Elegoo Saturn 3 Resin 3D Printer vs Formlabs Form 4
Technical comparison · Resin 3D printing
Saturn 3 Resin 3D Printer and Form 4 are not direct competitors: very different prices (~10.9×). Saturn 3 Resin 3D Printer costs less (~€399) and is the entry-level choice; Form 4 offers more capability at a higher price (~€4349). Judge them by budget, not head-to-head.
| Parameter |
Saturn 3 Resin 3D Printer
Elegoo
F2 · Intermediate
|
Form 4
Formlabs
F3 · Advanced
|
|---|---|---|
| Identity | ||
| Launch year | 2023 | 2024 |
| Use tier | F2 — Intermediate | F3 — Advanced |
| Price | ||
| Price (€) | 399 € | 4349 € |
| Universal specs | ||
| Dimensions (W×D×H) (cm) | 30.59 × 27.3 × 56.73 cm | 39.8 × 36.7 × 55.4 cm |
| Weight (kg) | 11 kg | 18.3 kg |
| Work area (mm) | 218.88 × 122.88 mm | 200 × 125 mm |
| Z-axis height (mm) | 250 mm | 210 mm |
| Power (W) | 144 W | 480 W |
| Voltage (V) | — | 240 V |
| Maximum speed | — | 100 |
| Declared precision | — | 50 μm |
| Category specs | ||
| Build area XY (short side) (mm) | 122.88 mm | 125 mm |
| XY resolution (µm) | 19 µm | 50 µm |
| Light source | Mono LCD | Mono LCD |
| UV power (mW/cm²) | — | 16 mW/cm² |
| Print speed (mm/h) | 70 mm/h | 100 mm/h |
| Tilt / peel system | Standard FEP | — |
| Ecosystem | ||
| Cloud dependency | No | No |
| Software notes | The device supports major third-party slicing software widely utilized in the industry, such as ChiTuBox and Voxeldance Tango, providing users with extensive flexibility during file preparation. Through these programs, exposure parameters, support generation, and lifting speeds can be granularly managed, optimizing the printing process based on the specific resins deployed. Processed files are transferred to the machine primarily via the USB interface located on the chassis side, ensuring standalone operation independent of a computer and removing the need for a constant network connection. The absence of a native Wi-Fi module or dedicated cloud integration excludes remote management or camera monitoring, focusing the user experience on a stable, local, and time-tested workflow. | The printing process is managed by the proprietary PreForm software, a closed application that automatically optimizes model orientation, support generation, and production time calculations. This software environment is designed to ensure a highly streamlined and standardized workflow, ideal for professional contexts where result predictability is crucial. PreForm integrates seamlessly with the manufacturer's ecosystem, receiving continuous updates that introduce new profiles for proprietary resins. The machine also offers optional access to Fleet Control and the cloud-based Dashboard platform, which are advanced tools that allow users to monitor print queues, manage multiple units in parallel, and track material consumption in real time remotely. |
The differences that matter
- Price: Saturn 3 Resin 3D Printer 399 € vs Form 4 4349 € — Saturn 3 Resin 3D Printer wins (+990%)
- Work area: Saturn 3 Resin 3D Printer 218.88×122.88 mm vs Form 4 200×125 mm — Saturn 3 Resin 3D Printer wins (+8%)
Which one to choose
Choose Saturn 3 Resin 3D Printer if…
you value price and work area.
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