Updated July 16, 2026 · 3 picks, ranked
Resin printers are a different tool, not a better one: they trade FDM's easy materials and big build volumes for detail that filament physically can't match. If you print miniatures, dental models or jewelry masters, resin is the only serious option.
This list ranks the current resin machines we track. The category iterates fast on screen resolution — each generation's mono LCD jump is visible in print quality, so the buy-or-wait badge matters more here than almost anywhere else.
16K resolution — 15µm XY accuracy: The Saturn 4 Ultra 16K's 16K LCD delivers detail that FDM printers cannot match — ideal for miniatures, jewelry masters, and precision engineering prototypes.
Overdue for a refresh — no successor announced yet. Prices should be at their lowest
14K resolution — 16.8µm XY accuracy: The 14K monochrome LCD delivers exceptional detail at 16.8µm — sharper than most consumer resin printers and ideal for miniatures, dental models, and jewelry masters.
First-generation product — no release history to base predictions on
9K resolution at an entry price: The 9K monochrome LCD (18µm XY accuracy) delivers crisp miniature and jewelry detail at a price point that was prosumer territory two years ago.
First-generation product — no release history to base predictions on
| Model | Price | Build volume | Max speed | Multicolor | Timing |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Elegoo Saturn 4 Ultra | $449 | 212x118x220 | — | — | ⏰ Wait |
| Anycubic Photon Mono M7 Pro | $459 | 223x126x230 | — | — | ⏰ Caution |
| Elegoo Mars 5 Ultra | $293 | 153x77x165 | — | — | ⏰ Caution |
FDM for functional parts, big prints and easy handling; resin for fine detail — miniatures, figurines, dental, jewelry. Resin also means gloves, ventilation and IPA washing; factor in the workflow, not just the print quality.
A wash-and-cure station (or two buckets and patience), isopropyl alcohol, nitrile gloves, and replacement FEP films. Budget roughly $100–150 beyond the printer itself to start.
Current-generation resin printers, scored on resolution per dollar and build volume, with release-cycle position as the tiebreak and the source of each buy/wait badge. Resin generations move quickly — check the timing badge before paying full price.
Rankings combine our editor scores with live release-cycle data and are recomputed on every site update. See how we rate.