Head-to-head · Best Resin 3D Printers

Anycubic Photon P1 vs Elegoo Mars 5 Ultra

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

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The short answer

Elegoo Mars 5 Ultra comes out ahead by a clear margin (4.5 vs 4.1). Elegoo Mars 5 Ultra is best for: Smart feature users wanting high-resolution prints. Read the strengths below before deciding.

Ranked #3 in Best Resin 3D Printers

Anycubic Photon P1

4.1

2 sources$589.99as of Oct 11

The Anycubic Photon P1 is a high-end resin 3D printer featuring a 14K mono LCD, thermally-controlled resin vat, and dual-material printing capability. Reviewers noted its powerful light system, precision build platform, and auto-leveling features. However, it lacks automated resin filling and the dual-material vat does not include heating. The printer is designed for industrial-grade prosumer use with a 223 x 126 x 230 mm build chamber and weighs 13.6kg. It's suited for users seeking advanced resin printing features but may not appeal to those wanting fully automated workflows.

Strengths

— 14K mono LCD with 16.8 x 24.8 μm resolution and LighTurbo 4.0 engine delivering 5000μW/cm² with ≥2° collimation accuracy
— Thermally-controlled resin vat capable of maintaining temperatures up to 40°C for optimized resin flow
— Dual-material printing capability with dedicated kit for simultaneous color/material printing

Watch-outs

— No automated resin filling system
— Dual-material vat lacks heater, potentially limiting material options

$589.99 · Check Price on Amazon Full review →

Higher ratedRanked #1 in Best Resin 3D Printers

Elegoo Mars 5 Ultra

4.5

2 sources$299.99as of Oct 10

The Elegoo Mars 5 Ultra stands out as a feature-rich resin printer with a 9K monochrome display and 18 µm XY resolution, making it one of the most capable consumer models Elegoo has produced. Reviewers praised its tilt release mechanism and AI camera, though the latter was deemed ineffective due to poor positioning. The printer lacks an air filter and chamber heating, which may disappoint users seeking advanced environmental controls. While it offers Wi-Fi connectivity and a user-friendly interface, the placement of ports and the camera's functionality are notable drawbacks. This printer is ideal for users wanting high-resolution prints with smart features but may not suit those needing advanced environmental controls.

Strengths

— Includes a tilt release mechanism that reduces print stress and improves adhesion
— Equipped with an AI camera for real-time monitoring and time-lapse photos
— Supports Wi-Fi printing for convenient remote printing capabilities

Watch-outs

— No air filter or chamber heating included
— Power switch and USB port located on the right side rather than front

$299.99 · Check Price on Amazon Full review →

How they stack up

Anycubic Photon P1

The Anycubic Photon P1 offers a 14K mono LCD and thermally-controlled resin vat, outperforming the Elegoo Mars 5 Ultra in resolution and temperature control.

Elegoo Mars 5 Ultra

The Elegoo Mars 5 Ultra has an 18 x 18 µm pixel size, finer than the 22 µm of the Phrozen Sonic Mini 8K S, and prints at a listed 150mm/h against 80 mm/hour. It has no chamber heating, where the Anycubic Photon P1 has a thermally-controlled resin vat and the Uniformation GK3 Ultra a heated build chamber, and it costs far less than either. It supports Wi-Fi printing, though its AI camera is poorly positioned.

Specs side-by-side

Spec	Anycubic Photon P1	Elegoo Mars 5 Ultra
Build Volume	223 x 126 x 230 mm	153.36 x 77.76 x 165 mm³
Pixel Size	16.8 x 24.8 μm	18 x 18 µm
Light Source	LighTurbo 4.0	9K monochrome
Print Speed	25-35 mm/h	150mm/h
UV Wavelength	405nm	—
Layer Height	0.012-0.15 mm	0.01-0.2mm
Material	Aluminum	Metal
Dimensions	28"D x 14"W x 13"H	13.78"D x 14.96"W x 22.04"H
Weight	13.6 kg	8.8 kg
Display Resolution	16.8μm*24.8μm	16K

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