#10 Best 3D Printers for Miniatures 2023
Hi there! Do you like making small things? Then, why not make your models, whether of objects or people? This guide has compiled a list of the best 3D printers for miniatures. We've put together everything you need to know about the best 3D printers to make your life easier.
👤 Written by: | A. K. Sari |
⏳ Updated on: | |
📋 List: | 10 items |
👀 Reader: | 47 views |
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When printing miniatures, the goal is to get as much detail as possible in print, as this gives the best results. As with any model, you need to change the settings on your 3D slicer to get the look you want. You'll also need to ensure your machine is in good shape through regular maintenance and calibration.
Before we get to the list, though, we'll discuss some things to consider when choosing your ideal machine. If you do want to print your miniatures, we've listed some of the best 3D printers for miniatures below. Let's get started!
Table of contents
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1.Creality Ender 3 Pro 3D Printer: Best Build Volume
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2.Creality Ender 3 V2 3D Printer: Best Upgradeable 3D Printer
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3.ELEGOO Resin 3D Printer Mars 2 Pro Mono: Best Filtration System
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4.FlashForge 3D Printer Creator Pro: Best Dual Color Prints
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5.ANYCUBIC Photon Mono X 6K Resin 3D Printer: Best Large Build Plate
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6.Monoprice Mini Delta v2 3D Printer: Best Automatic Calibration
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7.ANYCUBIC Photon Mono X HD Monochrome: Best Hefty Metal Frame
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8.Phrozen Sonic Mini 4K LCD 3D Printer: Best High Resolution
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9.R QIDI TECHNOLOGY i Mates 3D Printer: Best Micron Resolution
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10.Voxelab Proxima 6.0 3D Printer: Best Fast Printing
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
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What are 3D printers?
3D printing is a type of manufacturing called additive manufacturing. It uses thin layers of filament (usually plastic) to make a real object from a 3D model. The model is made from a digital file and then sent to the printer. Thin layers on top of each other by the 3D printer until an object is created. With 3D printing, you can also make models that have more complicated shapes and use less material than you could before.
Is it worth getting the best 3D printers for miniatures?
The question of whether or not a purchase is “worth it” is always subjective and depends on the person. However, there are many benefits to 3D printing miniatures instead of buying them.
One significant benefit is that you can save a lot of money. Yes, you’ll pay more on the 3D printer itself, but once it’s up and running, miniatures cost considerably less than at a shop. In addition, if you purchase miniatures regularly, you’ll save much more over time.
There are some problems, though, like figuring out how to print miniatures and how 3D printing works. But suppose you’re a big fan of miniatures and always want to add to your collection. In that case, these problems seem very small and can be fixed with a few online tutorials.
What should I look for in the best 3D printers for miniatures?
- Print Quality: The miniature you print must be of high quality. Low quality will make painting very hard.
- Speed of the printer: Even though the quality of the print is essential, how long it takes to print your miniatures is also important.
- A lifetime of components: We expect a part of a 3D printer to break. Knowing how quickly they break down is essential so you can save money in the long run.
- Extra features: Whether or not a 3D printer has additional features can be essential to how it feels and works.
What size layer height does the best 3D printers for miniatures have?
There are different minimum layer heights for different kinds of 3D printers. The quality of your models will be better, and the layer lines will be less noticeable if you make the layer height smaller.
But the lower the layer height, the more layers your model will have. This makes it take longer to print and makes it more likely that the print will fail.
We think you don’t need to go down to 0.01mm on your resin 3D printer if you’re making miniatures. A range of 0.03-0.04mm is suitable for good quality. For example, a 6cm resin print with 0.05mm layers contains 1200 layers.
What makes an excellent 3D printer for miniatures?
- Precision: This determines how detailed your models’ tiniest components will be. It is measured in microns. Most of the time, the best resin 3D printers for miniatures can print details as small as 35 microns. FDM printers can’t reach the same resolutions.
- Print area: Since MSLA printers cure whole layers of resin at once, you can print even more models simultaneously if you make the build area bigger.
- Stable, metal frame: A heavy frame is less affected by things like vibrations that can even slightly change the quality of a model. Accurate miniatures require high-quality parts, so buy a printer from a well-known brand for making well-built products.
If you don’t understand the terms FDM printers and MSLA printers, you can check the article we have made, best 3D printers under $500.
Name | Rank | Check Prices |
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Creality
Ender 3 Pro 3D Printer | #1 | Amazon Creality3dofficial.com eBay |
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Creality
Ender 3 V2 3D Printer | #2 | Amazon Store.creality.com eBay |
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ELEGOO
Resin 3D Printer Mars 2 Pro Mono | #3 | Amazon Elegoo.com eBay |
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FlashForge
3D Printer Creator Pro | #4 | Amazon Flashforgeshop.com eBay |
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ANYCUBIC
Photon Mono X 6K Resin 3D Printer | #5 | Amazon Anycubic.com eBay |
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Monoprice
Mini Delta v2 3D Printer | #6 | Amazon Monoprice.com eBay |
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ANYCUBIC
Photon Mono X HD Monochrome | #7 | Amazon Anycubic.com eBay |
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Phrozen
Sonic Mini 4K LCD 3D Printer | #8 | Amazon Phrozen3d.com eBay |
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R QIDI TECHNOLOGY
i Mates 3D Printer | #9 | Amazon Qidi3d.com eBay |
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Voxelab
Proxima 6.0 3D Printer | #10 | Amazon Voxelab3dp.com eBay |
10 List of Best 3D Printers for Miniatures
- Have a problem
with this product?#1Creality Ender 3 Pro 3D Printer
Best Build Volume
1 experts agree 1 experts disagreeWHY WE LIKE IT:Among the most popular FDM 3D printers is the Creality Ender 3 Pro, which can do many different things and has many different features. It is also one of the best choices for printing miniatures. This miniature 3d printer has a 0.4 mm nozzle, a resolution of 100 to 400 microns, a 110-degree heated bed, and a build volume of 220 mm x 220 mm x 250 mm. The build volume is suitable for making everything from small, complicated accessories.
Pros (reasons to buy)
Affordable
Consistent, high-quality prints
Suited to tinkering and upgrades
Build volume
Ease of assemblyCons (reasons to avoid)
Tricky bed leveling
A hands-on printerWhat other experts liked
The Creality Ender 3 is a DIY 3D printing kit for beginners or professionals that desire an inexpensive fleet of printers.What other experts didn't like
It's hard to get the print bed level, and not everyone likes the magnetic bed. - Have a problem
with this product?#2Creality Ender 3 V2 3D Printer
Best Upgradeable 3D Printer
1 experts agree 1 experts disagreeWHY WE LIKE IT:The Creality Ender 3 is one of the most reliable and effective cheap 3D printers on the market. It comes as a 3D printer kit, but you can put it together with just 20 screws and less than an hour. This is one of the best FDM 3D printers for miniature terrain because it prints reliably, is cheap, and has a good print volume of 220 x 220 x 250 mm.
Pros (reasons to buy)
Easy to build and print
Reliable and durable
Very upgradeable
Inexpensive
It supports several filament typesCons (reasons to avoid)
Manual print-bed leveling can be trickyWhat other experts liked
These drivers for the Ender 3's stepper motors are not only much quieter than the original drivers, but they also make sure that the motors move more smoothly.What other experts didn't like
It makes prints that are mostly better than average, but its print bed can be hard to keep level. - Have a problem
with this product?#3ELEGOO Resin 3D Printer Mars 2 Pro Mono
Best Filtration System
1 experts agree 1 experts disagreeWHY WE LIKE IT:The Elegoo Mars 2 Pro has quickly become a mainstay of desktop 3D printing. It is a low-cost LCD 3D printer that can print at high speeds and with fine details. It can make smoother models and have clearer, crisper finishes than FDM printers, and its resins are cheaper than they used to be. This miniature 3d printer comes with CHITUBOX, a highly rated resin 3D slicer that cuts models quickly to save time.
Pros (reasons to buy)
Integrated filtration system
High-resolution prints
Fast layer curingCons (reasons to avoid)
Resin vat is side-mounted
Rubber seal gets in the wayWhat other experts liked
It's easy to use, easy to put together and keep up, and comes with all the essentials, so it's great for both beginners and experts. I recommend this printer with all my heart.What other experts didn't like
If you want to make bigger things, the Mars 2 Pro's build volume may be a problem. - Have a problem
with this product?#4FlashForge 3D Printer Creator Pro
Best Dual Color Prints
1 experts agree 1 experts disagreeWHY WE LIKE IT:The FlashForge Creator Pro is cheap, but it makes the most of every dollar you spend to give you a professional-level printing experience for much less than other machines with similar specs. This miniature 3d printer is excellent for printing small things, especially miniatures. It has a 0.4 mm nozzle, a 100-micron resolution, a large build volume of 227 mm x 150 mm x 148 mm, a thick, heated aluminum bed, and even two extruders for printing in two colors.
Pros (reasons to buy)
Fully enclosed design
227 mm x 150 mm x 148 mm build volume
Heated bed
Dual extruders for dual color prints
100-micron resolutionCons (reasons to avoid)
Connectivity limited to SD card
No auto bed levelingWhat other experts liked
Flashforge Creator Pro qualifies. High quality, safety, clever design, and outstanding build combine into an economical, adaptable machine.What other experts didn't like
The FlashForge's warranty is hard to use, so it's important to take very good care of it. - Have a problem
with this product?#5ANYCUBIC Photon Mono X 6K Resin 3D Printer
Best Large Build Plate
1 experts agree 1 experts disagreeWHY WE LIKE IT:The Anycubic Mono X 6K is a budget-friendly upgrade. It expands on Mono X’s foundations and builds quality. High print quality and a sharper 34 micron XY resolution over a larger area. This is a big improvement over the Mono X for people who make miniatures. This is especially true for smaller parts. This works for big and small figures or models because it has a large build volume for a resin printer at 197 x 122 x 250 mm.
Pros (reasons to buy)
Fantastic build quality
Easy to use
Large build plate
Good print qualityCons (reasons to avoid)
Loud
Photon Workshop is prone to crashesWhat other experts liked
The Anycubic Photon Mono X 6K offers size, speed, and detail at a low price. In an easy-to-use system, hobbyists can construct bigger, more detailed models faster than before.What other experts didn't like
The only real problem we had with it is that it's a little louder than other printers we've tested. - Have a problem
with this product?#6Monoprice Mini Delta v2 3D Printer
Best Automatic Calibration
1 experts agree 1 experts disagreeWHY WE LIKE IT:Most of the essential things to look for in a 3D printer for beginners are met by the Monoprice Mini Delta V2 3D Printer. It’s cheap, easy to set up and use (no calibration is required), and always makes prints that are at least good enough. It’s also fast and can use many different kinds of filament. It has a small build area and average print quality, but it works smoothly and almost never makes mistakes. This makes it an excellent way to learn about 3D printing.
Pros (reasons to buy)
Delta printing technique
The very affordable price point
Automatic calibration
Fully assembled
50-micron resolutionCons (reasons to avoid)
Small build volume
The open-source design may confuse newcomersWhat other experts liked
The Monoprice Mini Delta is a great example of how a 3D printer for beginners should work. It's strong, flexible, and easy to use, but the best thing about it is that it won't break the bank.What other experts didn't like
The Monoprice Mini Delta V2 is small, cute, and fast, but the quality of its output isn't great and it has some bugs. - Have a problem
with this product?#7ANYCUBIC Photon Mono X HD Monochrome
Best Hefty Metal Frame
1 experts agree 1 experts disagreeWHY WE LIKE IT:The largest printer in the Photon family is the Anycubic Photon Mono X. It can cure each layer in just 2 seconds thanks to the 4K Mono LCD that comes with it and is used for masking. The Photon Mono X is an impressive printer that doesn’t have to choose between speed and size. Even though this miniature 3d printer has a few quirks that need some attention to get the most out of it, the Photon Workshop software that comes with it is pretty easy to use.
Pros (reasons to buy)
Large build volume
Rigid dual-Z gantry and hefty metal frame
Photon Workshop software is easy to useCons (reasons to avoid)
The build platform is difficult to clean
Included WiFi feels a bit clunkyWhat other experts liked
The Photon Mono X 3D printer costs less than the $3,499 Form 3. This resin-based printer is quick and generated high-quality prints, despite a few failures.What other experts didn't like
This printer didn't get to the top because it had built-in WiFi and a slicer app. - Have a problem
with this product?#8Phrozen Sonic Mini 4K LCD 3D Printer
Best High Resolution
1 experts agree 1 experts disagreeWHY WE LIKE IT:If you are sure you want the best print quality, you should get the new and improved Phrozen Sonic Mini 4K. The Mini 4K’s XY layer resolution is 35 microns, while those two printers’ are 50 microns. This is possible because the Mini 4K has a 4K LCD screen. You’ll get a better print resolution. On the other hand, the Sonic Mini 4K prints faster. It can print one layer in just 2 seconds. Also, it’s simple to use.
Pros (reasons to buy)
Fast setup
High resolution
Software integration with ChituBoxCons (reasons to avoid)
Difficult leveling process
Build platform has sloppy machiningWhat other experts liked
It's a fast machine that's not too hard to use and doesn't give up much in other ways.What other experts didn't like
Phrozen doesn't sand the construction plate, instead giving sandpaper and rough instructions. Sonic Mini 4K calibration is also difficult. - Have a problem
with this product?#9R QIDI TECHNOLOGY i Mates 3D Printer
Best Micron Resolution
1 experts agree 1 experts disagreeWHY WE LIKE IT:The R Qidi Technology i Mates has features like an easy-to-use 3.5-inch touch screen, assisted bed leveling, a power failure resume function, a flexible magnetic board, and a fully assembled design that all work together to make printing easy and stress-free right out of the box. With this miniature 3d printer, you don’t have to mess around with putting together semi-assembled parts. It prints in minutes with almost no fuss.
Pros (reasons to buy)
Fully assembled
0.2 - 0.4 mm nozzle
50 to 200-micron resolution
Ease of useCons (reasons to avoid)
ExpensiveWhat other experts liked
The design is easy on the eyes and easy to use, and the print quality won't let you down either.What other experts didn't like
The temperature does not stay in the half-open case. So, you can't print on capricious or high-temperature plastics. - Have a problem
with this product?#10Voxelab Proxima 6.0 3D Printer
Best Fast Printing
1 experts agree 1 experts disagreeWHY WE LIKE IT:The Voxelab Proxima 3D printer is made of CNC-machined aluminum and is very strong. It uses a stunning 6-inch monochrome 2K LCD to make prints with a resolution of 50 microns 16202560, perfect for highlighting the subtle details of intricately designed miniatures. It can also print up to 17–22 mm per hour, which is pretty fast. With an easy-to-use LCD and almost no assembly needed to get the machine up and running, the compact design makes it easy for people to use.
Pros (reasons to buy)
Resin 3D printer
Fast printing 6-inch monochrome 2K LCD
CNC-machined aluminum construction
50-micron resolutionCons (reasons to avoid)
Limited connectivityWhat other experts liked
There is enough accuracy to print miniatures, decorative items, and fan articles. Also, the accuracy is good enough for mechanical uses.What other experts didn't like
The process can be slow because it takes hours to print.
Conclusion: Best 3D Printers for Miniatures
Investing in one of the best 3D printers for miniatures is a great idea. So, finding a good product that fits your needs is not easy. But you don’t have to worry about that because we have put together a list of high-rated products we think you should buy. We’re sure that the list of 10 products we’ve made will help you find the best 3D printers for the miniatures that you want.