# Elegoo Mars 5 Ultra review

Compact 9K resin printer for miniatures with a built in AI camera

- Our score: not scored yet
- Price: $284 (checked Nov 4, 2026)
- Status: on sale
- Best for: tabletop gamers and beginners printing miniatures
- Skip if: you need large resin parts or cannot ventilate the room
- HTML version: https://robotsforthat.com/robot/elegoo-mars-5-ultra/

## Verdict

The Mars 5 Ultra is an easy, affordable resin printer that gets very fine detail on miniatures. Tom's Hardware gave it an Editor's Choice and called it practically plug and play. Its build area is small, and prints can stick hard to the plate until you tune the first layers.

## Pros

- Sharp 9K, 18 micron detail
- Auto leveling with tilt release
- Built in AI camera
- Wi-Fi and USB
- Low price for its features

## Cons

- Small 153 x 78 x 165 mm build area
- Prints hard to remove at default settings (Tom's Hardware)
- Lid has no hinge (The Gadgeteer)
- Strong resin smell needs ventilation
- Some mid print freezes reported (The Gadgeteer)

## Specs

- build volume: 153.36 x 77.76 x 165 mm (The Gadgeteer, Elegoo spec)
- print speed: Up to 150 mm/h (Elegoo); Tom's Hardware printed a Rocket Bust in 2 h 27 min
- multi color: No, resin printer prints one resin at a time
- enclosure: Yes, lift off UV blocking cover with no hinge (The Gadgeteer)
- auto leveling: Yes, factory leveled with auto leveling before each print (Tom's Hardware)
- max nozzle temp: Not applicable, resin (MSLA) printer with no nozzle
- heated bed: No
- filament types: Not applicable, uses 405 nm resin (The Gadgeteer)
- connectivity: USB and Wi-Fi (Tom's Hardware)
- camera: Yes, AI camera for failed print detection and timelapse; detection only works once the model rises above the vat edge (Tom's Hardware)
- assembly: Practically plug and play (Tom's Hardware)
- weight: 8.8 kg; 260 x 268 x 451.5 mm (Tom's Hardware)
- resolution: 7 inch 9K mono LCD, 8520 x 4320, 18 x 18 micron XY; layers 0.01 to 0.2 mm (The Gadgeteer)

## Safety

- recalls: No recall found for this model as of 2026-11-02 (web search of cpsc.gov for 3D printer recalls; only the Bambu Lab A1 appeared)
- fcc: Not checked
- company status: Active
- warranty: Not checked

## Questions buyers ask

### Is the Mars 5 Ultra good for miniatures?

Yes. Tom's Hardware recommended it for tabletop gamers, citing its 18 micron XY resolution and fine detail.

### How big can it print?

About 153 x 78 x 165 mm, which suits miniatures and small parts.

### Do I need anything else?

Yes. Plan on resin, isopropyl alcohol for washing, gloves and UV curing. A wash and cure station helps.

## Sources

1. [Elegoo US store: Mars 5 Ultra](https://us.elegoo.com/products/mars-5-ultra-9k-7inch-monochrome-lcd-resin-3d-printer)
2. [Tom's Hardware: Elegoo Mars 5 Ultra review](https://www.tomshardware.com/3d-printing/elegoo-mars-5-ultra-review)
3. [The Gadgeteer: Elegoo Mars 5 Ultra review](https://the-gadgeteer.com/2024/07/09/elegoo-mars-5-ultra-3d-resin-printer-review/)