Elegoo Saturn vs Anycubic Photon Mono X: Which is Best For You?

Elegoo Saturn vs Anycubic Photon Mono X: need help deciding between budget resin printing’s brightest stars?

I don’t blame you, given their similarities and similar price tags – but there are a few differences that will serve some projects better than others.

Overall, if you prioritize a larger build volume, then the Anycubic Photon Mono X is the better option. However, if you prefer a more reliable and sturdy build with a resin fill level indicator, then the Elegoo Saturn is a great choice.

Overall, both the Anycubic Photon Mono X and Elegoo Saturn represent good value for money. The price difference is pretty marginal, so it just comes down to which features you value most.

I’ve discovered the strengths and weaknesses of both of these 3D printers over the past couple of years, and will walk you through them so you can make the right choice.

Elegoo Saturn vs Anycubic Photon Mono X – The Printers

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Anycubic Photon Mono X

• Printing technology: Resin MSLA
• Build volume: 192 x 120 x 245 mm 
• Layer height: 50 microns
• LCD: 8.9” 4K monochrome
• Connectivity: USB, Wi-Fi
• Software: Photon Workshop, ChiTuBox, and Lychee

Launched as a super-sized version of the popular Photon Mono, the Mono X is a top-level consumer resin printer. Much like the Elegoo Saturn, the aim is to deliver all the precision and fine detail of resin printing at a price point most consumers won’t cower at.

Under the hood, or should we say vat, it houses an 8.9″ 4K monochrome LCD pushing an XY layer height of 50 microns for superb detail and finish.

Its most distinguishing feature is, however, a large 192 x 120 x 245 mm build volume, giving makers a fair bit more Z-axis space than most resin printers in the same category. Anycubic has also thrown in Wi-Fi connectivity for remote monitoring alongside a robust construction centered on an all-metal chassis and removable yellow cover.

Much like the Elegoo Saturn, Anycubic Photon Mono X doesn’t dawdle, pushing print speeds of 1-2 seconds per layer, a significant improvement on the first generation Photon that came before it.

The printer ships with Anycubic’s own Photon Workshop slicer, although there are also well-tuned profiles for popular third-party alternatives like Lychee and ChiTuBox.

Pros:

• High print quality
• 4K LCD
• Larger build volume – especially the very large 245mm z-axis

Cons:

• Poor Wi-Fi functionality
• Warped plate issues

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Elegoo Saturn

• Printing technology: Resin MSLA
• Build volume: 192 x 120 x 200 mm 
• Layer height: 50 microns
• LCD: 8.9” 4K monochrome
• Connectivity: USB, Ethernet
• Software: ChiTuBox

The Elegoo Saturn is an entry-level resin printer that in many ways sets the benchmark for affordable midsize machines, using the ever-popular Elegoo Mars as a blueprint with some sensible tweaks to cater for a boosted build volume. It produces high-quality prints at a price previously reserved for much more expensive LCD printers.

It features a sleek 8.9” 4K monochrome with a 3840 x 2400 pixel resolution alongside a 192 x 120 x 200 mm build volume capable of an XY layer height of 50 microns, a precision that even two years after launch feels like a steal. A sturdy all-metal build and the guidance of dual-linear rails along with a removable shroud in Elegoo’s signature red tint ensure reliability meets aesthetics.

However, where the Elegoo Saturn stakes its claim as one of the go-to budget resin printers is the print speed. The printer can competently cure layers in a nippy 1-2 seconds, making it 60% faster than competing RGB LCD printers without any loss in features and details, according to Elegoo.

Pros:

• 4K LCD
• Excellent print quality
• Affordable

Cons:

• No resin fill level indicator

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Elegoo Saturn vs Anycubic Photon Mono X – At A Glance

With introductions done and dusted, let’s pivot to our Anycubic Photon Mono X vs Elegoo Saturn showdown. We’ll dive into the essential features of each printer to determine what sets them apart.

It’s worth noting that the printers are incredibly similar in what they set out to offer makers. Based on our testing, they’re the two best mid-size resin 3D printers you can buy. So, whichever one you opt for, rest assured you’ll be investing in one of the best budget printers out there.

Elegoo Saturn vs Anycubic Photon Mono X – Head-to-Head Comparison

LCD Screen

The Anycubic Photon Mono X comes with an 8.9” 4K monochrome LCD pushing a 3840 x 2400 pixel resolution. In practice, you’re looking at a 50 micron XY resolution. It allows for a layer cure time of 1-2 seconds per layer.

The Elegoo Saturn employs an identical 8.9” 4K monochrome LCD with a 3840 x 2400 resolution, XY axis 50-micron resolution, and 1-2 seconds layer cure time. As they are both monochrome screens, they boast excellent life spans compared to their RGB counterparts. Although, as with any resin MSLA printer, expect to replace the LCD at some point due to natural wear and tear.

Build Volume & Build Plate

This is the main difference.

The Anycubic Photon Mono X’s 192 x 120 x 245 mm build plate is larger than the Elegoo Saturn’s 192 x 120 x 200, so go for the Mono X if you plan to print tall prints.

On the Elegoo Saturn, the build plate is sandblasted, while the Photon Mono X plate has a smooth ground surface finish. While different, both offer solid adhesion and print error negation despite their different finishes.

Certain early models of the Anycubic Photon Mono X had minor build plate issues, but Anycubic remedied the issue in subsequent batches. Though in the extremely unlikely chance any problems surface, the company is more than happy to send out a replacement.

To stress this point, the problem popped up exclusively on the first run of Anycubic Photon Mono X units, so you can buy one safe in the knowledge you won’t have to contend with plate irregularities.

Print Quality

With almost identical specifications, the print quality between the two printers is indistinguishable in our experience. Both deliver solid, reliable results with ultra-fast curing times. Details render beautifully with next to no touch-up work required. They excel particularly well for models, figurines, and miniatures with fine details.

More importantly, squeezing out high-quality prints is near-effortless, thanks to minimal setup and simple bed leveling on both the Anycubic Photon Mono X and Elegoo Saturn.

Result: The machines are on a level playing field in a head-to-head Mono X vs Saturn on print quality alone.

Resin Vat

The Anycubic Photon Mono X and Elegoo Saturn feature solid quality vats and FEP films. Similarly, they both have corner-mounted pouring aids to help reduce mess.

The Anycubic Photon Mono X’s handy resin fill level indicator is something the Elegoo Saturn misses out on, though.

The Anycubic Photon Mono X’s vat also has little padded notches on the underside that elevate it to ensure you won’t scratch up the film when it’s not sitting on the printer.

Turning to performance, we’d lean more towards the Elegoo Saturn, only because the Anycubic Photon Mono X tends to leave more cured resin residue in the vat after prints. Not a deal-breaker, but sifting through the resin for tiny chunks adds to resin printing’s already involved workflow.

Connectivity

The Elegoo Saturn comes with both USB and Ethernet connectivity. We particularly like that Elegoo opted to mount the USB port on the side of the printer, a happy middle ground between convenience and safety. Back-mounted USB ports are a pain to access, while front-mounted ports are prone to accidental knocks and bumps, although the placement is the most convenient.

You’ll find a USB port on the Anycubic Photon Mono X mounted on the side of the printer. It also does away with Ethernet for Wi-Fi. In theory, it is a forward-thinking upgrade. But, in practice, Anycubic decided to mount the antenna inside the cover, not far from the vat, making it somewhat prone to stray resin likely to cause damage. It also has a threaded pit that isn’t flush with the printer’s panel, likely to channel resin into the machine.

Furthermore, this isn’t full Wi-Fi connectivity. It only works when paired with AnyCubic’s mobile app and only offers limited functions: start/pause prints, monitoring, and minor print setting adjustments. There’s no way to pair the Photon Mono X with a slicer to send prints wirelessly to the machine.

Seen through the lens of a Photon Mono X vs. Elegoo Saturn showdown, the Elegoo Saturn is the more streamlined option, despite Anycubic’s attempts at convenience.

Software

The Anycubic Photon Mono X ships with the standard in-house Photon Workshop slicer. It’s also compatible with both Lychee and ChiTuBox. Photon Workshop is a decent slicer, though support generation tends to work better with third-party alternatives and the overall interface isn’t particularly beginner-friendly.

The Elegoo Saturn is also compatible with ChiTuBox, a powerful, intuitive slicer that should cover all your resin printing needs.

ChiTuBox’s clean interface lends itself well to beginners jumping in for the first time, with easy drain hole hollowing, support generation, and auto-layout tools that simplify some of the trickier aspects of resin slicing. We recommend it for your resin printing projects.

Post-Processing

As expected, resin post-processing is a messy business with the Anycubic Photon Mono X and Elegoo Saturn, an unavoidable part of bringing prints to life. Naturally, you can piece together your own DIY cleaning setup, but there are other options.

Anycubic’s Wash & Cure Machine 2.0 sets you back around $130, while Elegoo asks for around roughly the same for the Elegoo Mercury Plus Washing and Curing Machine.

Both feature wash and cure modes with adjustable cure times along with handy accessories like cleaning baskets, turntables, and a washing container.

Price

Right now as we write this, the Mono X is $50 cheaper than the Elegoo Saturn but generally they’re similarly priced. However, take this with a pinch of salt – sales are often on, and prices generally change often.

We’ve linked to where you can find both the Mono X and Elegoo Saturn in every major online store below, so you can see the most up-to-date prices and get the best deal for you.

Such a slight price difference complicates singling out a winner for pure value alone, but if they’re similarly priced, the extra 45mm on the z-axis for us is a convincer to go with the Mono X.

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Elegoo Saturn vs Anycubic Photon Mono X: The Winner

Elegoo Saturn vs Anycubic Photon Mono X – Best Overall

While the Elegoo Saturn is easier to connect, we’d still opt for the Anycubic Mono X for the 45mm extra height you get packed in. If you don’t plan to print tall figures or other prints then this won’t matter to you, but it tips the scales in favor in the Mono X for us.

Though despite the smaller build volume, the Elegoo Saturn still has enough printing space to suit demanding applications such as miniature making, modeling, tabletop gaming, cosplay, and even proof-of-concept prototyping and small-batch runs.

Overall, both printers suit hobbyists and small, modest businesses that want fast, detail-rich, and reliable printing.

If you want extra print quality however, you can check out the upgraded Anycubic Mono X 6K and Elegoo Saturn S versions.

Elegoo Saturn vs Anycubic Photon Mono X – Best For Larger Prints

The Elegoo Saturn and Anycubic Photon Mono X measure up as mid-sized machines by resin printing standards. You get far more space to work with than, say, the diminutive Elegoo Mars, but for that extra Z-axis bump, we recommend the Anycubic Photon Mono X as the best for larger resin print projects. 

The price’s steady downward trajectory means you can pick one up for a little more than what you’d expect to pay for the Elegoo Saturn, with a few choice quality-of-life convenience advantages, including Wi-Fi and a resin level, thrown in.

You also have options for even larger prints with the newer Anycubic Photon M3 Max and Elegoo Saturn 2 releases.

If you’re interested in the entry-level printers Anycubic and Elegoo offer, read our comparison between the Anycubic Photon and Elegoo Mars range.

Other articles you may be interested in:

• Anycubic Photon M3 vs Plus and Max versions
• Anycubic Photon M3 vs Mono 4K vs Mono X/6K
• Elegoo Mars 2 Pro test review
• Flashforge Adventurer 3 Lite vs Adventurer 3 – Compared
• Anycubic Kobra vs Vyper
• Elegoo Jupiter vs Phrozen Sonic Mega 8K / Mighty 8K
• Elegoo Neptune 3 Pro vs 3 vs 2S vs 2 vs 2D vs X
• Elegoo Saturn vs Saturn S vs Saturn 2
• Anycubic Photon M3 Max vs Elegoo Jupiter (& Saturn 2)