Elegoo Mars 4 vs Prusa MK4S
Head-to-head 3D printer comparison — 2026
Comparing FDM to resin? The Elegoo Mars 4 ($149, RESIN) and Prusa MK4S ($799, FDM) 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 Prusa MK4S takes the crown with 7.8/10 vs 7.2/10. It pulls ahead in Beginner Friendliness, Print Quality, Speed, Reliability. That said, the Elegoo Mars 4 saves you $650 and wins on Value.
Score Breakdown
Specifications
| Spec | Elegoo Mars 4 | Prusa MK4S |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $149 | $799 |
| Type | RESIN | FDM |
| Build Volume | 153 x 77 x 165 mm | 250 x 210 x 220 mm |
| Print Speed | 80 mm/s | 200 mm/s |
| Min Resolution | 0.02 mm | 0.05 mm |
| Weight | 6.2 kg | 7 kg |
| Overall Score | 7.2/10 | 7.8/10 |
Pros & Cons
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
Prusa MK4S
+Legendary reliability
+Fully open source
+PrusaSlicer is excellent
+Best customer support in the industry
−Expensive for the speed
−Slower than CoreXY competition
−Open frame
−Showing its age vs Bambu
Who Should Buy Which?
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
Choose the Prusa MK4S if you want:
- A great printer for reliability
- A great printer for open-source
- Open source
- PrusaSlicer
- Nextruder
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Elegoo Mars 4 better than the Prusa MK4S?
By the numbers, the Prusa MK4S scores higher (7.8/10). 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, Elegoo Mars 4 or Prusa MK4S?
The Prusa MK4S is more beginner-friendly (8/10 vs 6/10) with easier setup and a gentler learning curve.
Is the Prusa MK4S worth $650 more than the Elegoo Mars 4?
The Prusa MK4S scores higher overall (7.8/10 vs 7.2/10). The extra $650 gets you legendary reliability.
What's the main difference between Elegoo Mars 4 and Prusa MK4S?
Technology: the Elegoo Mars 4 is RESIN (filament) and the Prusa MK4S is FDM (resin). FDM prints bigger functional parts; resin delivers finer surface detail.