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
+16 colors with 4 CFS modules if you go all-in
+All-metal CoreXY body that feels solid for $399
+300mm Z-axis beats most competitors at this price
+Multi-color CoreXY at $399 is genuinely rare
−CFS feed reliability is inconsistent on color changes
−No adaptive purge, fixed volumes waste filament
−PTFE tube alignment is fiddly and matters a lot
−3.8/5 customer rating hints at QC variance
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 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 16 colors with 4 cfs modules if you go all-in.
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.