Artillery Sidewinder X4 Plus vs Elegoo Mars 4
Head-to-head 3D printer comparison, 2026
Comparing FDM to resin? The Artillery Sidewinder X4 Plus ($349, 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 Sidewinder X4 Plus takes the crown with 7.4/10 vs 7.2/10. It pulls ahead in Speed. That said, the Elegoo Mars 4 saves you $200 and wins on Value, Print Quality.
Score Breakdown
Specifications
| Spec | Artillery Sidewinder X4 Plus | Elegoo Mars 4 |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $349 | $149 |
| Type | FDM | RESIN |
| Build Volume | 300 x 300 x 400 mm | 153 x 77 x 165 mm |
| Print Speed | 500 mm/s | 80 mm/s |
| Min Resolution | 0.05 mm | 0.02 mm |
| Weight | 14.5 kg | 6.2 kg |
| Overall Score | 7.4/10 | 7.2/10 |
Pros & Cons
Artillery Sidewinder X4 Plus
+300x300x400mm at $349: the price-per-cubic-millimeter is absurd
+Klipper pre-installed with room to tune
+Direct drive handles TPU and flexible materials at this large scale
+Prints armor plates and large props without slicing and gluing
−QC varies batch to batch: some users get great units, some need calibration work
−Artillery's community is thin compared to Creality or Elegoo
−Gets audibly loud pushing 500mm/s; this is a workshop printer, not a bedroom one
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 Sidewinder X4 Plus if you want:
- A great printer for large-prints
- A great printer for budget
- A great printer for speed
- 300x300x400mm build
- Klipper
- Auto bed leveling
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 Sidewinder X4 Plus better than the Elegoo Mars 4?
By the numbers, the Artillery Sidewinder X4 Plus 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 Sidewinder X4 Plus or Elegoo Mars 4?
Both score 6/10 for beginners. Go with the Elegoo Mars 4 to save $200.
Is the Artillery Sidewinder X4 Plus worth $200 more than the Elegoo Mars 4?
The Artillery Sidewinder X4 Plus scores higher overall (7.4/10 vs 7.2/10). The extra $200 gets you 300x300x400mm at $349: the price-per-cubic-millimeter is absurd.
What's the main difference between Artillery Sidewinder X4 Plus and Elegoo Mars 4?
Technology: the Artillery Sidewinder X4 Plus is FDM (filament) and the Elegoo Mars 4 is RESIN (resin). FDM prints bigger functional parts; resin delivers finer surface detail.