Our Pick: Shapeoko 5 Pro
It scores 78/100 overall versus 76/100, winning 6 out of 10 comparison categories.
Sienci Labs LongMill MK2 30x30 wins 3 of 5 spec categories. Sienci Labs LongMill MK2 30x30 costs $600 less. The overall scores are virtually tied — the differences are in the details below.
Benchmark Scores
Side-by-side score comparison across all five benchmark dimensions.
Overall
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
Shapeoko 5 Pro
Pros
- Linear rails on all axes for precision
- Router included -- truly ready to cut out of the box
- Carbide Create and Motion software are free and excellent
- Steel and aluminum hybrid frame is very rigid
- Active community forum with years of knowledge
Cons
- Small work area for the price compared to competitors
- Proprietary controller limits third-party software
- Belt-driven X and Y axes limit positioning accuracy
- Premium price point for a 16x16 inch work area
Verdict
Shapeoko 5 Pro wins this comparison with 6 categories to 4.
It scores 78/100 overall versus 76/100, winning 6 out of 10 comparison categories.
Where to Buy
Price-first merchant links with the clearest reason to click first.
Sienci Labs LongMill MK2 30x30
$1200Shapeoko 5 Pro
$1800As 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 Sienci Labs LongMill MK2 30x30 and Shapeoko 5 Pro?
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. The Shapeoko 5 Pro ($1800) features a 930W spindle with a 406×406mm work area and a Hybrid steel and aluminum with linear rails frame. Overall, the Shapeoko 5 Pro wins more comparison categories.
Which is better value for money — Sienci Labs LongMill MK2 30x30 or Shapeoko 5 Pro?
The Sienci Labs LongMill MK2 30x30 is $600 cheaper at $1200 vs $1800. 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 Shapeoko 5 Pro scores higher (92/100 vs 85/100). Both support gSender, UGS, CNCjs among other software options.