Creality Ender-3 V3 SE vs Elegoo Mars 5 Ultra
Researched by Riley Hart · prices checked Nov 4, 2026
As of Nov 4, 2026, the Creality Ender-3 V3 SE costs $199 and the Elegoo Mars 5 Ultra costs $284, so the Creality Ender-3 V3 SE is $85 cheaper. Pick the Creality Ender-3 V3 SE for first time buyers on a tight budget. Pick the Elegoo Mars 5 Ultra for tabletop gamers and beginners printing miniatures. The Creality Ender-3 V3 SE wins 2 of 2 points we can measure.
Who wins, point by point
The Creality Ender-3 V3 SE wins 2 of 2 points we can measure. Built from today's prices, the specs and independent tests for these two robots.
| Ender-3 V3 SE | Mars 5 Ultra | Winner | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Price today | $199 | $284 | Ender-3 V3 SE |
| Build volume | 220 x 220 x 250 mm | 153.36 x 77.76 x 165 mm | Ender-3 V3 SE |
- You want to spend less (saves $85)
- You care most about build volume (220 x 220 x 250 mm vs 153.36 x 77.76 x 165 mm)
- Best for first time buyers on a tight budget
- Best for tabletop gamers and beginners printing miniatures
- Build volume
- 220 x 220 x 250 mm
- Max speed
- Up to 250 mm/s
- Multicolor
- No
- Enclosure
- No
Low cost starter printer with auto leveling for PLA and PETG
Full Creality Ender-3 V3 SE review, pros and cons →- Build volume
- 153.36 x 77.76 x 165 mm
- Max speed
- Up to 150 mm/h
- Multicolor
- No
- Enclosure
- Yes
Compact 9K resin printer for miniatures with a built in AI camera
Full Elegoo Mars 5 Ultra review, pros and cons →Side by side
| Creality Ender-3 V3 SE | Elegoo Mars 5 Ultra | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $199 | $284 |
| 3 year cost | $199 | $284 |
| Our score | Not scored yet | Not scored yet |
| Rank in 3D printers | #29 | #31 |
| Status | on sale | on sale |
| Warranty | Up to 12 months (Creality store) | Not checked |
| Build volume | 220 x 220 x 250 mm | 153.36 x 77.76 x 165 mm (The Gadgeteer, Elegoo spec) |
| Print speed | Up to 250 mm/s (180 mm/s typical), 2,500 mm/s² acceleration | Up to 150 mm/h (Elegoo); Tom's Hardware printed a Rocket Bust in 2 h 27 min |
| Multi color | No, single color | No, resin printer prints one resin at a time |
| Enclosure | No, open frame | Yes, lift off UV blocking cover with no hinge (The Gadgeteer) |
| Auto leveling | Yes, CR Touch auto leveling with strain sensor auto Z offset | Yes, factory leveled with auto leveling before each print (Tom's Hardware) |
| Max nozzle temp | 260 °C | Not applicable, resin (MSLA) printer with no nozzle |
| Heated bed | Yes, up to 100 °C | No |
| Filament types | PLA, PETG, TPU 95A | Not applicable, uses 405 nm resin (The Gadgeteer) |
| Connectivity | SD card; no Wi-Fi per Tom's Hardware | USB and Wi-Fi (Tom's Hardware) |
| Camera | None | Yes, AI camera for failed print detection and timelapse; detection only works once the model rises above the vat edge (Tom's Hardware) |
| Assembly | About 90% pre built; about 15 to 20 minutes to finish | Practically plug and play (Tom's Hardware) |
| Weight | 7.12 kg net | 8.8 kg; 260 x 268 x 451.5 mm (Tom's Hardware) |
| Resolution | n/a | 7 inch 9K mono LCD, 8520 x 4320, 18 x 18 micron XY; layers 0.01 to 0.2 mm (The Gadgeteer) |
| Best for | first time buyers on a tight budget | tabletop gamers and beginners printing miniatures |
| Skip if | you want Wi-Fi, a camera or ABS | you need large resin parts or cannot ventilate the room |
Specs are maker claims unless a reviewer is named. Prices from the stores we link, checked daily.
What reviewers found
Creality Ender-3 V3 SE
- Tom's Hardware: A Benchy took 41 minutes with no ringing or layer shifts. PETG and TPU printed cleanly. The reviewer found the PC coated plate too sticky and hard to clean. Source
- How To Mechatronics: Benchy times dropped from 1 h 10 min at 60 mm/s to 37 min at 250 mm/s, with quality holding well at 120 mm/s. Noted slow heating and no runout sensor. Source
Elegoo Mars 5 Ultra
- Tom's Hardware: Editor's Choice. A Rocket Bust printed in 2 h 27 min, 46 min faster than the Saturn 4 Ultra. Fine chain mail detail on miniatures. The laser etched plate held prints so tightly the reviewer had to cut first layer exposure. Source
- The Gadgeteer: A support free test model printed well. The printer froze a few times mid print but resumed after a power cycle with no visible defect. Strong chemical smell; the Mars Mate purifier mostly removed it. Source
Questions buyers ask
Which is better, the Creality Ender-3 V3 SE or the Elegoo Mars 5 Ultra?
Pick the Creality Ender-3 V3 SE for first time buyers on a tight budget. Pick the Elegoo Mars 5 Ultra for tabletop gamers and beginners printing miniatures.
Which is cheaper?
The Creality Ender-3 V3 SE at $199, versus $284 for the Elegoo Mars 5 Ultra, checked Nov 4, 2026.
What is the difference between the Ender-3 V3 SE and the Mars 5 Ultra?
Build volume: 220 x 220 x 250 mm on the Ender-3 V3 SE, 153.36 x 77.76 x 165 mm (The Gadgeteer, Elegoo spec) on the Mars 5 Ultra. Print speed: Up to 250 mm/s (180 mm/s typical), 2,500 mm/s² acceleration on the Ender-3 V3 SE, Up to 150 mm/h (Elegoo); Tom's Hardware printed a Rocket Bust in 2 h 27 min on the Mars 5 Ultra. Multi color: No, single color on the Ender-3 V3 SE, No, resin printer prints one resin at a time on the Mars 5 Ultra.
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