The Ultimate Guide to the Elegoo Mars 3 Pro

The world of 3D printing continues to advance at a rapid pace, with new printers released each year that push the boundaries of resolution, speed and ease of use. One of the most eagerly anticipated releases in recent times is the new Elegoo Mars 3 Pro, the latest generation of Elegoo’s popular Mars line of affordable resin 3D printers.

With a razor-sharp 4K mono screen, WiFi connectivity and a host of other upgrades, the Mars Pro 3 aims to set a new standard in 3D printing under $500. But does it live up to the hype? In this in-depth review we’ll examine the specs, new features, print quality and overall performance of the Elegoo Mars 3 Pro to see if it’s worth the upgrade for hobbyists and professionals alike.

Overview of the Elegoo Mars 3 Pro

The Elegoo Mars line has earned a reputation for providing an impressive balance of print quality and value in resin-based 3D printing. At around $350, the standard Mars offered an affordable way for makers to get started with resin printing and achieve results that rivaled printers costing twice as much.

The new Mars 3 Pro takes this formula further by incorporating the latest in LCD screen, laser and UV lighting technologies to take print fidelity and speed to the next level. Some of the key features and specs of the Mars 3 Pro include:

• 6.6” 4K monochrome LCD screen for ultra crisp details
• Dual linear rails and a CNC machined aluminum body for enhanced stability
• An impressive 80mm/hour max print speed
• Reliable name brand components like an N260 UV light source
• Built-in air filtration to reduce smell
• WiFi and USB connectivity for wireless printing
• Easier leveling and screen protector installation
• 8GB of onboard storage plus USB support
• Mars and Chitubox slicer compatibility
• Up to .047mm XY resolution (.01mm after AA)
• Build volume of 143 x 89 x 175mm

On paper, the Mars Pro 3 brings some exciting upgrades over previous Elegoo models and competing budget resin printers. But do these new capabilities add up to a substantial improvement in real-world use? Let’s take a closer look…

Unboxing and Setup of the Mars 3 Pro

One area where Elegoo has stepped up their game is in the packaging and unboxing experience of the Mars 3 Pro. The printer comes neatly packed in recyclable cardboard with molded styrofoam endcaps securing the components in place.

Once unboxed, the setup process is fairly straightforward thanks to the detailed user guides and online video tutorials provided by Elegoo. For those familiar with resin printing, getting the Mars 3 Pro operational takes around 30-60 minutes.

The package includes all the expected parts and accessories like the printer body, build plate, resin vat, tools, filters, gloves and resin. Elegoo also throws in some nice bonuses like a screen protector pre-applied to the LCD, a rinsing container for cleaning prints, and a flex print plate for easier print removal.

One minor gripe some users have reported is getting the protective film off the LCD without leaving adhesive behind. Using a plastic card and gently heating the screen helps get it residue-free. Overall though, Elegoo has done a great job simplifying setup for new users.

New Features of the Elegoo Mars 3 Pro

Now let’s examine some of the new features that make the Mars 3 Pro a significant upgrade from its predecessors.

4K Monochrome LCD Screen

At the heart of any resin printer is the LCD screen that controls light exposure layer-by-layer. The Mars 3 Pro comes equipped with a crisp 4K mono LCD measuring 6.6” diagonally with a 3840 x 2400 resolution.

This screen provides two key improvements compared to the older RGB screens used on Elegoo’s other models. Firstly, the higher 4K resolution allows for outstanding XY print resolution, enabling finer details in each layer.

Secondly, the monochrome design increases contrast and light uniformity. This allows for faster curing times and less chance of print defects. Combined, these display enhancements take print quality and speed to new heights.

Faster Print Speeds

Thanks to the higher screen resolution and mono LCD, the Mars 3 Pro can print up to 80mm per hour. This is nearly 2.5X faster than Elegoo’s previous generation printers.

Faster speeds allow you to churn through prints quicker while still maintaining exceptional quality. This makes it feasible to produce higher quantities of detailed prints for all sorts of applications, from tabletop gaming miniatures to customized drone parts.

Dual Z-Axis Linear Rails

To maximize print precision at higher speeds, Elegoo has outfitted the Mars 3 Pro with dual heavy-duty guide rails on the Z-axis. This added stability prevents unwanted wobble that could reduce print accuracy.

The quality rails paired with a sturdy CNC machined aluminum body gives the Mars Pro 3 the kind of refined mechanical design found on more expensive printers. This helps it achieve great print consistency across long jobs.

Built-in Air Filtration

One common nuisance of resin printing is dealing with unpleasant fumes from resin. To help make printing more pleasant and safer, the Mars 3 Pro circulates air through a multi-stage filtration system.

The combination of a charcoal filter and HEPA filter helps remove odors and fine particles from the printing area. A small fan keeps airflow moving to ventilate fumes without affecting the print area too much. It’s a handy addition you would normally need to DIY or buy separately.

Automatic Screen Protector Installation

To prevent LCD damage from resin spills and debris, the Mars 3 Pro comes pre-installed with a flexible plastic screen protector. This safeguards the vital display from leaks and impacts.

Elegoo also includes a neat “one push” installation tool that lets you quickly replace the protector down the road. Just lay it over the screen, lower the lever, and it adheres in place perfectly in seconds. No more frustrating bubbles like applying phone screen protectors!

Built-in WiFi and Storage

Connecting and sending print jobs wirelessly is made easier with the Mars 3 Pro’s built-in WiFi capabilities. You can transmit sliced files from compatible apps like the Elegoo app or 3D printing software via WiFi without needing cables.

Onboard flash storage has also been beefed up to 8GB. This allows you to queue up multiple prints to run in sequence. The printer also supports USB sticks for additional local storage if needed.

Upgraded Accessories

Elegoo rounds out the Mars 3 Pro package with a collection of bonus accessories:

• Flexible Build Plate – Makes removing prints easier and reduces strain on the LCD screen compared to the solid plastic build plate Elegoo has utilized in the past.
• Resin Container – A small pitcher-style container for easier cleaning and curing using water and UV light.
• Screen Protector Installer – A plastic alignment tool that makes quick work of applying the screen protector.
• Extra FEP Film – Multiple backup FEP sheets for the resin vat allow you to quickly replace the film when it wears out.
• Tools and Filters – Scrapers, snips, funnels and extra air filters ensure you have all the tools needed to get printing and maintain the printer.

Combined with the core printer upgrades, these bonus accessories add functionality and value to the Mars 3 Pro package.

Printing Performance and Results

On paper, the specs and components of the Mars 3 Pro look impressive. But how does it actually perform when put to work? To evaluate real-world printing capabilities, test models were sliced using both the proprietary Mars software and the popular program Chitubox.

Printing Workflow

One welcome improvement of the Mars 3 Pro workflow is the easier leveling process. With the build plate already installed out of the box, getting the plate positioned correctly uses an automated routine guided by the LCD menu.

The plate slowly lowers until making contact with the screen, then lifts back up slightly. This takes a lot of guesswork out of leveling compared to past Elegoo models.

Sending files via WiFi also worked seamlessly, allowing wireless printing from a connected computer just like with more expensive printers. Overall, the whole printing process from setup to cleanup felt straight-forward and streamlined.

Print Speed

Print jobs were sliced using both the 40 micron “Standard” profile and 80 micron “Fast” profile in the Mars software to compare the speed capabilities. On average, the Stanard quality models took around 1.5-2x as long as the Fast prints.

As an example, a 28mm tall mini figure printed in 1 hour and 40 minutes on Fast, compared to 3 hours on Standard. For bulk printing small figures, the ability to crank through twice as many prints makes a major productivity difference.

Print Quality

In terms of print quality, the results from the Mars 3 Pro are simply exceptional for a printer under $500. The combination of the 4K mono screen plus dialed-in resin curing times yields crisp details and excellent surface finish.

Fine details like facial features and textured clothing patterns came out remarkably clean and defined, even on the faster 80 micron prints. Models printed at 40 microns are nearly indistinguishable from commercial miniatures costing vastly more.

The Mars 3 Pro also avoids common print defects like cracks, poor layer adhesion and resin leaking. Having the screen protector pre-installed seems to help minimize screen damage that could affect print fidelity over time.

Overall, the print quality achieved by the Mars Pro 3 rivals premium resin printers costing 2-3X as much. From miniatures to jewelry to engineering prototyping, it handled a variety of test models with flying colors.

Print Volume and Constraints

The Mars 3 Pro build area measures 143 x 89 x 175mm, which is typical for resin printers in this price range. This allows printing of multiple small items like miniatures or 1-2 medium sized objects at a time.

Larger prints may need to be split into sections, although the fast print speeds help make multi-part assemblies less tedious. Just keep in mind the size limits when designing objects.

One drawback of the Mars 3 Pro worth noting is the relatively shallow maximum print height of 175mm. Other Elegoo models like the Saturn provide over 200mm in Z clearance. This imposes further constraints on larger pieces.

Overall though, the build volume strikes a reasonable balance for a wide range of applications given the printer’s compact, desktop-friendly footprint.

Noise Levels

In general, resin printers operate very quietly, and the Mars 3 Pro is no exception. The only real noise comes from the cooling fan, which generates a slight low hum. But the volume measures around 30-40 decibels from a few feet away, so it fades into background noise easily. The printer itself is virtually silent when running.

Odor Control

The built-in air filtration system does help reduce odors from resin fumes, though some smell is still present. Keeping the printer in a well-ventilated area is recommended, and using masks when removing prints is a good safety practice. For the most pleasant experience, an enclosure with exhaust venting is ideal.

Overall Verdict on Performance

Considering the affordable $500 price point, Elegoo has packed an astounding level of performance into the Mars 3 Pro. It punches far above its class in terms of print quality, speed and polish. From the responsiveness of the 4K mono screen to the refined mechanical design, the Mars Pro 3 fires on all cylinders.

Elegoo Mars 3 Pro vs Competition

The Mars Pro 3 goes toe-to-toe with some of the most capable budget resin printers currently available. How does it stack up versus leading competitors? Here’s a look at how some of the key specs compare:

Elegoo Mars 3 Pro

• 4K Mono LCD
• 143 x 89 x 175mm build volume
• 80mm/hour max print speed
• WiFi + 8GB Storage
• $499 price

Anycubic Photon Mono X

• 6.08” Mono LCD
• 192 x 120 x 245mm build volume
• 60mm/hour max speed
• USB only
• $429 price

Phrozen Sonic Mini 4K

• 4K Mono LCD
• 126 x 72 x 160mm build volume
• 50mm/hour max speed
• USB only
• $449 price

As you can see, the Mars 3 Pro holds its own against competitors with higher resolution, faster speeds and wireless connectivity at a very competitive price point. The build volume is a bit smaller than the Photon Mono X, but still ample for most applications.

Overall, Elegoo manages to edge out rivals with a more refined overall package. From smooth leveling and filtered air to the integrated accessories, it’s clear they put a lot of thought into addressing real-world use. Combined with exceptional print quality and speeds, the Mars Pro 3 adds up to a remarkably complete printing solution.

Should You Buy the Elegoo Mars 3 Pro?

If you’re in the market for an affordable, high-performance resin 3D printer, the Elegoo Mars 3 Pro belongs at the top of your list. For less than $500, you would be hard pressed to find another printer that can match its combination of blazing fast 4K mono printing, outstanding print fidelity, intuitive workflow and premium design.

Whether you’re a hobbyist looking to take your modeling to the next level, or a professional in need of an efficient in-house prototyping tool, the Mars 3 Pro delivers stunning results. If you can work within its build volume constraints, it’s hard to beat for the price.

The Mars Pro 3 cements Elegoo’s status as the leader in budget resin printing. By incorporating the latest display, lighting and motion technologies, they’ve created a 3D printer that rivals models costing twice as much. If you’re eager to experience razor sharp resin printing without breaking the bank, the Elegoo Mars 3 Pro is an easy choice