With the increased popularity and reduced costs associated with 3D printing, the best resin 3D printer options are more accessible than ever. Resin offers a unique option for 3D printing, creating complex patterns and models in a unique process. If you’re looking to experiment with SLA printing, you’ve come to the right place.
We’ve put together a buyer’s guide for the best resin printer choices across a range of budgets. Regardless of your specific situation, you shouldn’t struggle to find an appropriate 3D printer for your needs!
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Editor’s PickELEGOO Mars 4 Max MSLA 3D Printer
- Build Volume: 195mm x 122mm x 150mm
- Filament: SLA
- Connectivity Technology: USB
- Filetype: STL
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Best Beginner Resin 3D PrinterVoxelab Proxima
- Build Volume: 230mm x 200mm x 410mm
- Filament: SLA
- Connectivity Technology: USB
- Filetype: STL
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Best Budget Resin 3D PrinterANYCUBIC Photon Mono
- Build Volume: 245mm x 200mm x 125mm
- Filament: SLA
- Connectivity Technology: USB
- Filetype: STL
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Best Industrial Resin 3D PrinterJG MAKER 800SE
- Build Volume: 800mm x 800mm x 500mm
- Filament: Silicone
- Connectivity Technology: USB, Ethernet
- Filetype: STL
How We Picked the Best Resin 3D Printer
There were a number of things we took into consideration when choosing the best resin 3D printers. There are some general-purpose elements to factor in, such as print quality, volume and speed. We also considered as diverse a range of budgets as we could.
On top of that, there are quality-of-life elements: features that don’t make or break a 3D print experience, but contribute to their overall quality. Elements such as connectivity options, different resin options and overall stability all make for an easier 3D printing experience.
We’re left with four 3D printers for resin on today’s list, each of which is a worthy purchase for 3D print enthusiasts of any skill level. Below, we’ve detailed the benefits – and few drawbacks – of each.
What is a Resin 3D Printer?
Resin 3D printing, also known as SLA printing, is a process that uses a laser to selectively solidify resin. The resin is hyper-sensitive to light, meaning that a laser can create precise incisions incredibly quickly. There are a number of different resins (or thermoset polymers) available, and resin printing can be used in engineering, design, modeling and even medicine.
This is wildly different from other 3D printing systems: few industrial 3D printers are capable of printing with resin, whilst resin printers can only print with resin. Think of 3D printers as jacks-of-all-trades, and resin printers as masters of one! Due to this uniqueness, however, resin 3D printers tend to be more expensive than standard 3D printers.
- Build Volume: 195mm x 122mm x 150mm
- Filament: SLA
- Connectivity Technology: USB
- Filetype: STL
The most appealing alternative to traditional 3D printing, hobbyists may prefer the Mars 4 Max to other 3D printers for their respective print projects.
- High-quality prints – the Mars 4 Max renders resin prints with great detail without sacrificing speed.
- Easy assembly – setting up this SLA printer is quick and easy.
- Loud – many may struggle with the noise level of the Mars 4 Max.
We’re huge fans of ELEGOO 3D printers, always packed with high-value features such as automatic leveling. Today’s top pick, the Mars 4 Max, continues this with a top-notch design containing a gamut of quality features for easy 3D printing with resin.
The Mars 4 is practically ready out of the box, with a quick and easy assembly process. Once up and running, you’ll be impressed by how quickly and efficiently this 3D printer operates, with a build volume that is ideal for miniatures or other small figures and a Z-axis rail for quick directional change. The 4K display allows for crisp detail and easy configuration, and the build plate is easily removed for quick access.
The one gripe we have with this resin printer is the noise level – this may not be an ideal resin 3D printer for home use. Other than that, the Mars 4 is still our top choice for a resin 3D printer, at a highly affordable price point!
- Build Volume: 230mm x 200mm x 410mm
- Filament: SLA
- Connectivity Technology: USB
- Filetype: STL
This SLA printer is another favorite from Voxelab, and one that delivers easy and accessible 3D prints.
- Accommodating build volume – at 230mm x 200mm x 410mm, you have plenty of room to create your resin prints.
- Beginner-friendly – coming with tutorials to help you get to grips, the Proxima is a great option for beginners.
- USB connection only – the lack of a wireless connection or dedicated card slot somewhat limits the versatility of this resin printer.
An ideal resin 3D printer for beginners, the Voxelab Proxima is a top SLA printer that comes from Flashforge’s offshoot studio, Voxelab.
This is one of the easiest 3D printers on the market to use, with minimal assembly and incredibly clear instructions – it even comes with some tutorial renders to allow you to get to grips with the slicer and modeling. Once you hit “print” you won’t be waiting long for your model to be ready, with great speeds and a slightly superior build volume to our top pick.
One major limiting factor to the accessibility of this resin printer is the connection: the Proxima is limited to exclusively USB connectivity, with no wireless functionality. This is a small hurdle to overcome, however, and we still recommend this unit as a top 3D resin printer for beginners!
- Build Volume: 245mm x 200mm x 125mm
- Filament: SLA
- Connectivity Technology: USB
- Filetype: STL
For affordable SLA printing, the Photon Mono is near-unmatched in term of price and performance.
- Good build volume – at 245mm x 200mm x 125mm, this 3D printer has the capacity for decent-sized prints.
- Affordable – the price of the Photon Mono tends to be under $300, and can be found for even less on sale.
- Poor slicer software – the Photon Mono’s companion software is difficult to use, which can lead to frustrating print errors.
A top-tier budget 3D printer for resin, the Photon Mono from ANYCUBIC is a great budget offering in the resin 3D printing market.
The printer keeps both the upfront and ongoing costs low, with affordable resin options and an affordable RRP. The Photon Mono also prints entire layers of resin in batches, which makes for fast rendering speeds. Boasting a commendable build volume of 245mm x 200mm x 125mm, you have room to create detailed and varied SLA prints without breaking the bank.
What does break, however, is the slicer software that accompanies the Photon Mono. Buggy and difficult to use, it’s the only thing that lets this otherwise stellar resin printer down.
- Build Volume: 800mm x 800mm x 500mm
- Filament: Silicone
- Connectivity Technology: USB, Ethernet
- Filetype: STL
For immense 3D printing with resin, this productivity powerhouse is well suited to industrial needs.
- Immense build volume – at 800mm x 800mm x 500mm, you’ve plenty of room to create industrial-grade designs.
- High print resolution – with accuracy within 0.05mm, the 800SE is well worth the expense for precise prints.
- Business pricing – far from a consumer-grade model, the 800SE is a premium unit.
For the ceiling of quality on your resin 3D printer, the JG MAKER 800SE is well worth its admittedly high price. Boasting a huge build volume, this incredible unit is a great large model for high-end 3D printing.
Boasting an 800mm x 800mm x 500mm build volume, you’ve ample room to create stunning 3D prints. The intuitive software automatically detects the correct settings for different resin types, and adjusts print settings accordingly – and other intelligent systems work to minimize rippling and warping. This printer is intelligent, efficient and industrial-grade.
The price, unfortunately, is also industrial-grade. Very few can afford this top-of-the-line SLA printer – though the quality it delivers makes it worth the cost.
Features and Considerations
There’s a lot more to consider than just getting your hands on the best resin 3D printer. We’ve broken down the various factors you should factor into your purchase:
Consumables
A catch-all term for all that you need for resin 3D printing, these are components or items that are used in 3D printing with resin. Some models class their build plate as “consumable”, but other items include alcohol-based cleaning solutions for cleaning the models or latex gloves to avoid skin contact. Of course, the actual resin also needs buying – make sure to factor these into your budget!
Print Speed
Especially in commercial settings, the speed that your resin printer functions at can make or break its effectiveness. Though they are much faster than standard 3D printers, SLA printers aren’t instant – so be sure to consider that printing time before promising a client same-day collection!
Safety
Make sure that your resin printer is kept in a well-ventilated room, away from animals or children. Similarly, avoid interfering with the printer when it’s in use, as it can be potentially harmful.
Print Bed Size
The size of the print bed of your 3D printer can determine the size of projects that you can make, so it’s important to think carefully about this. If the print bed is bigger it means you can print larger things. This may not be that important to you if you are primarily going to be making smaller objects, however.
FAQs
There are many materials that conventional 3D printers can accommodate: from basics such as PLA through to niche applications such as carbon fiber or nylon. However, resin printers are the only 3D printers that can use resin – but no other material. As with many differences between 3D printers, it comes down to what you want to print.
There are a few different materials that miniatures can be made out of, any hard plastic can do the trick. However, the most common are polymer resin, PVC, or PLA.
Verdict
- Build Volume: 195mm x 122mm x 150mm
- Filament: SLA
- Connectivity Technology: USB
- Filetype: STL
For overall great quality in an affordable and easy-to-use package, the ELEGOO Mars 4 Max is hard to beat. Though it runs a little loud, it packs a great amount into a highly compact frame – and proves why ELEGOO remains unbeaten for resin 3D printing!
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