-system cost
- CNC12 setup and learning the machine still take time
- Requires a suitable Windows control PC for CNC12
- Assembly is more involved than consumer machines
Avid CNC PRO4896 CNC Router
Pros
- Full 4x8 foot work area handles entire sheet goods
- Bolted aluminum extrusion and steel plates; profile rails, X/Y rack and pinion, Z ball screw
- Motor and spindle options suit different production workloads
- Maker supplies assembly guides and technical support
- Can cut aluminum, hardwoods, composites, and plastics
Cons
- Configured machine cost depends on motors, spindle and accessories
- Budget separately for a computer, spoilboard and dust collection
- Extremely heavy and requires significant shop space
- Kit assembly, squaring and setup require time and care
- CNC12 setup and learning the machine still take time
Verdict
Avid CNC PRO4896 CNC Router wins this comparison with 8 categories to 2.
It scores 90/100 overall versus 80/100, winning 8 out of 10 comparison categories.
Where to Buy
Price-first merchant links with the clearest reason to click first.
Avid CNC Benchtop Pro 2436
$2800Avid CNC PRO4896 CNC Router
$7000As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Affiliate links may earn a commission at no extra cost.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between Avid CNC Benchtop Pro 2436 and Avid CNC PRO4896 CNC Router?
The Avid CNC Benchtop Pro 2436 ($2,800) features a 710W spindle with a 660×961mm work area and a Aluminum frame with profile linear guides and ball screws on all axes frame. The Avid CNC PRO4896 CNC Router ($7,000) features a 3000W spindle with a 1260×2508mm work area and a Bolted aluminum extrusion and steel plates; profile rails, X/Y rack and pinion, Z ball screw frame. Overall, the Avid CNC PRO4896 CNC Router wins more comparison categories.
Which is better value for money — Avid CNC Benchtop Pro 2436 or Avid CNC PRO4896 CNC Router?
The Avid CNC Benchtop Pro 2436 is $4,200 cheaper at $2,800 vs $7,000. Our value scores rate the Avid CNC PRO4896 CNC Router higher at 52/100.
Which router is easier to set up and use?
Based on our ease-of-use benchmarks, the Avid CNC Benchtop Pro 2436 scores higher (40/100 vs 20/100). Both support Mach4, Fusion 360, VCarve among other software options.