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The Best Resin Printer of 2025 - ULTIMATE RESIN BUYERS GUIDE - FOR MINIATURES AND MORE
Nov 13, 2025
*Printer Links* (Alphabetical Order)
Anycubic Photon M7 - https://geni.us/AnycubicM7
Anycubic Photon M7 Pro - https://geni.us/AnycubicM7Pro
Anycubic Photon M7 Max - https://geni.us/AnycubicM7Max
Anycubic Photon Mono 4 - https://geni.us/PhotonMono4Ultra
Anycubic Photon Mono 4 Ultra - https://geni.us/PhotonMono4Ultra
Concepts3D Athena II: https://geni.us/AthenaII
Elegoo Jupiter SE - https://geni.us/ElegooJupiterSE
Elegoo Mars 5 - https://geni.us/ElegooMars5
Elegoo Mars 5 Ultra - https://geni.us/ElegooMars5Ultra
Elegoo Saturn 4 - https://geni.us/ElegooSaturn4
Elegoo Saturn 4 Ultra - https://geni.us/ElegooSaturn4Ultra
Elegoo Saturn 4 Ultra 16k - https://geni.us/ElegooSaturn4Ultra16k
HeyGears Ultracraft Reflex RS - https://geni.us/HeyGears
HeyGears Ultracraft Reflex RS Turbo - https://geni.us/HeyGears
HeyGears Ultracraft Reflex 2 - https://geni.us/HeyGears
Phrozen Sonic Mini 8k S - https://geni.us/PhrozenSonicMini8KS
Phrozen Sonic Mega 8k S - https://www.kqzyfj.com/click-100540162-15595624
Phrozen Sonic Revo - https://www.anrdoezrs.net/click-100540162-15750480
PioCreat Halot X1 - https://geni.us/PioCreatHalotX1
Show More Show Less View Video Transcript
0:00
It's that time of year again, coming
0:01
into sales season. Everyone is poised to
0:04
get their next resin printer. Though,
0:06
when we look at the resin releases of
0:08
2025, what have we had? Three new
0:11
printers, an upgrade, and a re-release
0:12
of two printers that came out last year.
0:15
So, while some of this is going to be a
0:17
recap of what we've seen before, I
0:18
promise to make this a much shorter
0:20
version, just an overview buying guide
0:22
of what is available right now, so you
0:24
can decide what to pick up quickly, or
0:26
at least narrow it down to a couple of
0:28
options that you can watch my full
0:29
review on to finalize your decision. And
0:32
why should you trust my opinion? Well,
0:34
I've actually tested and compared all
0:35
the machines I'm talking about. I'm not
0:37
an AI video generated to get you to
0:39
spend the most money. My goal is to help
0:42
you find the best printer for you. It's
0:44
what my programming ensures. Hi, I'm
0:47
Ross and this is Fauxhammer Videos. So,
0:49
right, I'm not going to beat around the
0:50
bush. If you're new to resin printers,
0:52
I've got a whole playlist for beginners
0:54
that walks you through what a resin
0:56
printer is, the process of using one,
0:58
post-processing, and even some useful
1:00
tips, tricks, and accessories you'll
1:02
want. Please check out those videos
1:03
before or after this. But, if you do get
1:06
stuck or want some more info, drop your
1:08
questions in the comments, and I'll
1:09
respond to every single one that I can.
1:12
Now, I did have a concern that all the
1:14
key brands are poised to drop new resin
1:16
printers at the end of 2025 right after
1:19
I make this video, but I've been assured
1:21
by all the key players there's nothing
1:23
on the cards in the immediate future. If
1:25
you're watching this in early to mid26,
1:28
check out my channel page to see what
1:29
machines have been released since. For
1:31
now, let's start small. And speaking of
1:33
small, this is where the first marketing
1:35
trick comes into play. We've talked for
1:37
so long about higher resolution screens
1:39
and sharper details and we measure
1:41
resolution in pixel size. But there's a
1:44
bit more to it than that because
1:45
printers light sources also play a part.
1:48
So when we look at small printers with
1:50
their 18 micron displays and assume
1:52
they're the highest resolution printers
1:54
on the market when it comes to the
1:56
practical detail you're going to get out
1:57
of them. It's just not the case. And
2:00
here's the trump card. We haven't made
2:02
leaps in terms of print quality on
2:03
printers in nearly 2 years now. I can
2:06
and do tell people what the sharpest
2:08
displays are. But truthfully, we've gone
2:10
well beyond the limits of what most
2:12
resins themselves can actually render.
2:14
For statues, busts, miniatures, and even
2:17
smaller scale prints such as scale
2:19
models, cars, dollhouses, gunplur,
2:21
railways, dental sculpts, and more. I
2:23
doubt a single printer in this video is
2:26
capable of producing results you'd be
2:27
happier with than the next. especially
2:29
for those of us who want to reduce layer
2:31
lines and boxization because we apply
2:34
image blur and anti-aliasing anyway. The
2:36
point is it's more often the practical
2:38
use benefits of a resin printer that
2:41
sets one apart from the other. And when
2:43
it comes to resolution, I'm starting to
2:45
slowly come around to the idea that the
2:47
sharpness of a machine is close enough
2:49
to negligible. It is more of a
2:51
psychological barrier than one that
2:53
practically matters. And yeah, it
2:55
bothers me too because I've spent over 3
2:57
years looking for the next best thing.
3:00
So I very much still sneer at printers
3:02
which produce softer results when in
3:04
reality they still fall within the
3:06
acceptable camp for all of the print
3:08
types I just mentioned. So let's get
3:10
into it proper. If you want absolute
3:12
budget and basic, my preference would be
3:14
the Any Cubic Mon4. There's literally
3:16
nothing special here, but it's fine and
3:18
it does the job from a more reliable
3:21
brand than the typical ones you would
3:22
see on AliExpress that nobody's really
3:26
ever heard of. And I'd probably pick it
3:28
over a Mars 5 simply because the Mars 5
3:30
has a stupid two-tier build plate with
3:32
autoleveling that isn't autoleveling.
3:35
There's no such thing as autoleveling
3:37
except if you buy a hgearss, but we'll
3:38
come to that later. And honestly,
3:41
autoleveling really doesn't matter that
3:43
much. Anyway, the Mono 4 doesn't have
3:46
autoleveling. But what I like about it
3:48
is it doesn't even have a promise that
3:49
it does. But yeah, when it comes to the
3:51
budget end, my personal call would be
3:53
the Mono over the Mars. But in terms of
3:55
actual print result, again, there's very
3:57
little in it. But if it does matter, the
3:59
Mono 4 also has a marginally larger
4:02
build area, but it's a couple of
4:04
millimeters. You you're unlikely to
4:06
notice it. But next up is the Mono 4
4:08
Ultra and the Mars 5 Pro. These are
4:10
headto-head again. And this really
4:12
depends on what you want from a printer.
4:14
On the Mono 4 Ultra, we once again have
4:16
that slightly larger build volume. And
4:18
this one also has pressure sensing in
4:20
the plate, which can do some handy stuff
4:22
like resin level detection before
4:24
starting a print and even speed up
4:26
prints by dynamically detecting layer
4:28
peeling. Which reminds me, I actually
4:30
made a whole video about that and forgot
4:32
to make it public. So, I really should
4:34
do that now. Anyway, on the other side,
4:36
the Elgu Mars 5 has got a tilting VAT,
4:39
but it's still got that DAFF build
4:40
plate. I've got to say though, the
4:42
tilting VAT is handy and it does work.
4:44
The Mono 4 though is a bit more legacy.
4:46
It's a tried and tested simple mechanism
4:49
where the Mars is a bit more modern,
4:51
high tech. But seriously, when deciding
4:53
between these, this is what I'd do.
4:55
Watch the full reviews, look at the
4:57
prices, then if you still can't decide,
4:59
flip a coin. Don't let that decide for
5:02
you, but it'll tell you what your gut
5:04
feeling was. Go with your gut. And that
5:06
advice could be true for so many
5:08
comparisons here. It's about getting
5:10
what's right for you. Neither printer is
5:12
significantly better than the other in
5:14
any wildly meaningful way. Neither is
5:17
better quality or from a significantly
5:19
better brand than the other. They can
5:21
both be great. They can both be
5:22
terrible. Welcome to mid-tier 3D
5:24
printers. Now, I need to say, as I have
5:26
before, if you're looking at smaller
5:28
printers, personally, I think the only
5:30
reason I can really see that these hold
5:32
much value is if you have a constraint,
5:34
so budget or available space in your
5:37
home. Now, remember, you'll also
5:39
probably want a wash and cure station as
5:40
well as a messy work area, ideally with
5:43
a silicon mat down. And that reminds me,
5:45
I really should do a best resin printer
5:47
accessories video anyway. But yeah, when
5:49
it comes to small printers, don't get
5:50
wowed by the pixel size on these
5:52
machines compared to larger 10-in
5:54
printers that are generally far more
5:56
versatile and in most cases actually a
5:59
bit sharper. 90% of users won't see a
6:01
difference, but the difference is there
6:04
because of the upgraded light sources.
6:06
So, that being said, if you want a small
6:08
printer and you still want the best
6:10
there is, I personally still feel that
6:12
that crown, and it's a cheap resin
6:14
crown, goes to the Frozen Mini AKS.
6:17
Again, there's nothing smart here.
6:19
There's not even pressure sensing.
6:21
There's no Wi-Fi. It's just a bog
6:23
standard and basic 3D printer, but
6:25
something that time has shown to be a
6:27
generally more reliable machine, which
6:29
is marginally sharper than its
6:31
competitors. And it's weird being a
6:33
reviewer because all I can really show
6:35
when I release a video is a printer's
6:37
features against price. With how fast
6:39
this market's moved, we've had new
6:41
machines one uping each other every few
6:44
months. But now, in the last year, we've
6:46
slowed down. we can have some more
6:47
respect for the brands that make
6:49
machines that are in it for the long
6:51
run. Only now am I getting people in my
6:53
comments telling me they want to replace
6:54
their original Mini4K and they're asking
6:57
what I recommend. Honestly, I recommend
6:59
either repairing their Mini4K, getting
7:02
another one, or stepping up to a larger
7:04
printer. And that brings us on to the
7:06
basic Saturn 4 versus the M7. And once
7:09
again, I'm in the Any Cubic camp here. I
7:11
think the M7 is great. This has pressure
7:14
sensing, dynamic lift height, and it
7:16
talks about autoleveling, but ignore it.
7:18
There's springs behind the screen. You
7:20
still need to level your printer. It's
7:22
basic, but it's solid. If you want an
7:24
entry into 10-in printing, I would start
7:27
here. Now, the Saturn 4 is fine, but
7:29
again, that DAFF build plate puts me off
7:32
in comparison. Just look, can I be
7:34
straight with you? I hope when watching
7:36
this, everyone understands I'm not
7:38
on certain machines just
7:40
because I prefer different ones. We
7:42
really are splitting hairs in
7:43
differences at this end of the scale.
7:45
The fun stuff will come shortly. But
7:47
having tested them all, I'm what I'm
7:49
saying here is no more than if somebody
7:51
walked up to me and said, "Here's a
7:53
choice of two printers. They're both
7:55
free, or in your case, they're both
7:57
pretty much equal price. You can have
7:59
either, but you can only pick one." In
8:01
this case, all I'm saying is I'd pick
8:02
the M7. Now, as we move up from here, we
8:04
also have to consider the Sonic Mighty
8:06
Revo. Frozen really have let themselves
8:10
slide in terms of software development
8:11
probably because they've been so focused
8:13
on their FDM printer, the Arco. But
8:16
again, the Sonic Mighty 14K or 16K
8:19
because it's now transitioning to a 16K
8:21
model and that's due to the supply of
8:23
14K panels running out. It's not an
8:25
upgrade as some marketing would have you
8:27
perceive. In my personal opinion, it's a
8:30
downgrade because it's a smaller build
8:32
area and these 16K panels don't last as
8:35
long. But still, frozenss generally are
8:39
the more long-term reliable machine.
8:41
Unfortunately, it's things like their
8:43
ancillary features such as the heater
8:45
and filter have been so poorly
8:47
implemented along with a few mild
8:48
firmware updates since release makes me
8:51
infer that this machine just didn't get
8:53
the love it deserved. And Frozen really
8:56
are struggling on the software side of
8:59
things. And I'll be honest, that's the
9:01
only place left that I can see for 3D
9:04
printer advancement beyond a few
9:07
convenience features. But one of the
9:09
main benefits of this machine is its
9:10
easily replaceable LCD. A point I want
9:13
to come back to shortly. But overall,
9:15
this is solidly built and good from a
9:18
hardware perspective. Now, another entry
9:20
we need to talk about because it's new
9:21
this year is Pyiocreat with the Hala X1.
9:24
And if they wanted to be called
9:25
Pyiocreate, they should have put another
9:27
E on the name. If you're new here, I say
9:29
it as I see it. Anyway, the Hallet range
9:32
was previously released by Creality. And
9:33
this still is Creity, but an offshoot of
9:36
Creity, now called Pio Crea. I don't
9:38
fully understand what's going there,
9:40
whether it's a subsidiary or they've
9:42
separated, but Creity are selling this
9:44
printer on their website. Anyway,
9:46
honestly, this isn't a terrible machine
9:48
and one that seems a little backwards at
9:50
first because unlike every other printer
9:53
on this list where the bed moves and the
9:54
VAT is stable, here the VAT moves and
9:57
the bed is stable. The idea is that with
10:00
the bed being rock solid, there's less
10:02
chance that the build arm will flex,
10:04
resulting in reduced Z-wobble or Z
10:06
wobble. Honestly, I think just a
10:08
stronger rail on any printer would do
10:10
the same thing. But I can't prove that
10:12
theory because no one really makes a
10:14
rail as solid as this one. Overall,
10:16
there are some great features on this
10:18
machine. Very convenient, but it's let
10:20
down by an incredibly daft warmer
10:22
accessory that heats your resin once
10:24
before pumping it into the tank. And the
10:26
software is well, it's very Creality. If
10:29
you don't know what that means, you've
10:31
either never used a Creity printer or
10:33
you've only used Creality printers,
10:36
resin or FDM. The software is terrible.
10:38
Now, speaking of DAFF pumps, we come to
10:41
the M7 Pro. It's not a bad printer
10:43
because it does everything the M7 does,
10:46
but its method of heating resin requires
10:48
it to go through a pump secured to the
10:50
vat and get pumped back into the tank.
10:53
That means clearing the resin out is a
10:55
nightmare. Now, if you're new here, I
10:58
hate resin pumps with a passion. Not
11:00
just this one, but also the ones that
11:02
pump resin into printers, too. Resin is
11:05
already messy and pumps are just
11:07
nightmares to clean. Honestly, the
11:10
better call at this level, I think, is
11:12
the Saturn 4 Ultra. And I prefer this
11:14
because it's got the same size screen.
11:16
And whilst yes, it's got that DAFF build
11:18
plate, I actually like the tilt-in resin
11:21
bat. It's fast, it's simple, and it does
11:23
the job. But I'll be honest, if you can
11:26
stretch, the better call is easily the
11:28
Saturn 4 Ultra 16K from a general
11:31
usability perspective. This is basically
11:34
the Saturn 4 Ultra again, but it fixes
11:36
three main problems. One was the lack of
11:38
handles on the OG's build plate. The
11:41
second is that it's added a light so
11:42
that the camera can now actually see
11:44
what's being printed both in live
11:46
monitoring and time-lapses. And finally,
11:49
we have live monitoring thanks to Elu's
11:51
new matrix app. But mainly, the VAT is
11:54
now heated. So, for those of us in
11:56
colder environments, printing in
11:58
garages, sheds, basement, attics, and
12:00
the like, this will keep your resin
12:02
warm, which is often key to successful
12:04
prints, or at the very least, it'll
12:06
ensure you have the best environment to
12:09
get the best quality. Now, in talking
12:10
about these, I would also recommend
12:12
checking out Chiu Systems, who make the
12:14
Hoopat. Again, stupid name.
12:17
Unfortunately, this doesn't exist for
12:19
the M7. It does for the M5s, but they do
12:22
have a version for all the Saturn
12:24
printers. and now a heated version for
12:26
the 16K. I've got separate videos on
12:28
these and they basically make release
12:30
film swaps much easier and much faster
12:33
and a lot of people are loving them. So,
12:35
check out that video, too. Now, when
12:37
talking about heating, another accessory
12:39
I'd recommend is an enclosure, not just
12:42
for heating and keeping the environment
12:44
warm, but for pumping VOCC's out of your
12:46
printing environment so you aren't
12:48
breathing them in. Once again, I've got
12:50
a separate video on that, and I'd
12:52
recommend checking it out. Okay, now the
12:54
printer I missed from last year's
12:56
summary because it released just after I
12:58
made the video and then kind of
13:00
re-released this year, the GK3. Right,
13:04
here's the thing. Uniformation really
13:06
haven't done themselves any favors with
13:08
this product. I think it's public
13:10
knowledge that I'm disappointed in the
13:12
GK3. Many of us who had the GK2 are also
13:16
disappointed in the GK3. Not because
13:19
they're bad printers, and I worry that
13:20
that swayed a lot of people, but because
13:24
we expected more. The GK2 was so smart
13:27
and so clever, we just expected
13:29
uniformation to trump the competition
13:31
again. What we didn't expect is for them
13:33
to release two, well, technically three
13:36
models of the same printer, which I
13:39
think confused people to the point of,
13:41
you know what, I don't get this. I'll
13:43
just go and buy from another brand where
13:44
the differences are clearer. Something
13:46
that Creality often does. Less is more,
13:49
guys. Anyway, but I need to be straight
13:51
with you. Looking back now, I still
13:54
probably would rate the GK3 over any of
13:57
the previously mentioned printers for
13:59
one reason. It does all the same stuff.
14:02
It's got a webcam. It's got a monitoring
14:05
app. It prints the same resolution. The
14:07
build plate is the best of any consumer
14:10
printer. And the VAT even lets you mount
14:12
the plate sideways as a drip tray. But
14:15
the most important element is the easily
14:17
swappable screen. And honestly, I beg
14:20
you, if you're watching this video
14:21
before buying any printer, go and watch
14:24
my review of it. That'll be linked in
14:26
the description. But then search for
14:28
that printer name with the word screen
14:30
replacement afterwards. Go and watch the
14:33
process for the printer you're about to
14:34
buy. Because if you don't already know,
14:36
screens on 3D printers are classed as
14:38
consumables, like batteries in laptops.
14:41
When the screen dies, you've got two
14:43
choices. replace the screen or make a
14:45
large contribution to e-waste and
14:47
replace the printer. And considering
14:49
these new 16K screens are dying faster
14:51
than any that came before them, please
14:53
buy a printer expecting that screen
14:56
replacement is a process you'll need to
14:58
go through at some point. So again, go
15:00
and watch those screen replacement
15:01
videos and decide if that's something
15:03
you ever want to approach. As someone
15:06
who spent 10 years as an electronics
15:08
technician, I don't. And that is exactly
15:11
why I'd get the GK3 over any of them.
15:15
But when it comes to deciding between
15:16
them, there's the normal GK3 with either
15:19
a T-crew or a ball screw. And the ball
15:21
screw is designed to last longer.
15:22
Neither are going to make your prints
15:24
any better. So honestly, just get the
15:26
one that's available. The GK3 Pro is
15:29
more specifically for pro users. It
15:32
features a different light source, 385
15:35
nm, which is better for curing
15:37
transparent materials. Are you going to
15:40
frequently print transparents? Even
15:42
then, will the ones you print have
15:44
internal voids that you want to see in
15:46
the final model? If not, just get a
15:49
normal GK3. Now, on to a few interesting
15:52
outliers in the 10-in range, including
15:55
my personal top pick, the Athena 2. I've
15:58
had a prototype. I haven't yet had a
16:00
production model. What I loved about
16:02
this was the idea of built-in resin
16:04
profiles right on the printer and the
16:06
fact that it's incredibly open. And I've
16:08
got to be honest, this is a brand that I
16:10
am biased towards. I want them to
16:13
succeed because of just how great a guy
16:15
the creator is. Please check out my
16:18
video with Nico and then come back and
16:19
tell me with a straight face, this isn't
16:21
a brand that you want to support.
16:23
However, I've got to be straight, in my
16:25
experience with it, the printer is solid
16:28
and wellb built. The level of QA testing
16:30
is fantastic, but having access to such
16:33
a wide array of settings comes with a
16:36
wide array of complexity. I feel this
16:38
one may be specifically suited to those
16:41
people who've got more of an interest in
16:43
the technology of resin printing versus
16:46
the people who don't want to learn
16:47
anymore about how 3D printing works than
16:50
how 2D printing works. They just want to
16:52
print a thing. This is an incredibly
16:55
cool concept. One you should definitely
16:57
check out, even if just to be aware of,
17:00
but ultimately decide if you want to
17:02
have that level of control. I think a
17:04
fair way to sum this machine up would be
17:07
they're probably the producer of resin
17:09
printing. And the good side of that is
17:11
this could be the last 3D printer you
17:14
ever need to buy because they're
17:16
designing it as a platform that you can
17:18
add to. So whilst it's expensive, it's a
17:21
foundation for what comes after rather
17:24
than the latest printer that you're
17:26
going to replace in 18 to 24 months. So
17:29
from the producer of resin printing to
17:31
the bamboo of resin printing and yes,
17:34
these are loose analogies. But the
17:36
closest in that bamboo camp is the Hers
17:39
RS and RS Turbo. Both of these printers
17:42
I use daily. Hears came onto the scene
17:45
pissing everyone off with their
17:46
arrogance of only we can decide the
17:48
print profiles and there was a lot of
17:50
noise last year regarding the brand
17:52
being anti-consumer as though they
17:54
hadn't existed for almost an entire year
17:56
before that. But now the dust has
17:58
settled. Those noises have become more
18:00
accepting. Things like I just don't want
18:03
to support a closed off business model.
18:05
Yep, totally fine. Completely mature. I
18:08
understand why you wouldn't want to
18:09
support that, especially with how
18:11
screwed we've been historically with 2D
18:13
printers and inks, but personally, as
18:16
I've said many times, I just want a
18:18
printer to print things. That's true of
18:20
FDM and resin. I don't want to muck
18:22
about with settings. I just want the
18:23
best results I can get as easy as
18:25
possible. And more and more people have
18:28
come around to this way of thinking,
18:29
especially those who've had resin
18:31
printers before. And now that many have
18:33
realized we can use our own resins in
18:36
these machines and their own resins like
18:38
pass 10 are now in the realm of
18:40
affordable people have come to love the
18:42
workflow as many of us early adopters
18:45
did. It is more drag drop print. Okay.
18:48
Yep. That's also a level of hyperbole.
18:50
There are steps you need to learn like
18:52
orientation and model repair. But
18:54
generally for the average hobbyist, no
18:56
matter if you have pre-supported models
18:58
or unsupported models, you can get
19:00
incredible results easily. And the
19:02
online support community around this
19:04
machine is growing. The RS Turbo is
19:07
basically the RS with a newer screen
19:09
that allows you to print slightly
19:10
faster. And in my opinion, if you can
19:13
still get a normal RS because Hey Gear
19:15
seem to be selling off the older stock
19:16
cheap and it may even be gone by the
19:18
time this video is live, I'd grab the
19:21
older cheaper one and then upgrade the
19:23
screen later when your current one dies
19:25
and you need to again on these machines.
19:28
Screen swaps are easy. But here's the
19:30
thing that kind of slaps all that in the
19:32
face because we've also now got the new
19:35
Reflex 2. And from this point on, we are
19:38
out of the hobbyist realm. I don't think
19:40
anybody here is going to buy these
19:42
following printers, but I've used them
19:44
and I want to summarize them. And I've
19:46
got to be honest, I didn't realize how
19:48
much of a contrast these two machines
19:50
would be until I put them next to each
19:53
other in this script. So, on the plus
19:55
side, the Reflex 2 has the largest
19:57
screen of any amongst the 10-in range.
20:00
That's the sole reason I use it over
20:02
their other units. I'll talk more about
20:04
screen size in a moment, but the way
20:07
this has been put together does nothing
20:09
but embarrass the brand. Where He gear's
20:12
machines were previously the creme dear
20:14
creme of premium looks and quality, this
20:17
is filled with so many cheap or poorly
20:20
implemented elements that I can't even
20:22
believe this was put out by the same
20:24
brand. Let me tell you something I
20:26
missed from my review because I printed
20:28
it after. I made some pumpkins for my
20:30
mate Sha at Element Games London so we
20:32
could have a Halloween painting
20:34
competition. I noticed after printing
20:36
that some of the edges on these pumpkins
20:38
were flat on the sides. So I raised it
20:40
with hers suggesting the area in the
20:42
slicer didn't match that of the screen
20:45
because it wasn't marked out as red in
20:47
the slicer. But they advised me that
20:49
this is due to the tape around the edges
20:51
which is handplaced and therefore may
20:53
not be accurate on every printer. They
20:56
will update the slicer to inform people
20:58
this could happen. What? Honestly, in
21:01
all the time I've had printers, I have
21:03
never had this happen. It's standard
21:05
practice to put tape around a screen to
21:07
stop resin getting in it, but not so
21:10
much tape that it interferes with the
21:11
printable area. I've never had that. So,
21:14
this problem could happen to everyone.
21:16
It's inconsistent on their printers all
21:19
because they can't get the bloody tape
21:21
on straight. I genuinely can't believe
21:24
they told me this with a straight face
21:26
and when I chased them on it, they
21:27
reiterated it and told me this was
21:29
normal. Yeah. Okay, guys. Good luck with
21:34
that one. Right. In seriousness, it's
21:38
not all doom and gloom. As I said, this
21:40
isn't for the hobbyist. The printer
21:42
wasn't designed for the home user. This
21:44
was designed specifically for
21:46
engineering grade materials. So all of
21:48
the investment, all of the money we
21:49
spend on it has gone into the light
21:51
engine, meaning the screen and light
21:53
source to ensure it can print resins
21:55
that have actual strength. And let's be
21:57
fair, when most of us think of 3D
21:59
printers, especially if you're watching
22:01
this channel, we use them for artistic
22:03
prints, stuff that looks pretty. But
22:05
when have you ever heard of anyone
22:08
actually using resin prints for strong
22:10
components or fixings, the sort of
22:12
prints we default to FDM printers for?
22:15
That's a serious question. I don't know
22:17
because nobody really with that sort of
22:19
goal comments on my channel. I like
22:21
models. I show models. I've attracted a
22:24
channel of people who typically want
22:26
printers for the same thing. So, I guess
22:29
if you've stumbled across my content and
22:31
you do want practical prints, sorry, hey
22:34
Gears, but I'm still going to suggest
22:37
people who are willing to spend 2K with
22:39
you probably want to rather spend 4K
22:43
with Formlabs, who have a much larger
22:46
materials library, unrivaled support, a
22:49
stronger known history, and a larger
22:51
user community. Because I've got to say
22:53
that by far the Formlabs Form 4 has been
22:57
the absolute best resin printer I have
23:00
ever used, just not for the models I
23:03
print. This is another one where people
23:05
would decide the material properties
23:07
they need first and then pick the
23:09
printer afterwards. But the build
23:11
quality, the workflow, you can tell a
23:13
mile off that this is who Heyars are
23:16
trying to emulate. And when you compare
23:18
the two, it's like comparing any
23:20
consumer printer like the Saturn M7 or
23:23
GK3 to the Creity Halllet range. Yes,
23:26
they both technically offer the same
23:28
thing. And whilst the cheaper one
23:30
emulates many features of the more
23:32
expensive one, the brand completely
23:34
misses the point on why so many of these
23:37
elements exist. Where Formlabs strive to
23:40
be the best, Haggars often stop at
23:43
that'll do and then awkwardly try to
23:45
justify why this is not a problem as
23:48
though I'm a toddler. And I've got to be
23:49
honest, I love Formlabs machines. They
23:52
are glorious. But unfortunately, that 4K
23:56
screen and the resulting size of the
23:57
contact points on supports just isn't
24:00
suitable for the types of intricately
24:02
detailed models I print. And you know, I
24:05
did say this in my review and I offered
24:07
to send them the printer back because I
24:09
won't use it, but they still haven't
24:11
chased me on it. I will make those extra
24:13
two videos I owe them. And I think now
24:16
one of them needs to be the Reflex 2
24:18
versus the Form 4, but I can summarize
24:20
it here. The Reflex 2 is is a budget
24:24
form 4 in in every meaning of the word
24:26
budget and cheap. the the reason to buy
24:29
the Reflex 2 is if you want the same
24:31
material properties, but you desperately
24:34
are anti-formmabs.
24:36
But finally, we've got the big printers.
24:38
It's the same three as last year because
24:40
for whatever reason, the Elgu Jupiter 2
24:42
that was shown back in what, April 25
24:46
still hasn't been released. And I've
24:47
spoken to Eligu and I've still got no
24:49
clear idea when it's coming. So, that
24:52
leaves us with the Frozen Mega 8KS, the
24:54
Jupiter SE, the M7 Max, and the GK3
24:57
Ultra, which is which is four, not not
25:00
three, like I just said. Anyway, the
25:02
Frozen is the reliable one, and it's
25:03
also the largest, but there are no bells
25:05
or whistles like pressure sensing or
25:07
Wi-Fi. And the same could be said about
25:09
the Jupiter, which is a bit smaller, but
25:11
cheaper, which makes it more palatable.
25:14
Definitely the more affordable of the
25:16
larger range. Now, my personal favorites
25:19
are the GK3 Ultra and the M7 Max. And
25:22
this goes back to that flip a coin
25:24
scenario again. Even for me, the GK3 had
25:27
a rocky start, but it seems the QA is
25:29
under control now. This has a higher
25:32
resolution screen, but it's got a matrix
25:34
LED light source. So, you do get more
25:36
detail, but the detail is softened. And
25:39
then there's the M7 Max, which has a
25:41
lower resolution screen, but a sharper
25:44
COB light source. less detail but
25:46
sharper. Honestly, once you stick
25:48
anti-aliasing on, there's very little
25:50
between them, but the GK3 does ek out an
25:54
edge more detail. Both machines are
25:57
solid workh horses. So, this genuinely
26:00
comes down to what you prefer in terms
26:02
of usability. I like that the GK3's got
26:04
a camera, that build plate, and the
26:06
ability to flip that plate sideways like
26:09
a drip tray. But the M7 has great
26:11
pressure sensing and just churned out
26:13
print after print from the first time I
26:15
used it. But when talking about these
26:18
machines, be aware if you've never had a
26:20
large resin printer before, these can
26:22
become unwieldy immediately. As I've
26:25
said before, resin printing is messy.
26:27
It's messier with a big, heavy plate and
26:29
big, heavy models on. You'll also need a
26:32
bigger wash and cure station, too. And
26:34
then consider that every time you fire
26:36
up a print, you're reducing the life of
26:38
your LCD. So if you aren't maximizing
26:41
that usable space on those plates, you
26:44
have a far less efficient printer over
26:46
time. Personally, I would avoid larger
26:49
printers unless you're printing models
26:51
like statue size sculpts quite often or
26:54
churning out armies of miniatures. But
26:57
that's it. There you go. That's this
26:58
year's summary of mostly last year's
27:01
printers. As I said, my pick would be
27:03
the Hegi's RS or RS Turbo for the
27:06
workflow alone. But it's no surprise
27:08
that due to the company's policies, this
27:10
isn't a beloved machine like the GK2
27:13
once was. Not yet. Anyway, let's see
27:16
what happens in the next few months.
27:18
Anyway, if you've got any questions, let
27:20
me know in the comments. And if you have
27:22
decided on a printer, maybe you already
27:24
got one, what did you choose and why?
27:26
because I know many viewers rely on the
27:28
comment section to get people's
27:30
experiences beyond just my own. So,
27:32
please share away what's your time been
27:35
like with any of these printers
27:36
mentioned. And don't forget to check out
27:38
the individual reviews linked below. And
27:41
if you do pick any of these, I would
27:42
appreciate you using my affiliate links
27:45
in the description before making your
27:46
purchase. That's how I can run the
27:48
channel. I want to say a massive thanks
27:50
to our members who are on screen now.
27:52
Genuinely, you guys keep me going.
27:55
Please consider joining them for early
27:56
access, exclusive videos, your name in
27:58
the credits, and Discord rolls. Until
28:01
next time, yippy cay
28:04
Fauxhammer out.
28:09
[Music]