ELEGOO Mars 5 UltraBest overall- Screen
- 7-inch 9K mono LCD (8520 x 4320)
- XY resolution
- 18 x 18 µm
- Build size
- 6.04 x 3.06 x 6.49 in
- Speed
- Up to 150 mm/h with tilt release
Most recommended by reviewers
Check price at AmazonThe Best Resin 3D Printers for Miniatures
We earn a commission when you buy through our links, at no extra cost to you. How this works.
If you paint tabletop figures, you want a hero, a villain or a whole warband with sharp faces and clean armor. A resin printer makes that kind of fine detail possible at home. For miniatures, the pixel size on the screen matters more than the big "K" number on the box, so that is where we looked first. We also weighed setup effort, upkeep and whether each printer is in stock on Amazon.
Our top pick is the ELEGOO Mars 5 Ultra. It suits most hobbyists, with 18 µm detail, auto leveling and a camera on a compact plate that is plenty for character minis. The ELEGOO Saturn 4 Ultra 16K suits bigger batches and cold workshops, and the ANYCUBIC Photon Mono 4 keeps costs down without giving up fine detail.
The rundown
1 ELEGOO Mars 5 Ultra | 2 ELEGOO Saturn 4 Ultra 16K | 3 ANYCUBIC Photon Mono 4 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Best for | Best overall | Best for batches and cold workshops | Best budget pick |
| Screen | 7-inch 9K mono LCD (8520 x 4320) | 10-inch 16K mono LCD | 7-inch 10K mono LCD (9024 x 5120) |
| XY resolution | 18 x 18 µm | 14 x 19 µm | 17 x 17 µm |
| Build size | 6.04 x 3.06 x 6.49 in | 8.33 x 4.66 x 8.66 in | 6.04 x 3.42 x 6.49 in |
| Speed | Up to 150 mm/h with tilt release | Up to 150 mm/h with tilt release | Up to 70 mm/h |
| Extras | AI camera, auto leveling, Wi-Fi transfer | Heated resin tank, AI camera, auto leveling | Not listed |
| Check price at Amazon | Check price at Amazon | Check price at Amazon |
ELEGOO Mars 5 UltraBest overall
ELEGOO Saturn 4 Ultra 16KBest for batches and cold workshops- Screen
- 10-inch 16K mono LCD
- XY resolution
- 14 x 19 µm
- Build size
- 8.33 x 4.66 x 8.66 in
- Speed
- Up to 150 mm/h with tilt release
ANYCUBIC Photon Mono 4Best budget pick- Screen
- 7-inch 10K mono LCD (9024 x 5120)
- XY resolution
- 17 x 17 µm
- Build size
- 6.04 x 3.42 x 6.49 in
- Speed
- Up to 70 mm/h
1Best overall
ELEGOO Mars 5 Ultra
Best for hobbyists printing character minis who want fine detail with little setup fuss.
- Screen
- 7-inch 9K mono LCD (8520 x 4320)
- XY resolution
- 18 x 18 µm
- Build size
- 6.04 x 3.06 x 6.49 in
- Speed
- Up to 150 mm/h with tilt release
- Extras
- AI camera, auto leveling, Wi-Fi transfer
Most recommended by reviewers
Check price at AmazonPrices and availability on Amazon change often.
Why it wins
- 18 µm XY pixel size suits crisp faces and armor detail
- Auto leveling and a one-button self-check
- Tilt release reaches 150 mm/h without special resin or release films
- Built-in camera with time-lapse
One catchPrints can stick hard to the build plate, so lift them off slowly.
Why it's our top pick
If you mostly print single character minis and want crisp faces without fuss, this is the one to get. Its 18 µm pixel size sits in the 18 to 24 µm range one reviewer calls the sweet spot for miniature work, and another called it perfect for miniatures and tabletop models. Tilt release gets it to 150 mm/h without special resin or release films.
Auto leveling, a one-button self-check, a sensor that flags low resin and foreign objects, and a camera for time-lapse make setup easier. The plate is compact, so it is not the choice for terrain. The one thing to plan for is that prints can grip the plate hard, so take your time lifting them off.
2Best for batches and cold workshops
ELEGOO Saturn 4 Ultra 16K
Best for players who print whole squads at once or work in an unheated garage.
- Screen
- 10-inch 16K mono LCD
- XY resolution
- 14 x 19 µm
- Build size
- 8.33 x 4.66 x 8.66 in
- Speed
- Up to 150 mm/h with tilt release
- Extras
- Heated resin tank, AI camera, auto leveling
Prices and availability on Amazon change often.
Pros
- Larger plate fits batches, buildings and vehicle parts
- Heated resin tank keeps resin warm when it gets cold
- Tilting vat peels layers gently, and no special resin is needed
- Auto leveling plus a camera with time-lapse
Cons
- One reviewer found the camera works only with Chitubox, and another found AI detection hit and miss
- Costs more than the Mars 5 Ultra
- A bigger plate puts more resin at risk when a print fails
Read our full take
Why we like it
Choose this if you print batches of minis or want room for larger parts like buildings and vehicles. The 10-inch 16K screen gives a 14 x 19 µm pixel size on a plate bigger than the Mars 5 Ultra's. A reviewer noted it needs no special resin or expensive release film, and the tilting vat peels layers off gently.
The tank heats the resin when it drops below 25°C. A reviewer saw it hold that temperature in freezing conditions, which helps in an unheated garage. Expect a few small annoyances with the camera software, and remember a large plate wastes more resin on a failed print.
3Best budget pick
ANYCUBIC Photon Mono 4
- Screen
- 7-inch 10K mono LCD (9024 x 5120)
- XY resolution
- 17 x 17 µm
- Build size
- 6.04 x 3.42 x 6.49 in
- Speed
- Up to 70 mm/h
- Leveling
- 4-point manual, set once
Prices and availability on Amazon change often.
Pros
- 17 µm pixels are finer than the 18 to 24 µm range reviewers favor
- Laser-engraved platform helps prints grip
- Level once with four screws, then leave it
- Resumes printing after a power cut
Cons
- Manual four-point leveling instead of auto leveling
- Slower, at up to 70 mm/h
- The listing mentions no camera or Wi-Fi, and Anycubic's app is not supported
Read our full take
Why we like it
The 7-inch 10K screen gives 17 µm pixels, finer than the 18 to 24 µm range one reviewer calls the sweet spot for miniatures. The 6.04 x 3.42 x 6.49 inch plate suits character minis.
You level it once with four screws and then leave it, and it resumes after a power cut. The trade-offs are speed, at up to 70 mm/h, and a bare feature list: no camera or Wi-Fi on the listing, and Anycubic's app is not supported.
FAQ
What should you look for in a miniatures printer?
- XY pixel size first. One reviewer calls 18 to 24 µm the sweet spot for miniature work. Look up the micron figure instead of trusting the "K" number on the box.
- A mid-size plate is plenty. Character minis fit on small plates, and a larger plate wastes more resin when a print fails. Terrain and vehicles need more room.
- Resin compatibility. Check whether the printer takes standard resin or locks you into approved materials.
- Screen replacement cost. A cheap printer with an expensive screen is a false economy.
Before you buy: setup, safety and who should skip resin?
Resin printing needs gloves, a mask and a well-ventilated space, and every print needs washing and curing afterwards. Ventilation is the most overlooked part for first-time owners. If you are a beginner or have young kids at home, one reviewer suggests a filament printer may suit you better. If you add wash and cure machines, leave extra workshop space.
Which pick suits you?
- Single character minis: the Mars 5 Ultra.
- Batches, terrain or a cold garage: the Saturn 4 Ultra 16K.
- Fine detail on a budget: the Photon Mono 4.
- Everything in one box: the Halot Mage S bundle.
What's the best resin for printing miniatures?
Standard resin made for LCD printers is the usual choice, and the printers here do not lock you into one brand. A reviewer noted the Saturn 4 Ultra needs no special resin, and the Halot Mage S takes any standard resin. One reviewer's Mars 5 Ultra prints came out smooth and clean with both Elegoo's rapid standard resin and Prusa's model resin. Some professional machines, like the Formlabs Form 4, require approved materials.
Are resin printers better for miniatures?
For fine detail, yes. Reviewers describe resin as well suited to miniatures because it captures small features such as faces and textures. The cost is more post-processing and safety steps: gloves, a mask, ventilation, washing and curing. One reviewer suggests beginners or homes with young kids consider a filament printer instead.
What is the best budget resin printer for miniatures in 2026?
The Photon Mono 4 is our budget pick because its 17 µm pixels are finer than the range reviewers favor for minis. The Mars 5 is another low-cost option with auto leveling, but its 35 µm pixels are coarser. Budget resin printers are common and sales can push prices lower, so compare the Amazon price shown with the maker's site.
Which resin 3D printer is best for miniatures?
The ELEGOO Mars 5 Ultra is our top pick. It was recommended in 3 of the 5 expert reviews we read, and its 18 µm pixel size sits in the favored range. If you need a bigger plate or a heated tank, step up to the Saturn 4 Ultra 16K.
What is the best resin 3D printer for DND miniatures?
For individual heroes and NPCs, the Mars 5 Ultra gives crisp detail on a compact plate. If you print whole warbands, the Saturn 4 Ultra 16K has more room, and a reviewer noted it also fits larger parts like buildings and vehicles. For fast bulk printing, the Photon Mono M7 Pro is a backup built for volume.
Why trust BullseyeBuy
How we made this guide
- 5 expert reviews read
- 6 printers compared
- 9 Amazon listings checked
This shortlist comes from comparing Amazon listings against five expert reviews of resin printers for miniatures. Every printer shown passed an in-stock check, and we weighed pixel size, build plate, ease of setup and ongoing upkeep.
Our expert team tests products when it is needed and researches online and in interviews. Every guide is fact-checked and edited by a real person.
The BullseyeBuy editorial team · Updated Oct 18, 2026
Checking our work: 3 sources
How we pickEditorial standardsAffiliate disclosureReport a mistake
We earn a commission when you buy through our links, at no extra cost to you. It never decides the winner.
