Carbide 3D Shapeoko HDM V3 vs Next Wave CNC Shark HD520
Two desktop CNC routers side by side, from each maker's own page, read 1 November 2026. Neither has been tested for this site, so this shows what each maker publishes, not which cuts better.
Photo: Carbide 3DCarbide 3D Shapeoko HDM V3
$5,700.00
Photo: Next Wave CNCNext Wave CNC Shark HD520
$4,250.00
Where they differ
- Next Wave CNC Shark HD520 is listed $1,450 lower ($4,250.00 against $5,700.00).
- Next Wave CNC Shark HD520 has the larger published X × Y work area: 1270 × 635 mm against 690 × 610 mm (1.9× the area).
- Next Wave CNC Shark HD520 lists more Z: 178 mm against 145 mm.
- Carbide 3D Shapeoko HDM V3 includes a router or spindle; Next Wave CNC Shark HD520 doesn't include one.
- Drive: Carbide 3D Shapeoko HDM V3 has ballscrew drive; Next Wave CNC Shark HD520 has leadscrew drive.
- Published footprints: 1,063 × 961 mm against 921 × 1,600 mm.
Published specs
| Carbide 3D Shapeoko HDM V3 | Next Wave CNC Shark HD520 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $5,700.00 | $4,250.00 |
| Work area | 690 × 610 mm | 1270 × 635 mm |
| Z | 145 mm (5.7") | 178 mm (7.0") |
| Spindle or router | 80 mm water-cooled spindle with VFD, 1.5/2.2 kW, 8,000-24,000 RPM, ER-20 (included) | Not included; built for 2.25 HP routers with a 3.5" barrel; optional water-cooled spindle mount |
| Drive | 16 mm ball screws | Anti-backlash lead screws on all axes |
| Linear guides | HG-15 linear rails | Linear rails and guides on the gantry |
| Controller and motors | Not published | Colour touch-screen pendant |
| Software | Carbide Motion, Carbide Create | Vectric VCarve Pro, Ready2Control, Virtual Zero Unlimited |
| Footprint | 1063 x 961 mm | 36-1/4" W x 63" L x 24-1/2" H (overall) |
| Weight | 120 kg | Not published |
| Warranty | 12 months | 2 years |
| Spec notes | 1 | 2 |
| Source | Maker’s page ↗ | Maker’s page ↗ |
Work areas to scale
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Why this pair
Pairs are picked by a rule: machines in the same size class and within about 60% of each other's price, plus each machine's nearest sibling from the same maker. No search or keyword data was used. All 46 pairs.