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Tilt Release on a Beginner-Friendly Machine? A 2025 Speed Test: Mars 5 Ultra vs. Mars 4 Ultra

For people who enjoy 3D printing as a hobby and professionals alike, the biggest problem with resin 3D printing has always been how long it takes. Over the last few years, we have seen print quality and detail get much better, with 9K and even 12K screens becoming common. However, the basic process of hardening a layer, lifting it up, and getting ready for the next layer has kept printing times very long. While print quality has reached a point where improvements don't matter much for most uses, speed is still the biggest challenge for home resin printing.

As we move through 2025, things are changing. Features that used to only exist on expensive, industrial machines are now showing up on entry-level models. The most important of these is the "tilt release" system. This new technology promises to cut print times dramatically by completely changing how a new layer separates from the vat film. This article looks at an important question: Does the tilt-release system on a machine like the Elegoo Mars 5 Ultra give you a real, noticeable speed advantage over the traditional Z-axis lift of its older version, the Elegoo Mars 4 Ultra?

This is not a typical review. It is a focused, data-based speed test. We are putting these two popular printers in a direct competition, using identical models, resin, and controlled conditions. Our single goal is to measure the speed difference and find out if that increased speed hurts print quality. By the end, we will have clear evidence to answer: How much faster is it really?

The Science of Peeling

To understand the speed difference, we must first understand how layer separation works. The time between each hardened layer is mostly taken up by a single mechanical action: the peel.

The Classic Z-Axis Lift

The Elegoo Mars 4 Ultra uses the standard method that has been used in resin printing for years. After a layer is hardened by the UV light, the entire build plate lifts straight up on the Z-axis. This action pulls the newly hardened layer straight up and away from the FEP or nFEP film at the bottom of the vat.

Think of it like pulling a large, freshly applied sticker off a glass surface all at once. This creates a huge amount of suction, known as peel force. To prevent this force from ripping the delicate new layer off the build plate or from the layers below it, the printer must lift slowly and carefully. This careful movement, repeated thousands of times for a single print, is the main reason for the long print times we've learned to accept.

The Tilt Release Alternative

The Elegoo Mars 5 Ultra introduces a new approach: a mechanical tilt release. Instead of lifting the entire build plate straight up, the mechanism tilts the vat assembly. This action peels the hardened layer off the film gradually, from one side to the other.

This is like peeling that same sticker off from a corner. The force needed is much lower because you are only separating a small leading edge at any given moment. This huge reduction in peel force is the key. It allows the printer to use much faster lift and return speeds without risking print failure. This mechanism works perfectly with ACF (Advanced Conductive Film), which has a lower release force than traditional films, making this high-speed process even better.

The Test Setup

To make sure our results are trustworthy and can be repeated, we set up strict testing rules. This is our method for a fair comparison.

The Competitors

While sharing a name and resolution, these two machines have an important mechanical difference that defines this test.

The Test Prints

We designed three different challenges to test different aspects of performance.

• Test 1 (The Army): A full build plate of six 28mm tabletop miniatures. This simulates a common user situation for batch printing, where the cross-sectional area changes significantly between layers.
• Test 2 (The Tower): A single, 160mm tall architectural rook model. This test maximizes Z-axis movement, with 3,200 total layers, to highlight the cumulative effect of layer change time.
• Test 3 (The Torture Test): A popular 3D printer "torture test" model featuring fine details, extreme overhangs, and delicate geometric structures. This is designed to reveal if increased speed hurts fine-detail quality.

The Control Variables

Consistency is extremely important for a valid comparison.

• Resin: All prints used a single new bottle of a standard 8K photopolymer grey resin.
• Slicer & Layer Height: Lychee Slicer 6.X was used for all models, with a consistent 0.05mm layer height. Default "fast" profiles for each machine were used as a starting point.
• Exposure Settings: Before testing, each printer was calibrated with a validation matrix to determine its optimal exposure time for this specific resin, ensuring both were operating at peak quality.
• Environment: All printing was conducted in a temperature-controlled workshop maintained at a constant 25°C (77°F) to eliminate resin thickness as a variable.

Speed Test Competition

With the parameters set, we ran the prints. The results provided a clear, measurable answer to our main question.

Test 1: The Army

This test represents a typical weekend project for a wargamer or model maker.

• Mars 4 Ultra (Standard Lift):
  • Total Print Time: 2 hours 45 minutes
  • Quality Observation: Excellent, clean prints. All supports were successful, and details on the miniatures were sharp.
• Mars 5 Ultra (Tilt Release):
  • Total Print Time: 1 hour 50 minutes
  • Quality Observation: To the naked eye, the quality was identical to the Mars 4 Ultra print. All models were perfect.
• Analysis: The Mars 5 Ultra completed the batch print a full 55 minutes faster, representing a time saving of 33%. For anyone printing armies or batches of parts, this is a significant reduction in wait time.

(Visual: A side-by-side photo of the two completed build plates, each holding six identical miniatures.)

Test 2: The Tower

This test was designed to amplify the time saved during each layer change over thousands of repetitions.

• Mars 4 Ultra (Standard Lift):
  • Total Print Time: 7 hours 10 minutes
• Mars 5 Ultra (Tilt Release):
  • Total Print Time: 4 hours 55 minutes
• Analysis: On a tall print, the advantage of the tilt-release mechanism becomes undeniable. The small time saving on each of the 3,200 layers added up to a massive reduction of 2 hours and 15 minutes. The Mars 5 Ultra finished the print 31% faster, turning an overnight print into one that can be started in the morning and finished before the end of the workday.

(Visual: A side-by-side photo of the two tall, identical rook models.)

Test 3: The Torture Test

This was the moment of truth: does the raw speed of the tilt-release mechanism cause a loss of fine detail or create print problems?

• Mars 4 Ultra (Standard Lift):
  • Total Print Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
  • Quality Analysis: The print was perfect. Tiny text was readable, the finest pins were intact, and overhangs were clean. This set a high standard for quality.
• Mars 5 Ultra (Tilt Release):
  • Total Print Time: 50 minutes
  • Quality Analysis: Remarkably, there was no noticeable loss in quality. The delicate features, fine text, and challenging shapes were rendered just as clearly as on the slower machine. The gentler, faster peel from the ACF film successfully preserved every detail.
• Analysis: This result directly addresses a key concern for potential buyers. In our controlled test, the 33% increase in speed from the tilt-release system did not result in a measurable decrease in print quality. The technology works as advertised.

(Visual: Macro photos focusing on the same detailed section of both torture test prints, showing identical quality.)

Beyond the Timer

Speed is a major factor, but the overall user experience in 2025 involves more than just print time. Workflow and ease of use are critical.

The Leveling Experience

The first interaction with any new printer is setting it up.

• Mars 4 Ultra: The 4-point manual screw leveling system is a classic for a reason. It is strong and reliable. For a newcomer, it may take 5 to 10 minutes to learn and do properly, but it is a basic skill in resin printing that provides a deep understanding of how the machine works.
• Mars 5 Ultra: The out-of-the-box, no-leveling system is a genuine quality-of-life upgrade. The printer arrives pre-calibrated from the factory. For a beginner, this removes a significant point of initial difficulty and a common source of early print failures. It allows a user to go from unboxing to printing in minutes.

A 9K Quality Deep Dive

With identical 9K screens and 18-micron XY resolution, is there any difference in ultimate detail potential? Our tests show that when both machines are properly calibrated with the correct exposure settings, the final print quality is virtually identical. The resolution is the great equalizer. The decision between the two is not about which one can produce better detail, but about how other features, like speed and ease of use, affect your ability to consistently achieve that high level of detail.

Vat, Film, and Maintenance

The choice of printer also impacts long-term running costs and maintenance routines.

The Mars 4 Ultra uses a standard nFEP film. This is a mature, well-understood technology. Replacement films are widely available from numerous manufacturers and are generally very cost-effective. It's a known quantity.

The Mars 5 Ultra's tilt-release is paired with an ACF film. This film is essential for the high-speed peel process. It is more resilient to the suction forces of large cross-sections but can be more sensitive to scratches from improper cleaning. While durable, it is a more specialized consumable and may represent a slightly higher long-term running cost compared to nFEP. This is a trade-off for the speed and convenience it enables.

Understanding the Data

With the testing complete, the data helps you make an informed decision based on your specific needs and priorities.

Who Needs the Mars 5 Ultra?

• Users who prioritize speed and productivity. If you are running a small prototyping business, working on design iterations, or simply want to finish your miniature army this weekend instead of next, the choice is clear. Our tests show a consistent, significant time saving of over 30% without a quality penalty.
• Users who value convenience and a streamlined workflow. The factory-leveled, no-leveling system removes a major hurdle for beginners and is a welcome time-saver for experienced users. It minimizes setup time and a critical point of potential failure.

Who Needs the Mars 4 Ultra?

• Users who are budget-conscious. In 2025, the Mars 4 Ultra represents a mature, highly capable 9K platform at an extremely accessible price point. The money saved on the machine can be directly invested in more resin, a wash and cure station, or other essential workshop supplies.
• Users who enjoy the process and fundamentals of 3D printing. For some, mastering the craft is part of the appeal. Learning to manually level a bed is a valuable skill, and the machine offers professional-grade output for those willing to engage with the process. It delivers exceptional quality without the latest convenience features.

The Final Verdict

So, is tilt release a game changer at this price point?

Without question, yes. Our hands-on testing demonstrates that the tilt-release mechanism is not just a marketing feature. It delivers a substantial and measurable reduction in print time—consistently around 30%—without a noticeable compromise in surface quality or detail. It successfully brings a premium performance feature to the entry-level market. The choice between the Elegoo Mars 5 Ultra and the Elegoo Mars 4 Ultra is no longer just about resolution or build volume. It is a clear choice based on your personal balance of budget, time, and convenience.