Just Pick One! - Mighty 8k vs Saturn 2 Vs M3 Premium

So, more than a few people have asked for this and here it is. of all the 28.5 Micron printers I have, which is the top pick? Well telling you in the comments would ruin the viewership of this video. So, kindly have a watch because the point really is that you need to decide what's right for "you".

Buy the Mighty 8k Here:

Buy the Elegoo Saturn 2 here:

Buy the Anycubic Photon M3 Premium here:

Buy the Elegoo Saturn 8k here:

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00:00 - Intro

[FauxHammer]

Buy the Mighty 8k Here:

Buy the Elegoo Saturn 2 here:

Buy the Anycubic Photon M3 Premium here:

Buy the Elegoo Saturn 8k here:



Join this channel to get access to perks:

[matineyang]

Exactly "and why it was the Saturn 2" lol. Actually for me it was the Saturn 2 8K. Such a great machine. I've had it since late last summer and haven't had a fail yet. Haven't had to change the NFEP either. I use it every other day on the average and its a work horse. My first printer was a Elegoo Mars 2 mono then a Mars 3. I bought the Phrozen Mini with my Mars 3 and returned it because it wasn't as reliable for me.

[FauxHammer]

Please support us by using our affiliate links to buy these printers. If you keep using them, I'll keep making videos. There's no additional cost to you, but we get a kickback from any successful purchase when using these links.

Buy the Mighty 8k Here:

Buy the Elegoo Saturn 2 here:

Buy the Anycubic Photon M3 Premium here:

Buy the Elegoo Saturn 8k here:

[photoboyjet]

I used an Elegoo Saturn for about two years, then purchased a Saturn 2 about a year ago. The Saturn is gathering dust in the corner of my garage workshop. I keep telling myself that I will use the Saturn for projects not requiring a lot of detail, but the Saturn 2 is just a better machine, plus it is 8K! After a year, I can count the number of failed prints on my fingers. I have been printing almost every day, 6 to 12 hours for the past three months and have not even had to re-level the build plate.

[peterkiss]

I prefer a more simple UI design over a fancy smartphone-ish interface. It's a tool with a few relatively simple function. It doesn't need a complicated menu with artificially inflated features.
The larger touchscreen is a nice to have feature though. I think the "buttons" are on the right because majority of the population is right handed. That way you don't cover up most of the screen with your hand while touching the buttons.
8:22 It is rather detrimental if the bolt head cuts itself into the part as future fine positioning won't be possible as the conical head will just pull itself into the indentation it made earlier. Not to mention the strength of the coupling doesn't come from the bolt head but from the friction between the surfaces forced together. Using conical head (countersunk) bolts is an interesting choice from Anycubic. On some earlier models they used socket cap head bolts with washers which seems to be a better solution from engineering standpoint.
As wifi connection goes it's such a shame that there is no such alternative for resin printers as Octoprint (or the other similar web based UI implementations) for FDM printers where you have full control of your printer over a simple browser tab. These mobile apps are nice but they are definitely lacking even some basic functions. Not to mention I design my models on my PC not on my phone. There is an interesting solution for printers lacking (proper) wifi connection. There are wifi capable USB flashdrives with basically the same file transfer functionality this Phrozen printer offers.
20:20 You forgot about light intensity. Nothing guarantees perfectly equal UV light intensity even among the same models, let alone different brands with different settings.

[robertgilmore]

I'm a big proponent of quality construction, so my decision to go with the Anycubic Photon M3 Premium was fairly easy to make. Several things put me over the top which included Anycubic's Z-axis accuracy and their obviously premium double-threaded ball screw rod and faster printing speed. Also, the much larger resin vat, included screen protector and NFEP all contributed. What pushed me to bite the bullet and buy one was that the M3 went on sale, and continues to be on sale at a 27% discount...$469 USD! ...a price I couldn't refuse. I can live with a not quite optimal UI because the "real" positive experience I am looking for is print quality and printer longevity/reliability. Since I had none of them to compare side-by-side, your review Ross was invaluable and told me exactly what I needed to know to make an informed decision in favor of the M3.

[PaulPanayis]

Great comparison. I went for the Saturn and the splashing you mentioned is a major issue with less viscose resin. So much so I returned the printer.
Trying to decide on the alternative, so will keep these two and the uniformation gktwo in mind.
Thanks again!

[anonmus]

M3 Premium for sure. The massive VAT is a brilliant choice they made and it's just necessary for this print volume. The build quality of the machine is an assurance for print quality, for me M3 is a clear win.

[Theand]

for the 06:50 problem I reccomend a 90 Degree Left Right Angled USB 3.0 A Male To Female Connector Adapter that thing sticks out far less

[GarryWButler]

Thanks for the detailed comparison. And yes, it was Saturn 2. I already have elegoo brand loyalty; I have had a Mars 2 Pro since its release, and a Neptune 2S FDM Printer. Elegoo's support has been good, and the printers have been reliable.

[xXKisskerXx]

I love how you say to comment and tell you which one we picked, and why it was the Saturn 2 - and we all know why for the most part - it's the cheapest, and most of us are 'getting into resin' printing, not doing it as a pro level yet.

But my reason I would pick it... is because I like the colors. Yup. I just do. Red Black and Silver just jam with me, it's not for everyone, but they bring me joy, so whenever possible, I try to pick them, unless there is a significant drop in performance, or value, or something on that line that would put my money best used elsewhere, even if it was more expensive, and not 'my favorite colors'.

[IlSharmouta]

Kicking myself for not seeing this video literally 2 days ago when I was looking for, well, exactly this video, to help me buy a new printer. Well done and informative

[henriklagercrantz]

After using the mars3 pro and having to change the lcd 3(!) times because of the Build plate crushing it while my Anycubic M3 has been printing flawlessly since I bought it, Im considering only Anycubic from now on. A good build quality is so important. Reliable printer that can print without fail is my choice.

[kylestone]

I’ve had an anycubic and really liked it for the most part, other than the UI. Seeing and hearing about the better UI experience with the Mighty, I might make that the next one I pick up. Good video with solid info, Ross. Thank you.

[S.A.S.H.]

Exactly the comparison I've been hoping for. Thanks.

[TheBuefurd]

You may want to take a look at the SDS for those resins. Even with the carbon filters, you don't want to be working all day in the same room as active printers, unless of course you have appropriate ventilation/fume extraction.

[kgftw]

I am swapping from an Ender 3v2 to an Elegoo Saturn 8k. I managed to get the printer, wash and cure station for just under $615.

My reason for getting it is I make a lot of smaller parts that need a lot of detail and printing each part normally takes around 50 minutes on my ended 3v2. Because of this I don't need a giant vat. I am currently printing 5 of the same parts for a calibration test on the Elegoo Saturn 8k.

[dylson]

I bought M3 Premium only because of your earlier video about M3 and I'm more than happy! Thanks

[egonzalezjr]

Interesting take on the printers I would think that the mighty 8k wins in user experience if it's at similar price to the other 2. Although I do find that I might need a larger printer because I'm less into mini's (< 50mm) and more into the scale models (>=75mm). It's been hard to fit the pieces of a print on my D2.

[Aphaedon]

Just took delivery of my Saturn 2 and some resin thanks in large part to the information you have posted. just need to wait for the mercury SC wash and cure stations to become available again.