Best Resin 3D Printer UK 2026: Complete Guide

Not sure which setup is right for you?

Want detail that FDM can't match? Resin is the answer. For miniatures, jewellery, and anything where surface finish matters, nothing else comes close. But resin printing is a different beast entirely.

Best overall: Elegoo Mars 4 Ultra (£245). Best budget: Anycubic Photon Mono 4 (£160). Here's why.

How Resin Printing Works MSLA (masked stereolithography) uses UV light to cure liquid resin layer by layer. An LCD masks the light to create each layer in seconds. Layer heights down to 0.01mm, compared to 0.1mm on a typical FDM printer. The detail difference is immediately visible.

Best Overall: Elegoo Mars 4 Ultra (around £245) The Elegoo Mars 4 Ultra is the one most people on r/3Dprinting recommend for good reason. 9K resolution, WiFi connectivity, built-in camera for remote monitoring, and ACF release film that speeds up prints significantly. Build volume is 153x78x165mm, which handles most miniatures and small projects comfortably.

Need bigger? The Elegoo Saturn 3 (around £400) nearly doubles the build volume with similar quality. But for most people starting out, the Mars 4 Ultra is the sweet spot.

Best Budget: Anycubic Photon Mono 4 (around £160) The Anycubic Photon Mono 4 punches above its price. 10K resolution and simplified 4-point levelling make it easy to set up. If you're not sure whether resin printing is for you, this is a low-risk way to find out.

The Messy Truth I'll be honest: resin printing is more work than FDM. Every single print needs post-processing: 1. Drain excess resin 2. Wash in IPA or water (depending on resin type) 3. UV cure to fully harden 4. Remove supports and clean up

Budget 20-30 minutes for this, regardless of how small the print is. It gets routine, but it's always there.

Safety Matters Uncured resin irritates skin and can cause allergic reactions. Always wear nitrile gloves. Work in a ventilated area or use an enclosure with carbon filtration. Don't skip this. Read our resin printing safety guide before you start.

Running Costs Resin costs £25-50 per litre versus £15-25/kg for FDM filament. Prints are typically solid or hollow, using more material per volume. Add IPA (around £15 per 5L) and nitrile gloves. It's more expensive per print than FDM.

Is Resin Right For You? Miniatures and tabletop gaming? Absolutely, nothing beats the detail. Jewellery and small detailed items? Yes, resin excels here. Functional parts? Usually no. FDM is stronger and cheaper. See our [FDM vs resin comparison](/guides/fdm-vs-resin-printer). Large objects? No. Build volumes are small and costs add up fast.

Buying in the UK Amazon UK stocks both printers and most common resins. 3DJake carries specialist resins. Elegoo also sells direct. Check shipping policies for resin since some couriers have restrictions on liquids.

The Bottom Line If you know you want resin, get the Elegoo Mars 4 Ultra (around £245). If you want to try resin cheaply, the Anycubic Photon Mono 4 (around £160) is the better first buy. *(Prices when reviewed: Photon ~£160, Mars 4 Ultra ~£245 | View on Amazon | View on Amazon)*

New to 3D printing entirely? Start with FDM. Our [best 3D printer guide](/guides/best-3d-printer-uk) covers the full range.

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