Elegoo Saturn 3 Ultra vs Prusa MK4S
Head-to-head 3D printer comparison, 2026
Comparing FDM to resin? The Elegoo Saturn 3 Ultra ($299, 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 Elegoo Saturn 3 Ultra takes the crown with 8/10 vs 7.8/10. It pulls ahead in Value, Print Quality, Speed. The Prusa MK4S still puts up a fight in Beginner Friendliness and Reliability.
Score Breakdown
Specifications
| Spec | Elegoo Saturn 3 Ultra | Prusa MK4S |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $299 | $929 |
| Type | RESIN | FDM |
| Build Volume | 218 x 123 x 260 mm | 250 x 210 x 220 mm |
| Print Speed | 150 mm/s | 200 mm/s |
| Min Resolution | 0.01 mm | 0.05 mm |
| Weight | 10.5 kg | 7 kg |
| Overall Score | 8/10 | 7.8/10 |
Pros & Cons
Elegoo Saturn 3 Ultra
+218x123mm plate holds a full 10-model squad in one run at 12K resolution
+Tilt release on a plate this size dramatically reduces FEP tears
+Terrain, dungeon tiles, and large busts all fit without splitting
+150mm/hr speed is faster than most competitors at this plate size
−A full plate run goes through resin fast: budget for 500ml+ per session
−Post-processing for a full plate takes the better part of an hour
−At $299, you're also spending $80-120 on a wash and cure station before you can print anything
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 Saturn 3 Ultra if you want:
- A great printer for resin
- A great printer for miniatures
- A great printer for large-prints
- 12K mono LCD
- Tilt release
- Air purifier
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 Saturn 3 Ultra better than the Prusa MK4S?
By the numbers, the Elegoo Saturn 3 Ultra scores higher (8/10). But "better" depends on your use case, the Prusa MK4S may be the smarter buy if you need reliability.
Which is better for beginners, Elegoo Saturn 3 Ultra 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 $630 more than the Elegoo Saturn 3 Ultra?
The Elegoo Saturn 3 Ultra actually scores higher (8/10) despite costing $630 less. The Prusa MK4S only makes sense if you specifically need reliability.
What's the main difference between Elegoo Saturn 3 Ultra and Prusa MK4S?
Technology: the Elegoo Saturn 3 Ultra is RESIN (filament) and the Prusa MK4S is FDM (resin). FDM prints bigger functional parts; resin delivers finer surface detail.