Head-to-head · Best Resin 3d Printers

Anycubic Photon Mono 4 Ultra vs Elegoo Saturn 4

Which is the better buy? Side-by-side on rating, price, strengths, and watch-outs — with the published ratings we averaged to get there.

The short answer

Elegoo Saturn 4 comes out ahead by a narrow margin (4.3 vs 4.6). The gap is mostly about Users wanting user-friendly resin printing with automated leveling — read the strengths below before deciding.

Ranked #3 in Best Resin 3d Printers

Anycubic Photon Mono 4 Ultra

4.3

$279.99as of Jul 7

The Anycubic Photon Mono 4 Ultra delivers exceptional print quality with its 10K 7 monochrome LCD and advanced COB UV light source, achieving precision down to 0.01-0.05mm. Reviewers noted zero print failures during testing, with excellent detail reproduction on small items like figurines and complex sculptures. However, software issues with model loading and inconsistent support generation remain drawbacks. This printer is ideal for users seeking high-detail resin printing but may not suit beginners due to software quirks and manual adjustment requirements.

Strengths

— Excellent print quality with 0.08mm layer lines visible only under microscope
— Improved UV light source with COB technology and Fresnel lens for accuracy between 0.01-0.05mm
— Support structure generation significantly improved in software version 3.5

Watch-outs

— PhotonWorkshop software has issues loading 3D models on some systems
— Support structure generation can still require manual inspection and adjustment
— Manual orientation required for large print jobs despite auto-organization feature

$279.99 · Check Price on Amazon Full review →

Higher ratedRanked #1 in Best Resin 3d Printers

Elegoo Saturn 4

4.6

$519.99as of Jul 7

The Elegoo Saturn 4 Ultra stands out for its self-leveling build plate, tilting vat mechanism, and 12K resolution display that deliver excellent print quality without requiring manual leveling. Reviewers praised its ease of use and convenience features, though some noted the lack of a built-in heater as a potential drawback. Maker Hacks called it 'the best resin printer that I have ever used,' while Ron Burke from Gaming Trend highlighted its flawless initial prints and automated leveling as major advancements. This printer is ideal for users seeking reliable, user-friendly resin printing without the hassle of manual calibration, though those needing consistent performance in varying conditions might want to consider alternatives.

Strengths

— Self-leveling build plate eliminates the need for manual leveling
— Tilting vat mechanism reduces peel force and improves print success rate
— 12K resolution display (11,520 × 5120 pixels) delivers excellent print detail

Watch-outs

— No built-in heater may cause print failures in certain conditions
— Included Chitubox Basic software has quirks and lacks reliable network printing support

$519.99 · Check Price on Amazon Full review →

How they stack up

Anycubic Photon Mono 4 Ultra

The Anycubic Photon Mono 4 Ultra stands out with its superior 0.01-0.05mm precision and advanced COB UV light source, making it superior to the Elegoo Saturn 4 Ultra 16K which lacks built-in resin heating and the PioCreat HALOT-X1 16K which has limitations with its AFU system. However, it falls short compared to the Elegoo Mars 3 Ultra in terms of software reliability and user-friendliness, and unlike the Phrozen Sonic Mini 8k S, it doesn't offer a plug-and-play setup experience.

Elegoo Saturn 4

The Elegoo Saturn 4 surpasses the Elegoo Saturn 4 Ultra 16K in terms of resolution and touchscreen UI, offering a more modern interface compared to the Anycubic Photon Mono 4 Ultra which has software loading issues. Unlike the PioCreat HALOT-X1 16K, it doesn't include an AFU but provides better software support and easier print removal than the Phrozen Sonic Mini 8k S.

Specs side-by-side

Spec	Anycubic Photon Mono 4 Ultra	Elegoo Saturn 4
Build Volume	153.4 x 87 x 165 mm	218.88 x 122.88 x 220 mm
Printing Technology	Mono LCD Resin	MSLA
Display Resolution	9024 x 5120	11,520 × 5120 pixels
Pixel Size	17 x 17 μm	19 x 24 µm
Printing Speed	120 mm/h (high speed resin)	Up to 70mm/h
UV Wavelength	405 nm	405 nm
Layer Height	0.02-0.15mm	0.01-0.2mm

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