The Elegoo Mars 2 Pro has quickly become one of the most popular resin 3D printers since its release in early 2021. This printer offers significant upgrades over the original Elegoo Mars at a very reasonable price point. In this in-depth review, we’ll take a close look at the features, performance, print quality, and overall value offered by the Elegoo Mars 2 Pro to help you decide if it’s the right 3D printer for your needs.
Overview of the Elegoo Mars 2 Pro’s Capabilities
The Elegoo Mars 2 Pro is an LCD-based SLA 3D printer that uses UV photocuring resin to produce highly detailed prints. It has a build volume of 5.1 x 3.1 x 6.3 inches, making it well-suited for printing smaller but high quality models, prototyping, tabletop gaming miniatures, and jewelry.
Some of the key specs and features of the Mars 2 Pro include:
- Monochrome LCD screen for faster printing and less screen burn-in
- UV LED light source with adjustable power levels up to 250 mW
- Precision ball-screw Z-axis for excellent print consistency
- Removable build plate with nickel coating for easy print removal
- Meanwell power supply for steady voltage/current
- 4K resolution printing at 2880 x 1620 px
- Improved dual linear rails and all-metal casing
- Print resolution settings up to 0.01 mm
- WiFi and USB connectivity
- Printed models up to 11.8 inches tall
- Slicer software compatible with Windows, Mac, and Linux
Overall, the Mars 2 Pro provides significant upgrades over Elegoo’s previous models and many competing printers in its price range of $250-300. The combination of print quality, speed, reliability, and value make it a top choice for anyone looking to get started with resin 3D printing.
Unboxing and Setup of the Elegoo Mars 2 Pro
Getting started with the Mars 2 Pro is a quick and straightforward process. Inside the box, you’ll find the 3D printer itself, a plastic scraper, plastic tweezers, a USB drive with printer software, tools for build plate leveling, and several pairs of disposable nitrile gloves.
The Mars 2 Pro comes mostly assembled, so you won’t have to deal with attaching rails or building the frame. The only real setup required is:
- Attaching the build platform to the Z-axis rod using the set screws
- Installing the resin vat and ensuring it is correctly positioned
- Leveling the build plate (very easy process with provided tools)
- Adding the resin and loading files via USB or WiFi
Elegoo provides very clear instructions for getting the printer setup up and leveled. The entire process takes about 30 minutes for someone who has never used a resin printer before. The Mars 2 Pro has excellent out-of-box calibration, so you can start printing quickly without much fussing with levels or tightening components.
Hardware Design and Build Quality
The Elegoo Mars 2 Pro has an all-metal construction with aluminum alloy body and steel ball screws and guide rails. This gives the printer a sturdy, high-end feel missing from many budget resin 3D printers. The linear rails allow the build plate to move smoothly up and down for each layer, while the ball-screw design prevents unwanted wobble.
Some specifics on the hardware:
- New UV Module Design: The LED UV light source is now integrated into the underside of the top casing rather than sitting separately. This allows for a thinner profile and improved stability.
- Cast Aluminum Body: CNC-machined aluminum alloy body parts provide rigidity while keeping the weight reasonable. Weighing 22 lbs, the Mars 2 Pro is easy to move but won’t shake or vibrate during printing.
- Removable Vat: The resin vat uses FEP film and a rugged metal frame. It’s designed for quick installing and removing to change resin colors or replace the FEP.
- Air Filter: An integrated air filter prevents resin fumes from escaping while printing. It’s designed for quick and easy replacement.
- Touch Screen: The color touch screen allows for easy operation and calibration. The UI is intuitive while offering controls for settings like exposure time, layer height, and selecting files.
Overall, the hardware upgrades make the Mars 2 Pro feel like a premium printer despite its very reasonable price tag. For the price, it’s hard to find another resin printer with comparable or better build quality.
High Resolution LCD Screen
One of the biggest upgrades with the Mars 2 Pro is the addition of a monochrome LCD screen. This provides higher-contrast masking compared to the RGB screens used on older Elegoo printers.
The screen resolution is 2880 x 1620 pixels, delivering excellent XY print accuracy. Combined with the 0.01 mm Z-axis stepping, you can achieve remarkable print details.
The 3.5″ mono screen offers faster print speeds compared to RGB screens. This is because the UV light can pass through more easily to cure each resin layer. Many users report cutting print times nearly in half compared to the original Mars.
The new LCD screen is also more durable. Mono screens have a longer lifespan in terms of screen burn-in. This was a common problem on older Elegoo printers after extensive use. Overall, the Mars 2 Pro’s high-resolution mono screen is a major selling point.
Print Speed and Printing Process
With the mono screen and 250 mW UV LED lamp, the Mars 2 Pro can print 2-3x faster than previous Elegoo printers. Of course, actual print speeds will vary depending on the model geometry, resin used, layer height, and exposure times defined in the slicing software.
Here are some examples of approximate print times with the Mars 2 Pro:
- Miniatures at 0.05mm layer height – 1.5 – 3 hours
- Larger detailed prints at 0.05mm layer – 4 – 8 hours
- Basic prints at 0.1mm layer height – 1 – 3 hours
During printing, the Mars 2 Pro performs very smoothly. The ball-screw Z-axis allows for precise incremental lifts for each layer. The linear rails prevent any wobble or vibration that could reduce print quality.
Once a print is complete, excess resin will drain back into the vat. Models are then detached from the build plate and can be rinsed and cured under UV light. The Mars 2 Pro has integrated holes and slots for positioning an external curing station.
Print Quality and Accuracy
Now onto the most important question – how good are the actual prints from the Elegoo Mars 2 Pro? In short, print quality is exceptional for the price.
Thelevel of detail possible with resin printing paired with the Mars 2 Pro’s 4K mono screen allows for very intricate prints. Miniatures and jewelry pieces show smooth, crisp edges and fine features.
Many owners comment that straight-from-printer quality frequently looks almost as detailed as a print that has been sanded/polished. Of course, the resin used plays a big role too.
Accuracy is also impressive thanks to the high-resolution screen and precise z-axis.Dimensional accuracy is generally within 0.1mm when calibrated properly. Prints show smooth, uniform layers without noticeable stepping between layers.
The Mars 2 Pro can handle very fine layer heights down to 0.01mm, allowing an incredible level of detail. Of course, taller models may require sacrificing some detail for faster overall print times. Fine details like small text or miniature clothing patterns can be replicated cleanly.
Overall, it’s hard to find another resin 3D printer that can match the Mars 2 Pro’s combination of speed and accuracy. Print quality stands up very well against more expensive printers.
Supported Resins and Materials
The Mars 2 Pro works with all standard 405nm UV photocuring resins. Elegoo offers its own plant-based water-washable resins in several colors, but most third party resins can be used as well. Some good resin brands include SirayaTech, Anycubic, and Monocure3D.
Supported resins allow for different finishes, flexibility, and specialty effects like glow-in-the-dark or heat resistance. Translucent resins enable stunning transparent effects. Nylon-like resins offer high strength and toughness for functional prints.
While primarily designed for resin, the Mars 2 Pro can print using third party extrudable resins. These allow printing more flexible and durable models that feel closer to injection molded plastics.
Overall, the wide resin compatibility gives you tons of options to achieve different looks and material properties. Just be sure to dial in the proper exposure times and supports settings for whichever resin you choose.
Software and Connectivity
The Mars 2 Pro uses ChiTuBox slicer software for preparing and slicing 3D models to be printed. ChiTuBox is free, user friendly, and available for Windows, Mac, and Linux PCs.
It allows you to position models on the print platform, auto-generate supports, set slicing parameters like layer height and exposure times, and preview the toolpaths. These process parameters can be saved into profiles to easily reuse for different resin types.
ChiTuBox can also directly control the Mars 2 Pro for monitoring print progress. The printer connects to your computer via USB cable or WiFi.
Using the color touchscreen, you can print files directly from the USB stick without even connecting to a computer. This is convenient for quick prints or placing the Mars 2 Pro in a smoother studio away from your main workspace.
Overall, ChiTuBox offers an intuitive interface for preparing and printing 3D models. And the multiple connectivity options give you flexibility in how you operate the Mars 2 Pro.
Noise Levels
The Mars 2 Pro operates very quietly, which is expected from a resin 3D printer. There are no noisy cooling fans like on FDM printers.
The main noise comes from the vibration of the build plate lifting and lowering for each layer. But the sound is gentle enough that you don’t have to raise your voice to talk over it.
Elegoo rates the noise level at 45 dB while printing. This makes it suitable for home, classroom, or office use without causing disruption. The printer can safely be left running overnight without keeping you awake.
Safety and Emissions
As with any resin 3D printer, there are some safety considerations to keep in mind. The liquid resin is a chemical photopolymer that can cause skin irritation. The isopropyl alcohol used for cleaning can irritate eyes and skin as well.
Elegoo includes nitrile gloves which should always be worn when handling either substance. Resin particles can get suspended in the air while printing, so ventilation is highly recommended. An enclosure, fume extractor, or simply placing the Mars 2 Pro in a garage or hobby room all help improve air quality.
The Mars 2 Pro itself has very little odor during printing. Elegoo’s water-washable plant-based resins have less fumes than standard resins. But there is still a small release of VOCs, so ventilation remains important for more extensive use.
Overall, Elegoo provides good guidance on safe use of the Mars 2 Pro. Just be sure to follow resin handling precautions and use in a well-ventilated area.
Price and Value
The Elegoo Mars 2 Pro retails for $259.99, but can often be found on sale in the $230-250 range. For a mono-screen 4K printer with these capabilities, this is an outstanding value.
The major upgrades over previous Elegoo printers easily justify the increased price over the original Mars. Yet it still costs at least $200 less than many competing mono resin printers.
For anyone interested in taking the plunge into resin printing, the Mars 2 Pro gives you pro-grade quality without the premium cost. Both hobbyists and businesses can appreciate the combination of performance and affordability.
When you consider the exceptional print quality, print speed, and hardware quality, the Mars 2 Pro delivers truly outstanding value at this price point.
Customer Reviews of the Mars 2 Pro
The Elegoo Mars 2 Pro scores very positively across owners and reviewers. On Amazon, it earns a 4.7/5 average rating across over 1,300 global reviews. Owners praise the detailed print quality and improved mono-screen performance over previous Elegoo printers.
Many reviewers mention how quiet and reliable the Mars 2 Pro operates. It earns compliments over competing budget printers that feel cheaply built or have noisy components.
The excellent value offered by the Mars 2 Pro earns consistent positive mentions as well. Most owners are satisfied with the print resolution, print speeds, and overall functionality delivered for under $300.
Negative reviews are very limited for the Mars 2 Pro, but do mention things like DOA screens or leaks from the resin vat. However, Elegoo seems very responsive about quickly sending replacement parts for any issues.
Elegoo Mars 2 Pro vs Anycubic Photon Mono
The Anycubic Photon Mono is another popular mono-screen resin printer that competes closely with the Mars 2 Pro. Both printers have nearly identical build volumes and 4K resolution. Here’s a quick rundown of how they compare:
- The Mars 2 Pro is faster, capable of up to 2 sec per layer exposure time versus 3 sec for the Photon Mono.
- The Photon Mono screen (3.2”) is slightly smaller than the Mars 2 Pro (3.5”).
- Mars 2 Pro has higher maximum UV power at 250 mW vs 210 mW for the Photon Mono.
- Anycubic uses proprietary resin cartridges, while Elegoo printers work with any resin bottle.
- Both printers cost right around $250-300 and deliver excellent detail.
Overall, the printers are very closely matched. The Mars 2 Pro rates a slight edge for faster printing and higher light intensity. But both deliver outstanding results for the price and are great starter resin printers.
Verdict: An Exceptional Resin Printer for Beginners or Experts
The Elegoo Mars 2 Pro earns a strongly positive recommendation as one of the top resin 3D printers available today. The combination of print quality, speed, resolution, and value make it appealing to a wide range of users.
Beginners will appreciate the easy setup, great documentation, and intuitive software that makes getting started with resin printing simple. Yet it still offers pro-level performance for experienced makers and professionals.
While not intended for large-scale manufacturing, the Mars 2 Pro handles rapid prototyping, miniatures, cosplay pieces, hobby creations, jewelry casting, and more. The outstanding community support is another bonus.
For anyone seeking an affordable but high-performance photocuring 3D printer, the Elegoo Mars 2 Pro is sure to satisfy. With remarkable print quality right out of the box and thoughtful design upgrades, it represents an excellent value in the resin printer market.
