Elegoo: resin printer lineup and print cost calculation
Elegoo is one of the best-known brands in resin (SLA/MSLA) printing: the Mars and Saturn lines set the price reference for home and small-shop resin printing, while Jupiter tops the range for large volumes.
Lineup
| Series | Approx. price | What stands out |
|---|---|---|
| Mars 5 / Mars 5 Ultra | $180 – 300 | compact format, entry into resin printing |
| Saturn 4 Ultra | $400 – 500 | larger build area |
| Jupiter SE | $1,100 – 1,400 | top of the line, biggest build volume |
Who it suits
- Jewelers, dental labs and miniature makers — resin delivers detail FDM cannot reach.
- Small production runs with high surface-finish requirements and no post-sanding.
- Shops scaling up: from the compact Mars to the large-format Jupiter SE, you can grow within one brand.
What to keep in mind
- Resin printing requires post-processing (IPA washing, UV curing) — a separate line of cost and time that FDM doesn't have.
- Resin is toxic until cured — gloves, ventilation and careful waste disposal are required.
- Consumables (resin, vat film, IPA) are priced and consumed differently from filament — cost them separately from your FDM machines.
Pros and cons
Pros: superb detail and surface quality, a lineup from budget entry to large format, a mature ecosystem of slicers and settings.
Cons: mandatory post-processing adds time and cost per order, resin and IPA cost more than filament per volume printed, safety requirements are stricter than FDM.
Calculate your price in a minute
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How it affects your print cost
An Elegoo job's cost should include, beyond printer depreciation and resin, the post-processing time (washing, drying, UV curing) and its consumables — cost lines that same-priced FDM machines don't have. The price spread within the lineup (≈ $180 – 1,400) meanwhile lets you match the machine to your real order volume without paying for build area you never use.