Creality Hi Combo vs Elegoo Mars 4
Head-to-head 3D printer comparison — 2026
Comparing FDM to resin? The Creality Hi Combo ($399, 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 Creality Hi Combo takes the crown with 7.6/10 vs 7.2/10. It pulls ahead in Beginner Friendliness, Speed. That said, the Elegoo Mars 4 saves you $250 and wins on Value.
Score Breakdown
Specifications
| Spec | Creality Hi Combo | Elegoo Mars 4 |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $399 | $149 |
| Type | FDM | RESIN |
| Build Volume | 260 x 260 x 300 mm | 153 x 77 x 165 mm |
| Print Speed | 500 mm/s | 80 mm/s |
| Min Resolution | 0.1 mm | 0.02 mm |
| Weight | 13.31 kg | 6.2 kg |
| Overall Score | 7.6/10 | 7.2/10 |
Pros & Cons
Creality Hi Combo
+Up to 16 colors with 4 CFS modules
+CoreXY with all-metal body feels premium
+Taller 300mm Z-axis than most competitors
+Competitive $399 price for multi-color CoreXY
−CFS can fail to feed reliably during color changes
−Fixed purge volumes waste filament (no adaptive purge)
−PTFE tube alignment is critical and fiddly
−3.8/5 customer rating suggests some QC issues
Elegoo Mars 4
+Cheapest Elegoo Mars with WiFi
+7K resolution still excellent for minis
+Small footprint
+Known brand reliability
−No tilt release (higher FEP wear)
−Slower than Ultra variants
−7K less sharp than 9K/12K siblings
Who Should Buy Which?
Choose the Creality Hi Combo if you want:
- A great printer for multi-color
- A great printer for speed
- A great printer for budget
- CoreXY motion system
- Up to 16-color printing (4x CFS)
- Die-cast aluminum unibody
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 Creality Hi Combo better than the Elegoo Mars 4?
By the numbers, the Creality Hi Combo scores higher (7.6/10). 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, Creality Hi Combo or Elegoo Mars 4?
The Creality Hi Combo is more beginner-friendly (7/10 vs 6/10) with easier setup and a gentler learning curve.
Is the Creality Hi Combo worth $250 more than the Elegoo Mars 4?
The Creality Hi Combo scores higher overall (7.6/10 vs 7.2/10). The extra $250 gets you up to 16 colors with 4 cfs modules.
What's the main difference between Creality Hi Combo and Elegoo Mars 4?
Technology: the Creality Hi Combo is FDM (filament) and the Elegoo Mars 4 is RESIN (resin). FDM prints bigger functional parts; resin delivers finer surface detail.