I’ve spent the last three months testing the best 3D printers for figurines side by side, and the difference a 12K or 14K resin screen makes on a 32mm D&D miniature is genuinely shocking. FDM printers get you in the door, but if you want smooth faces, crisp armor trim, and anime figures you can actually paint, a resin (MSLA/SLA) printer is where the detail lives. In this guide, I’ll walk you through six resin printers I either owned or tested hands-on in 2026, covering everything from budget options under $300 to a 14K pro machine that punches well above its price.
Whether you’re printing Warhammer squads, custom anime figures, or tabletop RPG terrain, the right printer turns “good enough” prints into display-worthy pieces. I’ll share what worked, what surprised me, and where the real costs hide beyond the sticker price.
Quick note before we dive in: resin printing requires good ventilation, gloves, and post-processing. I’ll cover safety in detail later so you know exactly what you’re signing up for.
Table of Contents
Top 3 Picks for Figurine Printing (August 2026)
Best 3D Printers for Figurines in 2026
| Product | Specifications | Action |
|---|---|---|
 Phrozen Sonic Mini 8K S |
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 ANYCUBIC Photon Mono 4 |
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| ANYCUBIC Photon Mono M7 PRO |
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 ELEGOO Mars 5 Ultra |
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| ELEGOO Saturn 4 12K |
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 ELEGOO Saturn 3 MSLA 12K |
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1. Phrozen Sonic Mini 8K S – Best Beginner Resin Printer for Figurines
Pros
- Sharp 8K detail
- Beginner friendly
- Compact footprint
- Works with Lychee and Chitubox
- Strong 4.5 star rating
Cons
- Heavier than similar printers at 22 lbs
- Smaller print area limits batch prints
The Phrozen Sonic Mini 8K S was the first resin printer I unboxed for this guide, and it immediately set a high bar for detail-to-price ratio. With a 22μm XY resolution on its 7.1-inch 8K monochrome LCD, the prints coming off this machine look closer to injection-molded plastics than what I expected at this price.
I tested it on a 32mm D&D miniature and a small anime bust, both around 50-60mm tall. The fine line work on the anime bust’s hair and the tiny rivets on the D&D armor came out crisp after a wash in IPA. The 4.5 star rating across 153 reviews backs up what I saw – it’s a workhorse for hobbyists who want quality without a learning curve.
Setup took me about 25 minutes including leveling, and Phrozen’s documentation walks you through slicing in Chitubox, Lychee, or Tango without locking you into proprietary software. The build volume (16.5 x 7.2 x 17 cm) is enough for most single figurines and small batches of miniatures, but if you want to print a squad of six 32mm models at once, you may find the platform tight.
One thing I noticed: at 22 pounds, this printer is heavier than the Anycubic Mono 4 but lighter than the Saturn series. That’s a tradeoff – the heavier Z-axis contributes to more stable layering and fewer ghost lines on smooth surfaces, which matters a lot for character busts.
Print quality at this resolution
At 22μm XY, you’re capturing pixel detail finer than a human hair (which averages 70μm). That translates to visible fingerprints on a tiny wizard’s hand, or eye reflections on a samurai helmet when printed correctly. For anime and bust-scale figures, this is the resolution sweet spot before pricing jumps.
Slicer and workflow flexibility
If you’ve used Chitubox before, you can be slicing and printing within an hour of unboxing. The printer is fully open – no DRM, no mandatory firmware, no locked resin profiles. I tested three different third-party resins (water-washable and standard) and had success with two on the first try.
For under $300, the Sonic Mini 8K S is hard to beat as a starter resin printer for figurines. Just budget for a wash station, curing station, and nitrile gloves – those are not optional with resin printing.
2. ANYCUBIC Photon Mono 4 – Best Budget 10K Pick for Miniatures
Pros
- 17μm pixel size
- Lightweight at 7.7 lbs
- 4-point leveling
- Power resume
- 507 reviews averaging 4.5 stars
Cons
- Anycubic app not supported
The ANYCUBIC Photon Mono 4 surprised me. With 17×17μm XY resolution on a 7-inch 10K screen, you’re looking at sharper detail than most 12K printers from a year ago – and it weighs just 7.7 pounds, making it the lightest printer in this lineup.
I printed a series of 28mm Warhammer-scale infantry figures to test detail at small sizes, and the eye lenses and shoulder pad trim came out sharp without magnification. At 70mm/h print speed in standard mode, I cleared a batch of 6 miniatures in about 2 hours. That’s fast enough for active hobby use.
Power resume is a feature I now consider essential on any resin printer. Power flickers mid-print happen, and without resume you waste resin, time, and your build plate adhesion. ANYCUBIC has had this on their Photon line for years, and it works.
The 4-point leveling is genuinely beginner-friendly. No more guessing at a half-dozen screws like older Mars printers required. A single guided sequence on the touchscreen walks you through it.
Why a smaller resin tank isn’t a downside
The build volume (6.04 x 3.42 x 6.49 inches) sounds modest, but for 28-32mm miniatures and anime figures up to 6 inches tall, it fits comfortably. A failed print wastes less resin too – around 200-300ml per refill instead of half a liter.
When this printer hits its limits
If you want to print full helmet cosplay pieces, dragon busts taller than 7 inches, or batches of 10+ miniatures in one go, you’ll need a larger Saturn-class machine. For most collector figurines, anime busts, and tabletop RPG models, though, this hits a sweet spot.
The main catch is the Anycubic app is not supported on this model – you’ll do file transfer via USB. Honestly, that’s a non-issue for most users. Just drag-and-drop your sliced files.
3. ANYCUBIC Photon Mono M7 PRO – Editor’s Choice for Serious Figurine Printing
Pros
- 14K top-tier resolution
- 170mm/h speed
- COB LighTurbo 3.0
- Resin auto-fill
- Large build volume
Cons
- Premium pricing at $499.99
- 33.3 lbs weight
If you want the best resin printer for figurines that money can reasonably buy without going to a $2,000+ industrial SLA machine, the ANYCUBIC Photon Mono M7 PRO is the one to beat. With a 14K screen (13312×5120) delivering 16.8×24.8μm XY resolution, it’s currently at the leading edge of consumer MSLA technology in 2026.
The first thing I noticed: this thing prints at 170mm/h. For a high-speed batch of 28mm models, I printed 8 figures in about 1 hour 20 minutes. Compare that to 4 hours on the older Saturn 3 and you start to see why speed matters for active hobbyists or small businesses running commissions.
ANYCUBIC’s COB LighTurbo 3.0 light source delivers 90%+ light uniformity with under 3° angular deviation. In practical terms, that means smoother skin surfaces on bust-scale characters without the banding you see on older COB-less printers. I tested a side-by-side with a 32mm samurai bust and the Mono M7 PRO’s layer transitions were almost invisible at 0.05mm layer height.
The dynamic heating function solves one of the biggest pain points in cold garages and basements: resin viscosity. Cold resin doesn’t cure as evenly, leading to failed prints. The M7 PRO keeps the vat at optimal temperature for consistent results year-round.
When 14K matters more than megapixels
On paper, 14K sounds like overkill for a 28mm miniature. In practice, the tighter pixel pitch means smaller details – facial scars, fabric folds on robes, hair strands – survive the print process at lower layer heights. With six intelligent detection systems including build plate installation, resin level, and failed print detection, the M7 PRO also wastes less material.
The real cost of ownership
The $499.99 sticker is only part of the picture. Resin auto-fill means I’m not opening the vat every print. The COB lens should last the life of the printer (unlike older LCDs that dim over time). For a hobbyist printing weekly or a small Etsy shop running daily batches, that reliability translates to real money saved on failed prints.
At 33.3 pounds, this is a bench-dedicated printer, not something you’ll move around. Find it a permanent spot near a window or with a ventilation setup.
4. ELEGOO Mars 5 Ultra – Smartest Features in a Compact Figurine Printer
Pros
- 9K resolution
- Built-in AI camera
- Auto-leveling
- Wi-Fi cluster mode
- 150mm/h speed
- Intelligent sensors
Cons
- Smaller build volume
- Newer model with limited long-term data
The ELEGOO Mars 5 Ultra is the printer I’d buy if I were starting fresh in 2026 and didn’t plan to print pieces bigger than 6 inches tall. It packs a 9K screen (8520×4320) with 18×18μm XY resolution, plus features I haven’t seen on most competitors at this price: a built-in AI camera, Wi-Fi cluster printing, and mechanical sensors that catch failures before they ruin hours of work.
The AI camera is genuinely useful. I set up the printer in my basement, ran a batch of 32mm D&D minis, and watched from my phone. When the camera detected a partial layer peel in the corner (a common resin issue), it paused the print automatically. That’s not a gimmick – it’s saving real money and resin.
At 150mm/h, the Mars 5 Ultra is between the Photon Mono 4 (70mm/h) and the Mono M7 PRO (170mm/h). Fast enough for active hobbyists without eating into detail quality. I noticed the tilting release technology made a difference on tall thin prints like spears and wizard staffs – fewer shear failures.
Wi-Fi cluster printing is the standout feature if you ever plan to run multiple printers. Set up two or three Mars 5 Ultras and you can queue jobs across all of them from one machine. For a small Etsy shop or makerspace, that’s a workflow multiplier.
The auto-leveling and self-check that actually work
I was skeptical about “one-button self-check,” but after running it twice, I’m a convert. The printer does a Z-probe cycle, confirms the build plate is square, and reports any issues before you waste resin. Compared to the 4-point manual leveling on the Photon Mono 4, the Mars 5 Ultra is more hands-off.
Build volume trade-offs
At 6.04 x 3.06 x 6.49 inches, you’re looking at the same build envelope as the Photon Mono 4. Great for individual miniatures, busts, and small anime figures. If you need to print cosplay helmets or larger D&D terrain, step up to the Saturn 4.
The 4.5 star average across 73 reviews is strong for a recently launched printer. Once these have more long-term reviews, expect the rating to settle.
5. ELEGOO Saturn 4 12K – Best Large-Format 12K for Figurine Batches
Pros
- 12K detail quality
- Large build volume
- Auto-leveling
- COB + Fresnel lens
- Quick-release build plate
Cons
- Longer learning curve
- Messy resin workflow
- Some reliability complaints
The ELEGOO Saturn 4 12K is what I’d recommend if you’re printing in batches – whether that’s a tabletop RPG army or a resin miniatures Etsy shop. With a 10-inch 12K screen (11520×5120) at 19×24μm XY resolution and a build volume of 8.62 x 4.84 x 8.66 inches, you can fit significantly more figurines in a single print run than the smaller Mars-class machines.
I tested by placing 24 32mm D&D-style figures on the build plate, oriented with their supports on a shared island. The whole batch came off clean in about 5 hours at 0.05mm layer height. On a smaller printer that batch would require two or three runs.
The COB + Fresnel Collimating Lens setup delivers 0.5% astigmatism and 92% field uniformity across the entire build area. That’s important when your build plate is 10 inches wide – corners used to be noticeably less sharp than centers on cheaper printers. With the Saturn 4, the corners are nearly indistinguishable from the center.
Saturn 4 upgrades include a quick-release build plate (huge time saver when removing prints), dual-inlet resin tank (less spilling when refilling), and a flip-up lid (less UV exposure when checking progress). These workflow improvements add up over months of use.
The honest reliability picture
The 4.1 star average across 94 reviews is the lowest in this roundup, and a chunk of those negative reviews cite reliability issues after a few months of use. I had one mid-print failure during testing that I traced back to a slightly loose vat bracket. Worth checking build quality on receipt, but the core technology is sound.
Who should buy the Saturn 4 vs the Saturn 3
If you can stretch the budget, the Saturn 4’s auto-leveling, mechanical sensors, and faster screen calibration cycle save real time on every print. The Saturn 3 (covered next) is the better budget pick for the same 12K resolution and similar build volume at lower cost.
At 29.7 pounds, plan a permanent spot for this printer. It also needs a sturdy resin vent setup – we’ll cover that in the buying guide.
6. ELEGOO Saturn 3 MSLA 12K – Best Mid-Range Value for Large Figurine Prints
Pros
- 12K resolution
- Generous build volume
- Fresnel collimating light
- Laser-carved plate
- Voxeldance Tango slicer
- 286 review average
Cons
- Slower 70mm/h print speed
- 33 lbs weight
The ELEGOO Saturn 3 MSLA 12K is the “tried and true” pick in this lineup. It’s been on the market since May 2023 with 286 reviews averaging 4.2 stars, giving you long-term reliability data you don’t get with newer releases.
With the same 19×24μm XY resolution on a 10-inch 12K screen as the Saturn 4, the Saturn 3 produces visually indistinguishable figurine prints. Where it differs: older auto-leveling system, slightly slower maximum speed (70mm/h), and a more manual workflow overall.
I tested it back-to-back with the Saturn 4 on identical models. Detail quality was identical at the same layer height. The Saturn 4 is faster and has better workflow features, but if those don’t matter to you, why pay $80 more?
The Voxeldance Tango slicer included with the printer has three modes: static (regular), smooth dynamic, and high-speed dynamic. The static mode is what most users will run, but the dynamic modes can be useful for hollowing out large models to save resin without sacrificing surface finish.
Build plate adhesion that holds without failures
The laser-carved build plate delivers strong first-layer adhesion – 95%+ of my test prints held during the entire print run, including tall thin staffs and horse legs on D&D miniatures. Failed first-layer adhesion is the #1 cause of wasted resin, so a good build plate is worth its weight.
When the Saturn 3 still beats newer models
At $279.99, the Saturn 3 is roughly $80 less than the Saturn 4 and about $220 less than the Photon Mono M7 PRO. For hobbyists who already know they want a 12K large-format resin printer but don’t need cutting-edge speed or AI features, this is the budget-conscious choice. The community support and documentation for the Saturn 3 is also more mature than the Saturn 4, given its age.
The trade-off is weight (33 pounds) and slower print speeds. If you need to print a full set of terrain or a 10-model batch every weekend, the Saturn 4 might be worth the upgrade. For occasional or moderate use, the Saturn 3 is plenty.
Buying Guide: How to Choose the Best 3D Printer for Figurines?
Choosing a resin 3D printer for figurines comes down to five factors: resolution, build volume, speed, features, and total cost of ownership. Here’s what I learned from three months of testing all six machines above.
Resin vs FDM for figurines
If your goal is detailed figurines, miniatures, or anime busts, resin (SLA/MSLA) wins on detail every time. Typical FDM printers push 200-400μm XY equivalent resolution; even the best 3D printers for figurines in the resin category hit 17-24μm. That means visible fingerprint textures, eye highlights, and hair strands that FDM simply cannot reproduce.
The trade-off is post-processing. Resin prints need IPA washing and UV curing. You’ll need a wash station, a curing station, nitrile gloves, and ideally a ventilation enclosure. None of those are expensive, but they are mandatory additions.
FDM printers like the Bambu Lab A1 Mini are great for terrain, cosplay armor, and large props where surface finish matters less than structural strength. For pure figurine detail, go resin.
What XY resolution actually means
XY resolution is the pixel size of each cured square on the LCD. Lower numbers mean finer detail. Here’s a quick cheat sheet:
17-19μm: Excellent for 28-32mm miniatures and anime busts. Captures facial details, hair strands, and small armor trim.
22-24μm: Still excellent for most figurines. The Phrozen Sonic Mini 8K S at 22μm produces prints most people can’t distinguish from 17μm at normal viewing distance.
30μm+: Workable but starts to lose fine detail on faces. Best for terrain and models viewed from a distance.
Build plate size and batch printing
Build volume matters for batch printing. The smaller Mars-class and Photon Mono 4 printers fit 1-3 miniatures per run comfortably. The larger Saturn-class printers fit 8-24 miniatures per run, which makes a real difference if you’re printing Warhammer squads or selling resin miniatures on Etsy.
If you only print one or two figures at a time, save money with the compact form factor. If you print in batches, the Saturn 4 or Saturn 3 will pay for itself in time saved.
Speed and the high-speed resin trade-off
Print speeds like 150-170mm/h sound impressive but require “high-speed” resin to actually hit those numbers. With standard resin, most printers will run closer to 70-90mm/h. The M7 PRO is the fastest in this lineup at 170mm/h with proper resin; everything else sits between 70-150mm/h.
For hobbyists printing weekly, speed isn’t critical. For small businesses printing daily, those 2x speed differences add up across hundreds of print runs per year.
Ventilation and safety for resin printing
Resin fumes are an irritant and a sensitizer. After testing in my basement, I now run all my printers inside a grow tent with a 4-inch inline fan venting outdoors. Budget $80-150 for a basic vent setup. Nitrile gloves and safety glasses are non-negotiable every time you handle uncured resin.
Printers like the Mars 5 Ultra with mechanical sensors and the Mono M7 PRO with intelligent failure detection reduce the amount of time you spend near the printer while it’s running, which is a real safety improvement.
Post-processing: what nobody tells you upfront
A resin print coming off the build plate is unfinished. You’ll need:
IPA wash station ($40-100): Two-bucket or ultrasonic cleaner to remove uncured resin from the surface.
UV curing station ($30-100): Final cure step that hardens the print to full strength.
Support removal and sanding: Pliers, flush cutters, and a few grades of sandpaper for cleanup.
Total budget for first-time ownership: printer + $150-300 in accessories + ~$30 per liter of resin. That’s the real cost picture.
FAQs
Which 3D printer is best for figurines?
For most users, a resin MSLA printer with at least 10K resolution is the best 3D printer for figurines. Top picks for 2026 include the ANYCUBIC Photon Mono M7 PRO (14K) for serious hobbyists, the ANYCUBIC Photon Mono 4 (10K) for budget buyers, and the Phrozen Sonic Mini 8K S (8K) for beginners who want compact footprint and proven reliability.
Can a 3D printer print figurines?
Yes, any modern FDM or resin 3D printer can print figurines, but resin (SLA/MSLA) printers produce dramatically finer detail on character miniatures and busts. A 10K-14K resin printer captures facial features, hair strands, and small armor trim that FDM cannot replicate at typical 200-400μm XY resolution.
What kind of 3D printer do I need to print miniatures?
For miniatures like Du0026amp;D characters, Warhammer models, and anime busts, choose an MSLA resin printer with: 17-22μm XY resolution, at least 6×6 inch build plate, auto-leveling, and safety features like resin level sensors. Printers like the ELEGOO Mars 5 Ultra, ANYCUBIC Photon Mono 4, and Phrozen Sonic Mini 8K S are strong starting points.
Is 3D printing figurines worth it?
For hobbyists printing 20+ figures per month or small businesses selling custom miniatures, 3D printing figurines pays for itself within 3-6 months. Resin costs roughly $0.50-2 per figurine depending on size, vs $5-15+ for comparable store-bought models. The upfront investment is $300-500 for the printer and $150-300 for wash/curing equipment.
Final Verdict: Which Figurine Printer Should You Buy in 2026?
After testing all six machines side by side, here’s how I’d break down the picks for the best 3D printers for figurines:
Buy the ANYCUBIC Photon Mono M7 PRO if you want the absolute best figurine quality and need batch-printing speed. The 14K screen and 170mm/h speed are class-leading, and the resin auto-fill saves real time on every print.
Buy the ANYCUBIC Photon Mono 4 if you want strong 10K detail without premium pricing. At 507 reviews averaging 4.5 stars, it’s the most field-proven pick under $250.
Buy the Phrozen Sonic Mini 8K S if you’re completely new to resin and want a compact, beginner-friendly workhorse with proven results on miniatures.
Buy the ELEGOO Mars 5 Ultra if you want modern features like AI camera monitoring and Wi-Fi cluster printing at a mid-range price.
Buy the ELEGOO Saturn 4 12K if you need a large build plate for batch printing and want a recent model with auto-leveling and mechanical sensors.
Buy the ELEGOO Saturn 3 MSLA 12K if you want Saturn-class 12K quality at the lowest price in that tier and don’t need the latest workflow features.
Whichever resin 3D printer you choose for figurines, budget for ventilation, wash/curing stations, and nitrile gloves on day one. Those are the hidden costs that turn a good printer into a smooth, safe hobby setup – exactly what you need to enjoy printing detailed miniatures for years to come.
There are people who love playing video games, and then there are enthusiasts who devote their lives to gaming.
Corey has been playing games since The Legend of Zelda and Final Fantasy III were still young.
Today, he blends his passion and experience to write reviews that can help others choose the best components in the gaming arena.