Blog › What's in the box: what a desktop CNC price includes
1 November 2026 · 2 min read
What's in the box: what a desktop CNC price includes
The frame and the electronics always come with the machine. The router, the software, the offline controller and the legs might not.
Two machines at the same price can arrive very differently equipped. One comes ready to cut once it's assembled; another needs a router, maybe a stand, and software before it does anything. Spec pages say what's included in different places and in different words, so here is what each page in the record says.
| Machine | Price | Router or spindle | Software named on the page | Offline controller |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| SainSmart 3018-PROVer V2 | $219 | Yes | Lists Easel, Fusion 360, Carveco Maker (CAD/CAM); UGS, Candle, Easel (control) | Not published |
| SainSmart 3020-PRO MAX V2 | $399 | Not published | Not published | Supported |
| SainSmart 4040-PRO | $599 | Yes | Not published | Supported |
| FoxAlien Masuter Pro | $600 | Yes | None bundled; Windows, macOS, Linux listed as supported | Not published |
| FoxAlien Masuter Pro Max 2x2 | $900 | Yes | Lists Candle, Carveco, Easel and GRBL senders | Not published |
| SainSmart 4040-PRO MAX | $949 | Yes | Lists Candle, LaserGRBL and LightBurn; Vectric VCarve Desktop as an optional bundle | Sold separately |
| Onefinity Apprentice | $995 | No | Lists Vectric, Carveco, Fusion 360, Easel, Carbide Create compatibility; no subscription | Not published |
| FoxAlien Masuter 3S | $1,000 | Yes | Not published | Supported |
| Sienci Labs LongMill MK3 30x30 | $1,400 | No | gSender (sender); page says most buyers use Vectric VCarve Pro or Carveco | Not published |
| Onefinity Gen 2 Elite Woodworker | $2,195 | No | Lists Vectric, Carveco, Fusion 360, Easel, Carbide Create compatibility; no subscription | Not published |
| Carbide 3D Nomad 3 | $2,800 | Yes | Carbide Motion, MeshCAM V8, Carbide Create, Carbide Copper, Alibre Workshop (Windows) | Not published |
| Sienci Labs AltMill MK2 4x4 | $3,160 | No | Not published | Not published |
| Carbide 3D Shapeoko 5.1 Pro 4x2 | $3,550 | No | Carbide Motion, Carbide Create Core | Not published |
| Sienci Labs AltMill MK2 2x4 | $3,890 | No | Not published | Not published |
Router or spindle
This is the biggest difference. Six machines in the record don't include one, and the makers say so in plain terms: "Router and other accessories sold separately" on Sienci Labs' LongMill page, and "Photos include our optional Carbide Compact Router (not included)" on Carbide 3D's Shapeoko page. There's more in router or spindle.
Offline controller
An offline controller lets you run a job without a computer attached. SainSmart lists the CTL4040 offline controller as sold separately for the 4040-PRO MAX, and the 3018-PROVer V2 is sold as "Machine Only" or "Machine + Offline Controller". There's more in offline controllers.
Legs and stands
Carbide 3D sells the Shapeoko 5.1 Pro with or without legs: $3,550.00 for the 4x2 without, $3,900.00 with. Bigger machines need a sturdy table either way, and that's another cost the listed price may not cover.
Software
Some makers name the software that comes with the machine. Carbide 3D lists Carbide Motion and Carbide Create with its machines, and the Nomad 3 page adds MeshCAM V8, Carbide Copper and Alibre Workshop. Others list software the machine works with, which isn't the same as including it.
Sources
Read on 1 November 2026. Quotes are copied from these pages.