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Both the ELEGOO Mars 5 Ultra and the Saturn 4 Ultra are excellent resin printers that produce the kind of razor-sharp detail resin is famous for. They're also from the same family, so the choice isn't about quality — it's about how much you print and how big.
| Feature | Mars 5 Ultra (9K) | Saturn 4 Ultra (16K) |
|---|---|---|
| Screen | 7-inch 9K mono LCD | 10-inch 16K mono LCD |
| Resolution | 8520 × 4320 | 15120 × 6230 |
| XY resolution | 18 × 18 µm | 14 × 19 µm |
| Build volume | 153 × 78 × 165 mm | 212 × 118 × 220 mm |
| Max speed | Up to 150 mm/h | Up to 150 mm/h |
| Monitoring | AI camera | AI camera |
| Best for | Single minis, compact desks | Batches & larger models |
This is the real decision. The Saturn 4 Ultra has a considerably larger build plate, so you can fit far more miniatures on a single print, or print larger busts and terrain in one piece. The Mars 5 Ultra is compact — perfect for a few minis at a time, and it takes up much less desk space. If you sell prints or run batches, the Saturn 4 Ultra's bigger plate pays for itself in fewer print cycles.
Here they're very close. The Saturn uses a larger, higher-resolution screen, while the Mars packs comparably fine pixel density into a smaller screen — so for typical 28mm to 75mm miniatures, both deliver crisp results. For most hobbyists, technique, resin choice and good supports matter more than the gap between these two.
Both print fast for resin machines and include auto-levelling. The Saturn 4 Ultra adds extras like an AI monitoring camera and a tilt-release mechanism that helps with larger prints. The Mars keeps things simpler and more affordable, which is part of its appeal for newcomers.
Choose the Mars 5 Ultra if you're starting out, printing small batches, or short on space and budget. Choose the Saturn 4 Ultra if you want to print many models at once, go bigger, or you're producing prints to sell. Prices shift often, so check the current price on each printer's page.
Still weighing resin against filament? Read our FDM vs resin guide, or see the best 3D printers for miniatures.
ELEGOO Mars 5 Ultra review → · ELEGOO Saturn 4 Ultra review →
What's the main difference between the Mars 5 Ultra and Saturn 4 Ultra?
Size and resolution. The Saturn has a larger 10-inch 16K screen and a much bigger build volume; the Mars is a compact 7-inch 9K printer for single miniatures.
Is 16K noticeably better than 9K for miniatures?
For typical 28–32 mm miniatures the naked-eye difference is small; 16K helps most on larger, highly detailed models.
Which should I buy for tabletop miniatures?
The Mars 5 Ultra is the value pick for single minis; choose the Saturn if you print large batches or bigger models.
Is the Mars 5 Ultra good enough for detailed miniatures?
Yes. For 28mm to 75mm miniatures its detail is excellent, and the limit is usually your supports and resin rather than the printer. The Saturn's advantage is plate size, not finer minis.
Why choose the Saturn 4 Ultra over the cheaper Mars?
Mainly for its much larger build plate, which lets you batch many models in one print or make bigger pieces. It also adds an AI camera and tilt release. If you print in volume or sell prints, it saves time.
Are both messy to use?
Both are resin printers, so both need careful handling, washing and curing, and good ventilation. That's true of resin printing in general, not these models specifically.
