Elegoo Saturn 4 Ultra 3D printer review

The Elegoo Saturn machines have become favourites with resin 3D printing enthusiasts, and opening the Elegoo Saturn 4 Ultra, it's easy to see why. Firstly, it's well-priced in the lower mid-range bracket, yet it packs in a range of features that few competitors can match. 

Like many of the best 3D printers we've reviewed lately, the design once again reflects a futuristic look, and the company has gone to lengths to refine the detail and quality of this machine, elevating it above the Saturn 3 Ultra with a range of new features and significant design changes.

Building on the success of the Saturn 3 Ultra, this new model incorporates a 12K resolution screen, auto-levelling feature, and smart AI camera, a boost in print speed, a new tilting quick-release system, and, surprisingly, a slightly smaller print area.

Elegoo Saturn 4 Ultra: Design

Starting with the Elegoo Saturn 4 Ultra's design, which is directly aimed at enthusiasts with futuristic styling reminiscent of the gaming community, ultimately reflects Elegoo's focus on this machine and their user base, who have found the previous Saturn and other Elegoo machines ideal for high-detailed tabletop gaming models.

The all-black chassis with sleek, futuristic angles gives it a look that will appeal to some and seem gimmicky to others, although it has no bearing on the actual functionality of the machine. What does, however, are the smaller details that elevate the overall quality and ease of use. The most notable design feature is the hinged UV hood, which swings upwards, enabling easy access to the build area without requiring additional counter space. This is a significant improvement over traditional lift-off covers, making it more convenient to use, especially in tight spaces and ideal for use in education or small offices.

One of the big changes in the design is the tilting screen and tank, which helps speed up the release of the model from the film after each exposure due to the peeling rather than pulling motion. This mechanism has proved effective in other printers. Still, there is a slightly higher emphasis on ensuring that the machine is level and the tank isn't overfilled when setting up to avoid accidental resin spills.

Once lifted, the laser-etched build plate can be removed using the quick-release mechanism, which has filtered down from far more expensive machines and makes the removal of prints far easier. The laser-etched build plate helps to ensure excellent adhesion for prints while simplifying the removal process.

Overall, the updated design is far more refined than the previous generation, and while the aesthetics might not suit everyone, there's no doubt that the looks are striking.

Elegoo Saturn 4 Ultra: Features

The Saturn 4 Ultra boosts the feature set seen with the Saturn 3 Ultra, all designed to enhance the machine's ease of use and print quality. Starting with the 12K monochrome LCD screen, which offers an impressive resolution of 11,520 x 5120 pixels and a 19-micron accuracy on the X-axis.

A feature that has suddenly become standard on resin printers is auto-leveling, although if something goes wrong, the level can be set manually.

New to this model is the built-in AI camera, which, in addition to monitoring the print process, can detect issues like warping and ensure that the build plate is clear before starting a new print.

The Saturn 4 Ultra also offers two printing modes: a high-speed mode for quick prints and a low-speed mode for detailed, high-quality prints. As we've seen with the previous generation, Elegoo offers plenty of connectivity options with a robust WiFi connection to the ChituBox App that enables remote monitoring and updates.

Elegoo Saturn 4 Ultra: Performance

As with previous Saturn machines, the resin tank filling is a purely manual process, with the resin being poured directly into the resin tank. It's more important here than on previous versions of the machine to adhere to the max fill line mark. With the tilting tank, there is a likelihood that resin will spill if not filled correctly. Another point of note is that, due to the tilting nature of the tank, it's incredibly important that the table or surface you use is 100% level. There's no machine levelling gauge on the interface, which is a shame, and the legs on the machine are fixed, so the slight warp in the test bench that was caused by an overweight printer last month was compensated with by a few drinks coasters.

When it comes to the resin tank is held in place by simple screws that enable you to bolt it down tight onto the tilting screen. This design feels a little less refined than the rest of the printer. The print platform, by contrast, is fixed onto the vertical by means of a quick-release lever, which makes it quick and easy to remove after a print has finished.

Starting the print process, the machine's speed is notable. While not the fastest of the new wave of quick resin machines, it produces prints at a decent rate and high quality. The initial hit rate for successful prints was high, but looking closely at the finer detail of thin surfaces, such as the wings on the dragon, small holes were noticeable. As the kilos of resin ran through the system, there was a slow decline in the hit rate of successful prints, but shifting the print area around maximized the use of the tank's film before a switch was needed.

After a new film was installed through the usual unbolting and bolting process and a quick check of the levelling was carried out, the print process resumed with the same accuracy and speed. Again, using the fast resin, most prints produced were of excellent quality; however, thin walls and surfaces tended to show some holes, while more solid or highly detailed surfaces were absolutely fine. Ultimately, for producing characters and jewellery and anything that needs absolute print accuracy, this printer is superb. The only issue can be with some large, thinner-surfaced models, such as the dragon with the large, smooth, thin wing areas.

When it comes to overall print quality and what you can print with the Elegoo Saturn 4 Ultra, the size suits a wide range of uses. The fast resins are great for quickly producing small to medium-sized models with plenty of detail, while the slower, more standard resins are better for more general use. This quality makes the machine an ideal choice for anyone looking to print their characters for tabletop gaming, modellers wanting to produce parts, and jewellers who need a solid, fast printer to produce prototypes of designs.

Elegoo Saturn 4 Ultra: Final verdict

The Elegoo Saturn 4 Ultra is a superb resin 3D printer that brings professional-grade features to a consumer-friendly and reasonably-priced model. The printer's 12K resolution and auto-levelling capabilities deliver complete ease of use, and the print quality and accuracy are superb, making it a great solution for both beginners and experienced users.

The smart AI camera and dual printing modes help detect some print issues, although not all, and the dual printing modes enable you to switch from fast printing to slower and more accurate with absolute ease.

While some of the features are a bit basic, they compensate for the camera, AI, and high print resolution. This is a well-priced printer that offers the quality of printers many times its value.

The printer has a wide range of applications. While the looks are slightly futuristic, it's not over the top and will fit in well in the home of a 3D print enthusiast or a professional studio. While the main push for this printer in the past has been for the modelling community, the accuracy and surface finish are certainly something that product designers should consider. The functions, features, quality, and accuracy also make this a great choice.

Should you buy the Elegoo Saturn 4 Ultra?

If you're looking for a 3D printer that combines ease of use with performance, the Elegoo Saturn 4 Ultra is an excellent choice. Its high resolution and smart features make it ideal for detailed prints and professional applications such as prototyping. However, if you require absolute precision in AI detection or want an almost completely hands-off machine, then maybe look to invest a little more.

Buy it if...

Don't buy if...

For more crafting tools, we tested the best laser engravers.