Anycubic Photon Mono 4 vs Elegoo Saturn 3 Ultra
Technical comparison · Resin 3D printing
Two resin printers with monochrome LCD screens, about €330 apart. The Saturn 3 Ultra's plate is much larger, 219 × 123 mm against 153 × 87 mm, and that is what the extra money buys.
| Parameter | ||
|---|---|---|
| Identity | ||
| Launch year | 2024 | 2023 |
| Use tier | F2 — Intermediate | F2 — Intermediate |
| Price | ||
| Price (€) | ~180–250 € | 549 € |
| Universal specs | ||
| Dimensions (W×D×H) (cm) | — | 31.24 × 31.24 × 52.74 cm |
| Weight (kg) | — | 12 kg |
| Work area (mm) | 153.4 × 87 mm | 218.88 × 122.88 mm |
| Z-axis height (mm) | 165 mm | 260 mm |
| Power (W) | — | 150 W |
| Maximum speed | 1.17 mm/min | 2.5 mm/min |
| Declared precision | 17 μm | 19 µm |
| Category specs | ||
| Build area XY (short side) (mm) | 87 mm | 122.88 mm |
| XY resolution (µm) | 17 µm | 19 µm |
| Light source | Mono LCD | Mono LCD |
| Print speed (mm/h) | 70.2 mm/h | 150 mm/h |
| Tilt / peel system | Standard FEP | Film ACF |
| Ecosystem | ||
| Cloud dependency | No | No |
| Software notes | The device is fully compatible with the main third-party slicing software options on the market, including widely popular solutions such as Chitubox and Lychee Slicer, alongside the proprietary Anycubic Photon Workshop application. This flexibility allows users to manage advanced exposure parameters, supports, and tolerance compensation without proprietary constraints. File preparation occurs primarily via offline transfer using a USB port, ensuring a stable workflow independent of active network connections. Managing print profiles for various commercial resins is highly intuitive, facilitating the optimization of layer-by-layer curing times for both standard materials and advanced formulations. | The device offers flexible connectivity manageable via integrated wireless network or standard USB port, facilitating the transfer of print files without physical proximity constraints. It natively supports the main formats generated by the most popular slicing software in the resin 3D printing landscape, such as CHITUBOX and Voxeldance Tango, ensuring full compatibility and flexibility in the digital workflow. The proprietary firmware ensures smooth management of settings directly from the touch screen interface integrated on the machine. Since no mandatory dependencies on closed cloud platforms are found, the user maintains total control over their files and local print preparation, guaranteeing maximum data privacy and operational continuity even without an internet connection. |
The differences that matter
- Price → about €215 against €549: the Saturn 3 Ultra costs about €330 more.
- Speed → 70 mm/h against 150 mm/h (manufacturer's stated values): at the same height the Saturn 3 Ultra takes less than half the time.
- XY resolution → 17 µm against 19 µm, almost the same: the extra money buys size and speed, not finer detail.
Which one to choose
Choose Photon Mono 4 if…
you print small parts, one or a few at a time, and fine detail is enough at the lowest spend: about €330 less. The trade-off is capacity: the Z axis reaches 165 mm and the vat uses a standard FEP film.
Choose Saturn 3 Ultra if…
you fill the plate with parts or print tall, up to 260 mm; the vat uses an ACF film and there are Wi-Fi and a touch screen. It costs about €330 more and draws 150 W, without gaining in fineness of detail.
Where to buy
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