Creality Hi Combo vs Elegoo Mars 4 Ultra
Head-to-head 3D printer comparison, 2026
Comparing FDM to resin? The Creality Hi Combo ($399, FDM) and Elegoo Mars 4 Ultra ($199, 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 4 Ultra takes the crown with 7.8/10 vs 7.6/10. It pulls ahead in Value, Print Quality, Reliability. The Creality Hi Combo still puts up a fight in Speed.
Score Breakdown
Specifications
| Spec | Creality Hi Combo | Elegoo Mars 4 Ultra |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $399 | $199 |
| Type | FDM | RESIN |
| Build Volume | 260 x 260 x 300 mm | 153 x 77 x 165 mm |
| Print Speed | 500 mm/s | 100 mm/s |
| Min Resolution | 0.1 mm | 0.01 mm |
| Weight | 13.31 kg | 6.8 kg |
| Overall Score | 7.6/10 | 7.8/10 |
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 Ultra
+9K resolution is a meaningful jump from 7K: finer surface texture, sharper edges on small parts
+Tilt release means FEP films last longer; $50 less per year in consumables is real money
+Built-in air purifier takes the edge off the smell without requiring an external solution
+WiFi monitoring means you can start a print and check it from another room
−153x77mm plate is tight for anything larger than small character models
−Still needs a wash and cure station: budget $50-80 extra
−Resin workflow is messier and slower to start than FDM
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 Ultra if you want:
- A great printer for miniatures
- A great printer for resin
- A great printer for budget
- 9K mono LCD
- Tilt release
- WiFi
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Creality Hi Combo better than the Elegoo Mars 4 Ultra?
By the numbers, the Elegoo Mars 4 Ultra scores higher (7.8/10). But "better" depends on your use case, the Creality Hi Combo may be the smarter buy if you need multi-color.
Which is better for beginners, Creality Hi Combo or Elegoo Mars 4 Ultra?
Both score 7/10 for beginners. Go with the Elegoo Mars 4 Ultra to save $200.
Is the Creality Hi Combo worth $200 more than the Elegoo Mars 4 Ultra?
The Elegoo Mars 4 Ultra actually scores higher (7.8/10) despite costing $200 less. The Creality Hi Combo only makes sense if you specifically need multi-color.
What's the main difference between Creality Hi Combo and Elegoo Mars 4 Ultra?
Technology: the Creality Hi Combo is FDM (filament) and the Elegoo Mars 4 Ultra is RESIN (resin). FDM prints bigger functional parts; resin delivers finer surface detail.