Artillery Sidewinder X4 Plus vs Elegoo Saturn 3 Ultra
Head-to-head 3D printer comparison — 2026
Comparing FDM to resin? The Artillery Sidewinder X4 Plus ($349, FDM) and Elegoo Saturn 3 Ultra ($299, 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 Saturn 3 Ultra takes the crown with 8/10 vs 7.4/10. It pulls ahead in Print Quality, Reliability. The Artillery Sidewinder X4 Plus still puts up a fight in Speed.
Score Breakdown
Specifications
| Spec | Artillery Sidewinder X4 Plus | Elegoo Saturn 3 Ultra |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $349 | $299 |
| Type | FDM | RESIN |
| Build Volume | 300 x 300 x 400 mm | 218 x 123 x 260 mm |
| Print Speed | 500 mm/s | 150 mm/s |
| Min Resolution | 0.05 mm | 0.01 mm |
| Weight | 14.5 kg | 10.5 kg |
| Overall Score | 7.4/10 | 8/10 |
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 Saturn 3 Ultra
+12K resolution across a large build plate
+Tilt release for longer FEP life
+Batch print entire armies
+Great for busts and terrain
−Heavy resin consumption at full plate
−Post-processing takes longer at this size
−Still needs wash & cure station
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 Saturn 3 Ultra if you want:
- A great printer for resin
- A great printer for miniatures
- A great printer for large-prints
- 12K mono LCD
- Tilt release
- Air purifier
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Artillery Sidewinder X4 Plus better than the Elegoo Saturn 3 Ultra?
By the numbers, the Elegoo Saturn 3 Ultra scores higher (8/10). 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 Saturn 3 Ultra?
Both score 6/10 for beginners. Go with the Elegoo Saturn 3 Ultra to save $50.
Is the Artillery Sidewinder X4 Plus worth $50 more than the Elegoo Saturn 3 Ultra?
The Elegoo Saturn 3 Ultra actually scores higher (8/10) despite costing $50 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 Saturn 3 Ultra?
Technology: the Artillery Sidewinder X4 Plus is FDM (filament) and the Elegoo Saturn 3 Ultra is RESIN (resin). FDM prints bigger functional parts; resin delivers finer surface detail.