Miniatures and figures from Dungeons & Dragons are a great way to show how far 3D printing has come.
Because of how far technology has come, you can design, make, and customize your minis!
Resin 3D printers are great for making miniatures because they can make the tiniest details with an excellent finish.
In this article, I’ve compiled a list of some of the best 3D printers for miniatures. You’ll quickly see why the Elegoo Saturn was the best choice overall.
In addition to resin printers, we also have a couple of FDM printers.
Ultimately, I will answer some of people’s most common questions about 3D printing with resin.
Let’s get started!
| Image | Product | Detail | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
 | ELEGOO Saturn MSLA 3D Printer |
| Check Price |
 | Elegoo Mars 2 |
| Check Price |
 | Phrozen Sonic Mini 4K |
| Check Price |
 | Creality Ender 3 V2 |
| Check Price |
 | Anycubic Photon Mono X |
| Check Price |
 | Prusa i3 MK3S+ |
| Check Price |
Top 6 Best 3D Printers For Miniatures 2024
Here are some of the finest lists of 3D printers:
1. ELEGOO Saturn MSLA 3D Printer
ELEGOO Saturn MSLA 3D Printer
Features
- Fast Printing and less maintenance
- Outstanding prints & ultra accuracy
- Sturdy build quality
- Multi-language interface
When the Elegoo Saturn came out, it made a lot of noise in resin 3D printing. It quickly became a favorite of many 3D printing fans, both hobbyists and professionals, because it had great features at a low price.
The build volume of the Saturn 3D printer is 192 x 120 x 200 mm. It also has a monochrome LCD screen with a 4K resolution to keep up with the higher number of builds.
It has a Double Z-axis linear railway, an aluminum resin vat, and a ball-bearing leveling system, among other things.
In many ways, Saturn is like the older brother of the Elegoo Mars 3D printers.
Because Saturn has a big build volume, you can 3D print many small things simultaneously.
The monochromatic 4K screen ensures that your D&D figurines come out quickly and look their best with all their details.
This comes at almost half the price of any other 3D printer on the market with similar specs.
Pros
- Having the ability to print big things
- It has a great finish on the outside
- Reasonable cost
Cons
- There’s no Wi-Fi and no option for air filters.
2. Elegoo Mars 2
Elegoo Mars 2
Features
- Fast Printing and less maintenance
- Outstanding prints & ultra accuracy
- Sturdy build quality
- Multi-language interface
The Elegoo Mars 2 is another excellent 3D printer for printing with resin in the Mars line. It has the same features as the Elegoo Saturn but costs almost half as much.
This makes it a great choice if you want to start 3D printing with resin but don’t have much money. The Mars 2 has a black-and-white LCD screen with a resolution of 2K.
This screen has 50 microns of X and Y resolution. The monochromatic screen cuts down on the time it takes for each layer to dry so that you can quickly print.
This makes the Mars 2 an excellent choice for anyone who wants to start 3D printing with resin and is on a tight budget.
The fact that the whole 3D printer is green is also a nice touch. The Mars 2 not only prints good D&D minis, but it also looks great while it does so.
Pros
- Curing times that make sense
- Good LCD battery life
- Compatible with resins and slicers made by other companies
- Great value
Cons
- Not enough ways to connect.
- There are no pouring aids on the resin vat.
- Not much help from the community.
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3. Phrozen Sonic Mini 4K
Phrozen Sonic Mini 4K
Features
- Ultra 4K Printing Precision
- Mono-LCD Screen
- Ample Printing Volume
- Multi-Resin Compatibility
In resin 3D printing, 4K printers are slowly becoming the norm. They have an excellent surface finish and can copy even the smallest details because of the raised resolution.
The Phrozen Sonic Mini 4K shows how great 4K screens are. The Sonic Mini 4K has a 6.1-inch printing area with a screen resolution of 3840 x 2160.
This gives it a pixel density of almost 772 PPI. This gives it an XY resolution of 35 microns, higher than any other MSLA 3D printer in the same class.
It also has a black-and-white LCD screen that lets you print faster and lasts longer. A resin printer, it’s straightforward for a beginner to use. It doesn’t need much fine-tuning or work from you.
This is especially helpful for D&D fans who want consistent, high-quality 3D printing without dealing with the problems that come with resin 3D printers.
Pros
- The print quality and surface finish are both excellent.
- A good deal for the money
- It works with the Chitubox Slicer.
- Compatible with resins from third parties
Cons
- Connectivity options are limited
- The leveling of the bed could be improved
4. Creality Ender 3 V2
Creality Ender 3 V2
Features
- Self-developed Silent Motherboard
- UL Certified MeanWell Power Supply
- Effortless Filament Feed-in
- Resume Printing Function
- Carborundum Glass Platform
The Creality Ender 3 V2 is an excellent follow-up to the Ender 3, which was everyone’s favorite. The V2 looks the same as its predecessor, but it has many more features that the Ender 3 didn’t have.
The Ender 3 V2 has an excellent user interface and a color LCD screen on the front. It has a knob to feed in the filament, a toolbox at the bottom, and belt tensioners, making it easy to change the belts.
With the addition of a Meanwell power supply and new TMC stepper drivers, the V2 is now more reliable and runs more quietly.
The V2 is a good choice for 3D printing minis because it is easy to use, cheap, and has good printing quality.
With this 3D print, the many available Ender 3 upgrades, and the best Ender 3 filaments, you can print high-quality miniatures on a budget without dealing with the mess of resin 3D printers.
Pros
- Beginner-friendly
- Simple to use
- Filament has cheap minis for sale.
- A lot of help from the community
Cons
- A surface finish that isn’t as good as SLA 3D printers
- Slow printing, and the print bed is full
5. Anycubic Photon Mono X
Anycubic Photon Mono X
Features
- Higher Printing Accuracy
- Upgraded Light Source
- Stable Printing Structure
- Great Slicer Compatibility
- Laser Engraved Platform
The Anycubic Photon Mono X resin 3D printer is an excellent deal for the money. It costs a fair amount and has a large build volume of about 192x120x245 mm.
Because of its build volume, the Mono X is a great printer for printing large-scale miniatures or smaller ones at once.
The 4K resolution screen on the Photon Mono X has a standard XY resolution of about 50 microns.
It stands out because it has two linear rails, Wi-Fi connectivity, and an app that lets you control it from afar.
Photon Workshop is the name of the slicer software that Anycubic made for the Photon Mono X. It has some pretty good features for miniatures, like 8x anti-aliasing and fast slicing.
Still, the Mono X needs some work to get the best 3D prints. Once the printer is set up, you can expect consistent quality and print large D&D figures in one piece.
Pros
- Multi-object printing
- Monitor prints remotely
- Support from the community is good
Cons
- Compatibility with third-party slicers is limited
- For best results, it needs to be fine-tuned
- Desktop Wi-Fi is not compatible
6. Prusa i3 MK3S+
Prusa i3 MK3S+
Features
- Ready-to-use FDM 3D Printer
- Assembled and Tested
- Removable Print Sheets
- 1kg Filament Included
Figures and minis are just one part of the game of Dungeons & Dragons. You can bring your stories to life by making terrains and other magical things for them.
This is where larger build volumes of FDM 3D printers can be beneficial. In this way, the Prusa i3 MK3S+ is an excellent tool for making terrains for your miniatures.
About 250 x 210 x 210 mm of space can be used to build it. With its heated, flexible build plate, you can print without worrying about the bed sticking.
The MK3S+ also comes with a Bondtech extruder and an all-metal hot end. This lets you print in 3D with many different materials, not just PLA and ABS.
With the Prusa MK3S+, you can print all kinds of dice towers, terrains, and figures easily.
FDM printers are much better than resin printers because they offer a wide range of materials and can process 3D-printed objects quickly and cheaply.
Pros
- Reliability is high
- It doesn’t make much noise
- Post-processing is minimal
Cons
- Expensive for an FDM printer price
- There is no enclosure
Tips for choosing the best 3D printer for miniatures
Here are some tips you should consider while selecting the finest 3D printer for miniatures:
1. Ease of Use
One of the most important factors to consider when purchasing a 3D printer is its ease of use.
If you are unfamiliar with 3D printing technology, it is important to choose a user-friendly printer with clear instructions. Many manufacturers offer support and tutorials to help you get started.
2. Printer Type
3D printers can be divided into two main categories: FDM and SLA (stereolithography).
FDM printers are typically more affordable and easier to use, while SLA printers produce higher-quality prints. Choosing a printer compatible with the type of filament you want to use is essential.
3. Build Volume
Another factor to consider is the printer’s build volume, which is the maximum size of the object that can be printed.
If you plan on printing large objects, you will need a printer with a large build volume. However, if you only plan on printing small objects, you can save money by choosing a printer with a smaller build volume.
4. Resolution
The resolution of a 3D printer refers to the smallest layer thickness that can be printed. A higher resolution results in smoother prints and increases print time and cost.
It is important to choose a resolution that meets your needs and budget.
5. Connectivity
Most 3D printers come with connectivity, such as USB or Wi-Fi. This lets you connect the printer to your computer or other devices to transfer files and monitor prints quickly.
Choosing a printer that offers the level of connectivity you need is essential.
6. Filament Type
There are many different types of filament available for 3D printing, including ABS (acrylonitrile butadiene styrene), PETG (polyethylene terephthalate glycol), and PLA (polylactic acid).
Each type of filament has its unique properties, so it is important to choose one that is compatible with your project requirements.
7. Cost
3D printers vary widely, from around $100 to over $5000.
It is essential to set a budget before shopping for a printer so that you can narrow down your options and find one that fits your needs and budget.
Quick Links:
- 8 Best Printers For Art Prints
- 10 Best Printers for Cardstock
- 8 Best Heat Transfer Printers
- 5 Best Sublimation Printers
Conclusion: Best 3D Printers For Miniatures 2024
If you only want one answer, I would say that the Elegoo Saturn is the best 3D printer for making small things.
It has a large build volume, excellent printing quality, and a reasonable price.
The Phrozen Sonic Mini 4K and the Prusa i3 MK3S+ are good second-place choices.
I’d like to know what you think about this list. Please leave a comment below if you have any questions or ideas.
