Our Pick: PrintNC

It scores 84/100 overall versus 52/100, winning 6 out of 9 comparison categories.

Maslow CNC
Spec
PrintNC
$439
Price
$1200
1220 × 2440 mm
Work area
630 × 835 mm
19 mm
Z travel
115 mm
900 W
Spindle power
2200 W
8 kg
Weight
80 kg
Hanging sled on vertical frame (user-built from plywood)
Frame
Steel tube (welded or bolted)
Arduino Mega + custom motor shield
Controller
FluidNC / GRBL-ESP32 / LinuxCNC
Maslow Ground Control, WebControl, MakerMade firmware
Software
UGS, CNCjs, LinuxCNC

PrintNC wins 3 of 5 spec categories. Maslow CNC Router Kit costs $761 less. PrintNC leads by 32 points overall — here’s where those points come from:

Benchmark Scores

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

52
Maslow CNC

Overall

84
PrintNC
95 Value 95
15 Rigidity 92
30 Precision 78
35 Ease of use 15
45 Capability 90

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

PrintNC

Pros

  • Extremely rigid steel frame
  • Cuts aluminum and steel with ease
  • Fully open source — modify everything
  • Active community and detailed build wiki
  • Large work area for the price

Cons

  • Full DIY build — expect 40-80 hours
  • Needs welding or a local fab shop
  • Sourcing parts from multiple vendors
  • No customer support — community only
  • Total cost depends heavily on component choices

Verdict

PrintNC wins this comparison with 6 categories to 3.

It scores 84/100 overall versus 52/100, winning 6 out of 9 comparison categories.

Where to Buy

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between Maslow CNC Router Kit and PrintNC?

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. The PrintNC ($1200) features a 2200W spindle with a 630×835mm work area and a Steel tube (welded or bolted) frame. Overall, the PrintNC wins more comparison categories.

Which is better value for money — Maslow CNC Router Kit or PrintNC?

The Maslow CNC Router Kit is $761 cheaper at $439 vs $1200. 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 Maslow CNC Router Kit scores higher (35/100 vs 15/100). Both support Maslow Ground Control, WebControl, MakerMade firmware among other software options.

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