Our Pick: Avid CNC Benchtop Pro 2436

It scores 80/100 overall versus 52/100, winning 6 out of 10 comparison categories.

Avid CNC
Spec
Maslow CNC
$2800
Price
$439
610 × 610 mm
Work area
1220 × 2440 mm
114 mm
Z travel
19 mm
710 W
Spindle power
900 W
40 kg
Weight
8 kg
Steel and aluminum with linear rails and ball screws
Frame
Hanging sled on vertical frame (user-built from plywood)
Mach4 / Centroid Acorn (CNC motion controller)
Controller
Arduino Mega + custom motor shield
Mach4, Fusion 360, VCarve, Aspire
Software
Maslow Ground Control, WebControl, MakerMade firmware

Maslow CNC Router Kit wins 3 of 5 spec categories. Maslow CNC Router Kit costs $2,361 less. Avid CNC Benchtop Pro 2436 leads by 28 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

52
Maslow CNC
42 Value 95
88 Rigidity 15
90 Precision 30
40 Ease of use 35
82 Capability 45

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

Maslow CNC Router Kit

Pros

  • Cuts full 4x8 foot sheets of plywood
  • Extremely low cost for the work area size
  • Active open-source community
  • Small footprint -- hangs on a wall
  • Great for furniture and large panel projects

Cons

  • Very slow cutting speed
  • Accuracy decreases at edges and corners of the work area
  • Cannot cut thick or hard materials -- limited Z depth
  • Requires building a frame from plywood
  • Not suitable for precision work or small details

Verdict

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

It scores 80/100 overall versus 52/100, winning 6 out of 10 comparison categories.

Where to Buy

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between Avid CNC Benchtop Pro 2436 and Maslow CNC Router Kit?

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 Maslow CNC Router Kit ($439) features a 900W spindle with a 1220×2440mm work area and a Hanging sled on vertical frame (user-built from plywood) frame. Overall, the Avid CNC Benchtop Pro 2436 wins more comparison categories.

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

The Maslow CNC Router Kit is $2361 cheaper at $439 vs $2800. Our value scores rate the Maslow CNC Router Kit higher at 95/100.

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.

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