Saturn 4 vs Form 3B+
Technical comparison · Resin 3D printing
Saturn 4 and Form 3B+ are not direct competitors: very different prices (~15.7×). Saturn 4 costs less (~€309) 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 4
Elegoo
F2 · Intermediate
|
Form 3B+
Formlabs
F2 · Intermediate
|
|---|---|---|
| Identity | ||
| Launch year | 2024 | 2022 |
| Use tier | F2 — Intermediate | F2 — Intermediate |
| Price | ||
| Price (€) | ~299–319 € | 4849 € |
| Universal specs | ||
| Dimensions (W×D×H) (cm) | 32.74 × 32.92 × 54.8 cm | 40.5 × 37.5 × 53 cm |
| Weight (kg) | 13.5 kg | 17.5 kg |
| Work area (mm) | 218.88 × 122.88 mm | 145 × 145 mm |
| Z-axis height (mm) | 220 mm | 185 mm |
| Power (W) | 144 W | 220 W |
| Voltage (V) | 240 V | 240 V |
| Declared precision | 0.02 mm | 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) | 70 mm/h | — |
| Tilt / peel system | Standard FEP | — |
| Ecosystem | ||
| Cloud dependency | No | No |
| Software notes | The machine is supported by major slicing software on the market, including optimized profiles for CHITUBOX and VoxelDance Tango, ensuring broad operational flexibility. The system relies entirely on USB connection for file transfer and offline printing, eliminating any dependency on cloud services. The onboard interface is managed via a practical 3.5-inch resistive touchscreen that allows users to start prints, monitor basic parameters, and utilize automated diagnostic features, such as the initial self-check of mechanics and sensors. | 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 4 309 € vs Form 3B+ 4849 € — Saturn 4 wins (+1469%)
- Work area: Saturn 4 218.88×122.88 mm vs Form 3B+ 145×145 mm — Saturn 4 wins (+28%)
Which one to choose
Choose Form 3B+ if…
it shows no measurable advantage over Saturn 4 on the available specs: consider it on price or availability.
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.