Artillery Genius Pro vs Elegoo Mars 4
Head-to-head 3D printer comparison, 2026
Comparing FDM to resin? The Artillery Genius Pro ($249, FDM) and Elegoo Mars 4 ($149, RESIN) use fundamentally different technologies. FDM melts filament layer by layer; resin cures liquid with UV light. Here's how they stack up.
Our Verdict
The Artillery Genius Pro takes the crown with 7.4/10 vs 7.2/10. It pulls ahead in Beginner Friendliness, Reliability. That said, the Elegoo Mars 4 saves you $100 and wins on Value.
Score Breakdown
Specifications
| Spec | Artillery Genius Pro | Elegoo Mars 4 |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $249 | $149 |
| Type | FDM | RESIN |
| Build Volume | 220 x 220 x 250 mm | 153 x 77 x 165 mm |
| Print Speed | 200 mm/s | 80 mm/s |
| Min Resolution | 0.05 mm | 0.02 mm |
| Weight | 9.5 kg | 6.2 kg |
| Overall Score | 7.4/10 | 7.2/10 |
Pros & Cons
Artillery Genius Pro
+Dual Z axis keeps first layers even over weeks of printing without releveling
+Silent stepper drivers: quiet enough for a bedroom at 200mm/s
+Direct drive handles TPU and flexible filaments without feeding issues
+Build quality feels more solid than most sub-$300 machines
−200mm/s is the pace of 2021; the Creality V3 KE hits 500mm/s for the same money
−No WiFi or camera: bring your USB stick, every time
−Open frame means ABS is a gamble in anything less than a controlled environment
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 Artillery Genius Pro if you want:
- A great printer for beginners
- A great printer for budget
- A great printer for compact
- Direct drive
- Auto bed leveling
- Dual Z axis
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 Artillery Genius Pro better than the Elegoo Mars 4?
By the numbers, the Artillery Genius Pro 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, Artillery Genius Pro or Elegoo Mars 4?
The Artillery Genius Pro is more beginner-friendly (8/10 vs 6/10) with easier setup and a gentler learning curve.
Is the Artillery Genius Pro worth $100 more than the Elegoo Mars 4?
The Artillery Genius Pro scores higher overall (7.4/10 vs 7.2/10). The extra $100 gets you dual z axis keeps first layers even over weeks of printing without releveling.
What's the main difference between Artillery Genius Pro and Elegoo Mars 4?
Technology: the Artillery Genius Pro is FDM (filament) and the Elegoo Mars 4 is RESIN (resin). FDM prints bigger functional parts; resin delivers finer surface detail.