Big Resin vs Small Resin: Saturn vs Mars

The Saturn 4 Ultra's defining feature is its build plate: 218x123mm vs the Mars's 153x89mm. That's roughly 2.4x more surface area per print job. For miniature painters running tabletop armies, this is transformational — instead of printing 4 Space Marines per batch, you can fit 10-12. Terrain pieces that would require two prints on the Mars fit on the Saturn in one. Busts, larger character models, and medium-scale props all benefit from the extra real estate. The resolution is 12K on a 10-inch screen, giving a 50-micron pixel size — slightly less dense than the Mars's 14K on a smaller screen, but the practical difference is nearly invisible to the naked eye at normal viewing distances. Competition-level miniature painters who examine pieces under magnification may notice the difference; painters working at arm's length will not. The Saturn's tilt-release system is the same mechanism as the Mars: a fast tilting motion reduces peel force on each layer, which dramatically improves print success rates for models with large cross-sectional areas. The built-in air purifier runs during printing and reduces the fume concentration in enclosed spaces. The WiFi-connected interface allows print management from a browser. At $459, the Saturn is a significant investment, but it's the right tool if batch volume and model size define your workflow. Print farms, active hobbyists running multiple armies, and anyone printing terrain regularly will recoup the cost difference in time saved.

#1

resin

Elegoo Saturn 4 Ultra

#1 Pick

Elegoo

$459

7.8/10

Community Pick

The Mars 5 Ultra's bigger sibling. Same insane detail, but fits larger models and batch prints.

Build

218mm

Speed

150mm/s

Resolution

0.01mm

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The Mars 5 Ultra achieves 14K resolution on a smaller 7.6-inch screen, resulting in a pixel density that measurably exceeds the Saturn. For individual miniatures — especially 28mm-scale figures with fine detail like chainmail, facial features, and weapon texturing — the Mars's higher pixel density produces slightly sharper output. The difference is most visible under magnification or in direct side-by-side comparison; for painted tabletop use, both printers produce results that look identical across the table. The Mars 5 Ultra is more compact, lighter, and significantly cheaper. Its smaller footprint suits apartment setups, shared workspaces, or anyone who doesn't need the Saturn's batch capacity. The tilt-release system and air purifier are the same technology as the Saturn, providing the same quality-of-life improvements at a lower price. The 153x89mm build plate is sufficient for printing 4-6 standard miniatures per batch, full 32mm characters, small terrain features, and jewelry masters. For a solo hobbyist who paints a unit or two per week, the Mars's capacity is completely adequate. Resin costs roughly the same per liter regardless of which Elegoo printer you use, and the Mars uses less resin per batch because of its smaller volume. Running costs are lower. If you're just starting with resin or print primarily individual figures, the Mars 5 Ultra at $284 is the correct entry point — it's a focused, well-executed tool for detail-first printing.

#2

resin

Elegoo Mars 5 Ultra

Elegoo

$284

8.2/10

Detail King

The go-to resin printer for miniature painters. 14K resolution delivers insane detail at a great price.

Build

153mm

Speed

150mm/s

Resolution

0.01mm

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