Anycubic Photon Mono 4 vs Elegoo Mars 4
Head-to-head 3D printer comparison, 2026
The Anycubic Photon Mono 4 and Elegoo Mars 4 are both RESIN 3D printers competing in the same price bracket, $159 vs $149. Both are scored across value, beginner-friendliness, quality, speed, and reliability. Here's the full breakdown.
Our Verdict
The Anycubic Photon Mono 4 takes the crown with 7.4/10 vs 7.2/10. It pulls ahead in Print Quality. That said, the Elegoo Mars 4 saves you $10.
Score Breakdown
Specifications
| Spec | Anycubic Photon Mono 4 | Elegoo Mars 4 |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $159 | $149 |
| Type | RESIN | RESIN |
| Build Volume | 134 x 75 x 130 mm | 153 x 77 x 165 mm |
| Print Speed | 100 mm/s | 80 mm/s |
| Min Resolution | 0.01 mm | 0.02 mm |
| Weight | 5 kg | 6.2 kg |
| Overall Score | 7.4/10 | 7.2/10 |
Pros & Cons
Anycubic Photon Mono 4
+$159 is the lowest you'll pay for 10K resolution resin printing
+Compact enough to fit on a shelf with the build plate folded
+10K resolution prints minis that genuinely impress non-printers
−134x75mm build plate: barely fits more than two minis at once
−USB-only workflow, no WiFi at any price point in this tier
−Slow: 100mm/hr means longer overnight print sessions
Elegoo Mars 4
+$149 entry into Elegoo's quality resin lineup
+7K resolution is still detailed enough for D&D and Warhammer minis
+WiFi monitoring included even at this price
+Elegoo's brand reliability is the best in budget resin
−No tilt release: FEP films will need replacing more often than the Ultra variants
−7K detail is noticeably softer than the 9K and 12K machines on fine surface textures
−Slower at 80mm/hr vs 100mm/hr on the Ultra
Who Should Buy Which?
Choose the Anycubic Photon Mono 4 if you want:
- A great printer for miniatures
- A great printer for resin
- A great printer for budget
- 10K mono LCD
- Laser-cut build plate
- USB
Choose the Elegoo Mars 4 if you want:
- A great printer for budget
- A great printer for resin
- A great printer for miniatures
- 7K mono LCD
- WiFi
- USB
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Anycubic Photon Mono 4 better than the Elegoo Mars 4?
By the numbers, the Anycubic Photon Mono 4 scores higher (7.4/10). But "better" depends on your use case, the Elegoo Mars 4 may be the smarter buy if you need budget.
Which is better for beginners, Anycubic Photon Mono 4 or Elegoo Mars 4?
Both score 6/10 for beginners. Go with the Elegoo Mars 4 to save $10.
Is the Anycubic Photon Mono 4 worth $10 more than the Elegoo Mars 4?
The Anycubic Photon Mono 4 scores higher overall (7.4/10 vs 7.2/10). The extra $10 gets you $159 is the lowest you'll pay for 10k resolution resin printing.
What's the main difference between Anycubic Photon Mono 4 and Elegoo Mars 4?
Build volume (134x75x130mm vs 153x77x165mm) and print speed (100 vs 80 mm/s). The Anycubic Photon Mono 4 is best for miniatures; the Elegoo Mars 4 targets budget.