Elegoo Saturn 4 Ultra 16K vs Formlabs Form 4
Researched by Riley Hart · prices checked Nov 4, 2026
As of Nov 4, 2026, the Elegoo Saturn 4 Ultra 16K costs $650 and the Formlabs Form 4 costs $5,461, so the Elegoo Saturn 4 Ultra 16K is $4,811 cheaper. The Elegoo Saturn 4 Ultra 16K scores higher in our ranking (8.1 vs 7.0 out of 10). Pick the Elegoo Saturn 4 Ultra 16K for miniatures and fine detail models. Pick the Formlabs Form 4 for small businesses and makerspaces that need reliable resin parts. The Elegoo Saturn 4 Ultra 16K wins 3 of 3 points we can measure.
Who wins, point by point
The Elegoo Saturn 4 Ultra 16K wins 3 of 3 points we can measure. Built from today's prices, the specs and independent tests for these two robots.
| Saturn 4 Ultra 16K | Form 4 | Winner | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Price today | $650 | $5,461 | Saturn 4 Ultra 16K |
| Build volume | 211.68 x 118.37 x 220 mm | 200 x 125 x 210 mm | Saturn 4 Ultra 16K |
| Release year | 2025 | 2024 | Saturn 4 Ultra 16K |
- You want to spend less (saves $4,811)
- You care most about build volume (211.68 x 118.37 x 220 mm vs 200 x 125 x 210 mm)
- You want the newer model (2025 vs 2024)
- Best for miniatures and fine detail models
- Best for small businesses and makerspaces that need reliable resin parts
- 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
- 200 x 125 x 210 mm
- Max speed
- Most prints in under 2
- Multicolor
- No
- Enclosure
- Yes
Fast, reliable pro resin printer with a closed resin ecosystem
Full Formlabs Form 4 review, pros and cons →Side by side
| Elegoo Saturn 4 Ultra 16K | Formlabs Form 4 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $650 | $5,461 |
| 3 year cost | $650 | $5,461 |
| Our score | 8.1/10 | 7.0/10 |
| Rank in 3D printers | #7 | #21 |
| 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) | Not checked |
| Build volume | 211.68 x 118.37 x 220 mm (Elegoo) | 200 x 125 x 210 mm (Tom's Hardware); TechRadar printed 145 x 145 x 185 mm in its spec box, which looks like the older Form 3 figure |
| Print speed | Up to 150 mm/h in fast mode, about 5.5 s per layer (Elegoo claim) | Most prints in under 2 hours at 100 micron layers (Formlabs); TechRadar printed a Benchy in 59 min without supports |
| Multi color | No, resin printer prints one resin at a time | No, resin printer prints one resin at a time |
| Enclosure | Yes, lift off UV blocking cover (resin printer) | Yes, enclosed with a lid sensor (Tom's Hardware) |
| Auto leveling | Yes, automatic leveling with no manual adjustment (Elegoo) | Yes, levelness, resin level and debris sensors; automatic resin dispensing (Tom's Hardware, TechRadar) |
| Max nozzle temp | Not applicable, resin (MSLA) printer with no nozzle | Not applicable, resin (MSLA) printer with no nozzle |
| Heated bed | No heated bed; heated resin vat holds resin at 30 C (Elegoo); GamingTrend says preheat takes about 10 minutes | No |
| Filament types | Not applicable, uses 405 nm resin: standard, water washable, ABS like, plant based and tough resins (Elegoo) | Not applicable, uses Formlabs resins in RFID cartridges; Open Material Mode for third party resin (Formlabs). Tom's Hardware says unlocking third party resin costs $2,499 |
| Connectivity | Dual band Wi-Fi with cluster printing (Elegoo); CNX Software also lists Ethernet and USB | USB, Wi-Fi and Ethernet; PreForm software (Tom's Hardware) |
| Camera | Yes, AI camera with chamber light for empty plate and warp detection, monitoring and timelapse (Elegoo) | Yes, built in camera (Tom's Hardware) |
| Assembly | Ready to print in about 10 minutes (GamingTrend); touchscreen setup wizard (CNX Software) | Guided touchscreen setup (Tom's Hardware); TechRadar called setup easy |
| Weight | 16.1 kg; 327.4 x 329.2 x 548 mm (CNX Software) | 18.3 kg; 398 x 367 x 554 mm (Tom's Hardware). TechRadar listed 17.5 kg |
| Resolution | n/a | 50 micron XY pixel size; layers 25 to 300 microns (Formlabs, TechRadar) |
| Best for | miniatures and fine detail models | small businesses and makerspaces that need reliable resin parts |
| Skip if | you cannot ventilate for resin fumes | you print miniatures as a hobby on a budget |
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
Formlabs Form 4
- Tom's Hardware: Editor's Choice. A test town printed in 44 min at 50 microns with very clean detail. A Rocket Bust took 4 h 59 min versus 3 h 13 min on an Elegoo Saturn 4 Ultra, but with slightly more refined detail. Source
- TechRadar (5/5): Editor's Choice. Nine Benchys printed in about 1 h 12 min with supports versus about 7 h 10 min on a Creality K1C. About 8 liters of resin ran without an issue, and PreForm generated supports gave a 100% success rate. Source
Questions buyers ask
Which is better, the Elegoo Saturn 4 Ultra 16K or the Formlabs Form 4?
The Elegoo Saturn 4 Ultra 16K scores higher in our ranking (8.1 vs 7.0 out of 10). Pick the Elegoo Saturn 4 Ultra 16K for miniatures and fine detail models. Pick the Formlabs Form 4 for small businesses and makerspaces that need reliable resin parts.
Which is cheaper?
The Elegoo Saturn 4 Ultra 16K at $650, versus $5,461 for the Formlabs Form 4, checked Nov 4, 2026. Over 3 years with running costs: $650 vs $5,461.
What is the difference between the Saturn 4 Ultra 16K and the Form 4?
Build volume: 211.68 x 118.37 x 220 mm (Elegoo) on the Saturn 4 Ultra 16K, 200 x 125 x 210 mm (Tom's Hardware); TechRadar printed 145 x 145 x 185 mm in its spec… on the Form 4. Print speed: Up to 150 mm/h in fast mode, about 5.5 s per layer (Elegoo claim) on the Saturn 4 Ultra 16K, Most prints in under 2 hours at 100 micron layers (Formlabs); TechRadar printed a Benchy… on the Form 4. Enclosure: Yes, lift off UV blocking cover (resin printer) on the Saturn 4 Ultra 16K, Yes, enclosed with a lid sensor (Tom's Hardware) on the Form 4.
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