Our Pick: CNC4Newbie NewCarve CNC Router

It scores 72/100 overall versus 60/100, winning 5 out of 8 comparison categories.

BobsCNC Evolution
Spec
CNC4Newbie NewCarve
$500
Price
$1700
610 × 610 mm
Work area
610 × 610 mm
85 mm
Z travel
100 mm
900 W
Spindle power
900 W
14 kg
Weight
28 kg
Laser-cut birch plywood with aluminum extrusion rails
Frame
Steel with CNC-machined components and linear rails
GRBL 1.1 (Arduino-based)
Controller
GRBL or Mach3
UGS, Candle, OpenBuilds CONTROL
Software
UGS, CNCjs, Mach3, Fusion 360, VCarve

CNC4Newbie NewCarve CNC Router wins 2 of 3 spec categories. BobsCNC Evolution 4 (Evo 4) costs $1,200 less. CNC4Newbie NewCarve CNC Router leads by 12 points overall — here’s where those points come from:

Benchmark Scores

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

60
BobsCNC Evolution

Overall

72
CNC4Newbie NewCarve
85 Value 62
28 Rigidity 72
38 Precision 75
78 Ease of use 45
42 Capability 68

BobsCNC Evolution 4 (Evo 4)

Pros

  • Largest work area in the under-$500 segment at 24x24 inches
  • Uses a real trim router for significantly more power
  • Quick assembly in 2-3 hours
  • Active community with good documentation
  • Made in the USA

Cons

  • Plywood frame limits rigidity and longevity
  • Router not included adds $80-120 to total cost
  • Cannot cut metals -- wood and plastic only
  • Belt drive limits precision compared to lead screw machines
  • Frame can warp in humid environments

CNC4Newbie NewCarve CNC Router

Pros

  • Linear rails on all axes for precise, smooth motion
  • Steel frame provides excellent rigidity for the price
  • CNC-machined components ensure tight tolerances
  • NEMA 23 stepper motors are powerful and reliable
  • Good reputation in the hobby CNC community

Cons

  • Router not included adds $100+ to total cost
  • Small company with limited customer support hours
  • Assembly is more complex than plug-and-play competitors
  • No included software -- must purchase CAM separately
  • Limited online presence and documentation compared to larger brands

Verdict

CNC4Newbie NewCarve CNC Router wins this comparison with 5 categories to 3.

It scores 72/100 overall versus 60/100, winning 5 out of 8 comparison categories.

Where to Buy

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between BobsCNC Evolution 4 (Evo 4) and CNC4Newbie NewCarve CNC Router?

The BobsCNC Evolution 4 (Evo 4) ($500) features a 900W spindle with a 610×610mm work area and a Laser-cut birch plywood with aluminum extrusion rails frame. The CNC4Newbie NewCarve CNC Router ($1700) features a 900W spindle with a 610×610mm work area and a Steel with CNC-machined components and linear rails frame. Overall, the CNC4Newbie NewCarve CNC Router wins more comparison categories.

Which is better value for money — BobsCNC Evolution 4 (Evo 4) or CNC4Newbie NewCarve CNC Router?

The BobsCNC Evolution 4 (Evo 4) is $1200 cheaper at $500 vs $1700. Our value scores rate the BobsCNC Evolution 4 (Evo 4) higher at 85/100.

Which router is easier to set up and use?

Based on our ease-of-use benchmarks, the BobsCNC Evolution 4 (Evo 4) scores higher (78/100 vs 45/100). Both support UGS, Candle, OpenBuilds CONTROL among other software options.

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