Best Resin Printers for Models & Miniatures: The Ultimate Guide

Before the rise of 3D resin printers, I was already deeply invested in model and miniature painting. So, naturally, since resin printing became accessible, I’ve dedicated countless hours to printing models of every imaginable size and shape. This hobby is incredibly rewarding, a fantastic way to unwind, and truly reflects the effort you invest. And it all begins with selecting the right printer. This guide represents my most comprehensive list yet, focusing specifically on printers ideal for models and miniatures. Notably, I’ve intentionally excluded DLP printers from this main list. While I appreciate their precision and personally adjust antialiasing to smooth out those sharp pixels, I understand that many miniature painters prefer slightly softer surface finishes. However, if you’re interested in exploring DLP options, you can find a dedicated list HERE. Similarly, Large format printers, being more specialized, are not included in this core recommendation list.

Here, you’ll discover my curated selection of resin printers that I believe are perfectly suited for model and miniature work. Crucially, I have personally owned, extensively tested, and even ranked each printer based on my recommendation. While prices are not listed directly due to frequent fluctuations, I’ve included convenient price links so you can easily check the current costs yourself.

VogMan’s Top Resin Printer Picks for Models & Miniatures

Yes, I understand this is a lengthy list! My recommendations are primarily based on print quality, closely followed by affordability. This generally means that printers offering superior accuracy tend to rank higher than those prioritizing unnecessary bells and whistles. However, I am also influenced by clever innovation, as seen with the Uniformation GKtwo’s resin heating system.

This is my personal list, reflecting my own thoughts and opinions – feel free to disagree! But please remember that I have personally owned and rigorously tested each of these printers, ensuring my recommendations are unbiased. Unlike some YouTubers who receive compensation or even company shares for positive reviews, I receive no such incentives. While this doesn’t help with the bills, it does allow me to offer completely honest and impartial assessments.

For Newcomers to Resin 3D Printing

If you’re new to the world of resin-based 3D printing, I strongly recommend first considering whether resin printing is actually right for you. Once you’ve addressed that question, think about how much you’re willing to invest initially based on your assessment.

I’ve encountered many individuals who enthusiastically jump into resin printing only to discover that the fumes and the messy nature of resin aren’t to their liking. Because I dislike seeing wasted money, I tend to advise caution to beginners, suggesting they start with a small and inexpensive printer. If you find you enjoy the hobby, excellent! There are numerous upgrade paths available. But if you discover it’s not for you, you haven’t made a significant financial investment. In such cases, the “Standard” range printers listed above are a good starting point, but remember that my primary ranking is based on performance, which often correlates with price. However, I also have a dedicated Budget resin printer guide that I strongly encourage beginners to explore.

Understanding the Price Links

Due to the frequent fluctuations in prices, I cannot list them directly. Instead, I provide links to both the official manufacturer stores and Amazon listings. Some of these are affiliate links, and clicking them may generate a small commission for me if you make a purchase. Importantly, this will not increase your cost in any way and does not influence my printer rankings. I don’t operate that way!

Resin Recommendations

And remember, you’ll need plenty of resin, especially for larger 3D printers. Check out my recommended resins! to find the best options for your needs.

Decoding the Table Headings

To conserve space in the printer comparison table, the headings are abbreviated, which might lead to confusion. Below is a breakdown of each heading and its full meaning: