Best 3D Printer For Miniatures – Top 5 Models And Buying Guide

What if I said that you could easily 3D print your and every kid’s favorite tabletop miniatures, action figures, figurines, or dollhouses at home? Yes, instead of spending an average of $10-$15 on a basic 3D miniature online, you can replicate the same model at home for as low as $1. 

Are you wondering how? 

The answer is a “3D printer.”

A 3D printer for miniatures can help you 3D print awesome and detailed miniature models in a breeze and without much hassle. You can even sell your handmade miniatures for good money. 

But the key is finding the “best 3D printer for miniatures.”

To help you out, this article will take you through the detailed reviews of top 3D printers for miniatures. So, let’s start without any further ado. 

5 Best 3D Printers For Miniatures Summary

1. Best Overall: ANYCUBIC Photon Mono 4K
2. Best Entry-Level: Official Creality Ender 3
3. Best resin: NOVA3D Bene6 3D Resin Printer 
4. Best for Dollhouse: GEEETECH Mizar S Auto-Leveling
5. Best for Models: Longer LK5 Pro

What Should I Look For In A 3D Printer For Miniatures?

Look for the following features in a 3D printer for miniatures. 

• Type Of Printer 

There are numerous types of 3D printers based on the technology used—for example, FDM, MSLA, SLA, DLP, SLS, etc. 

Out of these, only FDM & SLA/DLP are the best 3D printing technologies. And here’s why. 

While FDM uses a plastic filament for printing, SLA/DLP utilizes photosensitive liquid resin. If you want to print high-quality 3D miniatures at low costs, these are the materials you need. 

To go into more detail, an FDM 3D printer works best for terrains, landscapes, and bigger miniature models. On the other hand, choose a resin-based printer for smaller models with great details. 

• Layer Height

Different 3D printers for miniatures have different minimum layer heights. In general, the smaller the layer height, the better the print quality due to lesser layer lines. 

For example, the Creality Ender 3 has a minimum layer height of 100 microns (or 0.1mm.)

However, it’s worth noting that the smaller the layer height, the more the printing time. What I recommend is a 0.03-0.04mm layer height. 

• Screen Quality 

These days, 3D printers for miniatures feature an LCD screen with 4K, 6K, and 8K quality. The higher the screen quality, the better the detailing on the models. 

For example, a 4K screen will improve the 3D printing precision. You could clearly view the hair, beard, hands, fingers, and muscle fibers on your miniature models and adjust accordingly. 

If you want more professional-looking 3D miniatures or want to set up a business, investing in an 8K 3D printer will yield great results. 

• Printing Speed 

Most 3D printers for miniatures have a 3D printing speed of 50-60mm/s. This is for entry-level models. Talking about more advanced and costly models (above $500), the speed can even touch 180-200mm/s. 

More the printing speed, the lesser the printing time. However, it generally leads to more noise, lower accuracy, manufacturing defects, and weaker parts.

• Print Capacity/Build Volume 

In the world of 3D printers, “build volume” refers to the maximum model size a printer can print. 

Standard build volumes include 300 x 300 x 400 mm, 132 x 80 x 165 mm, 220 x 220 x 250 mm, and so on. 

If you’re a DIYer or don’t need to print miniatures for business purposes, a smaller build volume is enough to start with. Such printers are easy to operate, cheap, and maintenance-friendly. 

• Additional Features 

Having tried and tested tons of 3D printers for miniatures, some cool and time-saving additional features I highly recommend to you are:

• Auto Bed Leveling

This feature automatically adjusts the printer bed for printing without any manual interference.

• Auto Filament Feeder

It comes in handy while automatically feeding the filament to the printer. 

• Resume Printing 

Suppose the power goes off during your printing. With this “Resume Printing” feature in place, the printer will continue printing from the last point.

• Filament Detection Sensor

This sensor detects the filament and pauses printing if it runs out. 

Take advantage of the buying guide to make an informed decision.

Best 3D Printer For Miniatures – 5 Top Models Reviewed 

Check out these best 3D printers for miniatures, from resin-based to filament. 

Best Overall (Best Value For Money) 3D Printer For Miniatures

ANYCUBIC Photon Mono 4K 3D Printer 

Specifications 

• Printing Technology: Stereolithography (SLA)

• Printing Speed: 50mm/s

• Build Volume: 132 x 80 x 165 mm 

• Dimensions: 12.2 x 12.2 x 21.26 inches

• Weight: 9.36 pounds

The first 3D printer for miniatures is this Photon Mono 4K 3D Printer from ANYCUBIC. Available under $300, it’s a steal deal for me, and here’s why.

It’s equipped with a decent 6.23″ monochrome LCD screen for a wide-angle view of your miniature models. On the quality front, the company claims to provide around 2.2x more clarity than other mono 3D printers. After using this printer for some wargame miniatures, I agree with this. 

Additionally, the screen has 4x the lifespan of your regular RGB LCD screen, courtesy of the screen protection film. Thus, it’s built to last. 

When we talk about resin 3D printers, apart from the resin quality, the quality of the UV light source is also critical. And matrix parallel light source comprising 15 bright LED lights takes care of that. With a 90% light uniformity on every layer of your miniature, you get consistent and fast-paced printing. 

Note: The printer is compatible with all types of resins available for 3D printing.

In terms of printing accuracy and precision, ANYCUBIC Mono 4K 3D Printer uses a stable Z-axis rail structure powered by a high-performance stepper motor. Thus, you can print even tall models with ease. And if you’re wondering about the printing time, don’t fret, as the printer can print at a maximum speed of 50mm/s. 

Making this printer safer to use is the built-in top cover detection feature. What it does is immediately halt printing without the top cover. Otherwise, the harmful UV lights may harm you. 

Lastly, you can adjust the UV power to the printer based on what the resin requires to achieve personalized printing needs. Doing so will further increase the screen and light’s lifespan. 

Pros 

• Supports all types of 3D printer resins 
• UV power adjustments based on model and resin 
• It comes 90% pre-assembled 
• High build volume for bigger miniature models

Cons 

• Not-so-impressive printing speed 
• Build quality could be better

Check the ANYCUBIC Photon Mono 4K 3D Printer’s latest prices on Amazon. 

Most Affordable (Cheapest) 3D Printer For Miniatures

Official Creality Ender 3 3D Printer 

Specifications 

• Printing Technology: Stereolithography (SLA)

• Printing Speed: 50mm/s

• Build Volume: 132 x 80 x 165 mm 

• Dimensions: 12.2 x 12.2 x 21.26 inches

• Weight: 9.36 pounds

Are you looking for the best FDM printer for miniatures under $200? If so, look what I’ve got for you. 

A top-selling 3D printer from Creality, Ender 3 not only comes in handy for miniatures but also for landscapes, terrains, pathways, etc. All this is possible due to its 220 x 220 x 250 mm build volume, which is pretty good for the price. 

Designed using next-gen technology, it features the “Resume Printing” functionality. With this, you can handle abrupt power outages during printing as the Ender 3 will automatically resume printing from the last recorded extruder position.

Talking more about the extruder, you get the advanced MK-8 extruder that minimizes the likelihood of failed designs by preventing clogging and uneven extrusion. Isn’t this a time saver?

Being an FDM 3D printer, Ender 3 works with filament rolls and is compatible with all its varieties, such as PLA, PETG, and ABS. Load the required filament into the print and let the innovative V-profile and pulley system do the rest for stable printing. 

Note: The innovative V-profile and pulley system is known for its low noise generation and wears & tear resistance. 

Regarding the hotbed, unlike other 3D printers for miniatures, Ender 3‘s hotbed is suitably designed for instant heating. According to Creality, it evenly heats up to 100°C in just 5 minutes, ensuring high printing speed with equivalent efficiency.

Note: The printing speed of Creality Ender 3 is 30-60mm/s, but it can also be used at <180mm/s. 

Lastly, setting up your Ender 3 is easy too. It comes 90% pre-assembled, and the remaining can be completed following the accompanying user manual or online tutorials. 

Pros 

• Amazing printing speed 
• Stable platform with even heating and printing 
• Good build volume 
• Compact and lightweight design

Cons 

• No automatic filament feeding 
• Build quality could have been better

Check the Official Creality Ender 3 3D Printer’s latest prices on Amazon. 

Best Resin 3D Printer For Miniatures

NOVA3D Bene6 3D Resin Printer 

Specifications 

• Printing Technology: Masked Stereolithography Apparatus (MSLA)

• Printing Speed: 50mm/h

• Build Volume: 143 x 89 x 180 mm 

• Dimensions: 10 x 10 x 19 inches

• Weight: 28.7 pounds

This MSLA-based premium 3D printer from NOVA3D will finish your search for the best 3D printer for miniatures. Continue reading why. 

Equipped with a large 6.6″ monochrome LCD screen, you can view your miniatures in 4098 x 2560 resolution and achieve those fine details with ease. Protecting this screen is scratch-resistant tempered glass, which also ensures better UV light transmission. 

Slicing your miniature models is not hard now, with built-in support for multiple slicing software, e.g., Lychee Slices, NovaMake, and ChiTu Box. 

Designed keeping in mind entry-level users, this Bene6 printer is based on a “no leveling” design. Thus, you need not worry about the platform’s leveling before every project. NOVA3D has also improved noise levels by installing a high-performance 35db silent motor driver. No more noise while 3D printing!

If you’ve previously used the Bene5, the print volume and efficiency of the Bene6 are approximately 37% and 30% higher than the former, respectively. Hence, upgrading to Bene6 is worth every penny. 

Coming to the light source – the most important element of any resin printer, here, you get a 4th Generation Crystal light source that supplies uninterrupted light to the photosensitive resin for even printing. 

Pros 

• Super stable Z axis for quick printing 
• High-resolution 6.6″ LCD screen for a wide-angle view 
• Quiet operation 
• No platform leveling required

Cons 

• Not-so-impressive build volume when compared to rivals 
• No resume printing

Check the NOVA3D Bene6 3D Resin Printer latest prices on Amazon.

Related: Best 3D Laser Engraving Machine in 2023: An Extensive Guide

Best 3D Printer For Dollhouse Miniatures

GEEETECH Mizar S Auto-Leveling 3D Printer 

Specifications 

• Printing Technology: Fused Deposition Modeling (FDM)

• Printing Speed: 60-80mm/s

• Build Volume: 255 x 255 x 260 mm 

• Dimensions: 14.84 x 14.25 x 18.51 inches

• Weight: 19.6 Pounds

With a build volume of 255 x 255 x 260 mm, this GEEETECH Mizar 6 is probably the only filament 3D printer for miniatures with the largest print volume so far. 

But that’s not its biggest positive. It’s the dual-leveling system that gives you freedom to use either auto leveling or manual leveling. Hence, anyone can easily operate Mizar 6 for 3D printing dollhouse miniatures, whether a beginner, amateur, or specialist.

Coming to the printing platform, it’s not your regular platform. It features a magnetic plate with a steel sheet design. Thus, all your dollhouse miniatures will stick to the surface properly due to stronger adhesion and come off with a slight bend. 

The printing resolution is also worth it because of the dual Z axis screw design that also fortifies Mizar 6‘s speed combined with a high-performance 32-bit MCU. I was able to print my 3D models at a decent speed of 60-80mm/s. 

On the noise front, this particular printer does a good job. Its TMC2208 silent driver keeps the noise levels under 50dB. Thus, you can continue your printing work at night without worrying about disturbing others. 

Lastly, GEEETECH Mizar 6 resumes printing from the last saved point if you experience a power outage out of nowhere. 

Pros 

• High printing speed at 60-80mm/s 
• Model easily comes off the platform 
• Belt tensioners for quick built adjustments 
• Ultra-silent motherboard

Cons 

• Very small LCD screen 
• Quite heavy

Check the GEEETECH Mizar S Auto-Leveling 3D Printer’s latest prices on Amazon.

Best 3D Printer For Models

Longer LK5 Pro 3D Printer

Specifications 

• Printing Technology: Fused Deposition Modeling (FDM)

• Printing Speed: 180mm/s

• Build Volume: 300 x 300 x 400 mm 

• Dimensions: 11.81 x 11.81 x 15.75 inches

• Weight: 26.4 pounds  

The last 3D printer for professional touch miniatures is this LKS Pro from Longer. 

This Longer LKS Pro 3D printer has a gigantic build volume at 300 x 300 x 400 mm. Hence, besides miniature models, the product is a steal deal for other 3D printing projects (especially tall), considering its price. 

Since it comes 90% pre-assembled, you just need to finish the remaining assembly to start printing your favorite models. In addition, the printer’s stable triangular structure aptly reduces vibration and helps you achieve more stable printing.

The LCD touchscreen measures 4.3″ and is UI-optimized. Thus, even a beginner can operate LKS Pro following the on-screen instructions. Besides, you can view all other printing-related information here. 

Note: The printer uses a lattice glass plate, which is a helpful feature for disassembling the printer. 

Talking about the printing speed, it’s 180mm/s, which is hardly achieved on other printers. And if achieved, it comes at the cost of accuracy and print quality. That’s not an issue here. 

The filament detection sensor is one feature that most filament-based printers lack, but LKS Pro doesn’t. As the name suggests, this sensor detects and pauses printing if the filament runs out, saving you time. 

To conclude, I found the ultra-silent TMC2208 driver to be suitably efficient in minimizing operation loss. 

Pros 

• Best-in-class printing speed 
• Filament detection sensor 
• Automatically resumes printing from the last saved point 
• Best build volume in its class

Cons 

• Quite bulky at 26.4 pounds 
• No auto filament feeding mechanism

Check the Longer LK5 Pro 3D Printer latest prices on Amazon.

Best 3D Printer For Miniatures (FAQs)

• Is It Hard To Learn 3D Printing?

Ans: No, 3D printing isn’t hard to learn. All you need to excel is the right printer and good hands on the basics. 

• What 3D Printer Can Print Miniatures?

Ans: For easy and cheap 3D printing, an FDM and resin printer is the best choice. 

• Can You Make Money By 3D Printing Miniatures?

Ans: Yes, you can make money with 3D printing miniatures. The best income source is selling your high-quality miniatures to their potential lovers. Mind your selling cost to attract more buyers. 

• How Much Does It Cost To Print A 3D Miniature?

Ans: 3D printing a miniature can cost anything from $3 to thousands of dollars, depending on the type of printer, the material used, model complexity, etc.

• Is It Worth Buying A 3D Printer For Miniatures?

Ans: Yes, it’s worth buying a 3D printer for miniatures. Besides your favorite miniature models, you can 3D print anything you wish—for example, earbud cases, toy cars, carabiners, key holders, bowls, etc.

Related: Best Printer For Cricut – 5 Excellent Printers in 2023

Conclusion 

Here you go. That’s everything you should know about the best 3D printer for miniatures. As aforementioned, 3D printing miniatures isn’t hard, provided you’ve invested in the best 3D printer for miniatures. 

This is a vital step, as no two 3D printers are made equal. You should look for a suitable printer that’s pre-assembled, easy to use, and, most importantly, not so advanced. 

To help you out, the above-discussed models are precisely what you should be using to 3D print your favorite miniatures at home.