New Looks

The Saturn 2’s new design is an undeniable eye-catcher. Similar to the Mars series, which got a curvy makeover with the Mars 3, the Saturn 2 departs from the boxy look of its predecessor and gets some stylish creases.

The head-to-toe redesign starts with the acrylic hood, which now comes in a more modern, arris, and ergonomic design – a slick look if we ever saw one. Elegoo’s identity remains with flashes of dark red and a deep red cover. The design change seems primarily aesthetic; fine feathers make a fine bird. But thanks to the edged shape, the cover is easier to handle and sturdier than other box-shaped lids.

The printer’s base’s design is no less aesthetic and serves a purpose. In particular, we are talking about button placing. Similar to the Mars 3, the Saturn 2’s power button is no longer tucked away at the back of the printer as a simple kill switch. Instead, you get a large power button front and center, sparing you from having to reach behind the printer – not something we’d recommend with the likely drips of liquid resin that could accumulate in your work area.

It’s a minor design element but a convenient one. With so many affordable resin 3D printers on the market, little things like this can separate the wheat from the chaff.

The USB slot – the sole means to load print jobs onto the printer – sits on the side of the printer. There’s no Wi-Fi on the Saturn 2. And while the first-generation Saturn had an Ethernet port, it’s absent here. Judging the mood online, no one misses it, though it speaks to a lack of networkability in resin 3D that others are working on addressing.

Pixels, Pixels, Pixels

The Elegoo Saturn 2 has pixels. A lot of them. Explaining how and why this is significant starts with the 10-inch high resolution 8K LCD.

7680 x 4320 pixels are packed into the Saturn 2’s new 10-inch masking LCD. This equates to an XY accuracy of 28.5 microns. This more than triples the resolution of the original Saturn, which has a 4K LCD and 48-micron XY accuracy. If you are hunting for ever more detailed prints, this jump in resolution, combined with the larger build volume, is significant.

The Phrozen Sonic Mini 8K – currently the benchmark printer when we focus exclusively on resolution – offers 22-micron detail. The Saturn 2 hits close to this. It is incredible to print at this level of detail, which is mind-blowing when you see it up close, in a larger build volume.

New Size

Pixels aren’t the only thing the Saturn 2 went all out on. It finally makes the much-needed jump in size, now holstering an impressive 219 x 123 x 250 mm volume and even outgunning contemporarily released machines such as the Phrozen Sonic Mighty 8K (218 x 123 x 235 mm) and Anycubic’s M3 Plus (197 x 122 x 245 mm). The original Saturn was the shrimpiest of the group, but now it’s the shark.

The Saturn 2 is tall, too. Anyone upgrading from the original will immediately notice the difference, with the increase in build volume height and the rearranged base running taller too. Combined, they make the Saturn 2 quite the beanpole. The Z-axis runs on two linear rails, so it is safe from twisting or any uneven motion that could lead to layer separation. It’s all rock solid.

Lighthouse style

One of the less visible novelties on the Saturn 2 is the use of a Fresnel lens. Located just beneath the LCD and above the UV light source, it’s not a part of the printer you typically see, nor should you want to see. But, it is where the sciencey magic originates in desktop resin printers.

Elegoo uses Monsieur Fresnel’s eponymously-named lense in the Saturn 2 to achieve light uniformity. This is one of the buzzwords that has become increasingly important over the last few generations of resin 3D printers. The more parallel the light hits the masking LCD, the more uniform the illumination will be and, in turn, the more precise the prints will be to the edge of the print plate.

For the Saturn 2, Elegoo, with its Fresnel Collimating Light Source, uses an array of 64 UV LEDs that, together with the lens, allows for a uniform light beam across the entire LCD screen and an acclaimed light uniformity of 92%. These numbers might seem arbitrary, but the main takeaway is that prints on the Saturn 2 should appear near-identical across the LCD. Essential for batch production and large prints.

During our time with the printer, we achieved sharp and uniform prints no matter where we placed them on the print plate. Plus, using a luxometer and a bit of quick maths, we can say: the numbers check out.

The new light source, particularly the Fresnel lens, appears permanently installed, denying us a peek without destructively tearing the printer down. When the time comes to make replacements, this could make life difficult.

Protect your valuables

The crown jewel of a resin 3D printer, so to speak, is its LCD screen. Most monochrome LCDs, such as that used in the Saturn 2, will need replacing after around 2,000 hours of use. The constant flood of light will deteriorate the pixels over time, degrading the panel’s performance. That’s all well and good; it is a consumable, after all.

What wouldn’t be well and good is a large, gut-wrenching scratch across the surface of the LCD, forcing a replacement ahead of its expected lifespan. For the Saturn 2, Elegoo teamed up with Innolux, a subsidiary of Foxconn (it of Apple fame), to outfit the printer with a scratch-resistant tempered glass screen protector. The protector has a hardness of 9H on the Moh scale of hardness. For reference, diamond has a harness 0f 10H, so that’s pretty hard. If you still accidentally key the screen protector, it’s easier and cheaper to replace than the LCD beneath it.

We doubt you will, though. We took a key, scrapers, scalpel, pliers, and other scratchy tools to it without leaving a mark.

Air filtration

Speaking of protecting your valuables: one should always protect one’s health, as you only have one. As such, it’s becoming commonplace for resin 3D printer manufacturers to include some air filtration units to counter the unpleasant toxic fumes given off by the resin the printers require.

In the case of the Saturn 2, Elegoo decided to go with a replaceable activated carbon filter we’ve already seen on the Jupiter and Saturn S. The filter is USB powered, plugging into a dedicated port at the rear of the printer’s main chamber.

Unscientifically using our noses as a measuring tool, we can say having this small box hum away in the back does make a difference. It does not entirely irradicate the stink, nor will it effectively filter out all the harmful emissions from the resin. It’s not a complete safety solution, so best to still take appropriate protective measures, including ventilation and PPE.

What is new on the Saturn 2 is a removable panel in the rear of the printer’s lid. You can use this to vent to an external ventilation system, a heater, or an automatic resin feed system. Pretty nifty, we must say. You won’t be able to run it via the charcoal filter’s USB outlet, though. Although being 24V, the actual output is only 0.7A. In short: if you hook up anything but the air purifier, you might end up blowing out the printer’s control board.

Setting it up

Setting up the Saturn 2 is straightforward and, done correctly, a one-time job.

Once unpacked, there are two bolts to loosen on the build plate. Home the platform onto the included leveling card (any thick-ish sheet of paper will also do), and retighten the bolts with the provided hex key. That’s it. You’re ready to print.

The Saturn 2 benefits from a large release knob to free the print plate. It’s easier to grip and twist than the series’ previous, smaller knobs, especially once your hands are gloved up and greasy with resin. Don’t unscrew it too much, though. The thread is short, and the knob could come loose, resulting in some unwanted splish splash.

One of the first things you’ll need to do is unwrap the pouch of charcoal in the USB-powered filter. The charcoal should be replaced (typically after about three to six months of use). Handling it can be messy, so best to wear gloves.

Slicer & Print Preparation

Elegoo provides its classic rook test model for your first print with the Saturn 2. It’s too basic to show off today’s high-resolution printing, so the journey and potential of this printer really begins with the slicer and preparing your own models.

Elegoo provides a copy of ChiTuBox Basic with the Saturn 2, although the free third-party Lychee slicer is an equally capable alternative. Both have printer profiles for the Saturn 2 ready to go, making light work of the setup. Other slicers are available; it’s mostly a matter of personal preference. There are premium versions of ChiTuBox and Lychee. Both offer more advanced settings, but the basic free versions are enough for most users.

Our common gripe against Elegoo’s resin 3D printers is the lack of resin profiles. While most resins print okay with the slicer-default settings, we would appreciate a little nuance to achieve better or more specific print characteristics.

For instance, Elegoo currently has seven different resins (not counting colors), including the upcoming 8K resin and thermoplastic variants, none of which get an option in the slicer settings from Elegoo. Just the one default profile for all.

Beyond Elegoo’s materials, there’s also a world of third-party resins. While we wouldn’t expect Elegoo to map the ideal settings for every possible resin that could work in its machines, it wouldn’t be a stretch for the company’s materials to be mapped better for users. It’d certainly encourage you to use them more. Phrozen does this well.

Usability

The one resin-profile-fits-all quirk aside, the Saturn 2 ticks all the boxes. It’s the easiest to handle Elegoo printer to date, is set-and-forget out of the box, produces prints without piping up, and offers usability factors that make the already close-to-effortless resin 3D printing experience even more convenient.

The printer also got an overhaul in terms of the user interface; which fits in nicely with the machine’s new design, but it is essentially a cosmetic update only. Don’t go about expecting new functions.

It’s a struggle to find negative things to point out about the Saturn 2. Being particularly picky, you could criticize the touchscreen for being a bit small for the size of the machine. It’s the same 3.5-inch full-color panel as found on previous Saturns. But that’s nitpicking.

The Prints & What to make of 8K

Prints from the Saturn 2 are stunning. The printer’s 28.5-micron resolution can render the tiniest of features in lifelike detail. You won’t see a night-and-day difference to 50-micron granularity prints at an arm’s length, mind, but look closely, and the intricate details are more pronounced and less hazy. That is if you find a suitable model for it.

In practice, most miniatures and models look close to identical, especially if you scale them up with the large build volume the Saturn provides.

Speaking of large build volume: the fact that the Saturn 2 doesn’t feature a resin refill system doesn’t hurt – the vat comfortably holds enough resin for a full-plate full-volume print.

We have tested countless resin 3D printers over the years, yet we were still surprised at the print quality on the Saturn 2. We pulled off some of the slickest-looking resin prints of the Saturn 2 we have ever printed. The high resolution and large build volume seal the deal for us. No more choosing between ultra high resolution and size; the Saturn 2 kills two birds with one stone. 

Paired with the ease of use we always cherished in Elegoo machines, its reliability and repeatability make working with the Saturn 2 easy-breezy.

The Elegoo Saturn 2 is a more than worthy successor to the original Saturn.

Naturally, the printer’s 8K LCD and high resolution are the stars of the show, but the Saturn 2 is an evolution in other ways. That it keeps its competitive price tag is stellar, and it has us thinking it’ll be most folks’ favorite workhorse printer for some time.

The Saturn 2 is one of what feels like a wave of next-gen resin 3D printers. For this kind of print resolution, you’d have to settle for a smaller build volume (in Phrozen Sonic Mini 8K). Now, you can get the resolution across the entirety of a larger build volume.

It might even be a little ahead of the curve for build volume, with the Saturn 2’s 219 x 123 x 250 mm a touch larger than that on the upcoming Phrozen’s Mighty 8K. The inclusion of an air filter, screen protection, and a snazzy new look are the whipped cream and sprinkles on top of this excellent 3D printing pie.

That it’s currently available for $550 (pre-order), stepping up to only $600 at full release, is the cherry. The Saturn 2 is cutting-edge tech without the wallet-bleeding price tag and is an immediate top pick this season.

10-inch 8K monochrome LCD screen

Elegoo has packed a brand new 10-inch 8K monochrome LCD screen into the Saturn 2. This is a noticeable upgrade from the 4K offering in the Saturn S and can provide a substantial boost to the level of detail you’ll see on your prints.

With a screen resolution of 7680 x 4320 pixels, the Saturn 2 is capable of printing objects at an XY accuracy of 28.5 microns. Compared to the 48 microns the “old” Saturn S weighed in, this is a considerable step up in potential print quality and a much-needed one seeing competitors releasing 8K versions.

The screen was developed in partnership with Innolux, a subsidiary of industry-leading Foxconn Technology Group, a panel manufacturer and supplier to Apple, and also comes with a scratch-resistant tempered glass screen protector. The 9H hardness of the glass protector makes the Saturn more scuff-proof.

Build Volume

Speaking of catching up to the competition: The Elegoo Saturn 2 also grew in size. Its 219 x 123 x 250 mm build volume is significantly larger than the Saturn S’ 192 x 120 x 200 mm, giving users quite a bit more space to create within.

Combine this with the superior print resolution, and you have quite an exciting blend of space and detail, something rival printers like the Anycubic Photon Mono X 6K and the Phrozen Sonic Mighty 8K can also boast of.

“Fresnel Collimating Light Source”

If a new resin 3D printer is released, a manufacturer will almost certainly take the opportunity to bang on about its new light source. In this case, Elegoo designed and patented its new Fresnel Collimating Light Source. The company claims its new light source will improve uniform light emittance at 92% light uniformity, and therefore achieve better print quality. Will it make a significant difference? Only testing will tell.

What we do know is that the Fresnel lens (like the one present in the Saturn 2) was originally designed back in the 19th century by a French physicist for use in lighthouses. The more you know, eh?

In the case of the Saturn 2, the beacon of light is emitted by an array of 64 LEDs that, together with the said Fresnel lens, create a uniform light beam across the entire LCD screen. We wonder what Monsieur Fresnel would make of resin 3D printing…

Dual-linear rails

Twin-lins can be found on the Z-axis of the Elegoo Saturn 2 and, now that there’s a larger print volume, they should be made use of by offering up extra stability and smoother movement.

The extra weight on larger prints always adds slightly to the risk of a print failure, so dual-linear rails should help keep larger prints secure, but not guarantee a 100% success rate, of course. Elegoo has also sandblasted the surface of the print plate in what it claims is a move to improve the sticking potential of the print to the plate.

Filtration & hole in the back

Though often criticized for being a bit of a gimmick in resin 3D printing, the carbon filtration system on the Elegoo Saturn 2 actually impressed us with its ability to cut down the amount of stink associated with the printing process.

In case a feeble USB-powered air filter just won’t cut it for you, Elegoo has also fitted the Saturn 2’s acrylic hood with an extension port for users to hook up the printer to a proper ventilation system, a heater, or add an automatic resin feeder system. Pretty nifty this feature, we gotta say.

Further Features

Additional features on the Saturn 2 include:

• New Touchscreen UI: No shock here; there’s a touchscreen UI on the front of the Saturn 2. Its UI is pretty different from previous Saturn interfaces, though. Reminds us a bit of the black & red design of the Elegoo Jupiter. Very stylish, we like.
• Metal resin vat: The Saturn 2 comes with a metal resin vat. These are often favored by people who like kicking up a fuss on the internet. In reality, we haven’t seen anything to suggest it’s better than a plastic vat. Except the feel, and that counts, doesn’t it?
• FEP 2.0: At the bottom of the metal resin vat resides a PFA foil that promises less release tension and a higher printing success rate.
• Special Elegoo 8K resin: It’s coming, and apparently, it gives better results. We were positively surprised by Phrozen’s 8K resin a while back and wouldn’t mind an equally detailed alternative out there. Elegoo even provides a water-washable variant and a color-changing thermal resin.

Like what you see? Here’s a list of the 3D models we printed over the course of the review, as well as who designed them.

• Wardragon by Prusament, via Printables
• Lady Dimitrescu by Printed Obsession, via MyMiniFactory
• Necro Punk by Necropunks Miniatures, via MyMiniFactory
• Space Commander by Max Markin, via MyMiniFactory
• Iron Hill Dwarf Bust by Thorge Paulsen, via MyMiniFactory
• Tarian the mercenary by Ill, via MyMiniFactory
• Arnie Worcesternegger by Papsikels Miniatures, via MyMiniFactory

General Specifications

• Technology: MSLA
• Type: Resin
• Year: 2022
• Assembly: Fully assembled
• Manufacturer: Elegoo

3D PRINTING SPECIFICATIONS

• Build Volume: 219 x 123 x 250 mm
• Layer Height: 10+ microns
• XY Resolution:  28.5 microns (7680 x 4320 pixels)
• Z-axis positioning accuracy: 0.00125 mm
• Printing Speed:  30-70 mm/h
• Bed-Leveling: Manual
• Display: 3.5-inch touchscreen
• Third-Party Materials: Yes
• Materials: 405 nm UV resin

SOFTWARE REQUIREMENTS

• Recommended Slicer: ChiTuBox
• Operating system: Windows / macOS X / Linux
• File types: STL
• Connectivity: USB

DIMENSIONS AND WEIGHT

• Frame dimensions: 306 x 273 x 567mm
• Weight:  11 kg