Our Pick: Avid CNC Benchtop Pro 2436

It scores 80/100 overall versus 62/100, winning 6 out of 10 comparison categories.

Avid CNC
Spec
CNC 6040
$2800
Price
$800
660 × 961 mm
Work area
600 × 400 mm
152 mm
Z travel
75 mm
710 W
Spindle power
800 W
120 kg
Weight
45 kg
Aluminum frame with profile linear guides and ball screws on all axes
Frame
Seller-dependent aluminum construction and motion hardware; check the exact model
Avid CNC control system running Centroid CNC12; motor and control package selected when ordering
Controller
Seller-specific controller and firmware; verify before choosing control software
Centroid CNC12, Fusion 360, VCarve, Aspire
Software
Mach3 or the supplied USB CNC software, where specified, Candle or UGS only for a verified GRBL controller

Avid CNC Benchtop Pro 2436 wins 3 of 5 spec categories. CNC 6040 Router costs $2,000 less. Avid CNC Benchtop Pro 2436 leads by 18 points overall — here’s where those points come from:

Benchmark Scores

Side-by-side score comparison across all five benchmark dimensions.

80
Avid CNC

Overall

62
CNC 6040
42 Value 85
88 Rigidity 62
90 Precision 58
40 Ease of use 35
82 Capability 60

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

CNC 6040 Router

Pros

  • Aluminum-frame versions are available; construction varies by model
  • VFD spindle packages are available for suitable wood and non-ferrous-metal work
  • Ball-screw versions are available; verify all axes in the chosen listing
  • Model-specific manuals and forum discussions can help with setup

Cons

  • Specifications and assembly quality need checking for the exact seller and unit
  • Warranty and technical support depend on the seller
  • Water-cooled versions need a suitable cooling circuit and maintenance
  • Check electrical condition and grounding before operation
  • Assembly quality requires inspection and adjustment out of the box

Verdict

Avid CNC Benchtop Pro 2436 wins this comparison with 6 categories to 4.

It scores 80/100 overall versus 62/100, winning 6 out of 10 comparison categories.

Where to Buy

Price-first merchant links with the clearest reason to click first.

As 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 CNC 6040 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 CNC 6040 Router ($800) features a 800W spindle with a 600×400mm work area and a Seller-dependent aluminum construction and motion hardware; check the exact model frame. Overall, the Avid CNC Benchtop Pro 2436 wins more comparison categories.

Which is better value for money — Avid CNC Benchtop Pro 2436 or CNC 6040 Router?

The CNC 6040 Router is $2,000 cheaper at $800 vs $2,800. Our value scores rate the CNC 6040 Router higher at 85/100.

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 35/100). Both support Mach4, Fusion 360, VCarve among other software options.

Related Comparisons