Avid CNC
Spec
Sienci Labs
$2800
Price
$1200
610 × 610 mm
Work area
762 × 762 mm
114 mm
Z travel
114 mm
710 W
Spindle power
710 W
40 kg
Weight
26 kg
Steel and aluminum with linear rails and ball screws
Frame
Steel and aluminum with anti-backlash lead screws
Mach4 / Centroid Acorn (CNC motion controller)
Controller
LongBoard (GRBL-based, custom)
Mach4, Fusion 360, VCarve, Aspire
Software
gSender, UGS, CNCjs, Easel

Sienci Labs LongMill MK2 30x30 wins 2 of 3 spec categories. Sienci Labs LongMill MK2 30x30 costs $1,600 less. Avid CNC Benchtop Pro 2436 leads by 4 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

76
Sienci Labs
42 Value 72
88 Rigidity 58
90 Precision 62
40 Ease of use 85
82 Capability 60

Avid CNC Benchtop Pro 2436

Pros

  • Industrial-grade linear rails and ball screws
  • Steel frame provides exceptional rigidity
  • Can cut aluminum aggressively
  • True CNC motion controller (not GRBL) for advanced features
  • Scales to larger Avid machines if you outgrow it

Cons

  • Expensive for the work area offered
  • Router/spindle not included
  • Mach4 software has a steep learning curve
  • Requires a Windows PC with parallel port or motion controller
  • Assembly is more involved than consumer machines

Sienci Labs LongMill MK2 30x30

Pros

  • Excellent build quality with steel and aluminum construction
  • Anti-backlash lead screws on all axes
  • Outstanding documentation and video tutorials
  • gSender software is purpose-built and beginner-friendly
  • Strong community and Canadian customer support

Cons

  • Router not included adds to total cost
  • Assembly takes 4-6 hours
  • Lead screws are slower than belt drives for rapids
  • Dust shoe is an optional extra

Verdict

These routers are evenly matched with 4 wins each. The right choice depends on your specific priorities — compare individual specs and scores above to decide.

Where to Buy

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between Avid CNC Benchtop Pro 2436 and Sienci Labs LongMill MK2 30x30?

The Avid CNC Benchtop Pro 2436 ($2800) features a 710W spindle with a 610×610mm work area and a Steel and aluminum with linear rails and ball screws frame. The Sienci Labs LongMill MK2 30x30 ($1200) features a 710W spindle with a 762×762mm work area and a Steel and aluminum with anti-backlash lead screws frame. Both machines are evenly matched overall.

Which is better value for money — Avid CNC Benchtop Pro 2436 or Sienci Labs LongMill MK2 30x30?

The Sienci Labs LongMill MK2 30x30 is $1600 cheaper at $1200 vs $2800. Our value scores rate the Sienci Labs LongMill MK2 30x30 higher at 72/100.

Which router is easier to set up and use?

Based on our ease-of-use benchmarks, the Sienci Labs LongMill MK2 30x30 scores higher (85/100 vs 40/100). Both support Mach4, Fusion 360, VCarve among other software options.

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