Budget Resin Head to Head

The Anycubic Photon Mono 4 is the cheapest route into 10K resolution resin printing, and it earns that entry-level position honestly. The 10K mono LCD produces miniatures with clearly superior detail compared to FDM — chainmail, facial features, weapon detailing, and fine text all resolve cleanly. The 134x75x130mm build plate is genuinely small: you'll print one or two standard 28mm miniatures per batch, or a single larger model. For a hobbyist painting their first campaign's worth of minis one at a time, this is sufficient. The Mono 4's limitations become apparent at the workflow level. There is no WiFi — prints transfer by USB only. There is no tilt-release system; the build plate lifts vertically on each layer, creating higher peel forces that increase the chance of failed prints on models with large cross-sections. The slower print speed (100mm/h vs the Mars's 150mm/h) means longer print times. No air purifier means you should ventilate the space or work with an external fan and carbon filter. For beginners who want to test resin printing before committing real money, these are acceptable compromises. The Mono 4 costs $125 less than the Mars — that's enough for several liters of resin and a wash-and-cure station, leaving you in a better position than spending it all on a printer. Print success rates are lower than the Mars due to the lack of tilt release, but with properly hollowed models and well-placed supports, the Mono 4 is capable of excellent results. It's a tool that rewards learning the craft.

#1

resin

Anycubic Photon Mono 4

#1 Pick

Anycubic

$159

7.4/10

Best Value

Cheapest entry into high-detail resin printing. Great for tabletop miniatures on a tight budget.

Build

134mm

Speed

100mm/s

Resolution

0.01mm

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The Elegoo Mars 5 Ultra is what the Photon Mono 4 aspires to be. The 14K resolution on a 7.6-inch screen achieves higher pixel density than the Mono 4's 10K on a similar-sized panel, producing finer detail on sub-millimeter features. The tilt-release mechanism is the most meaningful practical upgrade: instead of peeling the layer vertically, the FEP film tilts, dramatically reducing the force needed to separate each cured layer. The result is significantly higher print success rates on complex models, models with large flat surfaces, and hollow models with thin walls — exactly the miniatures and figurines that define resin printing's use case. The built-in air purifier runs activated carbon media during printing, reducing the VOC concentration in the room. It's not a complete solution, but it's meaningfully better than nothing and allows printing in less-ventilated spaces. WiFi connectivity lets you send files and monitor prints from a browser interface without being physically present. The 153x89x200mm build plate is larger than the Mono 4's in all three dimensions — the taller Z height is particularly useful for busts and larger character models. At 150mm/h print speed, it's faster than the Mono 4. Elegoo's large community means profiles, tutorials, and troubleshooting resources are abundant. For anyone committed to resin printing rather than just testing it, the Mars 5 Ultra is the correct investment. The $125 premium buys a meaningfully better printing experience that will produce fewer failures and better results over time.

#2

resin

Elegoo Mars 5 Ultra

Elegoo

$284

8.2/10

Detail King

The go-to resin printer for miniature painters. 14K resolution delivers insane detail at a great price.

Build

153mm

Speed

150mm/s

Resolution

0.01mm

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