Elegoo Saturn 4 Ultra 16K vs Flashforge Creator 5
Researched by Riley Hart · prices checked Nov 4, 2026
As of Nov 4, 2026, the Elegoo Saturn 4 Ultra 16K costs $650 and the Flashforge Creator 5 costs $699, so the Elegoo Saturn 4 Ultra 16K is $49 cheaper. The Elegoo Saturn 4 Ultra 16K has a published review score and ranks #7 in our 3D printers ranking; the Flashforge Creator 5 is not scored yet. Pick the Elegoo Saturn 4 Ultra 16K for miniatures and fine detail models. Pick the Flashforge Creator 5 for low cost multi color PLA and PETG. The Flashforge Creator 5 wins 2 of 3 points we can measure.
Who wins, point by point
The Flashforge Creator 5 wins 2 of 3 points we can measure. Built from today's prices, the specs and independent tests for these two robots.
| Saturn 4 Ultra 16K | Creator 5 | Winner | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Price today | $650 | $699 | Saturn 4 Ultra 16K |
| Build volume | 211.68 x 118.37 x 220 mm | 256 x 256 x 256 mm | Creator 5 |
| Release year | 2025 | 2026 | Creator 5 |
- You want to spend less (saves $49)
- Best for miniatures and fine detail models
- You care most about build volume (256 x 256 x 256 mm vs 211.68 x 118.37 x 220 mm)
- You want the newer model (2026 vs 2025)
- Best for low cost multi color PLA and PETG
- Build volume
- 211.68 x 118.37 x 220 mm
- Max speed
- Up to 150 mm/h in fast
- Multicolor
- No
- Enclosure
- Yes
Sharp 16K resin printer for miniatures with heated vat and AI cam
Full Elegoo Saturn 4 Ultra 16K review, pros and cons →- Build volume
- 256 x 256 x 256 mm
- Max speed
- Up to 300 mm/s print
- Multicolor
- 4 independent toolheads
- Enclosure
- No
Cheapest 4 toolhead tool changer for low waste color prints
Full Flashforge Creator 5 review, pros and cons →Side by side
| Elegoo Saturn 4 Ultra 16K | Flashforge Creator 5 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $650 | $699 |
| 3 year cost | $650 | $699 |
| Our score | 8.1/10 | Not scored yet |
| Rank in 3D printers | #7 | #46 |
| Status | on sale | on sale |
| Warranty | 12 months on the machine; LCD screen 3 months; resin tank and build plate 6 months (Elegoo US store) | n/a |
| Build volume | 211.68 x 118.37 x 220 mm (Elegoo) | 256 x 256 x 256 mm |
| Print speed | Up to 150 mm/h in fast mode, about 5.5 s per layer (Elegoo claim) | Up to 300 mm/s print, 600 mm/s travel, 30,000 mm/s2 (Flashforge); default profile ran at 160 mm/s in Tom's Hardware testing |
| Multi color | No, resin printer prints one resin at a time | 4 independent toolheads; Tom's Hardware got a 44 g purge block on a 33 g PLA bust with default settings |
| Enclosure | Yes, lift off UV blocking cover (resin printer) | No, open frame; the Creator 5 Pro is the enclosed model and there is no upgrade path (Tom's Hardware) |
| Auto leveling | Yes, automatic leveling with no manual adjustment (Elegoo) | n/a |
| Max nozzle temp | Not applicable, resin (MSLA) printer with no nozzle | 320 C |
| Heated bed | No heated bed; heated resin vat holds resin at 30 C (Elegoo); GamingTrend says preheat takes about 10 minutes | Up to 120 C, dual sided PEI plate |
| Filament types | Not applicable, uses 405 nm resin: standard, water washable, ABS like, plant based and tough resins (Elegoo) | Recommended: PLA, PETG, TPU, PLA-CF, PETG-CF, silk, PVA, BVOH. ABS, ASA and nylon need an enclosure (Flashforge) |
| Connectivity | Dual band Wi-Fi with cluster printing (Elegoo); CNX Software also lists Ethernet and USB | n/a |
| Camera | Yes, AI camera with chamber light for empty plate and warp detection, monitoring and timelapse (Elegoo) | Yes, 1280 x 720 at 30 fps |
| Noise | n/a | Below 55 dB in silent mode (Flashforge claim) |
| Assembly | Ready to print in about 10 minutes (GamingTrend); touchscreen setup wizard (CNX Software) | n/a |
| Weight | 16.1 kg; 327.4 x 329.2 x 548 mm (CNX Software) | 14 kg net |
| Best for | miniatures and fine detail models | low cost multi color PLA and PETG |
| Skip if | you cannot ventilate for resin fumes | you print ABS, ASA or nylon |
Specs are maker claims unless a reviewer is named. Prices from the stores we link, checked daily.
What reviewers found
Elegoo Saturn 4 Ultra 16K
- CNX Software: Printed a chess set at 0.05 mm layers and 2.3 s exposure, with pieces taking 2 h 26 min to 3 h 7 min each and supported figurines 1 h 23 min to 1 h 56 min. Prints stuck firmly and showed sharp detail. Downsides were the 16.1 kg weight and a touchscreen only emergency stop. Source
- GamingTrend (100/100): Called it the best consumer 3D printer on the market by a large margin. Ready to print in about 10 minutes, vat preheat took about 10 minutes and print time estimates were accurate. Noted slicer software is not quite ready and the 16K gain over 12K is hard to see. Source
Flashforge Creator 5
- Tom's Hardware: Called it the least expensive tool changer on the market. A PLA bust took 8 h 28 min; a PETG fidget toy took 2 h 57 min at 120 mm/s. One TPU print failed with a clog. Slicer profiles need work. Source
- 3DWithUs (4.8): Hands on: calibration took 20 to 30 min. A four color Benchy took about 45 min and a four color figure about 6.5 h with low waste. Cons: open frame, no waste bin, no heated chamber. Source
Questions buyers ask
Which is better, the Elegoo Saturn 4 Ultra 16K or the Flashforge Creator 5?
The Elegoo Saturn 4 Ultra 16K has a published review score and ranks #7 in our 3D printers ranking; the Flashforge Creator 5 is not scored yet. Pick the Elegoo Saturn 4 Ultra 16K for miniatures and fine detail models. Pick the Flashforge Creator 5 for low cost multi color PLA and PETG.
Which is cheaper?
The Elegoo Saturn 4 Ultra 16K at $650, versus $699 for the Flashforge Creator 5, checked Nov 4, 2026. Over 3 years with running costs: $650 vs $699.
What is the difference between the Saturn 4 Ultra 16K and the Creator 5?
Build volume: 211.68 x 118.37 x 220 mm (Elegoo) on the Saturn 4 Ultra 16K, 256 x 256 x 256 mm on the Creator 5. Print speed: Up to 150 mm/h in fast mode, about 5.5 s per layer (Elegoo claim) on the Saturn 4 Ultra 16K, Up to 300 mm/s print, 600 mm/s travel, 30,000 mm/s2 (Flashforge); default profile ran at… on the Creator 5. Multi color: No, resin printer prints one resin at a time on the Saturn 4 Ultra 16K, 4 independent toolheads; Tom's Hardware got a 44 g purge block on a 33 g PLA bust with… on the Creator 5.
Also consider at this price
See all ranked →More comparisons
- Anycubic Photon Mono M7 Pro vs Elegoo Saturn 4 Ultra 16K
- Elegoo Mars 5 Ultra vs Elegoo Saturn 4 Ultra 16K
- Elegoo Saturn 4 Ultra 16K vs Formlabs Form 4
- Anycubic Photon Mono M7 Max vs Elegoo Saturn 4 Ultra 16K
- Elegoo Saturn 4 Ultra 16K vs Formlabs Form Studio 1
- Elegoo Saturn 4 Ultra 16K vs Snapmaker U1
- Elegoo Centauri Carbon vs Elegoo Saturn 4 Ultra 16K
- Anycubic Kobra S1 Combo vs Elegoo Saturn 4 Ultra 16K
All 3D printers, ranked
See the ranking →Affiliate links. We may earn a commission. It never changes our score. Disclosure