Best Resin 3D Printer for Miniatures

Love miniatures and want to start printing them at home? Then you need the best resin 3D printer for miniatures. Read our guide for ratings of printers that we have tested in our lab and recommend. 

Which is the Best Resin 3D Printer for Miniatures?

3D printer ratings are usually subjective. However, it is often difficult for consumers to go through the many 3D printer models to find out which one would be best for them.

By looking at objective ratings, you can get an idea of the best 3D printers for you. We have previously written about the best 3D printers on the market. Resin 3D printers were also included in the list.

Today, we want to look at resin 3D printers on their own. We are doing this because it doesn’t make sense to compare resin (SLA) 3D printers with FDM models.

Resin 3D printers, also known as SLA printers,  include all models that print using liquid resin resin. The resin forms a model when exposed to a light source.

There are three main technologies that enable this – SLA, DLP and LCD.

This article only includes entry-level and middle-price resin 3D printers. We are not focusing on professional and industrial equipment.

Over the past few years, consumer resin 3D printers have popped up on the market. The main reason for this has been the significant reduction in the cost of equipment. Here are the best resin 3D printers on the market.

About Printing Miniatures

Miniatures and figurines are tiny models with a lot of detail. If you want to print realistic miniatures, you need a resin 3D printer that can capture very tiny details. Below are the best resin 3D printers for printing miniatures and figurines.

Best Resin 3D Printer for Miniatures (Budget Options)

• 1. Anycubic Photon S

AVAILABLE ON ANYCUBIC

The Anycubic Photon S is an improved version of the well-known Anycubic Photon printer. The printer has improved Z-axis stiffness, thanks to the double rails. There is also a UV light module that provides more even light distribution for better edge printing.

Generally, the print quality of the Photon S is nearly the same as of the Photon, thanks to the 2K LCD display. The printer quality resolution is 47 microns while the build area is ​​115 x 65 mm.

The printer has an improved user interface and a carbon filter that reduces unpleasant odor. The printable area along the Z axis has also been increased.

Our Comments: This is a great resin 3D printer for miniatures. The printer is affordable and produces high quality prints.

• 2. Monoprice MP Mini Deluxe SLA

AVAILABLE ON MONOPRICE

Monoprice is well-known for bringing affordable FDM printers to the market. Among its printers is the Monoprice MP Mini Deluxe SLA. This resin 3D printer has an easy-to-use interface, automatic bed leveling, and produces more detailed prints.

The printer has an LCD display to cure layers of UV photosensitive resin. Moreover, it comes ready to print right out of the box.

Our Comment: The Monoprice MP Min automatically calibrates and levels the print platform whenever a print is started. Therefore, you can be sure of getting perfect prints every time.

• 3. Wanhao GR1

CHECK PRICE

The Wanhao GR1 is an upgrade of the Wanhao D7 Plus. This machine can print at 20 microns and has a vertical speed of 30 mm/hour. The printer is compatible with a wide range of 3D printing miniature resins, making it ideal for beginners.

You can use the machine for prototyping in medicine and dentistry, as well as jewelry.

Our Comment: Wanhao revolutionized desktop resin printing with the Wanhao D7 model. The printer was 5-10 times cheaper than its counterparts at that time.

READ: Wanhao GR1 3D Printer Review

• 4. Elegoo Mars

CHECK PRICE

Elegoo Mars is an excellent budget resin 3D printer for miniatures that offers stunning print quality and is easy to use.

Resin printing on LCDs is easy but Elegoo Mars makes it even easier, thanks to its self-leveling print bed (using a hand-tightened ball joint) and excellent slicer software. These two features ensure that you end up with good print quality.

While this printer has no new innovations, its features offer great value for your money.

Our Comment: The Elegoo Mars is an excellent entry-level resin 3D printer. The printer is cheap and produces the small details you would want to see in your miniatures and figurines.

READ: Elegoo Mars 3D Printer Review

• 5. Creality LD-002R

CHECK PRICE

The Creality LD-002R is not the first resin 3D printer by the manufacturer. However, it does a great job of bringing out the small details in miniature prints.

The Creality LD-002R has a  stylish, metal body and can print 6 seconds per layer. The printer uses ChiTuBox firmware and has a metal printing bath with resin level indicator. The printer  produces high-quality prints that have tiny details.

Our Comment: Creality is the largest manufacturer of 3D printers and their entry into the resin 3D printing market is quite natural. The LD-002R is priced well for the quality of prints it produces.

READ: Creality LD-002R 3D Printer Review

• 6. Anycubic Photon

AVAILABLE ON ANYCUBIC

The Shadow 5.5 S resin 3D printer is a plug-and-play device with an easy setup. This printer has a dual carbon filter system, which absorbs unpleasant odors during the printing process.

Our Comment: This is a great budget resin 3D printer for beginners. The quality of prints is outstanding.

READ: QIDI Tech Shadow 5.5S Review

• 8. Elegoo Mars Pro

CHECK PRICE

The Elegoo Mars Pros is a slightly improved version of the Elegoo Mars resin printer. The printer has various changes that improve user experience. However, its price has also gone up.

You can’t easily distinguish between the Pro models and regular Elegoo Mars models. However, the Pro can be improved by adding a filter system, has better USB port location, and improved components that will allow you to print a little faster.

Our Comment: The upgrades of the Elegoo Mars Pro do not lead to a real improvement in print quality when compared to the original Elegoo Mars. Therefore, we are not really impressed. Moreover, the price is higher.

READ: Elegoo Mars Pro Review

• 9. Longer Orange 30

AVAILABLE ON AMAZON

The Phrozen Sonic Mini is one of the best resin 3D printers for miniatures. This little printer is fast, affordable and does not compromise on quality.

The printer has a monochrome LCD display that allows you to print at a speed of 2 seconds per layer. You can also experiment with the settings for even faster printing. To sum it up, this little box has brought speed to the world of resin 3D printing.

Here are some models made by the printer:

Our Comment: Despite the small size and modest price, the Phrozen Sonic Mini can be an excellent tool in good hands.

Best Resin 3D Printers ($500 to $2500 Range)

• 1. Phrozen Shuffle XL

AVAILABLE ON TOP3DSHOP

This is a comparatively low-price resin 3D printer with a large print area of ​​190 x 120 x 200mm. The printer can be controlled via a USB stick, network cable or Wi-Fi. The unit can also slice models by itself, thanks to the built-in Raspberry PI board under NanoDLP control.

While this is a sturdy premium machine, it has a poor workflow that takes some getting used to. Go for this printer is you need to print larger miniatures. However, keep in mind that the resolution will be only 85 microns, which is significantly worse than that of other Phrozen 3D printers.

Our Comments: This updated printer has a 5″ touchscreen display on the front panel, an improved motherboard and a ParaLed 2.0 illumination module, which provides more uniform and intense illumination of models.

Phrozen went further and combined all of their innovations in the new Phrozen Sonic XL 4K printer .

• 2. Peopoly Moai 130

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The Moai 130 builds on the robust platform of the original Moai. This model offers the same 130 x 130 x 180mm print area, its laser granular control, affordable electronics and a vibrant user community. However, it cuts down on hardware upgrades aimed at improving reliability and ease of use.

The new version removes the cumbersome precision platform alignment. In its place is an easily adjustable printing platform that matches well with the new FEP film resin fiber print metal tray. With longer life and better performance, the new design can improve print reliability, just like the new chamber heater. Indeed, your resin remains pliable at 35°Celsius.

Our Comments: Peopoly printers are more expensive that their Chinese competitors. Still, the company’s 3D printers are highly rated and are considered the best in their class by most 3D printing professionals.

• 3. Phrozen Shuffle 4K

 

Shuffle 4K is a high resolution printer manufactured by the Taiwanese company Phrozen. This printer followed the company’s first hit model, the Shuffle, but went to a higher level. The main change was the incorporation of a  5.5″4K LCD display capable of printing with axis precision XY 31 microns.

With a print area of 120 x 68 x 170mm and enhanced ParaLed 2.0 illumination system, air filter and the ability to print with any third-party resin, the Phrozen Shuffle 4K offers the most complete set of features you would want in a resin 3D printer.

Our Comments: This model was a real breakthrough not only for Phrozen, but for the entire resin LCD 3D printing technology. This printer allows users from fields such as dentistry and jewelry to achieve the required quality and accuracy of printed models.

Moreover, the simultaneous emergence of a large number of 3D printer resins from manufacturers such as Harz Labs, Blue Cast, ESUN and others has created solutions to meet specific user needs.

• 4. Original Prusa SL1

While this printer has the same build area (120 x 68 x 150mm.) and 2K LCD display as the budget Elegoo Mars and Anycubic Photon, it stands out for other useful features.

For example, the unit has a vat full indicator and a sensor that monitors resin levels to keep you resin-free during long prints. The SL1 also has a tilt motor that gently tilts the tray after each layer is printed.

While such options are not necessary for high-quality printing, they are pleasant additions that the manufacturers of budget resin 3D printers have not yet implemented.

Our Comments: Seeing the growth of the resin printing market, Josef Prusa decided to release his own resin printer model. However, there is nothing breakthrough about this unit. Moreover, the printer is quite expensive.

• 5. Peopoly Phenom

PRICE ON MATTERHACKERS

Following the success of its Moai series SLA 3D printers, Peopoly released a new even larger Peopoly Phenom printer. Ditching the SLA 3D laser technology used in the Moai series, Peopoly used a more promising technology; an LCD matrix with a UV module to expose the resin.

The Peopoly Phenom has a tunable alternator that ensures proper light distribution. The model also has a cooling system to improve print results while extending the die life required for the MSLA process. The incorporated film processing technology reduces adhesion between cured resin and film after each coat.

This resin 3D printer for miniatures also has various print settings. For example, there is Draft Resin for fast printing, which boasts both high impact resistance and heat resistance. This printer is compatible with third party resins with a wavelength of 405nm.

The Peopoly Phenom uses an LCD display with a 4K resolution. The size of the plotting area is 276 x 155 x 400 mm.

Overall, this printer boasts of a rare combination of qualities for its price.

Our Comments:  Peopoly had initially committed to SLA technology. However, it changed its approach and released a printer that uses LCD technology. This is a sign that the technology will eventually dominate the market since it significantly reduces the cost of equipment without losing quality of print.

LCD 3D printers are much faster than their SLA counterparts. In the future, LCD printers may outperform SLA in print quality.

The Peopoly Phenom is sold at a modest price (check current price). This is amazing given its large build area and high precision can be used to create large prototypes, high levels of detail, and excellent surface finish.

Read the full Peopoly Phenom 3D printer review.

The best alternative to the Peopoly Phenom would be the Phrozen Transform.

• 6. Zortrax Inkspire

PRICE AT TOP3DSHOP

Polish 3D printer manufacturer, Zortrax, released its first resin 3D printer. This is the Zortrax Inkspire. Using the familiar printer form factor, the company installed a large and elegant 4″ color touchscreen on the unit.

The Inkspire can print with a pixel size of 50 x 50 microns, a layer thickness of 25 microns, and with speeds up to 36 mm/h. The construction area is 74 x 132 x 175 mm.

With the ability to use any 405nm resin, the Inkspire is a versatile resin 3D printer for any application. The unit also uses the Z-Suite software that other Zortrax models such as the M200, M300 and Inventure use.

Our Comments: When combined with an ultrasonic cleaner, this printer is quite expensive. Its only real advantage is its good design and pleasant user interface. In terms of print quality and design, there are no complaints about this printer.

Best Resin 3D Printers ($2500 to $5000 Range)

• 1. Uniz Slash Plus

AVAILABLE ON TOP3DSHOP

 

Read the complete UNIZ Slash Plus review.

2. Formlabs Form 3

 

3D printer	Formlabs Form 3
Printing technology	LFS (SLA)
Max. construction area, mm	145 x 145 x 185
Positioning accuracy, micron	XY: 25 / Z: 25
Cost	CHECK PRICE

 

Showcasing what the upper end of the market for desktop resin printers can do, Formlabs unveiled the Form 3. Multiple sensors provide meaningful feedback on printing progress and other variables, giving professionals control and resource management. The company’s web-based dashboard allows direct ordering of replacement resins and print trays, requesting support in the event of a print failure, which in our experience was rare thanks to the PreForm software, which usually does routine work properly and organizes print support. Also turnkey, as always.

Expert Commentary: Formlabs’ top-of-the-line Form 3 product certainly sets the highest standard in the marketplace, providing users with more than just a printer, but a solution for specific tasks using the printer itself, software, Form Wash and Form Cure UV illuminator module , as well as a wide set of resins for different tasks. The huge number of positive reviews about the Formlabs Form 3 printer is proof of this. The main problem for this model is not even the rather high price of the printer itself at 360,000 rubles, but the overall high cost of ownership due to expensive resins and replaceable trays. You can read more about the cost of owning a resin printer on our website in the article How to choose a resin 3D printer…

B9Creations B9Creator v1.2

3D printer	B9Creations B9Creator v1.2
Printing technology	DLP
Max. construction area, mm	100 x 75 x 203
Positioning accuracy, micron	XY: 30-70 / Z: 5-200
Cost	CHECK PRICE

The DLP projector at the heart of the B9Creator is arguably the most unusual looking printer on the list. With high precision and the ability to use a wide range of materials, this DLP 3D printer is equally well suited for jewelry and research. B9Creations offers users burnable resin (emerald, yellow, cherry) and prototype resin (black and red). The latter is designed for accuracy, strength and heat resistance. You can also use third party materials.

Expert commentary: The model and the concept itself are so outdated that it’s strange to see this printer on the list of the best for spring 2020. All printers from the list can easily cope with the described tasks, and at the same time they are much more compact and cheaper.

FlashForge Hunter

 

3D printer	FlashForge Hunter
Printing technology	DLP
Max. construction area, mm	120 x 68 x 150
Positioning accuracy, micron	XY: 63 / Z: 13-50
Cost	CHECK PRICE

FlashForge is known as one of the leaders in the budget desktop 3D printers and scanners segment, and the truth is that it is well known in the DLP 3D printer market as well. Hunter is equipped with a durable DLP projector designed specifically for this printer model, which provides uniform UV exposure throughout the printable area. It also comes with a sturdy aluminum bath for no replacement printing. Compatible with both FlashForge and non-FlashForge resins and controlled by a specially designed slicer for this printer, which offers numerous distortion correction modes to improve print quality. All this makes FlashForge Hunter a versatile machine.

Expert commentary: This printer was originally produced as a competitor to the FormLabs Form 2 and, for the same price, offered faster print speeds through DLP technology and the ability to use resin from any manufacturer. But at the same time, FlashForge was unable to create an ecosystem comparable to that of FormLabs, and although the printer was in certain demand, thanks, first of all, to the excellent print quality, simply the prohibitive level of components and low rejection rate, which distinguishes all FlashForge printers. did not become a sensation. Our review we made this printer almost three years ago, you can see it on our YouTube channel. Due to low demand, we stopped supplying these printers this year, and FlashForge also revised its strategy and is preparing to release several models based on LCD matrix this summer.

Below is a general comparison table of the printers mentioned in this article:

To add objectivity, here is a list of the best resin 3D printers from 3DSourced, this list is not divided by nominations, but simply presents the 12 best desktop resin 3D printers. We will not write anything further about the models that have already been mentioned before, but will dwell only on those that did not appear before.

1.   Formlabs Form 3

2. 3DSystems FabPro 1000

The American company 3DSystems has been producing industrial 3D printers since the late 1980s, and its founder, Chuck Hull, is the inventor of stereolithographic 3D printing. The company has come a long way since then and is now selling its cheapest FabPro 1000 printer for under $ 3,000. While the printable area is no larger than some of the much cheaper resin printers, this DLP 3D printer more than makes up for it with performance. Its high print quality and precision (XY resolution of 65 microns) and laser thickness of 30 microns means it is ideal for dentistry and jewelry industries. If you are looking for a reliable 3D printer that can create wax models for burnout or other industrial applications, then the FabPro 1000 is perfect for you.

Expert commentary: In fact, 3DSystems has abandoned its participation in the desktop 3D printer market, phasing out all desktop models and focusing on the professional and industrial equipment market. And this printer is more of a shard of old hopes of dominating the desktop 3D printer market. The printer is sold at a price of more than 500,000 rubles and is in very limited demand, unable to compete with more budgetary counterparts. It is strange that the authors did not include in this list another 3DSystems model – Figure 4, which deserves much more attention, but perhaps they thought that this model no longer belongs to the desktop category.

3. Prusa SL1

4. B9Creations B9Creator v1.2

5. ELEGOO Mars

6. FlashForgeHunter

7. AnyCubic Photon S

 

8. Peopoly Phenom

9. AnyCubic Photon

10. Zortrax Inkspire

11. LONGER Orange 30 / Orange 10

 

Expert commentary: unlike ALL3DP, the authors of this rating included two models of Longer printers at once, which differ only in the construction area Orange 10 has a camera 98x55x140 mm, and Orange 30 about which we wrote earlier 120x65x170 mm.

12.QIDI Tech Shadow 5.5 S

 

Summing up, we can say that the results of both ratings practically coincided, although it is very surprising that 3DSourced completely ignored Phrozen’s products, which, in our opinion, is a big omission and distorts the real picture of the market.

When choosing a resin 3D printer, we would advise you to focus on several critical aspects, the main of which is what task you need a printer for, and among the rest, I would highlight the budget, the size of the build area, performance, reliability and ease of use.