Best Resin 3D Printers 2024

As 3D printing continues to become cheaper and more accessible, resin 3D printers have become a popular choice for anyone interested in making highly-detailed models that wouldn’t be feasible using a filament-fed, FDM 3D printer. These MSLA (Masked Stereolithography) resin 3D printers typically have a single axis of motion, and this simple mechanical system means these machines can regularly be found for less than $300. With so many models on the market, we’ve made this list to help you find the best resin 3D printer for you.

The best resin 3D printers are capable of making high-resolution models by curing a liquid resin using a UV light source. This MSLA process uses a masking LCD to selectively block the UV light on a pixel-by-pixel basis, allowing these printers to create models that have a resolution of down to .035mm on the XY axes. 

This high resolution comes at a price, as parts made on a resin 3D printer require post-processing after printing, and UV resin requires caution when handling. Because resin requires gloves and a mask to handle, we recommend beginners or anyone with young kids consider one of the FDM (fusion deposit modeling) printers on our overall Best 3D Printers page. Additionally, we have our Best Budget 3D Printers list if you are looking for more affordable options. To see our speed testing benchmark results and rankings of the top FDM models available, check out our 3D Printer Speed Hierarchy page.

Quick List

Best Resin 3D Printers in 2024

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Best Resin 3D Printer Overall

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Best Resin 3D Printer Overall

Specifications

Technology: Resin
Build Volume: 163 x 102 x 180mm
LCD Resolution: 4098 x 2560
LCD Size: 7.6-inch
XY Axis Resolution: .04mm
Connectivity: USB

Reasons to buy

+
Detailed 4K+ prints
+
Fast 2 second per layer exposure time
+
Effortless print removal
+
Roomy build volume for a small printer

Reasons to avoid

-
4-bolt leveling platform

The Anycubic Photon M3 is the best all around resin 3D printer we’ve reviewed. It produces crisp details with 4K+ quality that rivals more expensive machines and has a wide build plate allowing it to make larger models than competitors in its class. 

A sample print of a unicorn was extremely detailed, with the ridges on its horn and its mane appearing really sharp and free from layer lines. It was also a full 180mm tall and printed in 10 hours. 

The etched build plate works really well at holding models tight during printing, but also allows for easy removal when they’re done. The metal vat has a convenient pour spout, and Anycubic includes a screen protector for the LED light source to prevent accidental drips from ruining your printer. 

Retailing for less than $250 at press time, the Anycubic Photon M3 is a reasonable purchase for a beginner or an advanced maker wanting to add to their fleet. 

More: Anycubic Photon M3 Review 

Best Resin for Print Farms

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Best Resin for Print Farms

Specifications

Technology: MSLA
Build Volume: 330 x 185 x 300 mm
LCD Resolution: 8K
LCD Size: 15 inches
XY Resolution: 43 microns
Interface: 3.5-inch Touch Panel
Connectivity: USB

Reasons to buy

+
Tilt Lid
+
Factory Leveled
+
Factory installed screen protector
+
Easy menu navigation

Reasons to avoid

-
Expensive
-
Mammoth sized footprint

The Phrozen Sonic Mega 8K S is a huge resin 3D printer with a 15-inch light source and a build volume that rivals those of traditional FDM printers. It’s easy enough that a beginner can operate it, with a simple-to-navigate menu and a perfect build plate that releases models with ease. Retailing at $1,579, the Sonic Mega 8K S is a pricey machine that could make good business sense for print farms that produce massive models or tons of smaller figures.

8K resolution may no longer sound impressive, but those 43-micron pixels are the size of a human hair. When prints made with a 12K machine are put side-by-side, it’s not far off, and the difference is barely detectable by the human eye. 

The Sonic Mega 8K S is an overhaul of the previous Mega 8K. The most notable improvements are the hinged, tilt-back lid and the ability to hang the build plate at an angle for drainage, both things I’d love to see on a regular-sized resin printer.

Phrozen has a number of optional accessories to make the Sonic Mega 8Ks exceptionally easy to use: a 24 liter (6 gallons) wash unit, a curing station the size of a microwave, and a pump to keep your vat perpetually full.

More:  Phrozen Sonic Mega 8K S Review

Best High-Resolution 3D Printer

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Best High-Resolution 3D Printer

Specifications

Technology: Resin
Build Volume: 218 x 123 x 200 mm
LCD Resolution: 12K
LCD Size: 10.1-inch Monochrome
XY Resolution: 19x24 microns
Interface: 4.3-inch Touch Panel
Connectivity: USB Type A 2.0

Reasons to buy

+
Eye-popping 12K prints
+
Auto leveling
+
High speed printing
+
Smart sensors

Reasons to avoid

-
Release film has short life span
-
Specialty resin is pricey

With its mind-blowing 12K resolution, the Anycubic Photon Mono M5s is best for printing tabletop models and miniatures that require attention to the most minute details. So, if you are looking to make high-quality prints for your hobby or business, then this printer is worth your consideration.

The Photon Mono M5s is the first resin printer that we've tested that does not require manual calibration. Anycubic has packed the Mono M5s with smart features like auto-leveling and monitoring capabilities to inform you of resin levels; print fails, etc. These amenities do come at a cost but provide a much-needed convenience that we appreciate. 

We tested the Wekster’s Rocket bust using Anycubic's custom high-speed resin versus other resins with various settings and came up with interesting results.

Swipe to scroll horizontally
ResinSettings (layer height, etc)Time to completionQuality (your subjective view of the output)
Anycubic High Speed Resin.1 mm layer, fast mode50 min, 21 secAverage quality, little detail, soft looking, looks like a 2K print
Anycubic High Speed Resin.05 mm layer, fast mode1 hour, 31 min, 27 secGood quality, some detail, looks like a 4K print
Anycubic HD Resin.05 mm layer, fast profile2 hours, 35 minutes, 37 secExcellent quality, Fine detail
Anycubic HD Resin.05 mm layer, normal mode4 hours, 59 min, 45 secExcellent quality, extra fine detail
Inland Blue Standard Resin.05 mm layer, normal mode4 hours, 59 min, 45 secGood quality, easily over cured, details lost due to low contrast color
Anycubic Water Washable Resin.05 mm layer, normal mode4 hours, 59 min, 45 secExcellent quality, Fine detail, not as crisp as HD resin

The Anycubic HD resin produced a better quality output compared to its custom high-speed resin. But there is definitely more room for experimentation, depending on the size of your model or project (if you are doing multiple prints) and cost restrictions.

The Anycubic Photon Mono M5s launched with a $539 MSRP, but is currently available for $419 at Walmart.

More: Anycubic Photon Mono M5s Review

Best Resin 3D Printer for Beginners

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Best Resin 3D Printer for Beginners

Specifications

Technology: Resin
Build Volume: 165 x 89 x 143 mm
LCD Resolution: 4096 x 2560
LCD Size: 6.6-inch Monochrome
XY Axis Resolution: 34 microns
Connectivity: USB Type A 2.0

Reasons to buy

+
Detailed 4K prints
+
Fast setup
+
Effortless print removal
+
Easy to navigate menus
+
Generous anti-scratch film to protect the glass

Reasons to avoid

-
Slippery feet on the base
-
Lightweight and cheap feel

As the successor to Anycubic's Photon Mono 4K, the Mono 2 does not disappoint. It's fast, and makes 4K resin printing look easy.  Our test prints of the Fotis Mint’s Boba Fett Bust, MZ4250’s Fighters, and Succubus turned out clean results with clear, well-defined details, even for the smaller models.

It's compact and lightweight, so it won't take up a lot of space and can easily be stored away. It's shipped mostly assembled, which makes setup a snap as well. Although it is identical to the Mono 4K in size, it has a 20% larger build volume allowing you more flexibility for bigger print projects.

If you've ever wanted to try doing SLA printing, the Photon Mono 2 is a great entry-level machine for you to start. It launched at an affordable $230 price point and now is on sale for $179 at Amazon. You can't get any better deal than that.

More: Anycubic Photon Mono 2 Review

Best High-End Resin 3D Printer

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Best Splurge Resin 3D Printer

Specifications

Technology: MSLA
Build Volume: 218 x 123 x 235 mm
LCD Screen: 10-inch Monochrome
LCD Resolution: 7680 X 4320
XY Axis Resolution: 0.028 mm
Connectivity: USB, Ethernet, Wi-Fi

Reasons to buy

+
Large build volume
+
Effortless print removal
+
Wi-Fi

Reasons to avoid

-
Ships with a non-functional camera
-
Expensive

If you’re ready to throw some serious cash down for a decent-sized resin 3D printer with quality that will knock your socks off, the Phrozen Sonic Mighty 8K is here for you. Its roomy 218 x 123 mm build plate can accommodate an army of gaming miniatures or a gift-worthy superhero statue. Priced at around $600 at press time, this printer isn't cheap. But in return for the premium, you get crispy details, prints that practically slide off the build plate, a built-in webcam and a machine that’s WiFi ready.

We enjoyed navigating through the Mighty 8K’s menus, thanks to its large and easy-to-use touch screen display. There’s little need to consult the manual – the printer walks you through an onboard tutorial to handle leveling and your first test print. Want to rerun a test file at a different exposure? No problem – the Sonic Mighty 8k will let you change exposure settings and more right inside the printer. I found this extremely helpful while dialing in a new resin.    

The Phrozen Sonic Mighty 8K size is closer to what we see in FDM printers, without being so large that it dominates your workshop. The quality and extra wiggle room would be a worthwhile investment for someone running an Esty shop or an artist wanting to showcase their work. We were able to print 12 very-detailed gaming figures at once and the process only took 4 hours and 2 minutes. 

Our only issue with this machine was the camera, which was released for review before it was functional. There’s no set date on when the camera firmware will be ready, but it promises the ability to monitor prints as well as create time lapses.

For a more affordable 8K resin option, consider the Phrozen Sonic Mini 8K S which still offers amazing print detail and now compatible with all the popular 3rd party slicers but is only $349.99. That's nearly half the cost of the Mighty 8K.

More: Phrozen Sonic Mighty 8K Review

Best Super-Large Format Resin 3D Printer

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Best Super-Large Format Resin 3D Printer

Specifications

Technology: MSLA
Build Volume: 277.8 x 156.3 x 300 mm
LCD Resolution: 5448 x 3064
LCD Size: 12.8-inch
XY Axis Resolution: .05mm
Connectivity: USB

Reasons to buy

+
Huge build volume
+
Easy leveling
+
Automatic resin feeder
+
Great build quality

Reasons to avoid

-
Competitors have higher resolution
-
Not available yet

It’s only available for pre-order right now, but when it’s available, Elegoo’s Jupiter printer will offer a combination of great quality and a huge build volume. And, despite its $1,300 price, the Jupiter is actually a great deal for its size, given that competitors cost closer to $1,000. 

Where the $499 Saturn provides a 192mm x 120mm x 200mm volume, the Jupiter provides a ton more, going all the way to 277.8mm x 156.3mm x 300mm. And the print quality is pretty good as we found when outputting a detailed model of the Notre Dame Cathedral.

We also love the Jupiter’s sturdy, all-metal chassis, which makes it feel like a premium product worthy of its premium price. We found the touch screen interface easy to navigate and the leveling process relatively painless.

More: Elegoo Jupiter Review 

Best Large Format Resin 3D Printer

Models by Fotis Mint and Loot Studios (Image credit: Tom's Hardware)
Best Large Format Resin 3D Printer

Specifications

Technology: MSLA
Build Volume: 219 x 123 x 250 mm
LCD Resolution: 7680 x 4320 (8K)
LCD Size: 10-inch
XY Axis Resolution: .0285mm
Connectivity: USB

Reasons to buy

+
Stylish industrial design
+
8K LCD resolution and .0285mm XY resolution
+
Large build volume
+
Dual integrated air filters
+
Failure-free printing with the NFEP resin vat film

Reasons to avoid

-
Upward-facing bolts on build platform are difficult to clean
-
Photon Workshop software feels clunky and slow

The Anycubic Photon M3 Premium set an impressive standard. Offering both high resolution and large build volume in a single machine, it effectively does the work of two separate printers and still comes in cheaper than buying them individually.

The 10-inch 8K masking LCD provides an ultra-high 0.0285mm XY resolution which allows even the finest details to resolve on printed models. We were particularly impressed when we printed a model that had a tiny, open book on a pedestal; the words on the pages were sharp and legible (though one might need a magnifying glass to see them).

The 219mm x 123mm x 250mm build volume allows users to print large models with high resolution, or simply pack the oversized build platform with multiple small parts to produce many in parallel. Featuring integrated dual air filters, a laser-etched build platform, and a razor-thin NFEP vat film, the Photon M3 Premium is easily capable of handling anything you can throw at it. 

With a special introductory retail price of $619 and a planned retail price of $639, the Photon M3 Premium strikes an excellent balance between high resolution and large build volume while remaining less expensive than the competition. The included Anycubic Photon Workshop software was slow and buggy during our testing, and is the primary weak point of this machine.

More: Anycubic Photon M3 Premium Resin 3D Printer Review  

Best Medium Format Resin 3D Printer

(Image credit: Tom's Hardware)
Best Medium Format Resin 3D Printer

Specifications

Technology: MSLA
Build Volume: 200mm x 196mm x 122mm
LCD Resolution: 4096 x 2560
LCD Size: 9.1-inch
XY Axis Resolution: 48 microns
Connectivity: USB Type A 2.0

Reasons to buy

+
Detailed 4K+ resolution
+
Fast setup
+
Easy to navigate menus
+
Includes screen protector for LCD

Reasons to avoid

-
4 point leveling

The Anycubic Photon Mono X2 is a fantastic resin 3D printer that combines affordability and a generous build volume with great 4K resolution. The Mono X2 delivers crisp details at 48 microns per – smaller than a grain of salt. We’ve printed full sized dragons, 8 inch tall sculptures and entire squadrons of miniatures in one go with the Mono X2.

Retailing at $339.99, the Mono X2 is an excellent bargain for beginners who don’t want to start small or experienced makers who need a little elbow room. It’s easy to use with a laser etched build surface that helps prints stick in place without being too hard to remove. 

The X2 has a 9.1-inch monochrome LCD with an improved light source that provides smoother prints than ever before. It comes with a screen protector for the LED glass, which covers the glass to protect it from scratches or dreaded resin drips. Our only beef with this printer is the four-point leveling system, which is tedious to perfect.

More: Anycubic Photon Mono X2 Review

Best Resin 3D Printer for Miniatures

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Best Resin 3D Printer Miniatures

Specifications

Technology: MSLA
Build Volume: 143mm x 89.6mm x 175mm
LCD Resolution: 4098 x 2560 px
LCD Size: 6.6-inch
XY Axis Resolution: .035mm
Connectivity: USB Thumb Drive

Reasons to buy

+
High resolution
+
Air purification module
+
Scratch-resistant LCD

Reasons to avoid

-
Purifier doesn’t totally remove odor 

If you’re looking to create small models for table-top gaming, or just display, the Elegoo Mars 3 Pro is a great choice, thanks to its great build quality and high resolution. The Mars 3 Pro has an XY resolution of 35 microns (0.035mm) which allows you to show intricate details in even small objects.

When we printed mz4250's Red Dragon model, fine ridges on the tail and bones in the wing were sharp, without any visible splotching or errors. Even the spines and beard on the head were crystal clear. Its LCD screen provides a 4098 x 2560 resolution for prints, which is higher than the 4K resolutions of competitors like the Phrozen Sonic Mini 4K and AnyCubic Photon Mono 4K.

Unlike the Phrozen Sonic Mini 4K, which is very competitive in this area, the Mars 3 Pro doesn’t suffer from any build quality issues.It’s easy to level and even has a built-in air purifier that, in our tests, mitigated but did not completely remove the resin odor that all MSLA printers emit. With a price in the $300 - $350 range, this isn’t the cheapest resin printer on the market, but it offers great quality output and strong usability for the money.

Read: Elegoo Mars 3 Pro Review  

Today's Best Resin Deals

Elegoo 3D Printer Resin LCD UV-Curing Resin: now $17 at Amazon

Elegoo 3D Printer Resin LCD UV-Curing Resin: <a href="https://target.georiot.com/Proxy.ashx?tsid=45723&GR_URL=https%3A%2F%2Famazon.com%2Fdp%2FB07Z986566%3Ftag%3Dhawk-future-20%26ascsubtag%3Dhawk-custom-tracking-20" data-link-merchant="Amazon US"" target="_BLANK">now $17 at Amazon (was $32)
This photopolymer resin is designed to reduce printing time and to reduce volume shrinkage during the curing process to ensure a smooth finish. Suitable for most DLP/LCD 3D printers. Less odor than other resins.

ANYCUBIC 3D Printer Plant-Based Resin:&nbsp;now $24 at Amazon

ANYCUBIC 3D Printer Plant-Based Resin: <a href="https://target.georiot.com/Proxy.ashx?tsid=45723&GR_URL=https%3A%2F%2Famazon.com%2FANYCUBIC-Printer-Plant-Based-Photopolymer-Printing%2Fdp%2FB08XN65RW7%3Ftag%3Dhawk-future-20%26ascsubtag%3Dhawk-custom-tracking-20" data-link-merchant="Amazon US"" target="_BLANK">now $24 at Amazon (was $35)
With high-speed solidification and low odor, this photopolymer resin is made from soybean oil which offers better environmental protection. It is compatible with most resin 3D printers and the large 1Kg bottle will keep you printing for a while.      

Shopping Tips for Best Resin 3D Printers

What you Need to Know When Buying a Resin 3D Printer

There are several factors to consider before buying one of the best resin 3D printers, so be sure to consider these questions before making a choice.

🤔 Mono or RGB LCD? The type of masking LCD on your resin 3D printer can have the single largest impact on your overall print speed. Because they are commonly used in other electronics, RGB masking LCDs are cheaper, but slower because they don’t  allow UV light to pass through efficiently and need more exposure time per layer. For example, the RGB LCD on the Creality LD-002R requires 9 seconds per layer, while the Mono LCD on the Elegoo Mars 2 Pro requires only 2.2 seconds per layer.

🤔 How much build volume do you need? Most resin 3D printers have smaller build volumes than FDM 3D printers, so you may find yourself limited by this relatively small build volume. If you are interested in printing large parts, you’ll want to look at a large format resin 3D printer such as the Elegoo Saturn or the Anycubic Photon Mono X.

🤔 2K, 4K, or Beyond? A resin 3D printer that uses a 6.08-inch 2K screen like the Elegoo Mars 2 Pro is capable of an XY resolution of .05mm as well as a layer height of .05mm. For context, this means even a relatively low-resolution resin 3D printer is still capable of making extremely fine details that simply wouldn’t be possible on an FDM printer. If you need even more resolution, a 4K screen is capable of making finer features, but is typically more expensive.

🤔 Post Processing Equipment? Resin 3D printers create parts that require post-processing before they are completely finished. Typically, this workflow involves rinsing the parts in a solvent to dissolve any excess resin on the surface of the part, followed by a cure cycle that uses UV light to fully polymerize the part. This process can be done manually by submerging the part in a solvent and using an inexpensive UV light for curing, but some manufacturers have created post-processing equipment like the Elegoo Mercury X that automate the process and reduce the mess.

Denise Bertacchi
Freelance Reviewer

Denise Bertacchi is a Contributing Writer for Tom’s Hardware US, covering 3D printing.

With contributions from
  • gilahacker82
    FYI: You guys posted a summary of the Anycubic Vyper FDM printer under the listing for the Anycubic Photon Mono.
    Reply
  • JARGYLE
    Prices are incorrect and in my opinion there are much better options out there.
    This would be my list.

    Best Overall
    Epax X1-4k
    4K mono screen. They're built like a tank. The X1 platform is upgradable.
    Company headquarters are in the USA (much easier to get parts & support should you need either)
    $549

    Best High End
    Formlabs Form 2 (I prefer it to the form 3)
    $2400

    Best Large Format (there are a lot of good machines in the category)
    Uniz Ibee + Lychee Slicer
    Exceptional build quality & a superior light source to most other printers in it's class
    Can be found new for $400-$500. (frequent promotions) Retails for $1400

    Best High Resolution Machine
    If high resolution is what you're after hold off for now. New tech is just around the corner. Watch for these machines.
    Phrozen Sonic Mini 8k - 8k LCD machine, build quality looks to be much improved over last years 4k model.
    Anycubic Photon Ultra - DLP based machine. Actual resolution is quite low but the quality of the DLP light source is supposed to be a game changer.
    Mars 3 DLP - Another DLP based machine to look out for. I understand the resolution of this machine will be superior to the Photon Ultra

    Best $300 or Less
    Elegoo Mars 3
    Least expensive 4K mono machine. Seems to outperform the Phrozen Sonic Mini 4K.
    $300
    Reply
  • mogster
    I've considered getting one of these, but I'm wondering - how do you deal with the smell? As I understand it, the resin requires good ventilation, but I live in a small apartment with a couple windows on one side and a hot climate. I can't imagine having to deal with fumes for hours while something is printing.
    Reply
  • JARGYLE
    An apartment isn't the ideal environment for a resin printer. The smell isnt really what you need to worry about, there are a lot of resins that don't have a strong or unpleasant scent. Dangerous VOC's are the concern & the smell from these fumes may not be noticable. I know at least one resin manuacturer (sirayatech) says that the amount of VOC's released from uncured resin is quite low but VOC's will likely build up inside the printer. You're most likely to be exposed when you lift the lid after completing a print. If you have a window in the apartment you could make some modification to continually vent the fumes, or you could have a fan or something to exhaust them when you're most likely to be exposed. I'd invest in a vat cover to keep the VOC's from entering your living space while the printer isn't in use.
    Reply
  • Peaver
    Following on from Jargyle's suggestions.

    I can only comment on the Elegoo Mars 3 as i bought one a couple of years ago as my first ever printer.

    I've happily been printing mind blowing models out of the box for 2 years with only 1 failure (Caused by me scaling down a pre-supported model so the supports were like hairs!)

    I find the CHITUBOX slicer really easy to use and their water washable resin great.
    Reply
  • valdier
    Honestly the best 3d printer out currently in the consumer range is likely the UniFormation 8K gk2.
    It has better build quality, convenience features, carbon filters, heated resin bed, etc.

    I have several SLA and FDM printers and this one is hands down the best design and feature set in this space.
    Reply
  • valdier
    mogster said:
    I've considered getting one of these, but I'm wondering - how do you deal with the smell? As I understand it, the resin requires good ventilation, but I live in a small apartment with a couple windows on one side and a hot climate. I can't imagine having to deal with fumes for hours while something is printing.
    I just have a Dyson air filter in the same room as the printer. Can't smell *anything* and the Dyson purifies the air nonstop.
    Reply