Elegoo Mars 4 vs Qidi Q1 Pro
Head-to-head 3D printer comparison, 2026
Comparing FDM to resin? The Elegoo Mars 4 ($149, RESIN) and Qidi Q1 Pro ($449, 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 Qidi Q1 Pro takes the crown with 8/10 vs 7.2/10. It pulls ahead in Beginner Friendliness, Print Quality, Speed. That said, the Elegoo Mars 4 saves you $300 and wins on Value.
Score Breakdown
Specifications
| Spec | Elegoo Mars 4 | Qidi Q1 Pro |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $149 | $449 |
| Type | RESIN | FDM |
| Build Volume | 153 x 77 x 165 mm | 245 x 245 x 240 mm |
| Print Speed | 80 mm/s | 600 mm/s |
| Min Resolution | 0.02 mm | 0.1 mm |
| Weight | 6.2 kg | 20.3 kg |
| Overall Score | 7.2/10 | 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
Qidi Q1 Pro
+60C chamber heating: ABS, nylon, and PC without warping
+350C hotend handles every engineering filament you'll throw at it
+WiFi 6, 1080p monitoring, timelapse built in
+Printing within 10 minutes of unboxing
−Exposed heater is a genuine safety concern, not just a nitpick
−Casing feels cheaper than the spec sheet suggests
−Klipper fork firmware needs work
−Thin material profiles out of the box
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 Qidi Q1 Pro if you want:
- A great printer for enclosed
- A great printer for professional
- A great printer for precision
- Enclosed CoreXY with 60C heated chamber
- 350C tri-metal hotend
- WiFi 6 + LAN connectivity
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Elegoo Mars 4 better than the Qidi Q1 Pro?
By the numbers, the Qidi Q1 Pro scores higher (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 Qidi Q1 Pro?
The Qidi Q1 Pro is more beginner-friendly (7/10 vs 6/10) with easier setup and a gentler learning curve.
Is the Qidi Q1 Pro worth $300 more than the Elegoo Mars 4?
The Qidi Q1 Pro scores higher overall (8/10 vs 7.2/10). The extra $300 gets you 60c chamber heating: abs, nylon, and pc without warping.
What's the main difference between Elegoo Mars 4 and Qidi Q1 Pro?
Technology: the Elegoo Mars 4 is RESIN (filament) and the Qidi Q1 Pro is FDM (resin). FDM prints bigger functional parts; resin delivers finer surface detail.