FDM vs Resin 3D Printer: Which Should You Buy?

FDM and resin printers solve different problems. Choosing wrong means frustration. Here's the honest comparison.

Print Quality Resin wins. Period. Layer heights of 0.01-0.05mm versus 0.1-0.2mm for FDM. Resin captures details FDM cannot physically reproduce. For miniatures, jewelry, or anything requiring fine surface finish, resin is the only choice.

That said, FDM quality is excellent for functional parts. You won't notice layer lines on a phone stand or cable organizer.

Ease of Use FDM wins. Load filament, slice model, print. Failed prints mean wasted plastic, not chemical cleanup.

Resin requires gloves, ventilation, washing in isopropyl alcohol, UV curing, and careful waste disposal. Every print session involves setup and cleanup that FDM doesn't require.

Build Volume FDM wins significantly. Budget FDM printers offer 220x220x250mm build volumes. Resin printers typically top out around 150x85x175mm. Printing large functional parts on resin is impractical.

Material Costs FDM wins. PLA filament costs $15-25 per kg. Resin costs $25-50 per liter. FDM also doesn't require consumables like IPA, gloves, or replacement FEP films.

Material Strength FDM wins. Standard resin prints are brittle. FDM parts in PLA, PETG, or ABS handle stress and impact that would shatter resin. Engineering resins exist but cost significantly more.

Speed Mixed. Modern high-speed FDM printers match or beat resin for most prints. Resin excels at batch printing multiple small items simultaneously. FDM is faster for single large objects.

Safety FDM wins. PLA is non-toxic and prints at low temperatures. Resin requires PPE and ventilation. This isn't a minor consideration - consistent resin use without precautions causes sensitization and health issues.

When to Choose FDM - Learning 3D printing (start here) - Functional parts and prototypes - Large prints - No dedicated ventilated workspace - Limited budget for consumables

**When to Choose Resin** - Miniatures and tabletop gaming - Jewelry and dental work - Maximum surface detail required - Dedicated workspace with ventilation - Willing to handle chemical workflow

The Honest Answer Most makers should start with FDM. Learn the fundamentals, understand calibration, develop troubleshooting skills. Add a resin printer later if you specifically need fine detail.

Starting with resin means learning two complex workflows simultaneously while handling chemicals. The detail is seductive, but the learning curve is steeper and mistakes are messier.

Our Picks Best FDM for beginners: Creality Ender 3 V3 SE *(~$199 | Check price)* Best resin for beginners: Anycubic Photon Mono 4 *(~$159 | Check price)*

Not sure which suits your projects? Take our quiz for personalized recommendations.