The Elegoo Mars 5 Ultra has a list of features that would have seemed like a moonshot wish list only a few years ago, yet this printer is affordable and accessible to beginners. Automatic build platform calibration, resin level detection, integrated print monitoring via webcam, 18 micron XY pixel size, and other features all give the Mars 5 Ultra an edge over the competition. The sub-$300 price point makes this an easy purchase to justify for beginners and power users alike, and the performance of the Mars 5 Ultra puts it at the top of the list of the best desktop resin 3D printers.
Table Of Contents
- Specifications
- Included Accessories
- Automatic Build Platform Leveling
- Tilting Vat and Drip Tray
- Printing with Chitubox
- Test Printing
- Wash and Curing Station
- Compare to Other 3D Printers
- Conclusion and Pros & Cons
Price: $269-$338
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Elegoo Mars 5 Ultra Specifications:
XY Pixel Size: 18 micron (0.018mm)
Print Speed: Up to 150 mm/h
Build Volume: 153.36mm x 77.76mm x 165mm / 6.04” x 3.06” x 6.5”
Material: Standard, Water-Washable, ABS-like UV Resin, High-Speed Resin
Masking LCD Resolution: 8520px x 4320px (9K)
Masking LCD Size: 7” Mono LCD
Connectivity: USB, WIFI
©3DWithUs – Photo: Andrew Sink
Included with the Mars 5 Ultra
The Elegoo Mars 5 Ultra includes all of the necessary equipment for printing (Allen keys, plastic and metal scrapers, power supply, etc.), and a USB stick with software and test models preloaded. The design of the Mars 5 Ultra has a clear cyberpunk influence, similar to the look of the Neptune 4 family of printers.
Hard lines, a vertical LCD screen, and a dark acrylic UV lid all make the Mars 5 Ultra look like it would be just as at home on a spaceship as it would be in a research lab. This may be a polarizing feature, depending on whether you like the futuristic aesthetic. The integrated webcam includes a lens cap, so video monitoring can be easily disabled if not needed.
Automatic Build Platform Leveling
The build platform of the Elegoo Mars 5 Ultra attaches to the single-rail Z-axis gantry using a quick-release lever. Unlike the previous generations of Mars printers, the Mars 5 Ultra does not require manual calibration of the platform. This is a key feature, and during testing I didn’t have a single adhesion-related failure caused by improper leveling.
©3DWithUs – Photo: Andrew Sink
Before each print, the Mars 5 Ultra runs through a series of self-tests before calibrating the build platform in advance of the first layer exposure. Calibration is not required before a print, a compelling feature for power users and beginners alike. The only downside is that cleaning the platform can be difficult, and requires a great deal of patience to clean between the stand-offs.
Tilting Vat and Drip Tray
Another notable feature of the Mars 5 Ultra is the tilting vat, which separates the part from the release film instead of simply raising the platform. This is the same process used on the Prusa SL1S, and is primarily intended to increase the overall print speed without risking the part delaminating from the platform.
©3DWithUs – Photo: Andrew Sink
Instead of lifting the platform, the Elegoo Mars 5 Ultra tilts the resin vat after each layer.
©3DWithUs – Photo: Andrew Sink
– Drip Tray. Due to this tilting action, the vat has a small gap surrounding it to allow for articulation. When removing parts it’s possible for resin to drip into the printer, so Elegoo includes a plastic drip tray which can be used to catch resin when removing the platform from the machine.
Slicer Software – Printing with Chitubox
The Mars 5 Ultra ships with ChituboxBasic v2.2, the latest release of the popular slicer software. This version of Chitubox includes all the software functionality you would expect (hollow, dig hole, generate supports, etc.) as well as the inclusion of ChituManager.
– WiFi. ChituManager is a fleet management software plugin that can send prints via Wi-Fi, remotely monitor supported printers using the integrated webcam, and provide printer statistics (total exposure time, release film usage, etc.).
– Camera and Time-lapse Videos. ChituManager can also generate time-lapse videos using the integrated webcam of the Mars 5 Ultra. The webcam is located in the rear of the printer and points forward, so it can be tricky to get a clean video. I placed a white foam core board in front of the printer and placed a high wattage light behind it, creating a clean background for the video.
With the dark tinted lid on the machine, it can be hard to make out details but the overall convenience of a timelapse that requires very little setup is going to satisfy most casual users.The time-lapse video is 1280 x 720p resolution, and the two hour and 42 minute print resulted in a seven second video, which feels about the right length for sharing on social media.
Test Printing on the Elegoo Mars 5 Ultra
Like many other Elegoo resin 3D printers, the Mars 5 Ultra includes a Rook demo print prepared for printing on the USB thumb drive. This print works as a quick validation that the LED light source, masking LCD, and mechanical systems of the printer are all functional.
©3DWithUs – Print & Photo: Andrew Sink
However the difficulty in removing it from the platform and uninspiring geometry left me wishing the Elegoo would finally update this model. Other companies in the desktop resin 3D printer market have partnered with 3D modelers to include pre-sliced models that are educational as well as informative regarding the performance of the printer.
As I’ve noted in a previous review of the Elegoo Saturn S, the internet is filled with beginners complaining they can’t remove the model from the platform. Simply angling it and placing it on supports would make for a better first impression, and also demonstrate the strategy of printing at an angle.
– Slicer Profile. Chitubox Basic v2.2 includes a slicer profile for the Elegoo Mars 5 Ultra, which has a 0.05mm layer height and a 2.5 second exposure time. This profile provides a balance between print quality and speed, and I was impressed with the results I saw without any adjustments required.
©3DWithUs – Print & Photo: Andrew Sink
I printed a 3D model of Rodin’s Hand of God that I created from a 3D scan using Elegoo 8K Standard Photopolymer in Space Grey from Amazon. The hollowing, drain holes, and support structures were all generated using Chitubox and the part was made with the default profile.
– Print Resume Feature. During printing, the Mars 5 Ultra restarted due to a power outage and I was prompted to resume the print from where it stopped. The printer sent the platform all the way to the top of the gantry and then back down, restarting the print from the exact layer where it had stopped. This feature worked exactly as intended, although there was a slight line from where the power outage had occurred.
The 18 micron XY resolution provides razor-sharp detail on small parts, such as the miniature models from Loot Studios. Printing models at 32mm and 75mm scale resulted in sharp details, smooth curves, and fine features that resolved without breaking. The detail on the Standard Marine model from Loot Studios is clean and sharp, and the model printed perfectly on the first try.
©3DWithUs – Print & Photo: Andrew Sink
The lattice structure of the Voronoi Lattice Frog printed perfectly, and the solid body of the frog printed without sticking to the vat. The bottom surface of the lattice has the pattern of the platform embossed on it, and the sides of the frog are smooth and consistent.
©3DWithUs – Print & Photo: Andrew Sink
The thin struts of the Voronoi lattice all printed without any visible defects, an impressive feat considering their thin diameter.
I also made a YouTube Short that highlights the tilting vat of the Elegoo Mars 5 Ultra. I printed the dragon model Aria by Louise Driggers, aka Loubie3D, from Printables. I used Nova3D Clear Resin from Amazon and after washing and curing, I sprayed Krylon Crystal Clear Gloss to keep the transparency lasting.
©3DWithUs – Print & Photo: Andrew Sink
The 3D print came out so clear that I could read the text through the thin wings of the model. The contrast between the uncoated and coated models is impressive, and you can see the impact of this technique clearly in the video.
Wash and Curing Station
The optional Mercury XS wash and cure station, which is also available for purchase on Amazon, is highly recommended. It is designed to be a comprehensive post-processing solution for resin 3D parts. This station features two stand-alone components: the wash station and the UV curing station.
©3DWithUs – Print & Photo: Andrew Sink
The wash station is a large tub for IPA alcohol as well as a basket to hold small parts. The base of the station has a magnetic drive that spins the impeller in the tub, agitating the IPA and helping to get resin out of even the smallest crevice. Read more about best washing and curing stations.
The UV curing chamber has multiple LEDs, as well as an external LED wand for curing the inside of hollow parts. This is a helpful feature, and I found myself using it regularly to cure parts that still felt tacky after the UV cure. I used the UV wand to project light into the holes on the base of the Hand of God sculpture, as well as into the deeper crevices underneath the fingers.
Compare to Other 3D Printers
Compare similar volume machines in the same price range using our detailed budget resin 3D printers guide.
Currently, we see tough competition between the Mars 4 Ultra and the Anycubic Photon series machines. If Anycubic introduced an automatic bed leveling machine last year, Elegoo is catching up by introducing new systems in both the Mars and Saturn series machines.
The Elegoo Mars 5 Ultra elevates the Mars family of printers by offering automatic platform calibration, a tilting vat mechanism, an integrated camera, Wi-Fi functionality, 9K resolution, and more. These features come together to create a machine that is equally suitable for beginners as well as advanced users, and the price point gives it an edge over the competition. The Mars 5 Ultra impressed me throughout testing, and this printer is going to set the standard in the~$300 entry level desktop resin 3D printer market for years to come.
Compare to the Elegoo other resin 3D printers:
Quick Comparison with budget Mars 5 version:
No Tilt Release Technology – that allows printing faster.
No Built-in Camera for Monitoring, Error Detection, and Timelapse videos.
No Wi-Fi Connectivity.
No Extra Anti-drip Tray.
Pre-Order Price: Mars 5 $179.00 vs Mars 5 Ultra $269.00.
Conclusion and Pros & Cons
The Elegoo Mars 5 Ultra was launched with a retail price of $338.00 and a special sale price of $269.99 direct on the Elegoo site.
The Elegoo Mars 5 Ultra Review
Review Summary
The Elegoo Mars 5 Ultra has a list of features that would have seemed like a moonshot wish list only a few years ago, yet it remains affordable and accessible to beginners. Automatic build platform calibration, resin level detection, integrated print monitoring via webcam, 18 micron XY pixel size, and other features all give the Mars 5 Ultra a competitive edge over the competition. The sub-$300 price point makes this an easy purchase to justify for beginners and power users alike, and the performance of the Mars 5 Ultra puts it at the top of the list of the best desktop resin 3D printers.
PROS:
– Automatic build platform calibration
– Integrated webcam for print monitoring
– Power interruption resume print function
– Integration with ChituManager printer management software
CONS:
– Build platform is difficult to clean
– Uninspiring and outdated demo model
