The most important criteria when looking for the best resin 3-D printer is print quality, build quality, and ease-of-use. The Elegoo Saturn 2 is a great choice. I love the large print area and excellent print quality.
Like
- Large print area
- Carbon filter is included
- Stunning print quality
Do not like
- The lid is too heavy to be lifted off
- Placement of a USB device in an awkward way
This is Elegoo’s second-generation model. This model takes all the good things about the original and tweaks them to perfection. However, it still has some issues like poor USB placement and a lift off top.
Great quality prints
James Bricknell / CNET
For those who are new to 3D printing A resin printer’s print quality is amazing, even if you only use an FDM printer. The finer detail is achieved by 3D printers that print in layers. Resin printers are better at this fine detail because they cure liquid material in layers instead of stacking layers.
FDM printers, which use a spool such as PLA to print, usually print at 0.02mm per layer. Saturn 2 prints at 0.0285mm layers height, which is nearly 10 times thinner. This eliminates the need for layer lines, making the models appear more like they were made from a mold than printed. This image shows how much detail the gray resin treebeard model offers compared to the Treebeards made from Fotis mint.
James Bricknell / CNET
The screen that cures resin with UV light and creates layers has been upgraded to a 10-inch monochrome 8K screen. You can print more models with the larger screen. Monochrome screens will speed up the curing process, while 8K resolution will ensure that the details are clear. In resin 3D printers, pixel density is crucial as it affects the appearance of the edges. You don’t want pixelated details and Saturn 2 won’t have them. It’s amazing in quality.
A 8K screen can sometimes feel like a gimmick when making large practical prints. However, when working with small models such tabletop gaming minis, the extra resolution adds details that are hard to match in injection-molded models.
Technically superior but with the same flaws
James Bricknell / CNET
In almost all metrics, the Saturn 2 is better than the original Saturn, even with some quality-of life upgrades. While the Saturn 2 has a larger footprint than the original Saturn, the build plate is 43% bigger. This gives the model maker plenty of space without having to break them into smaller pieces. To keep the awful resin smell from becoming overwhelming, we can add an activated charcoal filter to the Saturn 2.
Elegoo has made many improvements, but there are still two issues. These issues aren’t unique to the Saturn 2; they also exist on most medium-sized resin 3D printing machines.
Saturn 2 versus Saturn 1
| Elegoo Saturn | Elegoo Saturn 2 | |
|---|---|---|
| Screen size | 8.9-inch | 10-inch |
| Layer height | 0.05mm | 0.0285 |
| Print volume | 192x120x200 | 218x123x250mm |
| Printer size | 280x240x446mm | 306x273x567mm |
| Carbon filter | Yes | No |
The majority of resin 3D printers come with a removable acrylic cover that blocks out UV rays. This protects the print and prevents light from damaging the process. For smaller machines, the tops can be lifted over the machine and put aside. This works well for printers that are only 17 inches high, but Saturns larger than that require four feet of clearance to remove top. It severely restricts the areas you can fit it into. This printer should have doors that open from their front. It is a more complicated design, which would make it more costly.
A USB port is also found on the Saturn 2’s side, just to the rear. Although this is fine for those who have it on a desk, or if it’s not being used, it can be problematic if you place your printer in a small space. If you want to be safe, the USB ports should be located on the front side of your resin printer.
James Bricknell / CNET
The Saturn 2 is a great resin 3D printer. It feels solid and produces prints that are unsurpassed by any other 3D printer I have tested. The Saturn 2 printer is for you if quality is your main concern.