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 ($929, 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 $780 and wins on Value.
Score Breakdown
Specifications
| Spec | Elegoo Mars 4 | Prusa MK4S |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $149 | $929 |
| 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
+$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
Prusa MK4S
+Prusa's QC is genuinely better than anyone else's: every printer is test-printed before shipping
+PrusaSlicer is open source and powerful, no subscription, no cloud required
+Customer support answers in hours, not weeks
+Spare parts available for 5+ year old models; no planned obsolescence
−200mm/s max is a third of what CoreXY machines do at half the price
−$929 for an open-frame bed-slinger is a hard sell in 2025
−Bambu's A1 Combo does more for $530 less
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 $780 more than the Elegoo Mars 4?
The Prusa MK4S scores higher overall (7.8/10 vs 7.2/10). The extra $780 gets you prusa's qc is genuinely better than anyone else's: every printer is test-printed before shipping.
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.