Artillery Sidewinder X4 Plus vs Elegoo Mars 5 Ultra
Head-to-head 3D printer comparison — 2026
Comparing FDM to resin? The Artillery Sidewinder X4 Plus ($349, FDM) and Elegoo Mars 5 Ultra ($284, 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 Elegoo Mars 5 Ultra takes the crown with 8.2/10 vs 7.4/10. It pulls ahead in Beginner Friendliness, Print Quality, Reliability. The Artillery Sidewinder X4 Plus still puts up a fight in Speed.
Score Breakdown
Specifications
| Spec | Artillery Sidewinder X4 Plus | Elegoo Mars 5 Ultra |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $349 | $284 |
| Type | FDM | RESIN |
| Build Volume | 300 x 300 x 400 mm | 153 x 89 x 200 mm |
| Print Speed | 500 mm/s | 150 mm/s |
| Min Resolution | 0.05 mm | 0.01 mm |
| Weight | 14.5 kg | 7.5 kg |
| Overall Score | 7.4/10 | 8.2/10 |
Pros & Cons
Artillery Sidewinder X4 Plus
+Massive build volume at $349
+Klipper pre-installed
+Direct drive
+Great for cosplay
−Mixed QC reviews
−Smaller community
−Can be loud
−No enclosure
Elegoo Mars 5 Ultra
+14K resolution for insane detail
+Tilt release reduces peel forces
+Built-in air purifier
+WiFi control
−Small build plate for larger models
−Resin printing is messier than FDM
−Requires post-processing (wash + cure)
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 5 Ultra if you want:
- A great printer for miniatures
- A great printer for resin
- A great printer for detail
- 14K mono LCD
- Tilt release
- Air purifier
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Artillery Sidewinder X4 Plus better than the Elegoo Mars 5 Ultra?
By the numbers, the Elegoo Mars 5 Ultra scores higher (8.2/10). But "better" depends on your use case — the Artillery Sidewinder X4 Plus may be the smarter buy if you need large-prints.
Which is better for beginners, Artillery Sidewinder X4 Plus or Elegoo Mars 5 Ultra?
The Elegoo Mars 5 Ultra is more beginner-friendly (7/10 vs 6/10) with easier setup and a gentler learning curve.
Is the Artillery Sidewinder X4 Plus worth $65 more than the Elegoo Mars 5 Ultra?
The Elegoo Mars 5 Ultra actually scores higher (8.2/10) despite costing $65 less. The Artillery Sidewinder X4 Plus only makes sense if you specifically need large-prints.
What's the main difference between Artillery Sidewinder X4 Plus and Elegoo Mars 5 Ultra?
Technology: the Artillery Sidewinder X4 Plus is FDM (filament) and the Elegoo Mars 5 Ultra is RESIN (resin). FDM prints bigger functional parts; resin delivers finer surface detail.