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A free scan shows the junk files, broken settings and background clutter dragging Windows down - then fixes them in one click.Free scan · Windows 10 & 11In Formlabs’ 2025 controlled comparison, the Formlabs Form 4 and Form 3+ tied for the lowest print-failure rate: 3 failed prints out of 225 attempts each, or 1.3%. Benchmark A failed 31 of 225 prints (13.8%); Benchmark B failed 55 of 216 completed prints (25.3%) and had two additional units arrive dead. The results favor the Formlabs printers for predictable throughput in this test, but they do not establish that every user will see the same results or that the higher upfront cost pays for itself.
What the four-printer test measured
Formlabs designed the comparison, which an independent global product-testing organization performed. Five factory-condition printers from each manufacturer were used. Testers printed 15 models three times per printer, targeting 225 prints per brand. They used standard grey resin, manufacturer-recommended settings, a 100 μm layer height, automated support generation, and a common operating procedure. The report says the models had been validated to print successfully on all four printers and that testing took place in laboratory conditions. Formlabs’ 2025 report
The headline figures measure failed prints, not every interruption or machine fault. That distinction matters: an unusable part affects print success, while maintenance, setup, or hardware trouble can cost time even if a print is ultimately successful.
Print-failure rates and results
| Printer | Failed prints | Print failure rate | Print success rate | Lost hours reported | Technology |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Formlabs Form 4 | 3 of 225 | 1.3% | 98.7% | 9 | MSLA |
| Formlabs Form 3+ | 3 of 225 | 1.3% | 98.7% | 17 | Laser SLA |
| Benchmark A | 31 of 225 | 13.8% | 86.2% | More than 100 | MSLA |
| Benchmark B | 55 of 216 completed prints | 25.3% | 74.7% | More than 250 | MSLA |
These percentages are the reported results of Formlabs’ test, not a universal failure probability for each model. Benchmark B’s denominator is 216 completed prints rather than the 225 target; the report also records two units dead on arrival. The figures should not be combined into a single rate without knowing how those non-operational units were treated in the print-failure calculation.
The Tool Desk
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Formlabs summarizes the comparison this way: “Form 4 was measured to have a 98.7% print success rate, which is equal to that of Form 3+.” The test therefore found no print-success advantage for Form 4 over Form 3+, even though Form 4 had fewer reported lost hours.
Print failure is not the same as printer failure
Print failures: the part is unusable
The report counted a print as failed when a defect made the part non-functional or materially unusable. Examples include failure to adhere to the build platform, delamination, excessive warping, cracking, missing chunks, and features that did not develop. Minor blemishes such as pinstriping or heavy support residue still counted as successes.
Rank #2
- 9K High Resolution】ELEGOO Mars 5 Ultra Resin 3D Printer is equipped with a 7-inch monochrome LCD screen with ultra-high resolution of 8520 × 4320. The 18 × 18 μm XY resolution ensures that 3D printing can restore the most realistic details and higher texture clarity, better presenting your three-dimensional visual design in reality.
- 【True High-Speed Printing】Mars 5 Ultra use the innovative tilting release technology to achieve true high-speed printing at up to 150 mm/h. This technology enables quick separation of models from the release film, while allowing seamless switching between fast and slow printing modes—drastically improving printing efficiency. All this is achieved without the need for high-speed resin or ACF release films.
- 【Bult in AI Camera】It is difficult to notice the warping of the model during 3d printing, but this is not a problem for Mars 5 Ultra. The 3D resin printer quipped with an AI smart camera, you can monitor the printing process at any time, notice errors in time and correct them immediately to ensure smooth printing. You can also enable time-lapse recording — it's a great way to monitor your prints or share the journey with others.
- 【One-Button Self-Check & Automatic Leveling】Repeated manual leveling is annoying, and It's so frustrating when you print fails due to the 3D printer accessory failure. Don't worry! With this 3D printer, you can use the self-check function before starting to print. Once it detects no faults, you can start to print with confidence. And you no longer need to deal with repeated leveling work. ELEGOO Mars 5 Ultra supports automatic leveling, which can easily solve your problem.
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Non-print issues: time lost to the machine or workflow
Separate from defective parts, the report records issues that consume time, including outdated firmware, required film replacement, homing failures, an LED-module failure, and an LCD failure. These are operational interruptions; they should not be added to the failed-print count as though they were defective parts.
Keeping the categories separate makes the comparison more useful. A printer can have a low failed-print rate and still require time for maintenance or recovery. Conversely, a small cosmetic imperfection may be counted as a successful print even if a user would prefer a cleaner finish.
Rank #3
- 【Ultra-Fast Printing】ELEGOO Mars 5 Ultra features Tilt Release Innovation for quicker model separation, reducing Z-axis movement time. With a printing speed of up to 150mm/h, it offers both fast and slow modes for high-quality results. Resin calibration ensures optimal printing parameters
- 【Intelligent Mechanical Sensor】Mars 5 Ultra Printer features a built-in smart mechanical sensor and spring for one-click calibration. It detects printing issues like low resin, foreign objects, or high light board temperature, with alerts. The printing process resumes after an interruption
- 【Built-in AI Camera】ELEGOO Mars 5 Ultra MSLA printer uses an AI camera to detect issues like empty build plates and model warping, offering real-time monitoring. Time-lapse photography lets you record, share, and compare prints, making 3D printing more enjoyable and easier
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Downtime, cost, size, and technology
| Printer | Launch year | Build volume (inches) | Cost at testing | Lost hours reported |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Formlabs Form 4 | 2024 | 7.9 × 4.9 × 8.3 | $4,500 | 9 |
| Formlabs Form 3+ | 2019 | 5.7 × 5.7 × 7.6 | $2,500 | 17 |
| Benchmark A | 2023 | 7.8 × 4.7 × 8.6 | $450 | More than 100 |
| Benchmark B | 2022 | 8.6 × 4.8 × 9.3 | $650 | More than 250 |
Prices are the amounts listed for the test, not current quotes. The table shows a clear contrast in this comparison: the two lower-cost Benchmark printers had much higher reported failure rates and lost hours, while the Formlabs printers cost more upfront and had fewer reported interruptions. That is evidence about this test, not a total-cost-of-ownership calculation: it does not quantify labor rates, material waste, maintenance costs over a service life, or the value of usable output.
Build volume is another trade-off rather than a reliability score. Benchmark B has the largest listed dimensions, while Form 4’s volume is close to Benchmark A’s. Form 4 uses MSLA, as do both benchmarks; Form 3+ uses laser SLA. The results do not isolate technology as the cause of the differences, since printer models, manufacturers, and other factors differ too.
Rank #4
- 【13.6'' 7K High Resolution】With a 7K (6480*3600px) high-resolution screen and an XY-axis pixel size of only 46*46μm, the Photon Mono M7 Max ensures that printed models have an outstandingly detailed texture. Anti-aliasing and high-precision positioning spools for fewer layer lines and higher reproduction.
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- 【Optimized Features】Suspension Drip setting allows the print platform to be suspended at an angle after printing, and the resin can flow back into the resin tank to reduce loss. The capacity of the resin tank increased to 1300ml for large printing needs
How much confidence should you place in the rates?
The controlled setup is useful for comparing the four tested printers under a shared procedure, but it is not a guarantee for a workshop, classroom, or home. The report explicitly says its prints were validated across all four machines and produced under optimal laboratory conditions. It also gives a 94% field print-success rate for Form 4 at the time of the 2025 report, lower than the laboratory figure of 98.7%. Formlabs attributes the difference to user-generated models and conditions outside the lab, which typically produce lower success rates. The 94% figure is a field rate reported by Formlabs, not a matched field comparison across all four printers.
For a buyer whose priority is predictable output, the test supports treating Form 4 and Form 3+ as the stronger performers on print success, with Form 4 reporting the lowest lost hours of the two. For a buyer prioritizing initial purchase price or a larger build volume, the Benchmark models may look attractive, but the measured reliability and downtime trade-offs deserve attention. Choose based on the cost of interruption and failed jobs in your own workflow, not the lab percentages alone.
Quick Recap
Best Value
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- 【Intuitive Design Built for You】Double-door design. Transparent viewing window. User-friendly laser-engraved build plate with quick-release. Resin drip tray provides reliable protection against resin spills. 4.0-Inch Touch Screen has an intuitive interface. Compatible with Elegoo Marsmate air purifier.
- 【Simplified Setup and Maintenance】Intuitive Manual Leveling with real-time data feedback. Quick-Swap Release Film enables you hassle-free, tool-free swaps in seconds.
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
