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You’ll need 3D printer resin for 3D resin printing if you have a resin 3D printer. It sounds like a tongue twister, but it is just a simple fact. Your printer almost certainly came with some resin, giving you an initial feeling of what your printer is capable of. But did you know that there are tons of styles and colors of resin that can completely redefine your builds? To help you make your next print a true work of art, we compiled a list of the best 3D printer resin bottles you can get, all with different styles and functions.
- Best overall: Elegoo 8K 3D Printer Resin
- Best transparent: Siraya Tech Craft Ultra-Clear 3D Printer Resin
- Best for models: Anycubic 3D Printer Resin
- Best color kit: Sunlu 3D Printer Resin Bundle
- Best dual color: RepRapper UV Dual Color 3D Resin
- Best flexible: Superflex 3D Printer Resin
- Best eco-friendly: Elegoo Plant-Based 3D Printer Resin
- Best for large batches: Sunlu ABS-Like Resin (3000G)
- Best budget: Monoprice Rapid 3D Printer Resin
How we chose the best 3D printer resin
3D printer resin is the base of your prints. As a result, changing up your resin can have a giant effect on the look of your prints. Some resin holds shapes better and is made for premium details, while other resins come in cool colors or can be flexible. The variety is truly surprising, which is why we wanted to bring forward a variety of styles to you, giving you a wide variety of inspiration and intrigue for your next print.
The best 3D printer resin: Reviews & Recommendations
The following 3D printer resins represent the best in their respective categories. Each resin presented is unique in the way that it prints, but similar in that it has been used successfully by hundreds (if not thousands) of customers just like you. The resins here can be thought of as both superior in some way and a means of expression by the printer.
Best overall: Elegoo 8K 3D Printer Resin
Best overall
Elegoo 8K 3D Printer Resin
Pros
- Supports high-details models
- Low shrinkage
- High compatibility
- Non-brittle, low odor
Cons
- On the expensive side
Specs
- Sizes: 1000g
- Colors: Space Grey
- Characteristic: Opaque model
If you have an 8K 3D printer, which is considered the top-of-the-line for commercially available products, then you should check out this best-selling resin from Elegoo. It’s designed to be non-brittle and essentially non-shrinking so you can get the most out of detailed print projects. And while you should still ventilate, there will be reduced odors with this product.
While the Elegoo 8K 3D Printer Resin is specifically designed to work with their Saturn 2 8K LCD 3D Printer, it is widely compatible. It should work with nearly any DLP or LCD printer that uses 405nm light. Instead of compatibility, we find the main flaw of this resin to be the price. While not “expensive” it is a bit pricier than most, so it’s best to only grab this if you have a printer that can make use of its talents.
Best transparent: Siraya Tech Craft Ultra-Clear 3D Printer Resin
Best transparent
Siraya Tech Craft Ultra-Clear 3D Printer Resin
Pros
- Completely see-through
- Anti-yellowing formula
- Smooth and glossy after processing
Cons
- Takes some experimentation
Specs
- Sizes: 1,000g
- Colors: Ultra-Clear
- Characteristic: Transparent
If you’re into painting your models, it doesn’t really matter what the base coloration is. But if you want to peer into your model or use lighting with it, transparent styles are the best 3D printer resin for you. Siraya makes an ultra-clear resin that has an ice-like appearance, becoming even more clear after processing. While the general consensus is that you will need to practice with this resin to get the effect perfect, it does turn out great results. A person with a 3D resin printer for cosplay can really run wild if they’re concentrating on smaller objects, such as baubles and lenses, as can jewelry makers. If you want other cool effects, Siraya Tech Craft Glow-in-the-Dark 3D Printer Resin is a cool alternative.
Best for models: Anycubic 3D Printer Resin
Best for models
Anycubic 3D Printer Resin
Pros
- Sharp details
- Low shrinkage
- Customer favorite
- Highly affordable
Cons
- Easiest to use with Anycubic printers
Specs
- Sizes: 1,000g
- Colors: Gray, black, white, green, clear
- Characteristic: Opaque
Our guide to the best 3D printers for miniatures includes at least a couple of Anycubic printers. With resin like this, perfect for miniature makers, it makes sense, too. Anycubic’s 3D Printer Resin has low shrinkage, which might seem odd for miniatures, which you want to be small. However, shrinkage can be unpredictable, causing slight changes to models. As a result, this combined with the Anycubic resin’s ability to hold sharp details, makes it great for small figures. Customers love it for its quality and affordability, too, making it hard to find negatives. We can say, however, that the resin will work best with Anycubic printers, if only for the extensive ideal parameters charts the company provides.
Best color kit: Sunlu 3D Printer Resin Bundle
Best color kit
Sunlu 3D Printer Resin Bundle
Pros
- Lots of variety
- High (395 to 405nm) compatibility
- Inspires creativity
- Other options available
Cons
- Smaller 500g individual bottles
Specs
- Sizes: 4 x 500g
- Colors: Multi-pack (Dark grey, black, clear, clear green)
- Characteristic: Varies
Committing to a whole bottle of clear or colored resin when you aren’t sure you’ll like it can be costly as well as disappointing. As a result, we recommend getting kits with several bottles of different resins to experiment with. This particular kit has an assortment of solid and transparent colors, though other options exist on the store page, including a set of cute pastel colors. The only thing we don’t love about this set is what comes standard for such packs; the individual packs are smaller.
Best dual color: RepRapper UV Dual Color 3D Resin
Best dual color
RepRapper UV Dual Color 3D Resin
Pros
- Cool lighting effects
- Water washable resin
- Makes printing an art again
Cons
- Awkward bottle design
Specs
- Sizes: 500g, 1000g
- Colors: Various
- Characteristic: Dual color
As we get obsessed with the finer points of 3D printing, such as resolution, build area, and print speed, the cool factor can be totally forgotten. The two-tone effects of RepRapper resin bring back the inner artist in the 3D printer, however. Each bottle (coming in 500 or 1,000g, depending on color set) prints in a single resin style. When viewed, however, the two colors will appear in a spectrum depending on the amount of light present. Different angles will also make opposing colors pop out, producing a truly mesmerizing effect.
Best flexible: Superflex 3D Printer Resin
Best flexible
Superflex 3D Printer Resin
Pros
- Combines transparent and flexible effects
- Playful, rubberlike material
- Maintains durability
Cons
- Quite expensive
Specs
- Sizes: 500g, 1000g, and 5000g
- Colors: Clear
- Characteristic: Flexible, transparent
If you want a floppy, rubbery finish to creepy crawlies, tentacles, or unexpected creations like towers, the Superflex 3D Printer Resin is a good choice. While different thicknesses will have it behaving in somewhat different ways, nearly everyone describes it as giving their prints a tough rubber feel. There are some pretty good (and successful) experiments with mixing this resin with other, more standard, resin among community members as well. To be fair, this is a pretty logical thing to do as the Superflex 3D resin does run on the more expensive side.
Best environmentally friendly: Elegoo Plant-Based 3D Printer Resin
Best environmentally friendly
Elegoo Plant-Based 3D Printer Resin
Pros
- BPA- and benzene-free
- Soy-based design for less chemicals
- Highly affordable
Cons
- Hit or miss on the odor
Specs
- Sizes: 500g and 1000g
- Colors: Gray, clear green, and white
- Characteristic: Opaque or clear
When we think of environmentally friendly or “green” options, we usually expect to pay a huge price hike. Luckily, Elegoo’s Plant-Based 3D Printer Resin remains affordable while eliminating many chemicals typically found in resin and replacing them with soybean-derived substances. For example, this resin is BPA- and benzene-free so you can feel somewhat safer as you are working with it. One interesting thing about this product is the odor, which customers seem to have strong opinions about. Some report that it has a very low odor, while others completely detest it. No matter your opinion, this remains the best 3D printer resin for reducing your exposure to chemicals.
Best for large batches: Sunlu ABS-Like Resin (3000G)
Best for large batches
Sunlu ABS-Like Resin (3000G)
Pros
- Great cost per gram
- Tough, non-brittle resin
- Secure packaging
- Highly-reviewed product
Cons
- Mixing can be a challenge
Specs
- Sizes: 3000g
- Colors: Black, dark gray, gray, white
- Characteristic: Opaque
There are a ton of things to like about Sunlu’s ABS-Like resin, as it is a fan favorite in its own right. What we wanted to highlight, however, was the incredible affordability of the 3,000-gram jug of this resin, which is perfect for printing larger sets that need the same characteristics. Its bottle is very secure and easy to use, but mixing large quantities of the resin is known to be a challenge.
Best budget: Monoprice Rapid 3D Printer Resin
Best budget
Monoprice Rapid 3D Printer Resin
Pros
- Small, affordable bottles
- Wide compatibility
- Perfect for small projects
Cons
- Bulk buys may be cheaper
Specs
- Sizes: 250g
- Colors: Black and gray
- Characteristic: Opaque
While large jugs of resin are great for large projects, if you just print occasionally, the best 3D printer resin for you likely comes in a smaller bottle. We find the Monoprice Rapid 3D Printer Resin to offer the smallest bottles of decent quality resin. While, if your goal is to save money in the long term, large bulk buys may be better, the 250-gram bottle of Monogram Rapid 3D Printer Resin is a fantastic deal for casual printers and is compatible with all UV resin printers.
What to consider before buying 3D printer resin
If you’ve read through our guide to picking the best 3D printer filament for FDM printers, you may already suspect that picking the best 3D printer resin is more difficult. In actuality, it isn’t that difficult. There are some common sense compatibility checks, but there’s a lot of freedom in resin choices you might not expect. Here’s what we looked at and why:
Brand
Brand loyalty isn’t necessarily something to encourage. 3D printers aren’t like home office printers, with companies like HP locking you into using their ink. Even the best 3D printer resin is just a fluid, after all.
That all being said, when a company makes printers and resin, they obviously test them out together. And they’ll tell you which of their printers will work with which resin, including optimal settings that they’ve discovered through large-scale testing. Just look at the Anycubic resin compatibility chart. If you have an Anycubic printer, you know the exact settings to use with this resin. This is one reason why we have resin from most major printer makers represented on the list.
Still, most resin has wide compatibility. If you have a 405nm spectrum printer, you will be able to find a variety of products compatible with it.
Bottle size
If you just want to make just a few prints in a given color or style, a small bottle will do. But what if you want to make a set of figures with the same character? Min-maxing bottle size or buying in bulk makes more sense.
The bottle sizes represented here are usually for 1,000 grams of product. However, bottles as small as 250 grams exist. Similarly, you can find large bottles for 2,000 grams or even 3,000 grams.
Ultimately, it is up to you to figure out what is the best 3D printer resin bottle size for your specific circumstances. However, in much the same way as you should get an extra can of wall paint for later touch-ups, consider grabbing an extra bottle of resin for long-term projects. You never know when your resin of the moment will get discontinued.
Character
Character, texture, color, call it whatever you like, but there is a distinct feel to each type of resin available. While even standard opaque resins will differ from each other in subtle ways, you can find extreme differences if you’re willing to search. With our list of 3D printer resin, you will be able to find something that can make your next project shine.
FAQs
3D printer resin can cost as much as $50 per 1,000-gram bottle. Depending on the characteristics, brand, special qualities of the resin, and bottle size, you can find resins for considerably less. If you see a bottle for over $50, we highly recommend pausing and considering if you truly want it.
Neither resin nor filament is better; rather, they do different things well. Resin 3D printers are good for details, smooth exteriors, and cool effects but use more hazardous materials and require curing. FDM printers, which use filament, are easier and generally safer to use but are typically of a lower resolution and are more likely to show “z-layers” after printing.
The best resin 3D printers typically come from Anycubic or Elegoo. Just about anybody will be happy with the Anycubic Photon Mono X, though absolute beginners should go with the Elegoo Mars 3. If you’re on a budget, try the Creality Halot-One.
Final thoughts on the best 3D printer resin
- Best overall: Elegoo 8K 3D Printer Resin
- Best transparent: Siraya Tech Craft Ultra-Clear 3D Printer Resin
- Best for models: Anycubic 3D Printer Resin
- Best color kit: Sunlu 3D Printer Resin Bundle
- Best dual color: RepRapper UV Dual Color 3D Resin
- Best flexible: Superflex 3D Printer Resin
- Best eco-friendly: Elegoo Plant-Based 3D Printer Resin
- Best for large batches: Sunlu ABS-Like Resin (3000G)
- Best budget: Monoprice Rapid 3D Printer Resin
The preceding list includes opaque, transparent, glow-in-the-dark, two-tone, and flexible resins. Though there are certainly others, we feel like these should give you a chance to open your creativity in the near future. 3D printing isn’t only a way to create copies of things entered into a printer, it is a craft and a way to express your true creativity. From standard, solid resins to neat light tricks, it really does feel that a resin 3D printer can do it all.
