It was in 1986 that Chuck Hull set the ball rolling for the evolution of 3D printing technology when he pioneered stereolithography-the original 3D printing technique.SLA (stereolithography) technology paved the way for the development of several other state-of-the-art 3D printing technologies, including Direct Light Processing (DLP) and Liquid Crystal Display (LCD). SLA and DLP 3D printing technologies are both distinct forms of the Vat Photopolymerization-a technique that exposes liquid polymers to UV light for printing 3D objects.
The SLA 3D printers exploit the Vat Photopolymerization printing process whereby galvanometers generate laser beams onto mirrors that further reflect the rays on UV-sensitive liquefied resin to harden them. SLA 3D printing technology has come a long way since it was first developed more than three decades ago, not only becoming more affordable but also very user-friendly. Nowadays, you can choose from quality 3D resin printers that are quite pocket-friendly as well as create amazingly accurate printouts.
In this ‘best SLA 3D printer’ review, we walk you through the five top SLA 3D printers preceded by a buying guide.
Table of Contents
How to Choose the Best SLA 3D Printer in 2021
Do you need a 3D printer?
When it comes to choosing a high-quality printer, you’re spoilt for choice owing to the availability of a mindboggling variety. Even if you narrow down your search and exclusively focus on the top-quality 3D printer brands, you’ll have 11 distinct technology types to select from. So it follows that there’s a high likelihood you may end up choosing the inappropriate product if you don’t know what you’re looking for.
In this review article, we’ve focused our analysis exclusively on SLA 3D printers designed, promoted, and retailed for consumer use. Therefore you’ll find it easier to zero in on your preferred product when you discover that only a few types meet home/domestic 3D printing requirements. Before you start shopping, make up your mind on the type of 3D projects you’d generally do and how often.
Keep in mind that 3D printers come at a price and you’ll also need to have some basic knowledge about them to use them effectively. If you need to print only occasionally and that too in small volumes, then you may not have to invest in a 3D printer. You’d be better off outsourcing your print projects to an online/web-based 3D printing service.
However, if you’re someone who regularly processes clients’ 3D printing orders then it makes sense to opt for a quality 3D printer. And if you process your customers’ orders from the comfort of your home (or office), you’d not require an industrial-grade printer that costs anywhere between US$60,000 to US$ 2 million. So you can narrow down and fine-tune your search to vat polymerization (MSLA, DLA, or SLA) or FDM (fused deposition modeling) printers.
What 3D printer type would be suitable for you?
When it comes to desktop 3D printing, printers that utilize FDM technology tend to be used most heavily. Nevertheless, in this review, we’ve kept the spotlight only on SLA 3D printers. Resin 3D/SLA 3D printers take advantage of the vat photopolymerization method where laser beams convert liquid polymers/resins to solid ones.
The final printout that you’re looking for materializes on a stratified (arranged in strata or layers) basis. UV light is made to pass through a transparent vat or tray containing the liquid photopolymer resin for curing/hardening the liquid. After you’re through with one layer, you pull out the tray and refill it with the resin for the next layer.
Finally, when you’re done, you carefully draw out the object or your desired model via the polymerized resin vat. SLA or stereolithography is more often also referred to as vat photopolymerization, and along with DLP and MSLA (masked stereolithography) is grouped under vat polymerization technology. It is the distinctive source of light used for the different subgroups or subcategories (SLA, MSLA, and DLP) that distinguishes one from another.
SLA 3D printers deliver prints of impeccable quality having an incredibly flat and smooth surface typified by exceptionally fine detail. It won’t be out of place to point out here that a resin 3D printer can generate printouts having the same quality as those produced by printers using injection molding. SLA 3D printers are capable of delivering solid print models at a faster pace compared to FDM printers, thanks to the superior layer-on-layer gluing.
Hitherto most of the high quality SLA 3D printer brands were by and large designed and produced for professional applications.
Buying a 3D printer: The sources or platforms
Placing orders online is the preferred mode of shopping for the young and old alike. Talking about online shopping, Amazon comes to mind first and is the choice e-commerce portal for more than 70% of customers. Other popular e-commerce platforms include eBay, walmart.com, alienexpress.com, craiglist.org, amazon.de, rakuten.co.jp, etsy.com, target.com, amazon.in, flipkart.com wayfair.com, and so on.
Of course, you also have the option of visiting your neighborhood retail outlet or store and compare various brands before deciding. Online shopping has become the favored mode of purchase for most largely because you pay less compared to buying offline.
Reviewing the Best SLA 3D Printers in 2021
| Product | Best Feature | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1. ELEGOO Mars Pro MSLA 3D Printer | - USB port located at the front for ease of working - Improved 0.15mm CD pattern surface boost adhesiveness of prints - Cooling fan for driving out resin stench | 4.8 |
| 2. ANYCUBIC Photon S 3D Printer | - Easy to level –Installing and setting up this 3D printer is a breeze, thanks to the automated leveling functionality - Dual Z-axis –Dual Z-axis design facilitates a flat and level surface finish - Matrix UV-lighting –High precision 2560 x 1440 resolution ensures even energy distribution, leading to picture-perfect prints | 4.9 |
| 3. Longer Orange 30 3D Printer, Upgraded Resin SLA 3D Printer | - Easy to level - Dual Z-axis - Matrix UV-lighting - Innovative design and robust built quality | 4.6 |
| 4. Original Prusa SL1 3D Printer | - Detachable resin tank enables you to create quality 3D prints with greater precision and faster - Takes optimum advantage of MSLA (masked stereolithography) for turning out topnotch quality prints - Sizeable 2K 5.5” LCD screen for boosting curing of liquefied resins | 4.5 |
| 5. The Nobel 1.0 A from XYZprinting | - An efficient monitoring mechanism lets you know the quantity of resin left in the vat - Automated-fill resin tank - Advanced laser scanning unit for boosting precision of XY axes resolution and also layer resolution | 4.5 |
| 6. Form 3 from Formlabs | - Runs on Low Force Stereolithography (LFS) printing technique-delivers better quality prints in comparison to Form 2 - 250mW of high-powered laser - Quality material management cartilage included for easily switching between different polymer resin materials | 4.4 |
1. ELEGOO Mars Pro MSLA 3D Printer
Of all the five SLA 3D printers we have evaluated in this blog, the Mars Pro MSLA 3D Printer by ELEGOO was the most affordable. However, ELEGOO has effectively managed to incorporate a host of versatile features despite keeping the price remarkably low. For a start, this 3D printer takes full advantage of MSLA technology for delivering and maintaining an X/Y axis resolution of 2560 x 1440 pixels and a Z-axis accuracy of 0.00125mm.
The Mars has a built-in Matrix UV LED light source comprising twenty-eight (28) 50W UV LED lights that direct beams uniformly, thus guaranteeing premium quality prints.
Features
- USB port located at the front for ease of working
- Improved 0.15mm CD pattern surface boost adhesiveness of prints
- Cooling fan for driving out resin stench
- 45 seconds for curing/hardening the first layer and only 6 seconds for the rest
Pros
- Advanced user-friendly design-Upgraded UI with an aluminum alloy resin tray and anti-slip hexagon socket screws for better stability
- Matrix UV light source ensures high-quality prints in far less time
- Included rubber seal for preventing outflow of resin odor
- Integrated active carbon filter further helps in absorption and filtration of annoying resin odor
Cons
- Print trays have to be reinstated every time following usage of resin
2. ANYCUBIC Photon S 3D Printer
If you want an SLA 3D printer capable of producing the extraordinary quality of prints and is also moderately priced, then look no further. Of all the five SLA 3D printers reviewed in this article, the Photon S happens to be the most affordable, costing under $360. However, do not automatically assume that the manufacturer has compromised on the quality front for keeping the price very low.
The USP of this SLA 3D printer is its LCD with a resolution of 2560 x 1440 pixels, enabling it to effectively photopolymerize liquid resins. The compactness of this 3D resin printer makes it supremely suitable for use in homes and small offices. Other noteworthy and versatile features of the Photon S include the Photon Slicer proprietary software and the carbon filtration system.
Features
- Easy to level –Installing and setting up this 3D printer is a breeze, thanks to the automated leveling functionality
- Dual Z-axis –Dual Z-axis design facilitates a flat and level surface finish
- Matrix UV-lighting –High precision 2560 x 1440 resolution ensures even energy distribution, leading to picture-perfect prints
- Innovative design and robust built quality –machine frame constructed from embossed sheet metal while resin tub and build plate are of machined aluminum
Pros
- Intuitive software and UI –User-friendly UI, touchscreen-enabled for straightforward and hassle-free navigation
- Upgraded, improved, and affordable
- Easy and simple to set up
- Outstanding print quality
Cons
- Not very connectivity-friendly-Incompatible with numerous ISPs and broadband networks
- Printer housing is of inferior quality
3. Longer Orange 30 3D Printer, Upgraded Resin SLA 3D Printer with 2K
High Resolution, Parallel LED Lighting 4.72” x 2.68” x 6.69.” One of the most pocket-friendly SLA 3D printers, the Longer Orange 30 SLA 3D printer is a veritable upgrade from Longer Orange 10, its forerunner. For a start, you notice that the Orange 30 is noticeably larger than the Orange 10. Additionally, this SLA 3D printer from Longer comes equipped with all the bells and whistles, enabling it to print with superior details.
The masking screen’s enhanced 2K resolution of 2560 x 1440 coupled with the broader built field makes this printer ideal for a range of printing projects. For instance, its moldable resin together with its compatibility with ceramic-based resin makes it handy for dentistry and jewelry projects. This SLA 3D printer tends to be extremely robust, thanks to its premium metallic frame, keeping its functional for years.
A solid Z-axis banister boosts the printer’s steadiness, allowing it to keep the print bed in position. Also, the declination of the bed towards the Z-axis facilitates the automatic draining of surplus resin back into the tub. The detachable print bed can be removed with ease, thereby facilitating the hassle-free separation of builds off of the plate.
The innovatively designed optical paths facilitate completion of builds at good speeds, thus considerably reducing the curing time between stratums. On the other hand, the uniform-matrix 405nm UV wavelength also contributes towards speedier curing times. The color touchscreen display lets you keep a close eye on the progression of the build.
Features
- Includes all the accessories for SLA 3D printing including but not limited to panels, steel shovel, and FEP film
- Bigger build area compared to Orange 10: 4.72” x 2.68” x 6.69”
- Built-in LCD screen with superior 2K resolution
- Effortless manual leveling by adjusting the four screws
- Compatible with ChiTuBox software for improved versatility and saving on resin
- Limited 1-year warranty on machine and lifetime technical support
Pros
- Companionable with non-proprietary and aftermarket resins
- Stop-start print function facilitates stopping and carrying on as per the printer’s working needs and preferences
- Printing stops automatically when temperature is inordinately high, thereby protecting the equipment (cooling fans included)
- User-friendly 2.8” LCD color display for easily accessing the menu settings
Cons
- The ChiTuBox software is complicated to monitor
- Functionality/accessibility is limited owing to the printer being able to only print files off of the USB drive
4. Original Prusa SL1 3D Printer + Curing and Washing Machine Bundle
The Prusa SL1 comes in perfectly handy if you’re looking to obtain the unparalleled 3D print quality for your home-based printing projects. As an open-source machine, the Prusa SL1 by Prusa makes the most an MSLA printing technology for curing liquid resins. This SLA 3D printer on the whole cures liquid resins in less than 7 seconds, transforming them into solid objects.
The resin container or reservoir comes affixed with a flexible and transparent FEP film at the bottom, making it easier to change the tray. It won’t be an exaggeration to state that the Prusa SL1 delivers you printouts that look as immaculate as the ones you get from injection molding technology-based printers.
Features
- Detachable resin tank enables you to create quality 3D prints with greater precision and faster
- Takes optimum advantage of MSLA (masked stereolithography) for turning out topnotch quality prints
- Sizeable 2K 5.5” LCD screen for boosting curing of liquefied resins
Pros
- The motor mildly slants the separable resin tank integrated with a built-in FEP film at the base, rendering replacement easy
- The LCD screen serves as the mask for focusing UV light for solidifying/curing photosensitive liquid resins
- Receptive slicing software offered by Prusa for enhancing the quality of 3D printouts
- The prominent 2K LCD screen goes a long way in attaining an XY resolution of 47 microns for boosting up resin hardening
Cons
- Printer supports do not tend to stick together more often
- You cannot raise the printer’s bed midway during printing
- Average printing time tends to vary widely (depending upon the resin material)
5. The Nobel 1.0 A from XYZprinting
The letter ‘A’ suffixed to Nobel 1.0 SLA 3D printer from XYZ printing which means ‘advanced’ makes it amply clear that this is a premium top-of-the-line product. The XYZprinting Nobel 1.0 A comes equipped with a range of handy features that makes it a standalone resin 3D printer. It features a superior and intuitive laser scanning unit which fine-tunes the X/Y axes resolution of 130 microns and also 25-micron stratum thickness.
The innovative and ergonomic design of the Nobel 1.0A printer makes it easy for you to check the liquid resin leftover in the tray. To say the last but not the least, supervising the printing procedure becomes easy, thanks to the auto-refill resin system. The Nobel 1.0A works with a range of liquid resins including moldable resins and multicolored acrylic resins.
Features
- An efficient monitoring mechanism lets you know the quantity of resin left in the vat
- Automated-fill resin tank
- Advanced laser scanning unit for boosting precision of XY axes resolution and also layer resolution
- Sturdy black plastic head for shielding the resin tray and print platform
Pros
- Sophisticated laser scanning system for improving the scanning precision to 130 microns for the X/Y axis and layer resolution to 25 microns
- Auto-refill feature makes sure that the printing process stays constant
- Works seamlessly with an array of resin materials, including moldable and flexible resins
- Capable of printing even the most complex of models and specimens
Cons
- You’ll need to further work on the printouts delivered by this 3D printer
- Printing speed is somewhat slow
6. Form 3 from Formlabs
The Form 3 resin 3D printer from Formlabs comes across as a vastly upgraded and enhanced version of the Form 2 printer. Form 3 has the same size as that of Form 2 but unlike the latter which used SLA technology, the former works on the proprietary LFS (low force stereolithography). Formlabs is strong of the opinion that the LFS process is superior to SLA, thereby making Form 3 more performance-oriented.
Measuring 145mm x 145mmn x 185mm, Form 3 delivers high-precision prints characterized by a 25 microns minimal layer thickness/thinness.
Features
- Runs on Low Force Stereolithography (LFS) printing technique-delivers better quality prints in comparison to Form 2
- 250mW of high-powered laser
- Quality material management cartilage included for easily switching between different polymer resin materials
- Optical sensors for automatically detecting grime and dust and also for identifying other issues
- Features integrated sensors for consistent monitoring
Pros
- Comes with a built-in spatial filter for ensuring crystal clear laser shots
- Prints faster than Form 2 its immediate precursor
- Closed and compact frame for working safely
- Better surface quality compared to Form 2
Cons
- The final printouts call for further processing
- Stable support structure required for prints
Conclusion
Rounding up, we can say with conviction all five SLA 3D printer brands reviewed above fit the bill for consumer-grade 3D printers. However, we found the Prusa SL1 having a distinct edge over the other models because it exploited MSLA technology, enabling it to deliver the incredible quality of prints. On the other hand, Mars Pro from ELEGOO was the lowest priced 3D printer amongst the lot that still did the job.
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