5 Affordable Entry-level MSLA Printers

Are you looking for an affordable resin printer to get started with 3D printing? We got you! We will introduce you to 5 inexpensive resin printers under 500 euros, which are ideal for beginners due to their specific characteristics.

You no longer have to dig deep into your pocket for a professional device, resin 3D printers are currently experiencing a real heyday. A decade ago it looked very different and you had to spend several thousand euros for such a printer. Nowadays, cheap models are available for less than 200 euros.

Beginner-friendly MSLA 3D printers to get you started

The resin printers presented here are not only affordable and beginner-friendly but they also have something else in common: They all use MSLA technology.

⇒ How does a resin printer with MSLA technology work?

In the MSLA (Masked Stereolithography) process, a synthetic resin is selectively illuminated from below with an LCD display. The LCD screen creates a mask per print layer and thus blocks the UV light at the specified points.

In this way, only the desired area is exposed and ensures that the resin hardens in a targeted manner. The LCD mask is displayed digitally and consists of pixels, which ultimately determine the maximum possible resolution.

Because of their low cost, MSLA printers have become the first choice in the budget resin printer segment.

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1. Elegoo Mars 3

The Elegoo Mars 3 is already the sixth device in the Mars series and promises 30% more printing accuracy than its predecessor. In the Mars 3, Elegoo combines the best features of its previous versions and goes one step further with a terrific 4K resolution of 35 microns.

• Large print volume

Other printers in our top 5 also have such a high resolution but at 143 x 89.6 x 175 mm the Elegoo Mars 3 offers a significantly larger print capacity than its predecessor and many other monochrome 4K resin printers.

• Powerful light source and improved heat sink system

The 4K Monochrome LCD Printer has a new, powerful COB light source that has been tucked under the screen and received an improved heat sink system that keeps the inside of the printer at the optimal temperature and contributes to the overall longevity of the printer.

The resin printer also has improved FEP films and a new sandblasted build plate, which ensures good model adhesion.

• Free ChiTuBox Pro Slicer subscription

The price also includes a one-year ChiTuBox Pro subscription worth approx. 145 euros, which, in conjunction with its other outstanding features, makes the Mars 3 a well-rounded MSLA printer for beginners and advanced users.

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Technical characteristics of the Elegoo Mars 3

Software	ChiTuBox
Display	6.6 inch monochrome 4K LCD display
Interface	3.5 inch touchscreen
Connection	USB
Light source	UV light with a wavelength of 405 nm
Build space	143 (L) x 89.6 (W) x 175 (H) mm
XY resolution	35 μm (4098 x 2560)
Z resolution	10 μm
Device size	227 x 227 x 438.5 mm
Weight	5.2 kg

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2. Elegoo Saturn

We are staying with Elegoo and are now dedicating ourselves to the large-format Elegoo Saturn , the first 3D printer from Elegoo with a monochrome LCD. The Elegoo Saturn impresses with an 8.9 inch LCD screen and a huge build space of 192 x 120 x 200 mm.

• For large & detailed models

The Elegoo Saturn is one of the first 8.9 inch LCD printers to have a newly developed 4K monochrome LCD display. With this new technology, it boasts unbelievable printing speeds and only needs 1-2 seconds per layer while conventional LCD 3D printers require 7-8 seconds per layer.

The monochrome LCD is also thermally stable and has a much longer lifespan than conventional LCD displays. You can print over 2000 hours with it! Despite the large build space, the Elegoo Saturn achieves a very high precision of up to 50 microns thanks to the 4K resolution.

• Beginner-friendly operation

Thanks to its user-friendly system, the coloured 3.5-inch touchscreen and the latest ChiTuBox software, the Elegoo Saturn is very easy to use and ideally suited for beginners.

So if you want to create large-format and detailed models, the Elegoo Saturn is definitely a suitable candidate.

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Technical characteristics of the Elegoo Saturn

Software	ChiTuBox
Display	8.9 inch monochrome 4K LCD display
Interface	3.5 inch touchscreen
Connection	USB, LAN
Light source	UV light with a wavelength of 405 nm
Build space	192 (L) x 120 (W) x 200 (H) mm
XY resolution	50 μm (3840 x 2400)
Device size	280 x 240 x 446 mm
Weight	12.2 kg

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3. Phrozen Sonic Mini 4K

Like the 3D printers already described, the Phrozen Sonic Mini 4K is equipped with an LCD panel with 4K resolution, which enables high-resolution printing at 35 microns. The 6.1-inch monochrome LCD display also ensures high printing speeds and only requires 1-2 seconds of exposure per layer.

The thermally stable monochrome LCD also has a longer service life than conventional LCD displays and does not need to be serviced or replaced as often.

• ParaLED module

The Phrozen Sonic Mini 4K uses a ParaLED module, which ensures more even exposure, higher efficiency and better heat dissipation.

With its 135 x 75 x 130 mm build space, it does not offer as much space as an Elegoo Mars or Saturn, but if you value it less or do not want to buy a device from Elegoo, then the Sonic Mini 4K is definitely a great choice, with which you can create high-resolution models.

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Technical characteristics of the Phrozen Sonic Mini 4K

Software	ChiTuBox
Display	6.1 inch monochrome 4K LCD display
Interface	2.8 inch touch screen
Connection	USB
Light source	UV light with a wavelength of 405 nm
Installation space	134 (L) x 75 (W) x 130 (H) mm
XY resolution	35 μm (3840 x 2160)
Device size	248 x 248 x 327 mm
Weight	5 kg

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4. Creality LD-002H

Unlike the previous MSLA printers, the LD-002H from Creality is a device with a monochrome 6.08 inch 2K LCD panel and a space of 130 x 82 x 160 mm. The pixel size (XY) is 51 microns. Since the Creality printer has the lowest resolution in our comparison, it is also the most cost-effective device.

• Activated charcoal filter & improved exposure unit

The air filtering of the LD-002H takes place via an activated charcoal filter in the print chamber.

An integrated UV exposure unit with strong transmission ensures more stable exposure and an increased success rate

• ChiTu firmware & ChiTuBox slicer

The LD-002H uses the ChiTu firmware and the ChiTuBox slicer, which means that print preparation is very straightforward.

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Technical characteristics of the Creality LD-002H

Software	ChiTuBox
Display	6.08 inch monochrome 2K LCD display
Interface	3.5 inch touchscreen
Connection	USB
Light source	UV light with a wavelength of 405 nm
Build space	130 (L) x 82 (W) x 160 (H) mm
XY resolution	51 μm
Device size	221 mm x 221 mm x 403 mm
Weight	6.6 kg

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5. Anycubic Photon Mono X

When talking about resin printers, Anycubic shouldn't be missing either.

The Chinese 3D printer manufacturer is represented in our top 5 with the powerful Photon Mono X, which is the most expensive printer in our group, but also very extensively equipped.

• Large build space & 8.9 inch LCD display

The Anycubic Photon Mono X is equipped with a large build space of 192 x 120 x 245 mm and has an 8.9 inch 4K monochrome LCD display.

It achieves incredible printing speeds and only takes 1-2 seconds to cure a layer.

Despite the large build space, the Anycubic Photon Mono X achieves a very high precision of up to 50 microns thanks to the 4K resolution.

• Anycubic App Remote Control

An integrated WiFi module ensures convenient connectivity with the 3D printer. You can easily connect your Photon Mono X using a mobile phone app and manage and monitor your printing process.

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Technical features of the Photon Mono X

Software	Photon workshop (can also be used with ChiTuBox)
Display	8.9 inch monochrome 4K LCD display
Interface	3.5 inch touchscreen
Connection	USB, WiFi
Light source	UV light with a wavelength of 405 nm
Build space	192 (L) x 120 (W) x 245 (H) mm
XY resolution	50 μm
Device size	270 x 290 x 470 mm
Weight	14 kg

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Budget resin printer for the home - Conclusion

We hope, of course, that one of the presented resin printers will appeal to you and that you will find a device that suits your application and that is fun to work with. You can find detailed information about the printers mentioned on the respective product page.

Also take a look at our YouTube channel so that you don't miss any 3D printer presentations, reviews or tutorials.