Elegoo states the Mars 5 Ultra 3D printer is designed to be accessible to all skill levels, whether it’s someone’s first time printing or not. The printer boasts blazing-fast speeds of up to 150 mm/h, along with its tilt release technology. This feature enables swift model separation from the release film, ensuring fast printing without compromising detail, accuracy, or reliability. Users can seamlessly switch between fast and slow print modes, unlocking flexibility and efficiency.
The Mars 5 Ultra features a 7-inch mono LCD with 9K ultra-high resolution and 18 μm XY resolution, ensuring the reproduction of intricate details with clarity and texture. With 92% light uniformity, the advanced COB light source delivers consistent results and precision. While the build volume is relatively small—153.36 x 77.76 x 165 mm³—it excels in capturing fine details.
Thanks to its smart self-check and automatic levelling functions, the Mars 5 Ultra lets users start creating without delay. There’s no need for complicated setup or manual calibration—just unbox, power on, and print. In my experience, it really was that simple. After a two-minute calibration test, the printer restarted itself, and the included paper instructions prompted me to begin my first test print.
“The Mars 5 Ultra delivers effortless precision through one-click automatic levelling.”
With a single click, the Mars 5 Ultra performs a quick self-check to verify whether its components are functioning properly before printing. When the release film’s usage approaches 60,000 cycles, the device issues a reminder to replace it promptly.
The Mars 5 Ultra delivers effortless precision through one-click automatic levelling. Thanks to its intelligent mechanical sensor, the build plate is levelled automatically, making 3D printing more accessible for users of all experience levels. Say goodbye to costly failures and wasted time—the built-in AI camera detects errors in real time and guides users to accurate results. This helps reduce failed prints and wasted resin by identifying issues mid-print.
Equipped with a smart mechanical sensor, the Mars 5 Ultra also supports residue detection, which helps prevent damage to the LCD screen. In addition, timely alerts for resin shortages and leveling failures minimize waste and help ensure smooth, uninterrupted printing. The result is a worry-free experience and consistently high-quality prints.
An important factor when choosing a 3D printer is how it handles overheating. This model includes advanced high-temperature protection to ensure the system remains stable. When the LED temperature exceeds 80 degrees Celsius, the smart system triggers an alert and halts the print automatically, enhancing safety and prolonging the machine’s lifespan. That said, this didn’t happen to me. I printed several large designs in quick succession, and the highest temperature I recorded was about 40 to 45 degrees Celsius. The printer efficiently manages its own temperature.
For most of my prints, I downloaded STL files from Thingiverse and sliced them using LycheeSlicer and Chitubox. Both slicing programs worked well and are free to use. The Mars 5 Ultra comes with a Chitubox Premium upgrade included. Each software handled auto-generated supports and bases effectively.
After my first test print, I learned a lot about the full process, from pre-print preparation to washing and curing. One critique of Elegoo’s provided setup instructions for the Mars 5 Ultra is that they don’t mention removing the lens cover from the AI camera. Technically, I should have known, but with no indication in the instructions, there was little reason to remove what looked like a protective lens cap.
“Even with some of the Mars 5 Ultra’s shortcomings, it remains foolproof enough to prevent catastrophic failures.”
A very important note for those considering resin printing: wear a face mask (preferably with a high-quality filter) and disposable or reusable gloves. Resin is a known skin irritant, and prolonged exposure to fumes can be harmful. The test file included on the USB stick allowed me to print a rook chess piece, which turned out fairly well at first glance. I also had the chance to use Elegoo’s Mercury XS Wash & Cure bundle to clean and cure my prints. It’s sold separately for about $250 US.
While most 3D printing users recommend cleaning prints in 95 percent isopropyl alcohol, I used water instead, as the resin Elegoo provided was water-washable. A one-kilogram bottle of 8K water-washable resin costs about $35 US. There’s also a deal to buy twelve one-kilogram bottles for just under $300, which is useful if you prefer working with this type of resin.
While water is a cost-effective option for the washing process compared to buying several litres or gallons of isopropyl alcohol, it does have drawbacks. It takes about 45 minutes or more for prints to air dry before curing, which likely caused the structural failure of my first print. I let the piece air dry for roughly 45 minutes after using the wash station.
The issue became clear when I gently squeezed the rook chess piece, and it crumbled like a cookie, suggesting that residual moisture had made the print brittle. I had only cured it for about two minutes, so it wasn’t a case of overcuring. What I learned is that when washing with water, allowing extra air-drying time is essential for better results.
For the next print, I decided to test how the Mars 5 Ultra would produce small, finely detailed prints, using the iconic Cone of Calibration 3D print from Tableflip Foundry. That is when the printer performed exceptionally well. Even with the other smaller prints I did, like the model base plates, mini Gustave from Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, the Godzilla model, the smaller ones always came out more refined. Again, I tried washing with water for some and alcohol for the others. The alcohol-washed prints almost always came out looking better.
When it came to washing larger prints, I used water because I couldn’t find enough isopropyl alcohol to fill the wash station or a large enough container. Still, the excellent detail in the prints stood out. When I printed a larger version of Gustave, many intricate features came through clearly, such as the texture of his hair, the number “33,” and his backpack. The only issue was that the model was missing a leg. It was surprising that the 3D printer didn’t notify me of the error. This was the only time it happened, but it showed that even this machine isn’t immune to occasional failures.
“3D printing has never felt more accessible.”
One of my remaining pet peeves from this 3D printing journey is loading and unloading resin. I can’t leave resin in the tray, as my setup requires me to bring the Mars 5 Ultra outside to my garage for printing. The dual-pour resin tank spouts are helpful when pouring resin back into the bottle, and the drip tray works well.
The included paper funnels are useful but flimsy on their own. I would have appreciated a small plastic or metal funnel to accompany the paper filters—it would have enhanced the experience for those who regularly load and unload resin. While this may be a rare use case, it’s worth considering. Even with some of the Mars 5 Ultra’s shortcomings, it remains foolproof enough to prevent catastrophic failures.
I can proudly say that I am addicted to building so many useful things with it, and models from worlds I love, such as League of Legends and Clair Obscur: Expedition 33. I slowly but surely learned everything about the basics of 3D printing through this experience. I am now looking forward to testing out another 3D printer with a bigger build volume, and that uses filament.
At the end of my first 3D printing adventure, I was genuinely impressed with Elegoo’s Mars 5 Ultra 3D printer. After browsing Elegoo’s extensive online store, I’m curious to explore their mini purifiers, resin detergent and other resin types in the future. Everything is reasonably priced, and with a solid $338 bang-for-your-buck printer, the supporting accessories are also affordable. 3D printing has never felt more accessible.
