ELEGOO Mars 5 Ultra Review (2026): The Easy Resin Printer for Miniatures
How this review was made
- We have not tested this printer ourselves. This is a research-based review: manufacturer specifications, the Amazon.com listing and published hands-on reviews by independent outlets, which we link below.
- Where a point comes from a third party, we say who reported it.
The ELEGOO Mars 5 Ultra is a resin printer for very detailed small parts such as miniatures, figurines and jewelry. It levels itself, tilts the vat to print faster and sends files over Wi-Fi. It is our best resin printer for beginners.
Regular price on Amazon.com at our check. Prime members were shown a lower price.
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Specs at a glance
| Spec | ELEGOO Mars 5 Ultra |
|---|---|
| Price on Amazon.com | $356.98 (checked Nov 7, 2026) |
| Type | Resin (MSLA) |
| Screen | 7-inch 9K mono LCD |
| Build volume | 153 × 78 × 165 mm |
| Speed | Up to 150 mm/h (manufacturer) |
| Leveling | Automatic |
| Release | Tilting vat for faster printing |
| Extras | Camera with error detection, Wi-Fi file transfer |
What ELEGOO promises
Resin printers cure liquid resin layer by layer with UV light shining through an LCD screen. They are far more detailed than filament printers but have traditionally needed more manual work. The Mars 5 Ultra removes several of those steps: it levels the build plate automatically, tilts the vat to release each layer faster and gently, and has a camera meant to detect failed prints in real time. Files can be sent over Wi-Fi instead of a USB stick.
What published reviews report
- Beginner-friendly: Tom’s Hardware gave it an Editor’s Choice award and describes it as making gaming miniatures easy. Creative Bloq scores it 8.5 out of 10 and recommends it for beginners and anyone who cares about fine detail.
- Camera: results are mixed. MakerHacks reports that the camera detected none of its failed prints. Goonhammer found it caught a couple of failures but missed others, and liked the timelapses.
- Network printing: MakerHacks could not get network printing to work and used a USB stick instead.
- Size: Creative Bloq advises against it if you want to print large models. The build volume suits miniatures and small parts.
What else you need for resin printing
A resin printer is not ready to use on its own. You also need resin, nitrile gloves, isopropyl alcohol or a wash station to clean prints, and a UV light or curing station to harden them. Uncured resin irritates the skin and smells, so plan a well-ventilated room away from living areas. Our guide to resin printing for beginners covers the steps and safety.
Who should buy the Mars 5 Ultra?
Tabletop gamers, figurine collectors and anyone who wants maximum detail on small parts, with a printer that takes care of leveling and file transfer.
Who should look elsewhere
- You want to spend less: the ELEGOO Mars 5 ($237.99) or the Anycubic Photon Mono 4 ($209.99) cost less but lack the tilting vat and camera.
- You want larger resin prints: the ELEGOO Saturn 4 Ultra has a bigger build plate, see our resin printer picks.
- You want practical, everyday parts: a filament printer such as the Bambu Lab A1 Mini is cleaner and simpler to use.
Our verdict
Based on the specifications and independent reviews, the Mars 5 Ultra is one of the easiest resin printers to start with. Don’t rely on the camera to catch every failure, and budget for the extras resin printing requires.
FAQ
Is the ELEGOO Mars 5 Ultra good for beginners?
Yes. Automatic leveling and Wi-Fi remove two common hurdles, and reviewers recommend it for beginners. Resin printing still needs gloves, cleaning and ventilation.
Mars 5 Ultra or Mars 5?
The Mars 5 Ultra adds a 9K screen, the tilting vat, a camera and Wi-Fi. The Mars 5 has a 4K screen and costs less.
Does the Mars 5 Ultra camera detect failed prints?
That is what it is designed for, but reviewers report mixed results: some failures were caught, others were not.