Our Pick: Avid CNC PRO4824 CNC Router

It scores 86/100 overall versus 82/100, winning 7 out of 9 comparison categories.

Avid CNC
Spec
Shapeoko 5
$4500
Price
$5700
1260 × 609 mm
Work area
690 × 610 mm
203 mm
Z travel
145 mm
3000 W
Spindle power
2200 W
154 kg
Weight
120 kg
Aluminum extrusion and steel plate construction, profile linear guides, rack and pinion on X/Y, ball screw on Z
Frame
Heavy-duty custom aluminium extrusions with machined end plates up to 30 mm thick, HG-15 linear rails and 16 mm ball screws on all axes
Avid CNC EX control system with CNC12 software
Controller
Carbide 3D controller running Carbide Motion, BitSetter tool length sensor included
Avid CNC12, Fusion 360, VCarve Pro, Aspire
Software
Carbide Create (free), Carbide Motion, Fusion 360, VCarve

Avid CNC PRO4824 CNC Router wins 5 of 5 spec categories. Avid CNC PRO4824 CNC Router costs $1,200 less. Avid CNC PRO4824 CNC Router leads by 4 points overall — here’s where those points come from:

Benchmark Scores

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

86
Avid CNC

Overall

82
Shapeoko 5
52 Value 40
94 Rigidity 92
90 Precision 88
22 Ease of use 85
92 Capability 88

Avid CNC PRO4824 CNC Router

Pros

  • Modular extrusion and steel plate frame
  • Profile linear guides with rack-and-pinion X/Y and ball-screw Z
  • 1260 x 609 mm working area for smaller panels

Cons

  • Configured cost depends on motor, spindle and accessory choices
  • A control PC and spoilboard still need to be supplied
  • Standard machine weight is 154 kg; plan handling and installation
  • CNC12 setup and machine calibration are required
  • Complex assembly requires mechanical aptitude

Carbide 3D Shapeoko HDM V3

Pros

  • Cast iron and steel frame provides outstanding rigidity
  • 2.2kW VFD spindle included for aggressive metal cutting
  • Ball screws and linear rails on all axes
  • Same excellent Carbide software ecosystem
  • Can cut aluminum, steel, and titanium

Cons

  • Very small 406x406mm work area for the price
  • Extremely heavy at 68kg -- needs a very sturdy bench
  • Proprietary controller limits third-party options
  • Steep price for hobbyist use

Verdict

Avid CNC PRO4824 CNC Router wins this comparison with 7 categories to 2.

It scores 86/100 overall versus 82/100, winning 7 out of 9 comparison categories.

Where to Buy

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

Avid CNC PRO4824 CNC Router

$4500

Carbide 3D Shapeoko HDM V3

$5700

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between Avid CNC PRO4824 CNC Router and Carbide 3D Shapeoko HDM V3?

The Avid CNC PRO4824 CNC Router ($4,500) features a 3000W spindle with a 1260×609mm work area and a Aluminum extrusion and steel plate construction, profile linear guides, rack and pinion on X/Y, ball screw on Z frame. Overall, the Avid CNC PRO4824 CNC Router wins more comparison categories.

Which is better value for money — Avid CNC PRO4824 CNC Router or Carbide 3D Shapeoko HDM V3?

The Avid CNC PRO4824 CNC Router is $1,200 cheaper at $4,500 vs $5,700. Our value scores rate the Avid CNC PRO4824 CNC Router higher at 52/100.

Which router is easier to set up and use?

Based on our ease-of-use benchmarks, the Carbide 3D Shapeoko HDM V3 scores higher (85/100 vs 22/100). Both support Mach4, Fusion 360, VCarve Pro among other software options.

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