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Resin 3D printing produces detail that FDM (filament) printers simply cannot match. Smooth surfaces, crisp features down to 0.05mm, and none of the layer lines that define FDM prints. In 2026 the price of MSLA resin printers has dropped dramatically — you can now get a capable machine for well under £200. This guide covers the best options at that price point.
FDM vs Resin: Which Should You Choose?
Before you buy, make sure resin is right for you. Resin printers are messier than FDM: the liquid resin is toxic until cured, requires nitrile gloves and good ventilation, and prints need post-processing in isopropyl alcohol followed by UV curing. The workflow takes more time and care than FDM.
But the output is in a different class. If you want miniatures, jewellery masters, dental models, highly detailed figurines, or anything where surface finish matters, resin is the right tool. If you want functional brackets, structural parts, or large prints, stick with FDM.
What MSLA Means
MSLA (Masked Stereolithography) is the dominant budget resin technology. An LCD screen masks UV light from an LED array, curing an entire layer at once — so print time depends on layer count, not part complexity. More detail in a layer does not slow things down. This makes MSLA far faster than older SLA (laser point-scanning) machines at the same price.
Best Budget Resin Printers Under £200 in 2026
Elegoo Mars Series
Elegoo’s Mars line has been the benchmark budget resin printer for years. The latest Mars models offer a 4K or 6K mono LCD screen, a solid metal build, and a large community with extensive slicer profiles and support. Elegoo’s own Chitubox slicer is free and well-supported. If you are buying your first resin printer, the Mars is the safe, well-documented choice.
Elegoo Mars resin printer — Amazon UK
Anycubic Photon Mono Series
Anycubic’s Photon Mono range competes directly with the Mars. The Photon Mono M5s and similar models offer a larger build volume and fast print speeds — some variants advertise speeds up to 150mm/h. Anycubic has also been aggressive on pricing and frequently bundles resin with the printer on Amazon. Build quality is solid and the community support is strong.
Anycubic Photon Mono — Amazon UK
Creality Halot Series
Creality — the company behind the Ender 3 FDM series — makes the Halot resin range. The Halot One and Halot Mage are well-built machines with integrated light sources designed for even UV distribution across the build plate. If you already use Creality FDM printers and are comfortable with their ecosystem, the Halot is a natural step into resin.
Creality Halot resin printer — Amazon UK
Essential Resin Printing Accessories
Do not buy a resin printer without also buying these. They are not optional:
- Nitrile gloves (box of 100) — uncured resin is a skin sensitiser. Always wear gloves.
- Wash and cure station — washes prints in IPA and cures them under UV. Dramatically speeds up post-processing. Elegoo Mercury Plus and Anycubic Wash & Cure are the standard picks.
- Isopropyl alcohol (IPA) — for washing prints. Buy at least a litre.
- Spare FEP/nFEP release film — the clear film at the bottom of the resin vat will eventually need replacing. Buy a spare sheet early.
- Resin (500ml or 1kg bottle) — standard 405nm MSLA resin works in all the printers above.
What to Expect Spending Under £200
| Feature | What You Get Under £200 |
|---|---|
| Screen resolution | 4K to 8K mono LCD (excellent detail) |
| Build volume | ~130×80×165mm (typical) |
| Print speed | 30–80mm/h on most models |
| Layer time | 1.5–3 seconds per layer |
| Software | Chitubox or Lychee Slicer (both free) |
For a first resin printer, under £200 gets you a genuinely capable machine. The gap between a £150 Elegoo Mars and a £500+ professional machine comes down to build volume and speed, not detail quality — the detail is already excellent at budget prices.
Where to Buy
All three brands sell on Amazon UK with Prime delivery and UK-based returns, which matters if something goes wrong. Browse the current range and pricing: