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Our resin picks for beginners
Best resin printer for beginners
Elegoo Mars 5 Ultra
A compact 9K resin printer with tilt release and Wi-Fi.
Best for First resin printer, miniatures on a budget
Key specs manufacturer data
| Technology | MSLA resin, tilt release |
|---|---|
| LCD | 7-inch 9K monochrome |
| Resolution | 8520 × 4320 px |
| XY pixel size | 18 µm |
| Build volume | 153.36 × 77.76 × 165 mm |
| Max speed | Up to 150 mm/h (manufacturer figure) |
| Camera | AI camera (empty-plate & warping detection, time-lapse) |
| Connectivity | Wi-Fi |
Why it stands out
- Small footprint, sensible first resin machine
- Tilt release reduces peel forces
- Wi-Fi and camera are unusual at this size
Trade-offs
- Small plate limits batch size
- Resin handling and post-processing still required
- Speed figure assumes fast resin and ideal settings
Spec sources: 3djake.com · us.elegoo.com
Best if you'll print a lot
Elegoo Saturn 4 Ultra 16K
16K resolution on a 10-inch screen, with a heated vat.
Best for Tabletop miniatures, display pieces, jewelry masters
Key specs manufacturer data
| Technology | MSLA resin, tilt release |
|---|---|
| LCD | 10-inch 16K monochrome |
| Resolution | 15120 × 6230 px |
| XY pixel size | 14 × 19 µm |
| Build volume | 211.68 × 118.37 × 220 mm |
| Resin heating | Smart tank heating to ~30 °C |
| Camera | Build-plate camera with light (monitoring, time-lapse) |
| Connectivity | Wi-Fi |
Why it stands out
- Very fine XY pixel size for miniatures
- Heated vat keeps resin viscosity consistent in cold rooms
- Large enough for batches of 32 mm minis
Trade-offs
- Resin workflow needs ventilation, gloves and a wash/cure setup
- Reviewers describe the AI camera features as limited
- 16K benefits are subtle versus 12K on larger parts
Spec sources: hackster.io · elegoo.com
Best budget, simplest design
Anycubic Photon Mono 4
A no-frills 10K resin printer with small pixels.
Best for Budget-minded miniature painters
Key specs manufacturer data
| Technology | MSLA resin, FEP film |
|---|---|
| LCD | 7-inch 10K monochrome |
| XY pixel size | 17 × 17 µm |
| Build volume | 153.4 × 87 × 165 mm (2.2 L) |
| Max speed | Up to 50 mm/h standard resin; 70 mm/h high-speed resin (0.1 mm layers) |
| Layer height | 0.03–0.15 mm |
| Leveling | 4-point manual |
Why it stands out
- Square 17 µm pixels for crisp detail
- Simple, proven FEP-film design
- Laser-engraved build plate for adhesion
Trade-offs
- Manual leveling
- No tilt release, camera or Wi-Fi
- Slower than tilt-release rivals
Spec sources: anycubic.au · eu.anycubic.com
Specs side by side
| Elegoo Mars 5 Ultra | Anycubic Photon Mono 4 | Elegoo Saturn 4 Ultra 16K | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Technology | MSLA resin, tilt release | MSLA resin, FEP film | MSLA resin, tilt release |
| LCD | 7-inch 9K monochrome | 7-inch 10K monochrome | 10-inch 16K monochrome |
| Resolution | 8520 × 4320 px | — | 15120 × 6230 px |
| XY pixel size | 18 µm | 17 × 17 µm | 14 × 19 µm |
| Build volume | 153.36 × 77.76 × 165 mm | 153.4 × 87 × 165 mm (2.2 L) | 211.68 × 118.37 × 220 mm |
| Max speed | Up to 150 mm/h (manufacturer figure) | Up to 50 mm/h standard resin; 70 mm/h high-speed resin (0.1 mm layers) | — |
| Camera | AI camera (empty-plate & warping detection, time-lapse) | — | Build-plate camera with light (monitoring, time-lapse) |
| Connectivity | Wi-Fi | — | Wi-Fi |
| Layer height | — | 0.03–0.15 mm | — |
| Leveling | — | 4-point manual | — |
| Resin heating | — | — | Smart tank heating to ~30 °C |
| Where to buy |
Specs from manufacturer pages and published reviews. Prices change daily, so we don't print them: use the buttons for the current price.
Your safe beginner setup
- Place the printer in a ventilated room that stays above about 20 °C (cold resin prints poorly; the Saturn 4 Ultra 16K heats its vat to address this).
- Gear up: nitrile gloves, glasses, paper towels, silicone mat.
- Wash and cure: a two-in-1 station keeps alcohol contained (our picks).
- Waste: cure leftover resin and contaminated paper in sunlight or UV before disposal; let alcohol's dissolved resin cure and settle before following local disposal rules.
Frequently asked questions
Is resin printing safe at home?
It can be with precautions: wear nitrile gloves and eye protection, work in a well-ventilated space, keep resin away from children and pets, and cure all waste with UV before disposal according to local rules. Read your resin's safety data sheet.
What does tilt release do?
Instead of pulling the build plate straight up from the film, the vat tilts to peel each layer gradually. This reduces suction forces, which can mean fewer failed prints and faster layers.
What else do I need besides the printer?
Resin, isopropyl alcohol or a resin cleaner, a wash and cure station or containers plus a UV lamp, nitrile gloves, paper towels, a scraper and a silicone mat.