The Breakdown
Elegoo has quickly become a big name in 3D printing. They’re known for making high-quality, affordable resin printers. According to their founder, Elegoo focuses on making their printers easy to use and offering great performance. They’ve found their place in the market, appealing to both beginners and experienced makers. They are always innovating, pushing the limits of what’s possible with desktop resin printing. From their popular Mars series to their larger Saturn line, Elegoo offers a variety of machines. These machines create impressive detail and are reliable. With a strong community and ongoing software support, Elegoo is a trusted brand for resin 3D printing. This review takes a close look at their newest printer, the Elegoo Mars 5 Ultra, to see how good it really is.
Elegoo Mars 5 Ultra – Key Features
- Tilt Release Innovation, Blazing Fast
- Stunning 9K, True-to-Life Prints
- Smart Mechanical Sensor, Worry-Free Printing
- AI Camera for Total Control
- Real-Time Monitoring & Time-Lapse Recording
- Wi-Fi Cluster Printing, More Efficient
9K Mono LCD: Details are Amazing
The 9K 7” mono LCD is a key feature. Screen size is often talked about, but pixel density is what matters for resin printing. The Mars 5 Ultra has an impressive 18µm XY resolution. This means incredibly smooth prints with almost invisible layer lines. This precision, along with how resin reacts to light, gives excellent print quality. It captures even the smallest details.
Using mono LCD technology has big advantages. The brighter display means faster curing times, which makes printing quicker. Mono LCDs also last longer than color LCDs. Their simpler design, with fewer layers of liquid crystals, lets more UV light through. This improves the curing and reduces the risk of damage.
Tilt Release System: A Smart Design
The tilt release system is a game-changer. Unlike other resin printers, the Mars 5 Ultra doesn’t just lift the build plate after curing. It also tilts the resin tray away from the model as the plate goes up. This clever action makes it faster to release the model. This is especially helpful for large surface area prints because it reduces suction and adhesion.
The tilting also stirs the resin. With each tilt, the resin moves around, making sure it’s evenly spread below the model for the next layer. This gets rid of the need for separate raising, replacing, and waiting. This makes printing much faster and more efficient.
Print Quality: Art and Technology Combined
The Mars 5 Ultra really shines when it comes to print quality. Even with standard grey resin, the detail is amazing. It easily beats “tabletop quality” for miniatures and other detailed creations. You’ll be impressed by the sharp edges, smooth curves, and complex textures it can create.
To get these great results, you need to pay attention to the environment. Resin 3D printing is sensitive to temperature changes. The best resin temperature is between 25 and 30°C. This can be tricky depending on your workspace. Pre-heating the printer and keeping a steady temperature are important for consistent, high-quality prints. I found that using a forced air heater to carefully warm the printer, while watching the temperature, gave the best results.
User-Friendly Features: Making it Easier
The Mars 5 Ultra has many user-friendly features that make resin 3D printing simpler.
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Easy Autolevelling: The autolevelling feature is very fast and reliable, a big improvement over slower FDM autolevelling systems. While we don’t know exactly how it works, it’s very easy to use. Manual levelling is still an option if you prefer to do it yourself.
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Full Self-Check: The built-in self-check system does a quick check when you start the printer. It checks important parts like the LCD screen, motors, light source, and sensors. This 30-second process makes you feel confident that the printer is ready to go.
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Built-in AI Camera: See Your Prints: The built-in camera lets you watch your prints remotely over Wi-Fi. It also records timelapses automatically, which is great for sharing your printing process. The “AI” error detection, which should find adhesion and warp errors in real time, wasn’t fully working or explained in this review. But the potential for future improvements is exciting. A small light for the camera would be helpful.
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Quick Release System: Fast and Efficient: The quick-release build plate and easy-to-reach resin tank lock screws make setup, model removal, and cleaning easy. This is a big plus, especially when working with delicate models or wearing protective gear.
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No Spills: Dual Pour Spouts and Drip Tray: The dual pour spouts on the resin tank and the attachable drip tray help prevent spills when handling resin.
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Maintenance Reminders: Release Film and Screen Time: The ChituManager software keeps track of how often you use the release film and how long the screen has been on. It reminds you when to do maintenance, which keeps your printer in good shape.
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Better Adhesion: Laser Engraved Build Plate: The laser-engraved build plate helps prints stick better, which reduces the chance of failed prints.
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Overheat Protection: Keeping it Safe: The built-in overheat protection system adds a safety feature. It pauses printing if the LED panel gets too hot, preventing damage.
What’s in the Box?
The Elegoo Mars 5 Ultra package has everything you need to start: the resin tray, a USB drive, protective gear (a mask and gloves), resin funnels, extra screws, a user manual, a power adapter, tools, and a scraper. Including protective gear is a great idea. It teaches new users about the safety of resin and IPA.
Final Thoughts
The Elegoo Mars 5 Ultra is a great resin 3D printer. It offers a good mix of high print quality, fast print speeds, and user-friendly design. While there are a few small issues, like the not fully working AI camera and possible temperature sensitivity, it’s still very impressive. Elegoo has made resin printing more accessible, making the Mars 5 Ultra a top choice, especially for beginners.
Pros:
- Affordable: Priced at $270.
- Compact Size: Similar to Saturn 4 Ultra, but smaller.
- Fast Printing: Tilting vat mechanism.
- Easy to Use: No bed levelling needed.
- Print Quality: Clean and smooth surfaces.
- Build Volume: Prints miniatures and statues.
- Safety Features: Overfill sensors, built-in camera, power-loss resume, firmware updates.
- Wi-Fi: Wireless printing and updates.
- Exposure Testing: Multiple tests at once.
- Easy Pouring: Dual spouts.
Cons:
- Removable Lid: Less convenient than hinged lids.
- Over-Adhesion: Prints can stick too well.
- No Heater: Built-in heater is missing.
- Speed: No “ludicrous speed” option.
- Build Plate: Two-tier design is hard to clean.
- AI Camera: Limited and unclear function.
- UI: Speed settings can be confusing.
- Software: Beta slicer software.
You can buy Elegoo Mars 5 Ultra here
