Best Affordable Resin 3D Printers in 2020 

Contemporary resin 3D printers are incredible. These devices produce highly precise prints, are compatible with a variety of materials, and, as a matter of fact, are a whole lot faster than their predecessors. Back in the days, almost every 3D printing machine used to cost a fortune. Luckily enough, the tide has turned, and desktop resin 3D printers have become really affordable for both hobbyists and professionals. 

In this article, we are going to guide you through our top 15 picks of best budget resin 3D printers of Summer 2020. As always, we’ll also be highlighting the most important features and applications of the reviewed devices. By following this buyer’s guide, you’ll definitely find the best deal for the printer of your dreams.

Interested? Continue reading to know more.

 

Chinese Resin Сheap 3D printers under $400

Unlike budget filament-based machines, budget resin 3D printers produce more precise, high-quality prints. The superior quality is provided by the work of laser able to shape extremely fine details, which is why resin 3D printing ensures better final results. Opening up the most budget-friendly price bracket, the following machines are affordable yet really efficient, and will be optimal for hobbyists and even some small businesses. 

 

1. Anycubic Photon Zero

First up is the Anycubic Photon Zero, one of the most affordable resin 3D printers ideal for beginners. Featuring stylish and clever design, this compact LCD-based machine can produce highly precise prints in a swift (30 mm/h) fashion. The Z-axis accuracy of the Photon Zero is ensured by a combination of linear rail and lead screw installed onto it. Even though the device provides lower resolution (854 x 480 px) than the Anycubic Photon, the difference is not at all noticeable at the offered scale of 97 x 54 x 150 mm, which is perfect for printing tabletop miniatures and other small-scale products. 

Another advantage of the Photon Zero is the exposure time test — this feature lets you pick the best exposure time value by building 8 models with different exposure parameters at once. The device is supplied in a fully assembled state, allowing you to proceed to the printing process as soon as possible. 

Click here to read the full review.

Source: anycubic.com

 

2. Anycubic Photon

The most renowned representative of resin 3D printing series by Anycubic, the Anycubic Photon continues to be one of the market’s major players. Equipped with an LCD panel that offers a 2K (2560*1440 px) resolution and provides astonishingly accurate prints for its price, this machine is optimal for both entry-level enthusiasts and experienced makers.

 The Anycubic Photon offers an increased build volume compared to the Photon Zero, making it possible to print larger products. Given the fact that this is a time-checked device that was released in early 2018, there’s a variety of detailed guides about its troubleshooting, information on the tips & tricks, and upgrades, available on the Internet.

Another advantage of the Anycubic Photon is its unique resin vat, which ensures hassle-free replacement of FEP film. The device is supplied in a fully assembled state, allowing one to dive headfirst into the 3D printing world in a matter of minutes after unboxing it.

Check out the comparison of the Photon and Photon S models here.

Source: Alex Colvin / artstation.com

 

3. Creality LD-002R

The Creality LD-002R is an outstanding budget resin 3D printer by Creality — a prominent Chinese company renowned for its reliable and affordable devices with almost limitless potential for user-implemented upgrades and modifications. Combined with a 2K (2560*1440 px) resolution LCD screen, the 4X/8X anti-aliasing system ensures highly refined texture of each print, which is exceptional for a budget machine. Besides, the Creality LD-002R’s optical engine accounts for 90% light distribution evenness, making this machine a highly accurate one. 

The device has a printing speed of 30 mm/h, which is more than enough for making products of offered volume in a swift manner. The LD-002R is also equipped with dual fans and active carbon filtering systems, removing the resin stench from the premises. Highlighting the reliability of its motion system, the Z-axis construction features a lead screw and single linear rail. 

Moreover, the printer is designed in a neat fashion, providing improved user experience as compared to a number of other budget printers. For example, the machine features smartly-designed resin vat with millimeter markings for different levels, indicating the exact amount of material present inside. In addition, the vat can be easily cleaned by pulling the FEP film releases conveniently located inside. There is also an easily accessible USB port located on the front side of the machine and a possibility of setting up standalone printing by tweaking the device to obtain Wi-Fi connectivity. To seal the deal, there is an elegant 3.5-inch touch screen paired with a native UI to control the printer in the most comfortable fashion. 

 

4. Phrozen Sonic mini 

Featuring mono-LCD 3D printing technology, the Phrozen Sonic mini provides polymerization by curing photosensitive resin with a UV light source. The light that enters the 1920x1080 LCD panel is supplied by the proprietary ParaLED® 2.0 optical engine, providing FullHD resolution and enhanced printing accuracy. 

Offering a horizontal and vertical resolution of 62 and 10 microns respectively, the device is very much able to produce prints of outstanding quality, and can even be recommended to professionals which use additive technologies for prototyping and other purposes. In addition, the estimated lifetime of the printer matrix is 2000 hours, making it perfect for continuous use.

By using the Sonic mini, you’ll be able to print precise parts as large as 120x68x130 mm. Another important characteristic of the device is its lightning-fast printing speed of 50 mm/h, the best in this price bracket. Moreover, it is not only compatible with every LCD resin but also with most of the materials meant for DLP printers. The machine is controlled via a neatly-designed 2.8-inch IPS touchscreen display. Besides, the device is supplied in a fully assembled state, making it really easy to set up and use.

You can learn more about this outstanding machine by reading the complete review.

  

5. ANYCUBIC Photon S

Being an improved version of the well-known Anycubic Photon, this device is able to produce high-quality prints and comes at a really cheap price. We consider the Anycubic Photon S as one of the best affordable picks for makers who feel the wind of change and want to shift from FDM to another printing technology. This device is also perfect for entry-level enthusiasts, as well as for small businesses that specialize in prototyping, jewelry-making, and other areas of small-scale manufacturing. 

The UV light source located at the bottom of the machine cures photosensitive resin and creates layers using LCD panel. Another peculiarity of the device is the neat-looking body, which can definitely be regarded as an advantage, since not every low-cost 3D printer is as aesthetically pleasing as this one. Compared to its predecessor, the device features native menu structure and enlarged icons that account for improved accessibility and user experience.

In addition, the machine is equipped with dual linear rails on Z-axis for improved stability and minuscule-to-none misprint probability. Having an additional carbon filter to eliminate the smell of liquid resin, the Photon S is still recommended to be used inside spacious, well-ventilated premises. The device comes fully assembled — the only thing that needs to be completed to begin the printing journey is a swift 3-step calibration.

Having a hard time choosing between the Photon and Photon S? Check out our in-depth comparison to help you make the right choice.

Source: anycubic.com

 

Chinese Resin 3D Printers between $600 and $1000

3D printers from this price bracket are still relatively inexpensive. However, they are definitely going to surprise you with their level of performance. The advance of modern technologies brought in the possibility to create efficient yet cheap machines suitable for semi-professional use, and a lot of manufacturers were glad to take the opportunity. Take a careful look at the below-mentioned devices — you won’t be disappointed.

 

6. Creality LD-001

First off is the Creality LD-001, a semi-professional desktop LCD-based 3D printer. The printer’s LCD panel provides a 2K (WQHD, 2560x1440 px) resolution, allowing to print highly precise products, which is really good considering the device’s cost. Such printing accuracy allows the Creality LD-001 to be used for jewelry, dental, prototyping, and other applications that require highly detailed products with a smooth surface finish. 

The machine is equipped with a neatly-designed 3.5-inch full-color touch screen, providing an intuitive and comfortable user experience, and making the printing process easy to control. Besides, the printer features Wi-Fi connectivity which makes it really accessible. Another peculiarity is the adoption of proprietary slicing software that tends to slice several times faster than its analogs. 

But wait, there’s more! The device features an innovative feeding system that makes the resin refilling process effortless, as well as helps to save additional amounts of material to be used for further prints. Unlike machines from the previous price bracket, the Creality LD-001 offers automatic bed leveling, which removes the need to calibrate the device manually. All you need to do is unbox it, place it on the table, plug it in — and create to your heart’s content.

 

7. Wanhao GADOSO REVOLUTION 1 (GR 1) 

Almost every characteristic of the Wanhao GR 1 is slightly better than that of most of its analogs. For instance, the device has an extended print chamber and features a 6.3-inch 2K LCD screen, which is great for a budget printer. 

The extended print chamber allowed the Wanhao GR 1 to join the ranks of semi-professional-grade 3D printers. It is used to manufacture accurate dental casts for dental applications, and even though the layer thickness isn’t the best among semi-professional machines, the device is successfully used to produce refined jewelry designs. 

Another advantage of the GR 1 is metal-made housing that provides additional reliability and features a window that (compared to the Wanhao D7 Plus) can now be opened. In addition, the device is equipped with improved linear guides and dual Z-axis rails for enhanced precision, an additional carbon filter that provides additional ventilation, resin level indicator, and a ‘resume’ function that allows you to resume printing in case of a sudden power outage. 

You can learn more about Wanhao GR 1 by reading our review.

 

Resin 3D printers between $1,400 and $3,500

Designed for makers looking for benefits in the long run, these 3D printers are regarded as professional equipment ideal for small businesses. Here you can find both specialized and universal machines.

 

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8. Phrozen Shuffle 2019 

We are glad to name the Phrozen Shuffle 2019 our top Summer 2020 pick for ‘Best Affordable Resin 3D Printer’, offering the best price-performance ratio among other devices listed here. As stated by our engineers, this extraordinary printer is exceptional in terms of reliability, consistency, characteristics, and final print accuracy considering its price. 

The machine is also compatible with a variety of photosensitive materials and is really easy and convenient to use. It is equipped with a proprietary ParaLED 2.0 optical engine and 5.5-inch 2K LCD panel, which allow light to be distributed in a parallel and equal fashion, providing improved printing speed and accuracy. The manufacturer also added high horizontal resolution into the equation, making the device really attractive to professional jewelers and designers. In addition, the Phrozen Shuffle’s Z-axis design features twin linear rails, a ball screw, and a bearing, making it particularly stable and solid compared to other devices. 

Besides, the machine comes fully assembled and can be used immediately after completing the initial calibration procedure, which is quite simple. The device also features Wi-Fi connectivity, making it really accessible and easy to use. 

You can click here for a more detailed review.

 

9. Phrozen Shuffle 4K

The key advantage of the Phrozen Shuffle 4K can be guessed after taking a closer look at its name. One of the key points of the device is the 4K (3940 x 2160 px) LCD panel that, combined with a 5.5-inch screen, provides a phenomenal vertical and horizontal resolution of 31 and 10 microns respectively. Such ultra-fine print quality is exceptional for the price bracket in question. 

Another advantage of the Phrozen Shuffle 4K is its compatibility with 3rd party materials. Even though it was intended for professional applications, the device is surprisingly easy to set up and use, making it perfect for beginners. Besides, the printer features both Wi-Fi and Ethernet connectivity, as well as the new user interface, topping up its availability and making it really pleasant to control. In our opinion, even the pickiest customers will be amazed by the performance of this machine. 

We invite you to read the complete review to learn everything about the pros and cons of this astonishing device. 

Source: facebook.com

 

10. Phrozen Sonic

The Phrozen Sonic is the younger brother of the Sonic 4K. The little one preserved all of the big brother’s features, except for the 4K LCD panel. Instead, it’s been equipped with a monochrome 5.5-inch LCD masking screen that provides FullHD (1920x1080 px) resolution and an astonishingly fast printing speed of 60 mm/h, making it ideal for professional applications. 

Moreover, the estimated lifetime of the mono-LCD is 2,000 hours, making the Phrozen Sonic one of the best offers in the reviewed price bracket in terms of service life. Offering a high degree of thermal stability and compression resistance, this machine comes as one of the most reliable ones. In addition, it adopts a self-made PZSlice Pro software, which is fast and easy to use. The device can be accessed via Wi-Fi or Ethernet. 

Interested in full specs, in-depth analysis, and want to see some use cases? If so, you might want to proceed and read a complete review of the Phrozen Sonic. 

Source: instagram.com

 

11. Wanhao Duplicator 8 (D8) 

Being professional yet affordable, the Wanhao Duplicator 8 is able to produce highly precise prints. Thanks to its high (2K, WQHD) resolution with 89% optical uniformity, the device is successfully used by professionals to create refined jewelry, small-scale industrial items, various prototypes, and a number of other products. Besides, it is really easy to use, so entry-level enthusiasts will be more than satisfied too.

Another advantage of the Duplicator 8 is its 30 mm/h printing speed, which is pretty good for a DLP printer. In addition, the machine features a lot of other useful tools, such as Wi-Fi connectivity and a large, user-friendly touch screen that displays a lot of essential information. For example, it helps to monitor temperature, continuously checks for the correct leveling, and has a resin sensor, making the printing process easy to control.

There is more to learn about the Duplicator 8. If you’d like to read an in-depth review, click here.

 

Chinese Resin 3D Printers between $2,250 and $4,500

Despite the fact that the modern market is full of affordable yet functional resin 3D printers, a number of businesses (and the pickiest makers) will still require all of the functionality provided by more advanced devices. Each of the following top-end 3D printers is ideal for professional applications, including big businesses.

 

12. Phrozen Transform 3D Printer

The Phrozen Transform is one of the top-end models of the Taiwanese manufacturer’s lineup. There is a number of unique competitive advantages that make this machine better than its analogs. For example, the device has a massive build volume, allowing it to print outstandingly large models. With the maximum print height of 40 cm, the Phrozen Transform can be successfully used in a number of different applications, such as digital dentistry, jewelry design, rapid prototyping, and many others.

Moreover, the device’s optical engine is designed in a truly unique fashion, making this machine a multi-purpose one. The light source is represented by a proprietary self-designed ParaLED module. In addition, the user is free to replace the LCD panel to better suit the needs of the application. You can choose between the 13.3-inch panel to produce large prints with a lesser resolution, and the dual 5.5-inch one to print small-scale models with maximum accuracy. Besides, the device is compatible with heat-resistant and tough resins, including 3rd party materials. Featuring Wi-Fi and Ethernet connectivity, the device offers a high degree of accessibility.

You can find a thorough review of the Phrozen Transform’s characteristics here.

Source: phrozen3dp.com

  

13. Phrozen Sonic XL 4K 

Another representative of the Phrozen company, the Sonic XL 4K is a professional LCD-based printer equipped with an extended print chamber and a mono-LCD panel that provides a 4K resolution, offering microscopic accuracy perfect for dental and jewelry applications. Besides, it has an incredible printing speed of 200 mm/h, making it optimal for professional use. It is compatible with a variety of 405-nm UV resins including 3rd party resins for LCD, DLP, and SLA printers, providing a wide range of materials to choose from. Just like the previously-mentioned machines, the Sonic XL 4K can be accessed via Wi-Fi or Ethernet.

You should note, however, that the screen size of this particular device accounts for a little lower resolution compared to the Sonic 4K. Therefore, it is important to decide whether you want to produce ultra-fine prints or have wider design possibilities with the utmost production speed.

 

14. Flashforge Hunter

The Flashforge Hunter is a solid professional-grade DLP-based 3D printer equipped with a proprietary light engine providing FullHD (1920p x 1080 px) resolution and counting up to 50.000 hours of estimated lifespan. There is also a light intensity control system, which ensures reliable operation and production of high-quality prints. Moreover, the surface of printed models is destined to be as smooth as never — thanks to the linear motion guide actuator equipped onto the Hunter. Such outstanding features allow to use the device in various applications, but first and foremost would be jewelry businesses since the Hunter offers a specifically developed jewelry support mode.

The printer is also equipped with a detachable resin vat with premade vat film. In addition, the Hunter is compatible with a variety of resins, including both proprietary (standard, castable, biocompatible, tough) and 3rd party materials. The device can also be accessed through Wi-Fi, making it perfect for standalone printing. Featuring automatic calibration and large touchscreen, the machine provides the optimal level of user experience and is easy to use. 

Source: flashforge.eu

 

15. Uniz SLASH PRO

Last but definitely not the least, the Uniz SLASH PRO. It is a professional 3D printer created by US manufacturers. Nevermind the compact appearance, because every inch of this device is used to its fullest. For instance, the Uniz SLASH PRO features an extended print chamber that provides outstanding build volume.

The most competitive characteristic of this machine, however, is its unbelievable, quick as a flash printing speed. Featuring the proprietary UDP (Uni-Directional Peel) technology, the Z-axis is able to operate at a stunning pace of 12 mm/min, which is enough to print a model of the human mandible in less than a minute. It also features an integrated model repair system, Wi-Fi, and Ethernet connectivity. The device is ideal for rapid manufacturing, prototyping, tooling, and a number of other applications.

You can find the best deals for the above-mentioned resin 3D printers at Top 3D Shop. These affordable and high-quality machines come with the manufacturer’s warranty. In addition, our team will make sure to provide the best service possible, just like we always do.