Best budget 3d printers!

 

Best 3D Printers for 28mm Warhammer Miniatures (Under $400)

Introduction: Printing Warhammer-scale (28 mm) miniatures demands exceptional detail and smooth surfaces. Resin MSLA printers are ideal for this task – they cure liquid resin with an LCD and UV light to achieve extremely fine resolution (often around 0.035 mm) that FDM printers can’t matchtomshardware.com. For crisp tiny features like armor trim and facial expressions, a high XY resolution (small pixel size) is critical. All the printers below are LCD resin printers (with monochrome screens for faster exposure and longer life) that excel at miniature printing. We focus on models under $400, with a couple of higher-end “stretch” options up to ~$500 for added capability. Key features to look for include high resolution screens (4K, 8K, 9K, etc.), sturdy build quality (to minimize vibrations and layer lines), and beginner-friendly features like auto-leveling or easy-to-use software. Many of these printers come nearly plug-and-play, making resin printing accessible even to newcomers – just remember that resin handling and post-processing (washing, curing) are part of the process. Below is a comparison of the best printers for Warhammer minis, with pros/cons and a summary spec table at the end.

Elegoo Mars 5 Ultra – 9K High-Resolution Miniatures Specialist

Elegoo Mars 5 Ultra is a compact 9K resin printer tailored for high-detail miniatures. The Elegoo Mars 5 Ultra offers an outstanding 9K monochrome LCD that achieves an XY resolution of just 18×18 microns, meaning it can capture extremely fine details and crisp edges on tiny modelstomshardware.com. With a modest build volume of 153 × 77 × 165 mmtomshardware.com, it’s focused on quality over size – perfect for 28 mm infantry or character prints, though larger batches are limited by the smaller plate. Despite its high-tech specs, the Mars 5 Ultra is designed with approachability in mind. It features one-touch auto-leveling and a “tilt release” mechanism that gently peels prints from the FEP after each layer (reducing suction and improving print success)tomshardware.comtomshardware.com. A built-in camera lets you remotely monitor print progress – a rare bonus at this price. In testing, it produced smooth, clean minis with sharply defined detailstomshardware.com. Priced around $338 (often on sale under $300)tomshardware.com, the Mars 5 Ultra delivers superb detail for the cost, making it a top choice for hobbyists who want to reproduce intricate sculpts (think ornate armor or tiny grimdark insignia) with minimal loss of fidelity.

Pros:

• Ultra-high 9K resolution (~18 µm XY) captures super-crisp miniature detailstomshardware.com.

• Smart beginner features: auto-leveling and resin vat tilt-release for easier, more reliable printingtomshardware.comtomshardware.com.

• Built-in camera for remote monitoring of print progresstomshardware.com.

• Proven Elegoo reliability and smooth print quality (test models came out clean and highly detailed)tomshardware.com.

• Affordable price point for the feature set (often <$350)tomshardware.com.

Cons:

• Small build volume – can only print a handful of 28 mm minis at once (better for quality than quantity)3dsourced.com.

• Removing prints can be tricky – the build plate’s strong adhesion caused some difficulty detaching prints in testingtomshardware.comtomshardware.com.

• Lacks the larger screen and batch capacity of mid-size printers (a trade-off for the higher DPI).

• No air filtration built-in (common for this class – use in well-ventilated area).

Anycubic Photon Mono M5s – Leveling-Free Mid-Size Powerhouse

Anycubic’s Photon Mono M5s offers a larger build area and 12K resolution with innovative leveling-free technology. The Anycubic Photon Mono M5s is a mid-size resin printer that combines high-end resolution with user-friendly automation. It sports a 10.1″ 12K LCD (11520 × 5120 pixels) giving about 19–24 µm XY accuracy – on par with the Saturn 4 Ultra’s crisp detail3dsourced.com. Notably, the M5s requires no manual leveling at all – it uses an advanced “floating” build plate and internal sensors to auto-level the bed for youstore.anycubic.comstore.anycubic.com. This greatly simplifies setup and ensures that even beginners get successful first layers. The build volume is a generous 218 × 123 × 200 mm3dsourced.com, enough to print larger models or about 28 minis in one go for army-building3dsourced.com. Despite the large plate, detail remains exceptional – the M5s’s 19 μm precision actually outclasses many older large-panel printers (for example, it beats the Elegoo Saturn 2’s ~29 µm resolution)3dsourced.com. Another highlight is speed: with a optimized light source and support for high-speed resins, the Photon M5s can reach up to 105 mm/hour print speeds3dsourced.com, significantly cutting down print times for big batches. It also includes smart self-diagnostic sensors (checking things like correct vat installation and sufficient resin levels) to reduce print failuresstore.anycubic.comstore.anycubic.com. At around $399, it sits at the upper end of the sub-$400 range3dsourced.com, but you get a lot of value: essentially, a leveling-free, high-resolution workhorse that’s great for printing squads of miniatures with consistent results.

Pros:

• 12K (11520×5120) resolution LCD (~19 µm XY) for extremely fine detail on minis3dsourced.com.

• Leveling-free design – no manual bed leveling needed out of the boxstore.anycubic.com, a huge plus for beginners.

• Large build area (218×123 mm) fits big models or ~2 dozen minis at once3dsourced.com – great for terrain or army batches.

• Fast printing – up to ~105 mm/h with suitable resin, thanks to optimized light and tilt peel system3dsourced.com.

• Smart auto-sensors for reliability (resin level monitoring, hardware self-checks, etc.) minimize failed printsstore.anycubic.comstore.anycubic.com.

Cons:

• In order to hit top speed, it requires fast-curing resin and well-tuned settings3dsourced.com. Standard resins will print at normal (slower) speeds.

• Higher initial cost (~$399) – at the top of the budget range (though it offers corresponding high-end features)3dsourced.com.

• The advanced features (Wi-Fi, Anycubic Cloud integration for remote monitoring) add complexity – users might face a slight learning curve with firmware/apps.

• Larger footprint on your desk due to its mid-size format.

Elegoo Saturn 4 Ultra – Feature-Packed Large Volume (12K)

Elegoo Saturn 4 Ultra offers a spacious build area and advanced features like a tilting resin vat for easier printing. If you’re after a resin printer that can produce bigger models or lots of minis at once – without sacrificing detail – the Elegoo Saturn 4 Ultra is a top pick. It features a 10.1″ “12K” LCD panel (11520 × 5120 resolution) with an XY pixel size of about 19 × 24 µmtomshardware.com, meaning it still achieves extremely fine detail across a much larger screen. The build volume is roughly 219 × 123 × 220 mm, rivaling some smaller FDM printers in sizetomshardware.com – perfect for printing an entire squad or a large centerpiece model in one go. Despite this capacity, the Saturn 4 Ultra maintains superb print quality; side-by-side with prints from smaller 8K/12K machines, differences in detail are practically indistinguishable to the naked eyetomshardware.com. Elegoo has also loaded this machine with convenience and reliability features. It has automatic bed leveling, so setup is quicktomshardware.com. Uniquely, the Saturn 4 Ultra’s resin vat can tilt after each layer, gently “peeling” the print off the FEP filmtomshardware.com. This innovative approach greatly reduces suction forces and strain on prints, improving print success rates and even increasing speedtomshardware.com. The printer also includes a camera in the chamber for remote monitoring and timelapse recordingtomshardware.com, plus a flip-up top cover (hood) that tilts back for easy accesstomshardware.com. In short, Elegoo has made the Saturn 4 Ultra about as automatic and user-friendly as resin printing getstomshardware.com. At a price of $399 direct (just sneaking under $400)tomshardware.com, or around $499 at full retail for the 16K version, it’s a fantastic “stretch” option for those who can spend a bit more to get a larger, high-performance machine.

Pros:

• High resolution 12K LCD (≈19 µm pixel) across a large build plate – detailed prints even on big piecestomshardware.comtomshardware.com.

• Large build volume (~218×123×220 mm) accommodates more minis per run and sizable models (tanks, monsters, terrain).

• Auto-leveling build platform – very easy calibration for beginnerstomshardware.com.

• Innovative tilting vat mechanism reduces layer adhesion force, improving print reliability and allowing faster printingtomshardware.com.

• Built-in camera for live monitoring (and cool timelapses)tomshardware.com. Sturdy, well-built design with a tilt-back hood for convenient accesstomshardware.com.

• Uses standard inexpensive FEP films and resins (no proprietary consumables needed)tomshardware.com, keeping ongoing costs low.

Cons:

• Fairly large footprint and height – requires more workspace and clearance than smaller “Mars” class printers.

• The acrylic lid has no handle, making it a bit awkward to lift offtomshardware.com. (A minor gripe, but you’ll likely grab it by the sides.)

• The monitoring camera only works via ChiTuBox software at presenttomshardware.com, limiting its usefulness if you use other slicers (hopefully future updates expand support).

• At full price (~$500) it’s a budget stretch, though the feature set justifies it – and it often retails for lesstomshardware.com.

• As with any larger resin printer, slightly higher resin usage per layer (bigger vat) – consider an air purifier or vent for the larger resin surface area.

Phrozen Sonic Mini 8K – Ultimate Detail, Small Batch Printer

(No image available) The Phrozen Sonic Mini 8K is a specialized resin printer that set a new benchmark for print detail. It was the first consumer printer to offer a 22 µm XY resolution on a 7.1″ 8K LCDfauxhammer.comus.phrozen3d.com. In practice, this means it can resolve extremely fine textures – pores, chainmail links, tiny rivets – with almost no pixelation visible. Prints from the Sonic Mini 8K have such smooth surfaces that layer lines and voxel edges are virtually indiscerniblefauxhammer.com. In fact, when paired with Phrozen’s matching high-resolution resin, testers noted you’d “be hard-pressed to find anything that will print smoother minis” in the consumer spacefauxhammer.com. This level of fidelity produces miniatures so crisp that even professional resin cast kits struggle to match themfauxhammer.com. The Mini 8K’s build volume is 165 × 72 × 180 mmfauxhammer.com – on the smaller side, sufficient for small batches (maybe 4–8 miniatures at once) or highly detailed character models. Its focus is purely on quality: for dedicated miniatures painters or modelers who want the absolute best surface detail, the Sonic Mini 8K delivers in spades. However, with great resolution comes a bit of tinkering: this printer isn’t as plug-and-play as some others. Manual leveling is required, and getting a perfect first layer may take a couple of tries (the platform is laser-etched for adhesion, which helps). There are also fewer “ease of use” extras – no built-in leveling sensors or fancy touchscreens here. Additionally, the ultra-fine details can highlight limitations in resin or slicing profiles (for example, standard 8K resin can be slightly brittle, and some slicers need tweaks to handle the resolution). The Sonic Mini 8K launched around $599, but now can be found near $350–$400. It’s a bit of a premium for the smaller size, but you’re investing in top-tier print quality. For those who prioritize ultimate detail and smoothness over volume, Phrozen’s Mini 8K is a compelling choice – just be ready for a little hands-on tweaking to unlock its full potentialfauxhammer.comfauxhammer.com.

Pros:

• Unmatched 22 µm XY resolution – one of the highest-detail consumer printers available (1152 PPI screen)fauxhammer.comfauxhammer.com. Perfect for painting-focused hobbyists who want every tiny detail visible.

• Produces exceptionally smooth surface finish – significantly reduced visible layer lines (50% less prominent, according to Phrozen)us.phrozen3d.com, leading to less post-process sanding.

• Very solid build quality (Phrozen is known for sturdy, all-metal machines). Durable components built for long-term use.

• Print quality rivals professional casts – it can reproduce fine details that even official Warhammer/Forge World resin kits would struggle withfauxhammer.com.

• Good community and support for mini printing profiles (popular among miniature painters, so plenty of shared settings/tips).

Cons:

• Not the most beginner-friendly – lacks auto-leveling or advanced assistants. Expect to spend time dialing in the first layer and optimal settingsfauxhammer.com.

• Small build volume compared to others – limited to small batches; not ideal if you need to churn out large armies or big terrain pieces in one go.

• Pricey for its size (you pay for the 8K tech); often around ~$400. Other printers in this price range offer larger volumes (albeit at lower resolution).

• High resolution prints can take longer per layer and may require calibrated 8K resins for best results (Phrozen’s Aqua 8K resin is recommended for top performance).

• Only basic odor control – like most compact resin printers, it has a cover but no built-in carbon filter, so you’ll want ventilation when printing.

Anycubic Photon Mono 2 – Best Budget Beginner Option

Anycubic Photon Mono 2 is a beginner-friendly 4K resin printer with a compact footprint. For newcomers to resin printing who want to start with a low-cost yet capable machine, the Anycubic Photon Mono 2 is a fantastic entry-level choice. It’s a 6.6″ 4K LCD printer (4096 × 2560 resolution) with an XY pixel size of about 34 µmtomshardware.com. While not as jaw-droppingly fine as the 8K/12K printers above, 34 µm is still sufficient to produce detailed miniatures – far sharper than most FDM printers. In practice, the Mono 2 can resolve things like facial features and armor engravings cleanly, and our cited tests showed small busts and figurines came out with “clear, well-defined details” on this machinetomshardware.com. The build area is 165 × 89 × 143 mm, similar to other small-format resin printerstomshardware.com – enough for a few human-size minis at once or a larger monster in parts. Crucially, the Photon Mono 2 is designed for first-time userstomshardware.com. It arrives mostly assembled and has a fast, hassle-free setup: users report being up and printing within minutes. Bed leveling is simple (just a single screw to loosen/tighten while the head is at zero). Anycubic improved the user experience by adding an extra-large anti-scratch screen protector over the printer’s UV LCDtomshardware.com. This protective film covers the edges of the LCD (where resin might seep) and prevents accidental resin spills from ruining the screen – a very welcome feature for beginners learning the ropes. The Mono 2’s interface is straightforward, with easy-to-navigate menustomshardware.com, and the printer’s lightweight, compact design won’t dominate your workspace. Despite the plastic exterior (which does make it light and a bit “cheap” in feeltomshardware.com), it’s quite stable – and the smaller Z-height means less wobble. Print removal is also easier than average thanks to a nicely textured build plate; testers noted that models popped off with minimal efforttomshardware.com. At a budget price (~$180) on saletomshardware.com, the Photon Mono 2 delivers excellent value. It doesn’t have the absolute best resolution or largest volume, but it nails the sweet spot for beginners: quality 4K results, simple operation, and reliable performance – all for the cost of a handful of new GW minis.

Pros:

• Very affordable – often available around $150–$200tomshardware.com, making resin printing accessible to beginners on a budget.

• Good 4K resolution (≈34 µm) – capable of detailed prints that are more than sufficient for tabletop-quality ministomshardware.com.

• Beginner-friendly design: arrives mostly assembled, quick to level, and includes a protective LCD screen film to guard against resin spillstomshardware.com. Easy-to-use interface and controlstomshardware.com.

• Compact footprint – fits on a small desk; also lightweight, so easy to store or move as needed.

• Easy print removal due to a well-designed build plate and included flex scraper; less struggle getting minis off the platetomshardware.com.

Cons:

• Lower resolution than pricier models – fine details are good, but not as razor-sharp as on 8K/9K printers (you might notice softness on extremely tiny features when side-by-side with a 20 µm print).

• Smaller build volume limits the number of miniatures per batch (sufficient for a warband, but not an entire army in one go).

• Build is lightweight; the plastic base can slide on smooth surfaces (slippery feet reported)tomshardware.com – use a non-slip mat to be safe.

• Lacks fancy extras (no Wi-Fi, no auto-level, no internal camera – all understandable at this price).

• The resin vat is fairly small and must be refilled more frequently on larger projects (not a big issue for occasional printing).

<br>

Summary Table – Key Specs and Features

Printer Model	Type	XY Resolution	Build Volume (mm)	Approx. Price	Beginner-Friendly Features
Elegoo Mars 5 Ultra	MSLA Resin (LCD 9K)	18 µm	153 × 77 × 165	~$338	Auto-leveling; built-in camera; tilt-release peeltomshardware.comtomshardware.com
Anycubic Photon M5s	MSLA Resin (LCD 12K)	~19 µm	218 × 123 × 200	~$399	Leveling-free (self-leveling sensors); auto hardware & resin sensorsstore.anycubic.comstore.anycubic.com
Elegoo Saturn 4 Ultra	MSLA Resin (LCD 12K)	~19–24 µm	219 × 123 × 220	~$399–499	Auto-leveling; tilting vat system; built-in cameratomshardware.comtomshardware.com
Phrozen Sonic Mini 8K	MSLA Resin (LCD 8K)	22 µm	165 × 72 × 180	~$399	(Few) Manual leveling required (no auto features)fauxhammer.com
Anycubic Photon Mono 2	MSLA Resin (LCD 4K)	~34 µm	165 × 89 × 143	~$180	Simple setup; easy menus; protective LCD film for cleanupstomshardware.comtomshardware.com

Each of the above printers can produce excellent Warhammer miniatures, but the best choice depends on your priorities. If ultimate detail is your goal and you don’t mind a smaller build area, the Phrozen Sonic Mini 8K stands out for its resolution. For a more balanced approach, the Elegoo Mars 5 Ultra provides almost as high detail with more ease-of-use, while the Anycubic Photon M5s offers both volume and speed with beginner-friendly automation. The Elegoo Saturn 4 Ultra is ideal if you want to print larger models or many minis at once, packing high-end features into a still-affordable unittomshardware.com. And for those just starting, the Photon Mono 2 is an excellent stepping stone into resin printing without breaking the bank. All these machines are capable of the fine detail and smooth surface finish that miniature painters and gamers demand – so you can’t go far wrong, it’s mostly about matching the printer to your budget and scale of projects. Happy printing, and prepare to bring your tabletop armies to life in stunning detail!

Sources: The information and comparisons above are based on specifications and hands-on reviews from Tom’s Hardwaretomshardware.comtomshardware.com, 3DSourced3dsourced.com3dsourced.com, and other reputable 3D printing enthusiasts’ analysesfauxhammer.comtomshardware.com, as cited throughout. These sources were consulted to ensure up-to-date accuracy regarding printer capabilities, pricing, and user experience in the context of miniature printing.