The Anycubic Photon P1 is the resin printer to start with if you want a mid-size machine that handles most setup for you. It pairs a 10.1-inch 14K screen with auto-leveling, a temperature-controlled resin vat and automatic print checks. For small prints, the Photon Mono 4 has the smallest pixel area here. The Elegoo Mars 5 is the easiest compact printer to set up. The Creality HALOT-MAGE S has a built-in air purifier, and the Photon Mono M7 Max prints the largest parts.

Every figure below comes from the maker’s own product page or spec table, checked October 5, 2026. No printer here was tested for this site. If you are still deciding between resin and filament, read our SLA vs FDM comparison first. For tabletop figures, our best 3D printers for miniatures list goes deeper.

Quick picks

Printer Best for Build volume (maker) Screen and XY resolution (maker) Leveling (maker)
Anycubic Photon P1 Best overall 223 × 126 × 230 mm 10.1-inch 14K; 16.8 × 24.8 μm Auto-leveling 3.0 with feedback
Anycubic Photon Mono 4 Compact, fine detail 153.4 × 87 × 165 mm 7-inch 10K; 17 × 17 μm 4-point manual
Elegoo Mars 5 Easiest compact setup 143.43 × 89.6 × 150 mm 6.6-inch 4K; 35 μm One-click automatic
Creality HALOT-MAGE S Built-in odor filter 223 × 126 × 230 mm 10.1-inch 14K; 16.8 × 24.8 μm Not listed in specs
Anycubic Photon Mono M7 Max Large-format 298 × 164 × 300 mm 13.6-inch 7K; 46 × 46 μm 4-point manual

Features that cut manual work

Printer Vat temperature control Resin auto-fill Air purifier
Photon P1 Supported Not supported Optional
Photon Mono 4 Not supported Not supported Optional
Mars 5 Not listed Not listed Optional Elegoo purifier
HALOT-MAGE S Not listed Optional resin pump Built in
Photon Mono M7 Max Supported Supported Optional

1. Anycubic Photon P1: best overall

The Anycubic Photon P1 is the most automated printer in this list. Anycubic lists Auto-Leveling 3.0 with feedback and a self-check that runs before printing. It also lists a leveling assist that shows force values at the four corners, and a dynamic temperature-control resin vat. Its print checks cover build plate installation, bottom-layer separation, resin level and residue, and Anycubic uses AI detection for the first two.

The 10.1-inch 14K screen gives a 16.8 × 24.8 μm XY resolution over a 223 × 126 × 230 mm (6.5 L) build volume. Anycubic says the P1 handles resins up to 8000 cps, runs at 45 dB or less, and has a lid that holds at any angle. It weighs 13.6 kg and measures 366 × 338 × 539 mm.

Choose it if you want mid-size prints with the fewest manual steps. Skip it if your prints fit a 7-inch screen and you don’t need the automation.

2. Anycubic Photon Mono 4: best compact printer for detail

The Anycubic Photon Mono 4 has the smallest pixels in this list by area. Its 7-inch 10K screen gives a 17 × 17 μm XY resolution (the 14K printers here list 16.8 × 24.8 μm) over a 153.4 × 87 × 165 mm (2.2 L) build volume. It is also the lightest printer here, at 4 kg and 230 × 235 × 391 mm, with a 54 W power supply.

It keeps things basic. Anycubic lists 4-point manual leveling, USB file transfer, and no app support, vat temperature control or resin auto-fill. Leveling paper and protective equipment come in the box.

Choose it if you print small, detailed parts and don’t mind leveling by hand. Skip it if you want auto-leveling or larger prints.

3. Elegoo Mars 5: easiest compact printer to set up

The Elegoo Mars 5 trades resolution for convenience. Elegoo lists one-click automatic leveling and a one-click self-check. A mechanical sensor raises alarms for resin shortage, residue and leveling failure. Elegoo also says overheat protection stops the print and sounds an alarm if the LED temperature passes 80 °C.

Its 6.6-inch 4K screen gives a 35 μm XY resolution, coarser than the Mono 4’s 17 μm, over a 143.43 × 89.6 × 150 mm build volume. Elegoo says it supports most resins on the market, including water-washable, standard, ABS-like and plant-based types. Files load by USB. A mask and gloves come in the box.

Choose it if this is your first resin printer and easy setup matters more than the finest detail. Skip it if you print highly detailed small parts, where the Mono 4’s smaller pixels help.

4. Creality HALOT-MAGE S: best built-in odor filter

The Creality HALOT-MAGE S is the only printer here with an air purifier built in. Creality says the purifier switches on and off with the print and uses an activated carbon filter to absorb resin odor. There is also a vent hole at the back for an exhaust tube.

It shares the Photon P1’s screen class: a 10.1-inch 14K LCD with a 16.8 × 24.8 μm XY resolution and a 223 × 126 × 230 mm build volume. Creality lists file transfer by USB drive, Ethernet cable or Wi-Fi, an optional smart resin pump, and a 49 dB noise level at 1 m. It weighs 13.13 kg.

Choose it if odor in the room is your main worry. Skip it if you want auto-leveling listed in the specs or a temperature-controlled vat.

5. Anycubic Photon Mono M7 Max: best large-format

The Anycubic Photon Mono M7 Max has the largest build volume here, at 298 × 164 × 300 mm (14.7 L). Anycubic lists a 13.6-inch 7K screen, resin auto-fill and a dynamic temperature-control resin vat that holds up to 1.3 L.

The larger screen means a coarser 46 × 46 μm XY resolution, so it suits large parts and batches more than fine detail. It uses 4-point manual leveling. It weighs 24 kg and measures 425 × 362 × 652 mm.

Choose it if you print large models or fill the plate with batches. Skip it if you print small detailed parts or lack the bench space.

How to choose a resin printer

Pick the screen size for your largest print. The build volumes here run from the Mars 5’s 143.43 × 89.6 × 150 mm to the M7 Max’s 298 × 164 × 300 mm. A 10-inch printer such as the P1 or HALOT-MAGE S sits between them at 223 × 126 × 230 mm.

Compare pixel size, not the K number. A higher K count spread over a bigger screen can still give larger pixels. The 7K M7 Max lists 46 × 46 μm, while the 10K Mono 4 lists 17 × 17 μm.

Decide how much setup you want to do. The Mars 5 and P1 level themselves. The Mono 4 and M7 Max use 4-point manual leveling.

Check vat temperature control if your room runs cool. Anycubic lists a dynamic temperature-control vat on the P1 and M7 Max, and describes the feature as maintaining optimal resin temperature. The Mono 4 doesn’t have one.

Plan odor control and ventilation separately. A built-in carbon filter like the HALOT-MAGE S’s targets odor, and the other printers take optional purifiers. Neither replaces a ventilation plan, so read our 3D printer ventilation guide and safety accessories guide before you set up.

Who should skip a resin printer

If you mainly print large functional parts, brackets or enclosures, a filament printer is usually the better fit. Our SLA vs FDM comparison covers that trade-off. Resin printing also adds handling and cleanup steps after every print, so it suits buyers who want fine surface detail enough to take on that work. To match a printer with a station that fits its build plate, see our best wash and cure stations . For the resin itself, our best 3D printer resin picks compare standard, ABS-like, tough and water-washable resins.

FAQ

Is a 14K resin printer always sharper than a 10K one?

Not by itself. The K figure counts screen pixels, so compare the XY resolution, or pixel size, instead. The 7-inch 10K Photon Mono 4 lists 17 x 17 μm and the 10.1-inch 14K Photon P1 lists 16.8 x 24.8 μm, while the 13.6-inch 7K Photon Mono M7 Max lists 46 x 46 μm.

Do I need auto-leveling on a resin printer?

No, but it removes a setup step. The Elegoo Mars 5 and Anycubic Photon P1 level automatically, while the Photon Mono 4 and Photon Mono M7 Max use 4-point manual leveling, and Anycubic includes leveling paper with the Mono 4.

Which resin printer is best for miniatures?

Any printer here can print miniatures, but our best 3D printers for miniatures list covers that job in detail, with picks chosen for small-scale detail.

Can a resin printer go in a home office?

Noise is the smaller issue: Anycubic lists the Photon P1 at 45 dB or less, and Creality lists the HALOT-MAGE S at 49 dB at 1 m. Resin odor and vapors are the bigger question, so plan ventilation before choosing the room.

Sources