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Best resin 3D printers under $250

Updated 21 May 2026 · Live prices on every page load from United States marketplaces

Ranked off live United States marketplaces prices plus the specs that actually matter on a resin machine: XY pixel size (finer is better), build volume, and light-source technology. Bigger numbers don't always mean better prints - but they do mean more headroom for miniatures, dental work and jewellery casting. Resin is messier than FDM; expect to spend time on wash, cure and nitrile gloves.

  1. #1
    ELEGOO Mercury X Wash and Cure Station and ABS-Li
    ELEGOO
    Mercury X Wash and Cure Station and ABS-Li
    $166 MSLA · 18 µm XY · 2.1 L
  2. #2
    ELEGOO Mars 4 Resin
    ELEGOO
    Mars 4 Resin
    $185 MSLA · 18 µm XY · 2.1 L · 8520*4320
  3. #3
    ELEGOO Mercury XS
    ELEGOO
    Mercury XS
    $200 MSLA · 18 µm XY · 2.1 L · 8520 x 4320
  4. #4
    ELEGOO Mars 5 Ultra
    ELEGOO
    Mars 5 Ultra
    $240 MSLA · 18 µm XY · 2.0 L · 8520 x 4320
  5. #5
    phrozen Sonic Mighty 4K Large LCD Resin
    phrozen
    Sonic Mighty 4K Large LCD Resin
    $250 MSLA · 28 µm XY · 6.3 L · 10.1" 8K Mono LCD
  6. #6
    MALYAN S100 Mini Resin
    MALYAN
    S100 Mini Resin
    $140 SLA · 12 µm XY · 0.1 L
  7. #7
    ELEGOO Mars 5 Resin and Standard Resin Grey 1000g
    ELEGOO
    Mars 5 Resin and Standard Resin Grey 1000g
    $195 MSLA · 35 µm XY · 1.9 L · 4K (6.6-inch LCD)
  8. #8
    ANYCUBIC Wash and Cure 3
    ANYCUBIC
    Wash and Cure 3
    $90 SLA · 2.2 L · 9024x5120

Matt's take on this budget

Sub-$250 resin is Elegoo Mars Mini and near-clones. Perfectly good for miniatures, pocket parts, keychains - anything where 6K or 8K over a 75 mm-wide bed is enough. The real cost at this tier isn't the printer, it's the workflow: wash-and-cure station, nitrile gloves, IPA, ventilation. Budget two-thirds the printer price again on supporting kit or you'll give up by the third print.

Frequently asked

Is a resin printer under $250 worth buying? +

For tabletop minis at 28 mm or 32 mm scale, absolutely. An 8K Mars Mini prints crisper figures than any FDM at any price. Just remember the workflow cost - a wash-and-cure station, IPA and nitrile gloves add a meaningful chunk on top.

How often do I replace the screen on a sub-$250 resin printer? +

Roughly every 1500-2500 print hours. Replacement screens are typically a quarter to a third of the printer price. Factor that in if you plan to run the printer heavily.

Do I need ventilation for resin printing? +

Yes, genuinely. Resin fumes are an irritant and some formulations are sensitisers - the smell is not background noise to ignore. Print in a garage, shed or near a window with a fan. A sealed cover with activated-carbon filter helps.

Other resin budgets
Resin under $400 Resin under $650 Resin under $1300 Resin under $2500
Or switch to FDM: Best FDM under $250 →

Related reading

Long readFDM vs resin 3D printingWhen each process wins, where each fails, and why most beginners should start with FDM.Read →Long readHow to pick your first 3D printerSpec by spec, what actually matters on a first printer and what the marketing hopes you will not question.Read →

Ranking is driven by the spec sheet plus live price. Print quality on resin also depends heavily on the slicer, the resin itself, exposure tuning and post-processing - none of which are on the spec sheet. Treat this as a shortlist, read owner reports, then buy.