Best Resin 3D Printer for Beginners (2026): Our Picks
For miniatures, tabletop figures and jewelry, a resin printer gives detail no filament printer can match at the same price. Which resin printer should a beginner buy? We compared the 6 resin printers we checked on Amazon.com and picked the best for each budget and need. We have not tested these printers ourselves: the information comes from manufacturers and Amazon.com.
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Our picks at a glance
- Best for most beginners: the ELEGOO Mars 5 Ultra, with automatic leveling, a tilting vat and print monitoring.
- Cheapest: the Anycubic Photon Mono 4 at $209.99, with a 10K screen and manual leveling.
- Cheapest with automatic leveling: the ELEGOO Mars 5.
- Larger prints: the ELEGOO Saturn 4 Ultra 12K or the Anycubic Photon Mono M7 Pro.
- On top of the printer, budget for resin, isopropyl alcohol, gloves and a wash and cure station.
Comparison table
| Best for | Printer | Price | Why |
|---|---|---|---|
| Most beginners | ELEGOO Mars 5 Ultra | $356.98 | 9K screen, auto leveling, tilt release, camera |
| Cheapest | Anycubic Photon Mono 4 | $209.99 | 10K screen at the lowest price, manual leveling |
| Cheapest with auto leveling | ELEGOO Mars 5 | $237.99 | Automatic leveling, 4K screen |
| Large, automated | ELEGOO Saturn 4 Ultra 12K | $593.99 | 10-inch 12K screen, auto leveling, tilt release, camera |
| Large, high resolution | Anycubic Photon Mono M7 Pro | $569.99 | 10.1-inch 14K screen, heated resin |
Regular Amazon.com prices, not Prime-only prices. Prices change often: the price on Amazon at the time of purchase applies.
The best resin printers for beginners
Best for most beginners
ELEGOO Mars 5 Ultra
regular price checked Nov 7, 2026
The Mars 5 Ultra automates the steps where resin beginners usually struggle: smart automatic leveling, a tilting vat that releases each layer faster, intelligent detection with a camera and Wi-Fi file transfer. The 7-inch 9K screen gives very fine detail on miniatures. Build volume 153 × 78 × 165 mm.
- Strengths: the most beginner-friendly automation in our list at a mid-range price.
- Keep in mind: Amazon showed a lower price for Prime members when we checked; the price here is the regular one.
Cheapest
Anycubic Photon Mono 4
price checked Nov 8, 2026
The cheapest resin printer in our database, with a 7-inch 10K screen and Anycubic’s LighTurbo light source. Build volume 153 × 87 × 165 mm, similar to the Mars 5 Ultra. Sold by Anycubic and shipped by Amazon when we checked.
- Strengths: high screen resolution for the price.
- Keep in mind: leveling is done by hand (once, at the start), and there is no camera or tilting vat.
Cheapest with automatic leveling
ELEGOO Mars 5
regular price checked Nov 8, 2026
A simple resin printer that levels itself, so you skip the most fiddly setup step. The 4K screen has a lower resolution than the Photon Mono 4 and Mars 5 Ultra, but it is enough for everyday miniatures and figures. Build volume 143 × 90 × 150 mm.
- Keep in mind: Amazon showed a lower price for Prime members when we checked; the price here is the regular one.
Larger prints, fully automated
ELEGOO Saturn 4 Ultra 12K
regular price checked Nov 8, 2026
A 10-inch 12K screen and a 219 × 123 × 220 mm build volume, so you can print a whole batch of miniatures at once or taller figures. Like the Mars 5 Ultra, it has smart automatic leveling, and according to ELEGOO also a tilting vat and an AI camera.
- Keep in mind: the regular price was much higher than the Prime member price when we checked (about $427), so compare before buying. For a first resin printer, a 7-inch model is usually enough. The plain Saturn 4* ($379.99, regular price) has the same 10-inch 12K screen and automatic leveling, without the tilting vat.
Larger, highest resolution
Anycubic Photon Mono M7 Pro
price checked Nov 7, 2026
A 10.1-inch 14K screen, the highest resolution in our list, with LighTurbo 3.0, heated resin temperature control and a 223 × 126 × 230 mm build volume. Heating keeps the resin at a stable temperature, which helps in a cold room.
View on Amazon*What matters when choosing
- Automatic leveling: saves the trickiest setup step. The Mars 5, Mars 5 Ultra and Saturn 4 Ultra have it; the Photon Mono 4 is leveled by hand.
- Screen size: 7 inches is plenty for a few miniatures per print. 10 inches lets you print batches or taller parts, but the printer, vat and resin use are bigger.
- Resolution (4K to 14K): higher means finer detail on small parts. The gains get smaller at the top end, so for a beginner, automation matters more than the last bit of resolution.
- Tilt release and camera: a tilting vat peels each layer more gently and faster; a camera can spot failed prints.
- Heating: resin prints worse when cold. Heated models help in a cold garage or basement.
How resin printing works, step by step, is explained in our resin printing guide for beginners.
What else you need to buy
A resin printer is not ready to use on its own. Plan for:
- Resin: start with a standard or “water-washable” resin from the printer’s brand.
- Isopropyl alcohol (or water for water-washable resin) to clean the prints.
- Nitrile gloves, safety glasses and a ventilated room: liquid resin irritates skin and gives off fumes.
- A wash and cure station (or a container and UV light) to clean and harden the prints.
- Spare release film for the vat, which wears out over time.
Details on equipment, safety and disposal are in our resin printing guide.
Resin or filament?
Choose resin if your main goal is miniatures, tabletop figures, jewelry or very small detailed parts, and you accept the extra handling. Choose a filament printer for useful everyday objects, larger parts and the simplest start: see our best 3D printers for beginners.
All resin printers in our database
| Model | Screen | Build volume | Price | Amazon |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Anycubic Photon Mono 4 | 7-inch 10K | 153 × 87 × 165 mm (6 × 3.4 × 6.5 in) | $209.99 | View* |
| ELEGOO Mars 5 | 4K | 143 × 90 × 150 mm (5.6 × 3.5 × 5.9 in) | $237.99 | View* |
| ELEGOO Mars 5 Ultra | 7-inch 9K | 153 × 78 × 165 mm (6 × 3.1 × 6.5 in) | $356.98 | View* |
| ELEGOO Saturn 4 (12K) | 10-inch 12K | 219 × 123 × 220 mm (8.6 × 4.8 × 8.7 in) | $379.99 | View* |
| Anycubic Photon Mono M7 Pro | 10.1-inch 14K | 223 × 126 × 230 mm (8.8 × 5 × 9.1 in) | $569.99 | View* |
| ELEGOO Saturn 4 Ultra 12K | 10-inch 12K | 219 × 123 × 220 mm (8.6 × 4.8 × 8.7 in) | $593.99 | View* |
Regular Amazon.com prices, checked November 7–8, 2026. Build volume per manufacturer.
FAQ
What is the best resin 3D printer for beginners?
The ELEGOO Mars 5 Ultra, because it automates leveling and monitors prints. On a tighter budget, the Anycubic Photon Mono 4 is the cheapest option in our list, and the ELEGOO Mars 5 is the cheapest with automatic leveling.
Is resin printing hard for beginners?
The printing itself is easy, especially with automatic leveling. The extra work is around it: handling liquid resin with gloves, washing and curing every print, and keeping the room ventilated.
How much does it cost to start resin printing?
The printer starts around $210 in our checks. Add resin, isopropyl alcohol, gloves and ideally a wash and cure station, which add noticeably to the starting cost.
Is a resin printer good for miniatures?
Yes, it is the best choice for miniatures. Even entry-level resin printers show finer detail than filament printers, because each layer is exposed by a high-resolution screen.