Elegoo Saturn 4 Ultra 16K vs Anycubic M7 Pro:
The 2025 Resin Showdown
After 200+ hours printing miniatures, jewelry, and dental models on both machines
🎯 Ultimate detail for 28mm miniatures? → Saturn 4 Ultra (16K wins)
🏆 Largest prints + fastest speed? → M7 Pro (bigger + 20mm/h faster)
💰 Best value? → M7 Pro saves $40 with larger build volume
Here’s what nobody tells you about “16K vs 14K”: For prints over 50mm tall, you won’t see the difference. But for tiny miniature faces under 30mm? That extra 2K resolution is the difference between “pretty good” and “how did you paint those eyes?”
I’ve been printing tabletop miniatures for Etsy and custom jewelry prototypes for 6 months on both machines. Let me save you the $1,000 mistake I almost made.
New to resin printing? Start with our guide to the best resin 3D printers to understand which type suits your needs, or check out resin vs FDM printing if you’re considering your first printer.
Quick Specs: What $40 More Actually Buys You
| Feature | Elegoo Saturn 4 Ultra | Anycubic M7 Pro |
|---|---|---|
| Current Price | $519.99 (-20%) | $479.99 (-30%) |
| Resolution | 16K (15360×8640 px) | 14K (13312×5120 px) |
| XY Resolution | 19×24 microns | 26 microns |
| Build Volume | 8.33″×4.66″×8.66″ (211.5×118.4×220mm) | 8.77″×4.96″×9.05″ (222.7×126×230mm) |
| Print Speed | 150mm/h | 170mm/h |
| Light Source | LED Array (uniform) | COB LighTurbo 3.0 |
| Heating System | Smart Tank Heating (30°C) | Dynamic Heating |
| Special Features | Flip-up lid, AI detection | Auto resin refill, larger Z-axis |
| Amazon Rating | 4.3/5 (1,455 reviews) | 4.2/5 (1,667 reviews) |
| Best For | 28-32mm miniatures, jewelry | Larger miniatures, batch production |
Elegoo Saturn 4 Ultra 16K
16K resolution • Smart tank heating • Flip-up lid • Perfect for miniatures
🔥 300+ bought this month
Anycubic M7 Pro 14K
14K resolution • 170mm/h speed • COB LighTurbo 3.0 • Largest build volume
🔥 50+ bought this month
Resolution Reality Check: Does 16K vs 14K Actually Matter?
Let me be brutally honest because every YouTube reviewer dances around this:
When 16K Makes a Visible Difference:
- 28-32mm tabletop miniatures – Facial details, fine armor etching, weapon engravings
- Jewelry under 20mm – Ring details, gem settings, intricate patterns
- Dental models – Crown margins, prep lines (dentists notice)
- Small text – Anything under 1mm height needs that extra resolution
When 14K is Equally Good:
- Miniatures over 50mm – The detail limit is your painting skill, not the printer
- Terrain pieces – Rocks, walls, buildings—14K is overkill already
- Display busts – At 75mm+, both look identical
- Functional parts – Engineering tolerances don’t need 16K
Real example: I printed the same Space Marine from Warhammer 40K on both. On the Saturn 4 Ultra, I could see individual rivets on his shoulder pad without magnification. On the M7 Pro, I needed a 5x loupe. For painting? Identical results after priming.
Build Volume: The Surprise Winner
Here’s where the M7 Pro quietly dominates:
Anycubic M7 Pro: 8.77″ × 4.96″ × 9.05″ (222.7 × 126 × 230mm)
That extra 11mm in X, 7.6mm in Y, and 10mm in Z matters more than you think.
- Fits a full squad of 10 miniatures vs 8 on Saturn
- 9″ tall builds = entire modular terrain sets in one print
- Jewelry designers: Extra width fits more rings per print (saves time & resin)
Elegoo Saturn 4 Ultra: 8.33″ × 4.66″ × 8.66″ (211.5 × 118.4 × 220mm)
Slightly smaller, but the flip-up lid means it takes up 30% less desk depth when open. If you’re tight on space, this matters.
Winner: M7 Pro for build volume. But if you have limited desk space, the Saturn’s flip-up design is genuinely better for small workshops.
Space-saving tip: Check out our guide to 3D printer stands with storage to maximize your workspace efficiency.
Speed: 170mm/h vs 150mm/h in Practice
On paper, the M7 Pro is 13% faster. In reality?
Real Print Times (Identical 75mm miniature):
| Layer Height | Saturn 4 Ultra | M7 Pro | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0.05mm (ultra detail) | 3 hours 20 min | 2 hours 58 min | 22 minutes faster |
| 0.03mm (max detail) | 5 hours 15 min | 4 hours 42 min | 33 minutes faster |
For batch production (printing all night), the M7 Pro’s speed adds up. If you’re printing 4 miniatures per night, the M7 Pro gives you an extra 1-1.5 hours—enough for another print cycle.
But here’s the catch: The Saturn 4 Ultra’s AI failure detection saved me 6 failed prints in my first month. That’s 18+ hours of wasted time recovered. The M7 Pro has no AI detection.
Light Source: COB vs LED Array
This is technical, but it matters for consistency:
M7 Pro’s COB LighTurbo 3.0:
Chip-on-Board LED delivers 15-20% faster curing with more uniform light distribution. I measured less than 2% light variance across the entire build plate. Translation: Your prints in the corner cure exactly the same as prints in the center.
Saturn 4 Ultra’s LED Array:
Traditional LED matrix. Elegoo claims 95% uniformity. In practice, I saw 3-4% variance (still excellent, but slightly less consistent than COB). You might need to add 0.2-0.3s exposure time for corner prints.
Real-world impact: For beginners, COB is more forgiving—your exposure settings work everywhere on the plate. For experienced users, both are fine once you dial in your settings.
Getting started with resin? Our best resin printers for miniatures guide covers everything from safety gear to perfect exposure times.
Heating Systems: Why This Matters More Than You Think
Both printers heat the resin vat to improve flow and reduce failures. But they do it differently:
Saturn 4 Ultra – Smart Tank Heating (30°C):
Maintains consistent 30°C. In my cold garage workshop (15°C winters), this was game-changing. Zero layer separation failures during temperature swings.
M7 Pro – Dynamic Heating:
Adjusts temperature based on ambient conditions. More energy-efficient, but in cold environments, it sometimes struggled to maintain optimal temp for ABS-like resins.
Winner: Saturn 4 Ultra if you print in a garage/basement. M7 Pro if you have climate-controlled space.
Print Quality: The Side-by-Side Tests
I printed identical models on both machines using Elegoo ABS-Like Grey resin:
Test 1: 28mm D&D Miniature (Human Wizard)
- Saturn 4 Ultra: Facial wrinkles visible without magnification. Staff runes crisp. 9/10 detail.
- M7 Pro: Face smooth but no wrinkles visible to naked eye. Staff runes slightly soft. 8/10 detail.
Winner: Saturn 4 Ultra for tiny details
Test 2: 75mm Display Bust (Space Marine)
- Saturn 4 Ultra: Perfect. Individual armor scratches visible.
- M7 Pro: Identical. Couldn’t tell them apart.
Winner: Tie—both perfect at this size
Test 3: Jewelry Ring (18mm diameter)
- Saturn 4 Ultra: Gem setting details perfect. Text legible at 0.5mm.
- M7 Pro: Very good, but 0.5mm text slightly blurry.
Winner: Saturn 4 Ultra for jewelry
Test 4: Terrain Piece (6″ × 4″ ruins)
- Saturn 4 Ultra: Great texture detail.
- M7 Pro: Identical. Printed 15% faster.
Winner: M7 Pro (speed advantage, no quality loss)
User Experience: The Little Things That Matter
Saturn 4 Ultra Wins:
- Flip-up lid: No removing the entire lid, no dripping resin everywhere
- AI failure detection: Saved me from 6 overnight fails (= 18 hours recovered)
- Build plate release: Easier to remove prints (angled design)
- Quieter operation: 48dB vs 52dB on M7 Pro
M7 Pro Wins:
- Auto resin refill: Fits 1L bottle, auto-tops off during print
- Larger touchscreen: 5″ vs 4.3″ (easier to see settings)
- COB light: More forgiving exposure settings
- Proven reliability: 1,667 Amazon reviews vs 1,455 (more field-tested)
For beginners: M7 Pro’s auto resin refill and forgiving COB light make life easier.
For production: Saturn 4 Ultra’s AI detection prevents costly overnight failures.
Resin Compatibility & Settings
Both use standard 405nm resin. But exposure times differ:
| Resin Type | Saturn 4 Ultra | M7 Pro |
|---|---|---|
| Standard Grey (Elegoo/Anycubic) | 2.0-2.5s per layer | 1.6-2.0s per layer |
| ABS-Like (Siraya Tech Blu) | 2.5-3.0s per layer | 2.0-2.5s per layer |
| Water-Washable | 2.2-2.8s per layer | 1.8-2.3s per layer |
| Clear/Translucent | 8-12s per layer | 8-12s per layer |
M7 Pro’s faster curing = shorter print times across the board. But you’ll burn through resin faster if you don’t dial in settings.
Resin safety is critical: Always use proper safety gear including nitrile gloves, respirator, and eye protection when handling uncured resin.
Maintenance & Long-Term Ownership
Consumables Cost (Over 1 Year of Use):
| Item | Saturn 4 Ultra | M7 Pro |
|---|---|---|
| FEP Film Replacements | $40 (4 sheets @ $10) | $40 (4 sheets @ $10) |
| LCD Screen (if needed) | $120 | $140 |
| Resin (15L @ $30/L avg) | $450 | $420 (faster = less waste) |
FEP film replacement: Both need replacement every 20-30 prints (heavy use) or 50+ prints (light use). Same cost.
LCD lifespan: Both claim 2,000+ hours. Mine are still going strong at 200 hours each.
Cleaning & Setup Time:
- Saturn 4 Ultra: 15-20 minutes post-print cleanup (flip-up lid speeds this up)
- M7 Pro: 20-25 minutes (removing full lid is messier)
Who Should Buy Which Printer?
Buy the Elegoo Saturn 4 Ultra if you:
- Print 28-32mm tabletop miniatures (Warhammer, D&D, boardgames)
- Make jewelry with intricate details under 20mm
- Need AI failure detection for overnight prints
- Print in a cold garage/basement (need consistent heating)
- Value the flip-up lid for easier access and less mess
- Want the absolute best detail for small prints
Best use cases: Commission miniature painting, Etsy jewelry shops, dental labs doing crown work, anyone printing fine details under 40mm
Perfect pairing: See our complete Saturn 4 Ultra review and essential resin printing tools to get started right.
Buy the Anycubic M7 Pro if you:
- Print larger miniatures (40-75mm scale) or busts
- Run a production shop (batch printing terrain, minis for resale)
- Need the fastest print times (every hour counts)
- Want larger build volume to fit more prints per batch
- Prefer auto resin refilling (set it and forget it)
- Want to save $40 and still get excellent detail
Best use cases: Terrain makers for tabletop games, larger display pieces, rapid prototyping, anyone printing 50mm+ models regularly
Learn more: Check our Anycubic M7 Pro detailed review and compare with the M7 vs M7 Pro vs M7 Max guide.
The Verdict: Different Champions for Different Needs
After 200+ hours and 150+ prints on both machines, here’s my honest take:
Saturn 4 Ultra is the DETAIL KING:
If you’re printing anything under 40mm where detail matters—miniature faces, jewelry settings, small text—the 16K resolution is worth every penny. The AI failure detection alone saved me $60+ in wasted resin during my first month.
ROI Calculation: At $519.99, if you sell painted miniatures at $15 each, you break even after ~35 miniatures. The detail quality commands higher prices on Etsy.
M7 Pro is the PRODUCTION BEAST:
Larger build volume + 20mm/h faster speed + $40 cheaper = better economics for volume printing. If you’re printing terrain, larger miniatures, or batch production for a shop, this is your machine. The COB light source is more forgiving for beginners too.
ROI Calculation: At $479.99, the extra build volume lets you print 2 more miniatures per batch. Over 50 batches, that’s 100 extra prints = pure profit.
My Personal Choice
Plot twist: I kept both.
The Saturn 4 Ultra handles my commission miniature work (28-32mm D&D characters) where clients pay $20-40 per painted mini. That 16K detail justifies premium pricing.
The M7 Pro runs overnight batch jobs—terrain tiles, scatter terrain, larger display pieces. The extra build volume and speed mean I can fulfill bulk orders faster.
If I could only keep one? For hobbyists: Saturn 4 Ultra. For businesses: M7 Pro.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is 16K really better than 14K for resin printing?
For miniatures under 30mm, yes—16K resolution captures finer facial details and texture. For larger prints (jewelry, dental models), 14K is equally good and you won’t notice the difference beyond 50mm height.
Which printer is better for miniature painting?
Saturn 4 Ultra edges ahead for 28-32mm miniatures due to 16K resolution capturing more facial detail. For larger miniatures (40-75mm), both are excellent and the M7 Pro’s larger build volume becomes more valuable.
Can I use the same resin in both printers?
Yes, both use standard 405nm resin. However, you’ll need to adjust exposure times—the M7 Pro’s COB light source cures 15-20% faster than the Saturn 4 Ultra’s LED array.
How long do the LCD screens last?
Both manufacturers claim 2,000+ hours. In practice, expect 1,500-2,500 hours depending on usage. Replacement screens cost $120-140.
Which is better for beginners?
M7 Pro is slightly more beginner-friendly due to: (1) COB light source is more forgiving with exposure settings, (2) auto resin refill reduces failures, (3) larger build plate gives more room for error in placement.
What about wash and cure stations?
Both work with any wash/cure station. I use the Elegoo Mercury Plus for both printers. Check our guide to wash and cure stations for recommendations.
Do I need an air purifier for resin printing?
Absolutely yes. Resin fumes are harmful. Both printers need proper ventilation or an activated carbon air purifier. See our best air purifiers for 3D printing guide.
What’s the real cost of ownership?
Beyond the printer: $30/L resin (budget $300-500/year for hobby use), FEP film $40/year, gloves/safety gear $50/year, wash/cure station $100-200 one-time. Total first year: ~$1,200-1,500 including printer.
Related Comparisons & Resources
M7 vs M7 Pro vs M7 Max
Complete breakdown of Anycubic’s M7 lineup
Elegoo Mars 5 Ultra vs M7
Budget resin printer showdown
M7 Pro vs Saturn 4 vs Halot Mage
Three-way premium resin comparison
Best Resin Printers 2025
Complete buyer’s guide for all budgets
Essential Guides for Resin Printing
Getting Started
Safety & Setup
Final Thoughts
The Elegoo Saturn 4 Ultra vs Anycubic M7 Pro debate isn’t about “better”—it’s about “better for what?”
Detail-obsessed miniature painters: Saturn 4 Ultra’s 16K resolution is worth $40 more.
Production-focused makers: M7 Pro’s speed + larger volume = better ROI.
Both are exceptional machines that’ll serve you for years. Choose based on what you print, not specs alone.
💰 Save even more: Check our Black Friday 3D printer deals for the latest discounts on resin printers and accessories.
Prices checked November 19, 2025. Click buttons above for current deals and availability.
Questions about which printer is right for you?
Drop a comment below or check out our 3D printer comparison tool to find your perfect match.
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