Our Pick: Avid CNC PRO4896 CNC Router
It wins 5 out of 8 comparison categories while costing $1000 less.
Avid CNC PRO4896 CNC Router wins 2 of 3 spec categories. Avid CNC PRO4896 CNC Router costs $24,127 less. Avid CNC PRO4896 CNC Router leads by 8 points overall — here’s where those points come from:
Benchmark Scores
Side-by-side score comparison across all five benchmark dimensions.
Overall
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 CAM still require learning
ShopBot PRS5 Alpha CNC Router
Pros
- Closed-loop drives correct position and stop with an alarm instead of silently losing steps
- Published cutting speed up to 720 in/min (18.3 m/min) and rapids up to 1,800 in/min (45.7 m/min)
- Rails sit level with the bed, so sheets load from any side, and the space under the table stays open
- Starting price includes a 2.2 hp HSD spindle with VFD and RPM control, plus VCarve Pro
- Two-year warranty, lifetime phone support and detailed documentation from ShopBot in North Carolina
Cons
- Starts at $31,127 before vacuum hold-down, a bigger spindle, longer Z or the ATC version
- Needs a licensed electrician: 120 V for the motors plus 220 V single-phase or three-phase for the spindle
- Ships as modules for on-site assembly; the gantry alone weighs over 150 lb (68 kg) and needs two people
- Rack, pinions and V-rails need regular cleaning and greasing
- Takes a 120 x 79 in (3048 x 2007 mm) footprint for the 4 x 8 size
Verdict
Avid CNC PRO4896 CNC Router wins this comparison with 5 categories to 3.
It wins 5 out of 8 comparison categories while costing $1000 less.
Where to Buy
Price-first merchant links with the clearest reason to click first.
Avid CNC PRO4896 CNC Router
$7000ShopBot PRS5 Alpha CNC Router
$31127As 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 PRO4896 CNC Router and ShopBot PRS5 Alpha CNC Router?
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. The ShopBot PRS5 Alpha CNC Router ($31,127) features a 1641W spindle with a 2616×1245mm work area and a Welded and bolted steel legs and cross supports with aluminum extrusion table sides; hardened steel V-rail on X, linear rails on Y and Z; rack-and-pinion drive on all axes frame. Overall, the Avid CNC PRO4896 CNC Router wins more comparison categories.
Which is better value for money — Avid CNC PRO4896 CNC Router or ShopBot PRS5 Alpha CNC Router?
The Avid CNC PRO4896 CNC Router is $24,127 cheaper at $7,000 vs $31,127. 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 ShopBot PRS5 Alpha CNC Router scores higher (72/100 vs 20/100). Both support Mach4, Fusion 360, VCarve Pro among other software options.