Elegoo Saturn 3 Ultra vs Formlabs Form 3B+
Technical comparison · Resin 3D printing
Saturn 3 Ultra and Form 3B+ are not direct competitors: very different prices (~8.8×). Saturn 3 Ultra costs less (~€549) and is the entry-level choice; Form 3B+ offers more capability at a higher price (~€4849). Judge them by budget, not head-to-head.
| Parameter |
Saturn 3 Ultra
Elegoo
F2 · Intermediate
|
Form 3B+
Formlabs
F2 · Intermediate
|
|---|---|---|
| Identity | ||
| Launch year | 2023 | 2022 |
| Use tier | F2 — Intermediate | F2 — Intermediate |
| Price | ||
| Price (€) | 549 € | 4849 € |
| Universal specs | ||
| Dimensions (W×D×H) (cm) | 31.24 × 31.24 × 52.74 cm | 40.5 × 37.5 × 53 cm |
| Weight (kg) | 12 kg | 17.5 kg |
| Work area (mm) | 218.88 × 122.88 mm | 145 × 145 mm |
| Z-axis height (mm) | 260 mm | 185 mm |
| Power (W) | 150 W | 220 W |
| Voltage (V) | — | 240 V |
| Maximum speed | 2.5 mm/min | — |
| Declared precision | 19 µm | 25 μm |
| Category specs | ||
| Build area XY (short side) (mm) | 122.88 mm | 145 mm |
| XY resolution (µm) | 19 µm | 25 µm |
| Light source | Mono LCD | Laser |
| Print speed (mm/h) | 150 mm/h | — |
| Tilt / peel system | Film ACF | — |
| Ecosystem | ||
| Cloud dependency | No | No |
| Software notes | 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. | Printer control is managed by PreForm, Formlabs' proprietary print preparation software. This application automatically optimizes model orientation, support generation, and layout arrangement, integrating specific algorithms to maximize the yield of medical resins. The system supports standard file formats such as STL and OBJ. Through the Dashboard cloud platform, users can monitor print status, track material consumption, and manage job queues remotely for entire fleets of machines. Although network connectivity (Wi-Fi and Ethernet) facilitates advanced management, the printer retains the ability to operate in local mode via data transfer via USB. |
The differences that matter
- Price: Saturn 3 Ultra 549 € vs Form 3B+ 4849 € — Saturn 3 Ultra wins (+783%)
- Work area: Saturn 3 Ultra 218.88×122.88 mm vs Form 3B+ 145×145 mm — Saturn 3 Ultra wins (+28%)
Which one to choose
MakerSpecs is an independent atlas. We don't sell products: this comparison links to both sheets, where you'll find complete data and official links.