For some, size matters – and a normal-sized resin 3D printer just won’t cut it. For you size kings and queens, bigger is better, and you shouldn’t have to compromise on your quest for the biggest resin 3D printer around.
And with resin printing becoming more affordable than ever before, buying a large resin 3D printer vs outsourcing larger resin prints to a service has never been more cost-effective.
Why Buy a Large Resin 3D Printer?
First, by keeping prototyping in-house you retain full control, you can prototype as fast as your printer will print, and you still don’t have to compromise on size.
BUDGET PICK
Elegoo Saturn
Available at:
MID-RANGE PICK
Anycubic Photon M3 Max
Available at:
PREMIUM PICK
Phrozen Sonic Mega 8K
Available at:
Resin printers typically have smaller build volumes than their FDM counterparts, focusing instead on outrageous quality and incredibly smooth surface finishes.
However, this creates problems when you want to prototype larger parts, such as helmets or tools and equipment. With a large volume resin 3D printer, you’re free to print human-sized resin parts that can be tested right away.
And even if you’re a hobbyist looking to print large cosplay pieces or other parts, some large format resin 3D printers have become so affordable that you can even get in on the action at home.
We have therefore picked our recommendations for the best build volume format resin 3D printers, in both more affordable and commercial and industrial price ranges and specs, so you can pick the ideal printer for you.
The Best Large Resin 3D Printers – Full Round-Up
Desktop Large Resin Printers
- Elegoo Saturn — cheapest large resin printer
- Anycubic Photon M3 Max — Best for $1,000
- Phrozen Sonic Mega 8K — best premium desktop large volume resin printer
Professional Large Resin Printers
The Best Large Resin 3D Printer Reviews
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Affordable Large Resin Printers
1. Elegoo Saturn
- Price: Check latest price at Elegoo store here / Available at Amazon here
- Large resin 3D printer build volume: 192 x 120 x 200 mm
Pros
One of the best low-cost large resin 3D printers
Great accuracy and speed with 2-3s per layer exposures, ideal for batch printing of miniatures or single larger prototypes
Reliable and durable printer
Cons
Newer Saturn 2 and Saturn S may suit you better (but they’re more expensive)
The Elegoo Saturn packs a powerful punch with its 8.9-inch 4K monochrome LCD, offering fast 2-3 secs/layer printing — a 60% improvement on Elegoo’s cheaper Mars Pro — and with upgraded stellar quality.
The build volume is far larger than most entry-level large bed resin 3D printers at 192 x 120 x 200 mm, and while this isn’t large enough for printing tools prototypes like spades, for example, you can still print most normal-sized resin parts here.
And for smaller resin prints like casts for jewelry, small prototypes, or fun home projects, you can fit many within each print run.
The upgraded Z-axis moves more precisely and accurately – and you’ll see the differences as it churns out delightful resin prints. The printer contains 54 LEDs to accurately print large objects and solidify resin more uniformly than ever before.
It’s also built to need less frequent leveling – saving you hassle – and the Elegoo Saturn is known for great adhesion when printing.
2. Anycubic Photon M3 Max
- Price: Check latest price at Anycubic here / Amazon here
- Build Volume: 298 x 164 x 300 mm
- XY Resolution: 46 microns
- Minimum Layer Thickness: 0.01 mm
- Speed: 60 mm/h
Pros
The largest resin 3D printer for under $1000
For a lower-cost home business, you won’t find anything that can print more small models in an hour for cheaper
Amazing 6480x3600px 13.6” 7K LCD for resin curing power
Cons
The smaller Photon M3 models offer slightly better XY resolution
The latest in Anycubic’s long line of budget-friendly resin 3D printers, the Photon M3 Max is the manufacturer’s first venture into super-sized build volume territory.
Encompassing 298 x 164 x 300 mm, it has plenty for all those bigger resin projects you’ve put off due to size constraints.
A 13.6″ 7K LCD delivers a dizzying 6480 x 3600 pixels, which, when put to the test, offer a 46 micron XY resolution, which considering the build volume, is extraordinarily accurate (resolution declines with size). That is sufficient detail to bring out armor and weapon details on tiny figures and minis, or to craft intricate and patterned jewelry.
It’s also super fast, at 60mm/hr print speed – which across the large print bed means you can dozens of minis in one job.
Elsewhere, Anycubic has weaved some welcome ease-of-use features. An automatic smart resin filling system sees a resin bottle mounted on the machine. It automatically tops up the vat as required, almost guaranteeing uninterrupted printing for even the largest prints.
Elsewhere, there’s a replaceable screen protector and solid adhesion courtesy of a checkerboard build plate.
So, why opt for the Anycubic Photon M3 Max over the Phrozen Sonic Mega 8K?
For one thing, price. The Mega 8K costs more than twice as much, due to Anycubic’s sensible cost cutting (mainly plastic-heavy construction) to sell the M3 Max at a reasonable price.
Where the extra money goes is clear: the Mega 8K is faster, offers better print detail, and provides a large build volume.
But, for makers needing an XL printer at a reasonable price and one capable of delivering feature-rich and detailed prints, the Anycubic Photon M3 Max is a great compromise and the top budget large SLA printer pick.
That said, if you have the extra funds, then the Phrozen Sonic Mega 8K is a substantially better machine. It has a much more versatile set of features that are better suited to serious prototyping, batch printing Dungeons & Dragons, or other tabletop miniatures to fuel a small business or workshop.
3. Phrozen Sonic Mega 8K
- Price: $2199 — Available at Phrozen here
- Build Volume: 330 x 185 x 400 mm
- XY Resolution: 43 microns
- Minimum Layer Height: 0.01 mm
- Speed: 70 mm/h
Pros
70mm/h speed for even faster curing than Anycubic and Elegoo printers
Maintains excellent 43-micron resolution even at large build volumes
Ideal for high-quality prototyping, and for selling D&D and other custom 3D models
Cons
Significantly more expensive than Anycubic and Elegoo printers — so may be too much for hobbyists and newer small business sellers
The Phrozen Sonic Mega 8K is not just one of the largest resin printers on the market, but is also widely regarded as one of the best, thanks to a careful balance of relative affordability, features, and the pristine detail offered by its 8K resolution LCD.
The star of the show is, of course, the 330 x 185 x 400 mm build volume, the most generously sized you’ll find among consumer-grade printers this side of Pluto. While we could stop there, the Phrozen Sonic Mega 8K has plenty more strings to its resiny bow.
The 15″ 8K LCD delivers superb print quality while avoiding the unusual downgrade in detail and feature richness associated with increased build volume. 8K means pixels for days – 7680 x 4320, if we’re being exact.
All these desirable features allow the Phrozen Sonic Mega 8K to reach an XY resolution of 43 microns, which is astounding for such a giant machine. Few other large resin 3D printers come close to delivering this level of detail in large-scale models and parts.
As Phrozen puts it:
‘You can now have both size and quality in one print, at the same time.’
Elsewhere, there are a few other notable mentions. The Phrozen Sonic Mega 8K ships pre-leveled, so no messing around with the tough task of calibrating a huge build plate before you can start printing.
Curing away at 70 mm/h, the Phrozen Sonic Mega 8K makes quick work of prints, too, which should help with large prints that already take a long time to complete – or business jobs.
It also features a dual linear rail and ball screw design for extra stability even in the upper reaches of the massive build volume. And lastly, the full metal exterior adds strength and durability but also mixes in a welcome touch of flair.
Priced at $2,200, the Phrozen Sonic Mega 8K requires a substantial investment, which makes it a good pick for serious amateur makers with deep pockets, and small businesses looking for a reliable workhorse with plenty of printing capacity.
- A cheaper alternative: Phrozen Mighty 4K for $599
Professional Large Resin 3D Printers
4. Peopoly Phenom L
- Price: $2,499 — Available at Matterhackers here
- Print volume: 345 x 197 x 400 mm
Pros
Large enough for even most large resin prototypes
Significantly improved on original Phenom: faster exposure times, double print speed, and 21-micron improved accuracy (from 72 to 51 microns)
Cons
More complex and industrial than a standard desktop resin printer
You can even then choose to upgrade and go further and buy the Phenom L, an even larger resin 3D printer for an extra $500. Resolution falls to 90um, but print volume explodes to 345 x 194 x 400 mm — it’s gigantic!
You can easily print prototype helmets, tools, and other larger resin prototypes in this large-format resin build area.
4.5 Peopoly Phenom Prime
- Price: $1899 — Available at Matterhackers here
- Build Volume: 276 x 155 x 400 mm
- XY Resolution: 51 microns
- Minimum Layer Height: 0.01 mm
- Speed: 60 mm/h
Since 2017, Peopoly has wowed 3D printer enthusiasts by delivering some of the roomiest, large-scale 3D printers, chiefly embodied by the Phenom range. Half a decade later, Peopoly has booted much of the original line-up to the technological graveyard to make room for its most sophisticated Phenom yet, the Peopoly Phenom Prime.
Both a spiritual successor and a logical evolution for the range, the Phenom Prime retains all of what we liked about the original but levels up the offering with modern features and niceties to make it faster and more precise.
It features a massive 276 x 155 x 400 mm build volume – same as on the Phenom – so no major changes there. Where things get interesting is the inclusion of a 5.5K (read 5448 x 3064 pixels) LCD that bumps up the XY resolution to a sharp 51 microns, a massive leap over the original’s 72 microns.
Unlike the original Phenom’s RGB LCD, the Prime features a monochrome screen. Par for the course in modern printers, but a welcome change that increases panel lifespan by up to three times.
The monochrome panel also boasts a higher light transmission rate or permeability, which results in much faster curing and a 70% reduction in exposure time. In other words, much speedier printing – a 100% increase according to Peopoly.
Elsewhere, the Phenom Prime has an improved cooling system to handle the heat produced by such a large machine. It’s also quieter, something that anyone who dabbled with the original will relish, given its reputation for blaring the decibels in full swing.
Who would benefit most from the Phenom Prime?
First and foremost, anyone that owns a Phenom and will make the most of the Prime’s sleek new upgrades.
Second, for us, the Phenom Prime slots in as an excellent option for a small workshop that needs more capacity and printing pep than the more budget-oriented printers like Anycubic Photon M3 Max.
5. Formlabs Form 3L
- Price: $10,999 — Available at Dynamism here
- Build volume: 335 x 200 x 300 mm
Designed specifically for large-scale resin part production, the Formlabs 3L build on Formlabs is already stellar reputation and brings it to the big leagues.
It uses the same Formlabs low force stereolithography SLA technology as on the Form 3, with two precision LPUs (Light Processing Units) for higher resolution prints and consistency throughout, and Formlabs stress that this indeed is the ideal solution to save your business money by no longer outsourcing your prototyping and fabrication.
Numerous case studies show helmets printed in exquisite detail, shovel prototypes (though even with the printer’s large build area, it required three parts), nozzles, and even high-resolution full-size Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle models — if you’re a design studio or uber-wealthy superfan.
It’s easier to use than most commercial large resin 3D printers, and seeks to minimize hassle and the steep learning curve across the board — such as by offering automatic resin dispensing, simplifying the entire slicing and software workflow, and with the delightfully intuitive 5.5-inch full-color touchscreen.
If you’re running a 3D printer farm you can manage them all via the cloud, and you can also make use of Formlabs’ wide resin selection: standard, engineering, flexible, tough and durable, dental or medical, and even jewelry castable resin — you can make almost anything for any industry use with the Form 3L.
For home use, it’s probably overkill, but it’s possibly the best large SLA printer, offering fantastic build volume and high-precision printing.
6. Photocentric Liquid Crystal Magna
- Price: $15,000+
- Print volume: 510 x 280 x 350 mm
British company Photocentric make some of the highest resolution LCD technology printers around for industry, with the LC Magna designed for precise dental and product design prototyping at large scales and sizes.
It’s super-fast, a giant resin printer, and accurate, with Photocentric’s own resins helping keep costs lower over the long term.
Photocentric also manufactures a wash module for washing prints and a curing module for curing prints that require this, and the LC Magna has been used to prototype and manufacture glasses, dental models, models figurines, and even motorbike engines.
The 4K 137-micron display delivers accuracy over the entire print bed, using the benefits of anti-aliasing, and uses Photocentric’s patented blow-peel technologies to prevent some of the negative effects of large resin build areas coming into play, and retain the intricate details on large models and small objects at high speed.
Overall, it’s costly but offers key benefits as a big resin 3D printer in large-scale industry and prototyping.
Buyer’s Guide – Things to Consider When Buying a Large Resin 3D Printer
Build Volume
Build volume is obviously the main consideration when picking a large-format resin printer to buy. What size you need depends entirely on your plans and needs.
For most amateur makers looking to print cosplay props, highly detailed figures in batches, and larger decorative pieces, a build volume around 300 x 150 x 300 mm should be sufficient. For you, either Elegoo Saturn range, or the Anycubic Photon M3 Plus or Max are more than enough.
If you’re unsure exactly what you’ll want to print in the future, it’s worth opting for something a little larger than your needs.
Your ambitions and project may change over time, so it’s better to have some leeway to work with.
LCD and Pixel Count
Avoid RGB LCDs at all costs. The technology is now outdated: it’s slower and has a shorter lifespan. Instead, choose a large resin 3D printer with a monochrome LCD – a must-have in our book.
It’s worth noting that the larger the LCD (and, by extension, build volume), the more pixels have to stretch and expand to cover the entire plate effectively. The fewer pixels, the less detail a printer can produce.
This means that LCDs with a higher resolution are a must-have for larger printers. We’d recommend at least 4K, but don’t hesitate to pivot to printers pushing 5K and even 7K/8K LCDs if your budget allows it.
The Elegoo Saturn has a 4K LCD, the Photon M3 Max has 7K, and the Sonic Mega 8K has, you guessed it, an 8K screen.
XY Resolution
XY resolution determines the level of accuracy a printer can produce, the amount of detail, the quality of the surface finish, and how well it will render features.
Larger build volumes used to mean a downgrade to XY resolution, but nowadays, it’s possible to buy large format printers with excellent resolution.
Anything around 50 microns should serve the large majority of makers, but if you want that extra bit of detail, opt for printers with a lower XY resolution.
Build Quality and Stability
Managing movement in large format resin printers is vital if you want uniform fine details and precision throughout your prints. Look to printers with solid metal frames to improve durability, dual linear rails, and sturdy covers/shrouds/hinged doors.
These tend to peter out as the price drops, but so does the build volume, which somewhat cuts down on their utility. In other words, don’t be put off by budget large format resin 3D printers that don’t have all the fancy features of the pricier XL alternatives.
Print Speed
Remember that MSLA printers cure entire layers at once, unlike FDM. So, speed – in terms of how many models you can create per hour or day – is directly impacted by the size of the build volume. This is where the size of a resin printer is so important.
Though it’s easy to be drawn in by the pull of blisteringly fast print speeds, it doesn’t mean you’ll actually always be printing at these speeds.
These high speeds are pushed as marketing ploys – often, you won’t come close to these numbers, especially if you want high-detail prints.
But, if you plan to use a resin printer as a daily go-to machine for batch printing, more speed certainly makes a tangible difference to print times. 60 mm/h is becoming somewhat of a standard for most large resin 3D printers and represents a good starting point for most makers.
Some speeds among the printers we recommend:
- Anycubic Photon M3 Max: 60mm/h
- Phrozen Sonic Mega 8K: 70mm/h
- Peopoly Phenom Prime: 60mm/h
Price
For a modestly-sized but still comparatively large resin printer, expect to pay around $500 to $700. We recommend the Elegoo Saturn printers here, but the Anycubic Photon M3 Plus is also great.
For mid-range machines with plenty of capacity, expect to pay $1000 or slightly more. The Anycubic Photon M3 Max is bigger than the M3 Plus, and is ideal for this price range and use.
From here, prices surge to thousands of dollars for large resin 3D printers with the biggest build volumes and features. These tend to be reserved for business and professional workshops with the budget to spare.
Read more: Photon M3 vs M3 Plus vs M3 Max – all the differences
Large Resin 3D Printer FAQs
What Resin Printer Has the Biggest Build Plate?
The consumer-grade resin 3D printer with the biggest plate is currently the Phrozen Sonic Mega 8K. Phrozen’s flagship large format SLA printer features a 15″ 8K LCD, 330 x 185 mm build plate for a total build volume of 330 x 185 x 400 mm.
Jumping up in price, we have Peopoly Phenom XX, which has a 23.8″ 4K LCD and 527 × 296 x 550 mm build volume. It’s priced at $7,500, positioning it firmly in the professional portion of the resin 3D printer market as one of the largest SLA printers available.
How Big Can a Resin Printer Print?
A resin 3D printer can print as big as its build volume allows. For instance, the Anycubic Photon M3 Max has a 300 x 164 x 298 mm build volume, meaning you could print a solid cube of that size on the printer.
What Is the Biggest Anycubic Resin Printer?
The biggest resin printer from Anycubic is the Photon M3 Max, the largest of the manufacturer’s recently launched M3 series printers. It has a build volume of 300 x 164 x 298 mm, which positions it as a large format resin 3D printer.
What is the largest 3D resin printer?
The Photocentric Crystal Magna is one of the largest resin 3D printers in the world, but it’s too expensive for average makers at home. The largest desktop resin 3D printers are the Anycubic Photon M3 Max, Elegoo Jupiter, and Phrozen Sonic Mega 8K.
What is the biggest Elegoo 3D printer?
The biggest resin printer from Elegoo is the Elegoo Jupiter 12.8” 6K 3D printer. It has a build volume of 278 x 156 x 300 mm, and a 12.8-inch 6K monochrome LCD to print even the largest models at 70mm/h.
Further reading:
- The best resin 3D printers
- Best Resins for 3D Printers
- Is 3D printing miniatures cheaper? (FDM and resin)
- Best 3D printers for miniatures
- DIY SLA 3D printers you can build yourself
- The best large 3D printer (FDM and other technologies)
- Best 3D printers for small businesses
- Top professional 3D printers
- 500x500x500mm 3D printers
- Best wash and cure stations