Elegoo Mars 5 (base)

Should you buy the Elegoo Mars 5?

The Elegoo Mars 5 (base) is the entry point to resin printing. For $179 you get a 6.6-inch 4K monochrome LCD with 35 micron XY resolution, a COB light source and one-click automatic build-plate leveling, which removes the most annoying setup step on older resin printers. It ranks seventh among our ten 3D printers and is the resin pick for someone printing miniatures on a budget. If you need larger parts or the finest detail, the Anycubic Photon Mono 4 Ultra is the step up.

Where it earns its score

• Value is the highest factor at 88. Nothing else in our list gets you into resin printing this cheaply.
• Automatic leveling. One-click plate leveling removes the paper-and-screws routine that frustrates resin beginners.
• 4K at 35 microns. Enough resolution for tabletop figures and detailed models.
• COB UV source. Even exposure across the plate for consistent results.

What to know first

• Washing and curing equipment costs extra. Budget for a wash station or at least containers, alcohol and a UV lamp.
• Small build volume. 143 x 90 x 150 mm limits you to minis and small parts.
• Warranty is the weakest factor at 55. Standard one-year coverage.
• Reliability and Features sit at 75. The base model skips the camera and extras found on pricier Elegoo units.

Questions buyers ask