Resin printers cure liquid resin with light and capture far finer detail than filament printers. That makes them the go-to choice for tabletop miniatures, figures and jewelry. They need more care: gloves, ventilation and a wash-and-cure step.
How this list was made: picks are based on the manufacturers’ own specifications and public information, checked in October 2026, plus my own experience with the Prusa Core One+, the printer I use myself. More about me. “Check price” links go to the official store and may be affiliate links, which never changes the picks.
| Printer | Best for |
|---|---|
| Elegoo Saturn 4 Ultra 16K | Larger prints and batches of miniatures |
| Elegoo Mars 5 Ultra | Miniatures on a smaller budget |
| Anycubic Photon Mono M7 Pro | An alternative for detailed figures |
Our picks
1. Elegoo Saturn 4 Ultra 16K: best for most resin printing
A large 10-inch 16K screen lets you print bigger figures or a whole batch of miniatures at once.
Pros:
- Large build area
- Very fine detail
Cons:
- Larger and more expensive than the Mars
| Specs | |
|---|---|
| Type | Resin (MSLA) |
| Screen | 10-inch 16K mono LCD |
| Best for | Larger miniatures, figures, batches |
2. Elegoo Mars 5 Ultra: best budget resin printer
A smaller, cheaper resin printer that is plenty for tabletop miniatures.
Pros:
- Low price
- Compact
Cons:
- Smaller build area
| Specs | |
|---|---|
| Type | Resin (MSLA) |
| Screen | 7-inch 9K mono LCD |
| Best for | Miniatures on a smaller budget |
3. Anycubic Photon Mono M7 Pro: alternative pick
Anycubic’s resin printer for detailed figures and miniatures.
Pros:
- Good alternative to Elegoo
Cons:
- Compare current prices, they change often
| Specs | |
|---|---|
| Type | Resin (MSLA) |
| Best for | Detailed figures and miniatures |
What else you need
- Nitrile gloves and safety glasses
- Good ventilation
- Isopropyl alcohol or water-washable resin
- A UV curing light or wash-and-cure station
Uncured resin must never go down the drain. Let leftovers cure in sunlight before you throw them away.
Can a filament printer print miniatures?
Yes, but with less detail. A filament printer with a 0.2 mm nozzle, like the Bambu Lab A1 with its optional nozzle, prints decent terrain and larger figures. For small, detailed miniatures, resin is still the better choice.
Frequently asked questions
Is resin printing more hazardous at home than filament printing?
Resin adds a skin hazard that filament does not have. Formlabs safety data sheets classify several of its resins as skin irritants and skin sensitizers, which means repeated contact can lead to an allergic reaction. The sheets call for protective gloves and use in a well-ventilated area, and NIOSH also notes that some chemicals in liquid resins may cause skin irritation or sensitization.
Resin printers give off VOCs while printing and while parts cure under UV light, according to the American Lung Association. Parts are usually washed in isopropyl alcohol afterwards, so you also have a solvent to store and ventilate. Read the safety data sheet for the exact resin you buy, since hazards differ between products. Our FDM vs resin guide covers the practical differences.
Sources: Formlabs safety data sheet, NIOSH, American Lung Association.