Elegoo Mars 5 Ultra vs Anycubic Photon Mono M5s: 2026 Comparison

What Are the Key Differences Between the Mars 5 Ultra and Photon Mono M5s?

The Mars 5 Ultra goes for 9K resolution with smart auto-calibration, while the Photon M5s offers 12K and an automatic auto-leveling system. Both sit around the $300 mark but target slightly different users.

Elegoo has positioned the Elegoo Mars 5 Ultra as its entry into the ultra-definition segment, featuring an 8520 x 4320 pixel screen (what marketing calls "9K"). Anycubic fires back with the Photon Mono M5s and its 12K panel, promising even finer detail.

Here's where things get interesting: according to the specs, the Mars 5 Ultra has 18-micron pixels, while typical 12K printers come in around 19x24 microns. In other words, Elegoo has managed to pack smaller pixels into a lower overall resolution. On paper, this should translate to equally fine detail but with lighter files and faster processing times.

The philosophical difference is clear: Elegoo focuses on balancing quality with workflow speed, while Anycubic chases maximum resolution regardless of the performance cost. For 28–32mm miniatures, both should deliver virtually identical results. The real difference will show up on larger prints, where 12K could have an edge on smooth surfaces.

What Are the Technical Specs of Each Printer?

The Mars 5 Ultra offers a 153.36 x 77.76 x 165mm build volume with print speeds up to 150mm/h. The Photon M5s offers similar specs but uses 12K resolution as its main selling point.

One spec that stands out in Elegoo's announcement is the 92% light uniformity. That means the corners receive almost the same UV intensity as the center — something critical for larger prints. Also worth noting is the 60,000-cycle FEP release film lifespan before replacement. If that holds up, we're talking years of heavy use without swapping out the FEP.

The LED thermal protection that kicks in at 80°C also sounds promising. In theory, it should prevent overheating during marathon print sessions — though it remains to be seen whether it cuts prints short due to overly cautious thermal management.

Which Printer Has Better Detail Quality for Miniatures?

At 18 microns XY resolution, the Mars 5 Ultra should match or even beat the M5s for standard 28–32mm miniatures, where the difference between 9K and 12K is completely invisible to the naked eye.

This is where the marketing numbers run into physical reality. Sure, 12K sounds better than 9K — but when you're comparing 18-micron pixels against 19x24-micron pixels, the Mars 5 Ultra actually wins on pixel density. For context: a human hair is roughly 70 microns thick. We're talking about a 1–6 micron difference between these two machines.

For wargaming or D&D miniatures, where the finest details — chains, runes, skin textures — rarely drop below 0.1mm, both printers should produce indistinguishable results. The real difference will show up in:

• Jewellery and accessories with sub-millimetre engraving
• Dental prototypes where every micron matters
• Parts with large curved surfaces where aliasing is more noticeable

What users on forums do report is that the difference between 4K and 9K is hard to spot visually, but you get faster print speeds. If this holds up, the Mars 5 Ultra would hit the sweet spot between quality and productivity.

Which is faster in practice?

The Mars 5 Ultra advertises 150mm/h as its top speed, but in real-world use with 1.6-second exposure times per layer, expect closer to 60–80mm/h with standard resins.

The 150mm/h figure is the classic marketing claim you'll only hit with ultra-fast resins, minimum exposures, and everything going perfectly. In documented testing, users configure the Mars 5 Ultra with 1.6-second exposures for Elegoo resins compatible with the Mars 5 Ultra, which translates to much more conservative real-world speeds.

One interesting finding is that testers confirm the Mars 5 Ultra performs better with Elegoo resin than with Anycubic, requiring lower speeds to get optimal results with the latter. This isn't surprising — manufacturers optimise their machines for their own resins — but it does mean that if you have stock of Anycubic resins compatible with the Photon M5s, it may be worth sticking with that ecosystem.

Your actual speed will depend more on your workflow than on the printer itself:

• Layer height: 0.05mm for detail vs 0.1mm for speed
• Support density: 0.2mm thickness based on testing
• Resin type: standard vs rapid vs tough
• Lift time between layers

Which has the better software ecosystem and community?

Elegoo includes 3 months of ChituBox Pro free (worth around £45) and has a more active community on Reddit. Anycubic has its own slicer but less of a presence in Western forums.

The Mars 5 Ultra comes with a temporary ChituBox Pro licence — the de facto standard for resin printing. This gives you access to advanced features like intelligent auto-orientation and optimised support generation. After 3 months, you can drop back to the free version or pay for a subscription if the Pro features become essential to your workflow.

In terms of community, Elegoo has a clear advantage on forums like r/ElegooMars, with thousands of active users sharing profiles and troubleshooting tips. Elegoo Mars 5 Ultra settings for different resins are constantly updated by the community, whereas finding configurations for the M5s takes more digging or your own trial and error.

Anycubic has Photon Workshop as an alternative to ChituBox, but let's be honest — most of us end up using ChituBox or Lychee for the greater flexibility and regular updates. CTB file support is universal, so there's no real lock-in with either ecosystem.

Which offers better after-sales support in Spain?

Both brands have official distributors in Spain, but Elegoo stands out for faster RMA responses and spare parts availability on Amazon. Anycubic has a technical support service but with more variable response times.

If you buy the Mars 5 Ultra from Mr Resin for €279, you get the added benefit of local support on top of the manufacturer's. For replacement parts such as FEP films, LCD screens, or fans, Elegoo keeps better stock on Amazon Spain, whereas with Anycubic you sometimes have to wait for shipments from China.

One point in Elegoo's favour is its auto-levelling system which, according to expert reports, eliminates adhesion failures caused by improper bed levelling. Fewer user errors means fewer returns and headaches. The M5s has automatic levelling that promises something similar, but without real user feedback it's hard to compare how effective it actually is.

For the UK market, also consider:

• Elegoo regularly runs deals during Black Friday and Prime Day
• Mars replacement parts are cross-compatible between generations (FEP films, some LCD screens)
• Anycubic has a dealer network but less presence on local marketplaces
• Both offer the standard 1-year EU warranty

When should you avoid the Mars 5 Ultra?

Skip the Mars 5 Ultra if you already have an optimised workflow with Anycubic resins, need the maximum possible build volume for your budget, or if 12K+ resolution is an absolute must for specific professional applications.

The Mars 5 Ultra isn't the right choice if you need a generous build volume. At 153.36 x 77.76 x 165mm it sits squarely in the mid-range for consumer resin printers — but if you need to print full helmets or large parts in a single run, you're better off looking at the Saturn lineup.

It also makes little sense if your entire resin catalogue is dialled in for Anycubic. While the resins are technically compatible, optimal exposure times vary between brands, and you'd need to recalibrate your entire stock.

Other situations where it's not worth it:

• If you already own a Mars 4 or Mars 4 Ultra that's working well — the upgrade is incremental
• If you need pro features like a dual Z-rail or resin sensor
• If your business depends on absolute maximum print speed — look at industrial printers instead
• If air filtration is critical — you'll need the Mars MATE add-on separately (95% VOC reduction)

When should you avoid the Photon Mono M5s?

The Photon M5s loses its appeal if you value a strong support ecosystem over raw specs, if you're new to resin printing and want plenty of documentation, or if the 18-micron pixels on competing printers already meet your detail requirements.

The M5s's biggest drawback is the lack of real-world user data. While the Mars 5 Ultra already has in-depth reviews and an active community sharing print settings, the M5s is more of a gamble on paper. If you're the kind of maker who prefers tried-and-tested over being an early adopter, wait a few months before committing.

The M5s also isn't worth it if you mainly print 28–32mm miniatures, where the difference between 9K and 12K is purely theoretical. You'd be paying for resolution you'll never use, processing heavier files and sitting through longer slicing times with no visible benefit.

Situations where the M5s isn't the right fit:

• Tight budget — it tends to cost more than comparable 9K printers
• Older PC — 12K files demand decent RAM and a capable GPU for smooth slicing
• You mainly print functional parts where 4K is already more than enough
• You want the free ChituBox Pro licence that some competitors bundle in

Full comparison table and final verdict

The Mars 5 Ultra delivers better value for money with smaller pixels, a proven ecosystem and a competitive price. The M5s bets everything on "12K" marketing with no clear real-world advantage for the average maker.

My verdict after analysing both announcements: the Mars 5 Ultra has everything it takes to be the go-to resin printer of 2024 for the average maker. Those 18 real microns matter far more than however many Ks a marketing team dreams up, the auto-levelling promises to eliminate the biggest headache for beginners, and at €279 it sits right in the market sweet spot.

The Photon M5s is banking everything on a single number — 12K — that sounds impressive but offers no real-world advantage for 90% of users. If Anycubic prices it anywhere near the Mars 5 Ultra, it will be hard to justify the purchase beyond wanting the bigger number on the spec sheet.

If you're a professional who genuinely needs every extra micron — jewellery, dental, or similar — wait for real-world reviews with proper measurements before committing. For everyone else, the Mars 5 Ultra looks like the safest bet in the consumer ultra-definition segment.

Mars 5 Ultra vs Photon M5s: Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use Anycubic resins in the Mars 5 Ultra?

Yes — all 405nm UV resins are cross-compatible between brands. You will need to dial in your exposure settings, though, as each printer is optimised for its own resins. A good starting point for Anycubic resins on the Mars 5 Ultra is 2–2.5s for normal layers.

Do I need to upgrade my PC to handle 9K or 12K files?

For 9K (Mars 5 Ultra), 8GB of RAM and a basic dedicated GPU will get the job done. For true 12K you'll want at least 16GB of RAM and a decent GPU, otherwise slicing will become painfully slow. 12K files can easily exceed 1GB.

Which printer is easier to level for beginners?

Both claim automatic levelling systems, but Elegoo's auto-calibration has a longer track record and plenty of positive user feedback. The M5s also features automatic levelling, but without real-world reviews it's difficult to confirm how well it actually performs.

Is it worth waiting for Black Friday deals?

Elegoo typically runs discounts of 20–30% during Black Friday. If you're not in a rush, November is a great time to buy. The M5s, being newer, will likely see smaller discounts — if any.

What accessories do you need to get started?

For either printer you'll need: nitrile gloves, UV-protective safety glasses, 99% IPA for washing, lint-free paper towels, and an air purifier if you're printing indoors. The Elegoo Mars MATE is optional but well worth it for cutting down on fumes.

See you in the next article 😎

ELEGOO Mars 5 Ultra

After this comparison, if you're looking for a resin printer that combines ultra-fast speed with exceptional precision, the ELEGOO Mars 5 Ultra is your perfect match. Its ease of use lets you focus on creating amazing prints without any technical headaches.

279.00€ View in store →