Best ELEGOO Resin 3D Printers (2026): Mars 5 vs Mars 5 Ultra vs Saturn 4 Ultra 16K vs Jupiter 2

ELEGOO sells six current resin printers on its US store, from the compact Mars 5 to the large-format Jupiter 2. They all use the same basic technology, a monochrome LCD that cures liquid photopolymer resin layer by layer, but they differ a lot in build size, detail, speed and convenience features. This guide sorts them by the buyer each one suits best, using ELEGOO's own spec sheets and the prices its product pages showed on November 3, 2026, during the brand's Black Friday sale.

If you haven't decided between resin and filament yet, start with our resin vs FDM explainer. Resin wins on fine detail for miniatures, jewelry masters and display models, while FDM is better for large, tough functional parts.

Quick picks

Sale prices change often during ELEGOO's holiday promotions, so treat the figures above as a snapshot rather than a promise. Bundles with a Mercury wash-and-cure station and resin are sold separately on each product page.

Best overall: Saturn 4 Ultra 16K

The Saturn 4 Ultra 16K is the model ELEGOO's own site promotes as its best seller, and the spec sheet explains why. Its 10-inch 16K mono LCD runs at 15120 × 6230 pixels for an XY resolution of 14 × 19 μm, the finest of any printer in the current lineup. The build volume of 211.68 × 118.37 × 220 mm is large enough for a full squad of tabletop miniatures or a mid-size bust in one job.

It also adds three convenience features that matter in daily use. A tank heater keeps the resin at 30 °C, which ELEGOO says improves flow and layer adhesion and reduces bubbles and layer separation. That's useful in a cold garage or a winter apartment. Tilt release peels each layer off the film at an angle, which is how ELEGOO reaches its quoted maximum of 150 mm/h. A built-in camera with its own light supports monitoring, timelapse recording and alerts for an empty build plate or a warped model, and dual-band Wi-Fi lets you send files and manage several printers from one interface.

At the $399 sale price it costs only $40 more than the 12K Saturn 4 Ultra, which makes the 16K version the easier recommendation for anyone printing miniatures or detailed display pieces.

Best budget pick: Mars 5

The Mars 5 is ELEGOO's entry model, and its product page pitches it at budget-minded beginners. It uses a 6.6-inch 4K mono LCD at 4098 × 2560 for a 35 μm XY resolution, with a build volume of 143.43 × 89.6 × 150 mm and a top speed of 70 mm/h. It offers one-click automatic leveling and a self-check before each print. A mechanical sensor raises alarms for a resin shortage, for residue left in the vat (which helps protect the screen) and for a failed leveling.

The trade-offs are clear on the spec sheet. File transfer is by USB only, the control screen is a 3.5-inch resistive panel, and the LCD is protected by a PET scratch-resistant film rather than tempered glass. If you mainly want to learn resin printing on small parts, it's the cheapest way into the lineup at $179.

Best compact upgrade: Mars 5 Ultra

The Mars 5 Ultra keeps a small footprint but gets most of the Saturn 4 Ultra's features. Its 7-inch 9K LCD (8520 × 4320) gives an 18 μm XY resolution, finer than the 12K Saturn models, on a build volume of 153.36 × 77.76 × 165 mm. Tilt release brings the quoted top speed to 150 mm/h, and you can switch between fast and slow print modes.

It adds Wi-Fi alongside USB, a 4-inch capacitive touch screen, a 9H tempered-glass screen protector, power-loss resume and an AI camera for monitoring and timelapse. At $259 on sale, it's the pick for someone who prints mostly small parts and wants remote monitoring without giving up desk space. The printer itself measures more than the plate suggests, so check the dimensions on the product page against your shelf.

Best value for bigger parts: Saturn 4 and Saturn 4 Ultra

Both Saturn 4 models share a 10-inch 12K LCD (11520 × 5120, 19 × 24 μm) and the same 218.88 × 122.88 × 220 mm build volume, lit by a COB light source with a Fresnel collimating lens. Their printer bodies are identical in size at 327.4 × 329.2 × 548 mm.

The difference is in the features. The Saturn 4 tops out at 70 mm/h, connects by USB only and uses a 3.5-inch resistive screen, with a net weight of 13.5 kg. The Saturn 4 Ultra adds tilt release for up to 150 mm/h, Wi-Fi, a 4-inch capacitive screen, AI camera monitoring and power-loss resume, at 14.5 kg.

At the November 3 prices the gap is just $50 ($309 versus $359). Since the 16K Ultra was only $40 more again, the plain Saturn 4 makes the most sense if you want the larger plate at the lowest price and don't need remote monitoring.

Best for large prints: Jupiter 2

The Jupiter 2 is a different class of machine. Its build volume of 302 × 162 × 300 mm is, by ELEGOO's own comparison, 2.5 times that of the Saturn 4. That's room for helmets, large busts or a full plate of parts for a small print business. It pairs a 16K LCD (20 × 26 μm XY) with automatic leveling from four independent force sensors and 30 °C tank heating.

Its standout feature is automatic resin feeding and recycling. A cartridge with a bottle-cap module tops up the vat during long jobs, so you don't have to stop and pour by hand. It also has a chamber camera with an LED light for live monitoring and timelapse, Wi-Fi cluster printing, and an automatic pause with an alert if the LED light source goes above 80 °C. ELEGOO doesn't list a maximum print speed for the Jupiter 2. The $849 sale price is far below its $1,299.99 list, but it's still more than twice the cost of the Saturn 4 Ultra 16K. Buy it for size, not for detail.

What to budget beyond the printer

A resin printer is only part of the setup. Plan for these extras before you compare prices:

• Wash and cure. Prints need washing (in alcohol, or water for water-washable resin) and a UV post-cure. ELEGOO sells its Mercury stations in bundles on every printer page.
• Resin. ELEGOO's store lists standard, ABS-like, water-washable, plant-based, 8K and tough resins, mostly in 1 kg bottles and 5 kg or 12 kg bulk packs. Every printer here supports most resins on the market.
• Ventilation and safety. Gloves, a mask, a funnel and a scraper come in the box with the Mars 5, which tells you the handling ELEGOO expects. Its spec sheets list compatibility with the Mars Mate air purifier for resin odor.
• Consumables. Release film wears out with use. ELEGOO's warranty table lists release film, the acrylic cover, tools and the resin cartridge as having no warranty, and gives the LCD only a limited warranty that excludes resin leaks, scratches and collision damage. Most other new-machine parts are covered for 12 months.

For returns, restocking fees and shipping times when buying direct, see our ELEGOO shopping guide. ELEGOO's product pages quote 3 to 7 business days for in-stock US orders.

Buyer's FAQ

Is 16K worth it over 12K? On paper, yes, for small detailed models. The Saturn 4 Ultra 16K's 14 × 19 μm pixels are smaller than the 12K models' 19 × 24 μm, on a nearly identical build area. For large functional parts, the difference matters less.

Do I need tilt release? It's what gives the Ultra models their 150 mm/h top speed, compared with 70 mm/h for the Mars 5 and Saturn 4. If print time matters to you, it's the biggest practical upgrade.

Is the Jupiter 2 a good first printer? It has beginner-friendly features like auto-leveling and auto resin feeding, but its size and price make sense mainly if you regularly print large objects or batches.

What about an FDM printer instead? If you want durable parts, multicolor printing or a lower running cost, look at ELEGOO's Centauri line. Our Centauri Carbon 2 Combo review covers its flagship.

Bottom line

For most new resin buyers the Saturn 4 Ultra 16K is the one to get at its current sale price. It has the finest detail in the range, a large plate, heating, a camera and fast tilt release. The Mars 5 is the low-cost starter, the Mars 5 Ultra is the compact connected choice, and the Jupiter 2 is for people who genuinely need a large build volume.

References

1. ELEGOO US, Saturn 4 Ultra 16K product page, accessed November 3, 2026. https://us.elegoo.com/products/saturn-4-ultra-16k-10inch-monochrome-lcd-resin-3d-printer
2. ELEGOO US, Mars 5 product page, accessed November 3, 2026. https://us.elegoo.com/products/mars-5-4k-6-6inch-monochrome-lcd-resin-3d-printer
3. ELEGOO US, Mars 5 Ultra product page, accessed November 3, 2026. https://us.elegoo.com/products/mars-5-ultra-9k-7inch-monochrome-lcd-resin-3d-printer
4. ELEGOO US, Saturn 4 product page, accessed November 3, 2026. https://us.elegoo.com/products/saturn-4-12k-10inch-monochrome-lcd-resin-3d-printer
5. ELEGOO US, Saturn 4 Ultra product page, accessed November 3, 2026. https://us.elegoo.com/products/saturn-4-ultra-12k-10inch-monochrome-lcd-resin-3d-printer
6. ELEGOO US, Jupiter 2 product page, accessed November 3, 2026. https://us.elegoo.com/products/elegoo-jupiter-2
7. ELEGOO US, Refund & Warranty, accessed November 3, 2026. https://us.elegoo.com/pages/refund-policy