Best 3D Printer For Miniatures in 2023

If you’re looking for the best 3D printers for miniatures, we’ve got you covered right here with our top picks and guide to finding the right one!
Long gone are the days of trudging down to the local Games Workshop to pay exorbitant prices for figurines. Thanks to the ubiquity of online retail, it’s cheaper and easier than ever to dive into the world of miniatures, whether that’s Warhammer, Dungeons & Dragons, or any other of the wealth of tabletop games that continue to grow in popularity with each passing year. But what if you want to try your hand at making your own bespoke miniatures?
3D printing reaching relative maturity since its DIY Kickstarter origins means designing and printing your own more affordable and accessible than ever before. The market is awash with budget printers that meet the spec required to create more than serviceable miniatures, and why not make your own games from scratch? As with most tech, the problem is wading through the glut of options and making that all-important choice.
To take some of the tedium and stress out of the equation, we’ve compiled this handy guide to the best 3D printer for miniatures.
Products at a Glance
How we picked the best 3D printers for miniatures
While many of the usual factors that make or break the overall quality of a particular 3D printer apply in the case of miniature printing, such as construction, ease of use and assembly, build volume, calibration, connectivity, print speed, and material compatibility, the focus here moves more towards precision and fine detail. As such, when assessing what’s out there, we honed in on printers that reliably produce good-quality miniatures.
After combing through the options, we shortlisted five 3D printers that, in our opinion, deliver everything you’ll need to pump out miniatures reliably. We’ve tried to offer an option for a range of budgets, from those with a sizable budget to those looking for a thrifty entry point into 3D miniature printing.
Read on for a round-up of what each 3D printer offers and what stumbling blocks it might throw your way, as well as some pros and cons for those that don’t fancy a lengthy read. Let’s start with our number one recommendation for 3D miniature printing.
Best 3D Printer For Miniatures in 2023
- Affordable
- Consistent high quality prints
- Suited to tinkering and upgrades
- Build volume
- Ease of assembly
- Tricky bed levelling
- A hands-on printer
The Creality Ender 3 Pro is not only one of the most popular FDM 3D printers around due to its versatility and well-rounded feature set but is also a top choice for miniature printing. Much of this comes down to the consistent quality of the prints, bolstered by a vibrant community of owners, a fount of knowledge and advice to tame the Creality Ender 3 Pro to meet your miniature printing needs. It’s an affordable 3D printer that should satisfy curious beginners and hobbyists alike.
With a 0.4 mm nozzle, 100 to 400-micron resolution, 110-degree heated bed, and a 220 mm x 220 mm x 250 mm build volume, the Creality Ender 3 Pro comes with all the ingredients required to produce detailed, accurate miniatures. The build volume lends itself to everything from tiny, intricate accessories like weapons to moderately-sized figurines and even reasonably-sized background sets.
While the Creality Ender 3 Pro supports various filament types, it excels when paired with flexible materials like PLA and ABS, which for miniature printing is ideal as these are the filament of choice among veteran printers.
A word of warning: due to its DIY origins, the Creality Ender 3 Pro falls more in the tinkerer’s printer category. It is a hands-on machine ideal for those with experience or those eager to learn as they print than other options in our list. The best results are achieved through time spent getting to know the printer’s quirks rather than straight out of the box. In the same vein, the absence of auto-bed leveling can be somewhat challenging for novices.
- Fully assembled
- Fully assembled
- 0.2 - 0.4 mm nozzle
- 50 to 200 micron resolution
- Ease of use
- Expensive
The Uniformation GKtwo 10.3″ 8K printer is a fantastic 3D printer, especially well suited to printing high-detail miniatures. The Uniformation GKtwo 10.3″ 8K features inbuilt PTC ceramic heating technology that can heat up up to 80 degrees Fahrenheit depending on ambient temperature. Overheating sensors are also present, ensuring your printer can operate efficiently and continuously.
Structurally, the Uniformation GKtwo 10.3″ 8K is easy to use and clean, thanks to its clamping design and flip-up cover. The flip-up cover is a great design choice that makes the Uniformation GKtwo 10.3″ 8K perfectly suited for smaller homes or tighter office spaces . Furthermore, with a built-in vat tray, users can reduce resin waste and save messy clean-up jobs during their printing session. Overall, the Uniformation GKtwo 10.3″ 8K is a very impressive 3D printer for miniatures.
- Delta printing technique
- Very affordable price point
- Automatic calibration
- Fully assembled
- 50 micron resolution
- Small build volume
- Open-source design may confuse newcomers
The Monoprice 121666 is surprisingly cheap for a 3D printer at $160, something unheard of even a few years back even among DIY kits, let alone fully assembled machines such as this one. Compromises are part and parcel of the package here. Still, the Monoprice 121666 packs in enough charm and print performance to warrant a spot in anyone’s 3D printing setup, notably those creating miniatures.
Specification-wise, the printer uses a tri-point Delta design and proposes an impressive feature set commonly found in printers at least three times the price: a layer resolution from 50 to 200 microns, a 0.4 mm nozzle, a heated bed up to 122-degree Fahrenheit, automatic bed leveling, a rugged all-metal chassis, Wi-Fi/microSD/USB connectivity, a color LCD screen, and support for popular materials like ABS, PLA, and even more niche filaments such as wood Fill, copper Fill, steel Fill, bronze Fill.
The slim build volume of 110 mm (diameter) x 120 mm (height) is somewhat of a letdown, though it offers sufficient space to print decently-sized miniatures. Print performance really shouldn’t be this respectable at $160, and the results cough up very few imperfections or warping and boast decent layering that only requires minimal post-print clean-up.
Although the low price can be tempting for newcomers, the open-source design and, more importantly, the lack of included slicing software plumps down a considerable stumbling block to bringing that first print to life.
Unlike the Qidi Technology i Mates 3D Printer, which packages in everything you need to start printing, this printer involves more groundwork and a decent understanding of what goes into a 3D print, notably the slicing and setup side of the process. As such, we recommend some experience with 3D printers or the time and patience to seek out online resources as a prerequisite to squeezing the best out of the Monoprice 121666.
- Resin 3D printer
- Fast printing 6-inch monochrome 2K LCD
- CNC-machined aluminum construction
- 50 micron resolution
- Limited connectivity
In many ways, resin-based 3D printing is far better suited to the demands of miniature printing. Resin 3D printers offer higher resolutions, print considerably faster than FDM printers, and the curing process generally results in more uniform and stronger prints. All this does come at a cost and limits users to only one type of material, but if you are comfortable with these limitations, the Voxelab Proxima stands as one of the best resin 3D printers for miniatures.
Made from CNC-machined aluminum, the Voxelab Proxima is a tough 3D printer that employs a spectacular 6-inch monochrome 2K LCD to create highly detailed prints at a resolution of 50 microns 1620×2560, perfect for bringing out the subtle nuances of intricately designed miniatures.
Alongside, it’s also a pretty fast printing machine, capping out at 17-22 mm per hour. As expected from resin 3D printers, prints are consistently of a high standard. The build volume tallies up to an impressive 130mm x 82mm x 155mm – more than enough for most miniatures but considerably slimmer than other printers in our guide.
The contained design lends itself to a simple user experience with an intuitive LCD layout and operation and next to no assembly to get the machine up and running. Although there is no auto bed leveling, the process is snappy enough and well-guided. Connectivity is limited to USB. This isn’t necessarily a negative for everyone but be warned before buying.
- Fully enclosed design
- 227 mm x 150 mm x 148 mm build volume
- Heated bed
- Dual extruders for dual color prints
- 100 micron resolution
- Connectivity limited to SD card
- No auto bed levelling
By no means cheap, the FlashForge Creator Pro does maximize the value of each dollar spent to deliver a professional-grade printing experience for considerably less than similarly specced machines. For sheer price-to-performance, there’s little else out there that approaches the FlashForge Creator Pro.
For miniature printing, in particular, the FlashForge Creator Pro hits all the right notes: a 0.4 mm nozzle, a 100-micron resolution, a roomy 227 mm x 150 mm x 148 mm build volume, a thick heated aluminum bed, and even dual extruders for dual color prints. Material support includes PLA and ABS and extends to PVA, HIPS, TPE, TPU, PETG, wood fill, copper fill, and brass fill with the right adjustments.
Although there’s plenty going for the FlashForge Creator Pro, some desirable features are missing, chiefly automatic bed leveling and multiple connectivity options. The three-point metal leveling system is reasonably intuitive but may stump novices. Similarly, we would like to see wireless connectivity or USB alongside the SD card reader that ships with the FlashForge Creator Pro.
Things to consider when buying the best 3d printer for miniatures
Build Volume
Build volume essentially sets a limit on the maximum size of a print. Depending on whether you plan to print modest miniatures, print more than one model at a time, or venture into making larger, more elaborate figurines, you’ll need to buy a printer with enough volume to suit your needs. A large build volume is generally synonymous with a higher price tag, which is a point worth keeping in mind.
Given our focus here is on miniatures, chances are a more modest build volume will suit most. If you are taking your first steps into the world of 3D printing, then one of the best small 3D printers is a good decision. A budget option is an excellent introduction to 3D printing and an ideal sandbox to experiment and pick up the skills required to make quality miniatures.
Filament
The filament is the raw material fed into the printer, melted, then layered into a print. There are quite a few varieties, each with its properties and applications. While the filament you decide to use comes down to personal preference, consider whether a printer supports the material you plan to use, and more importantly, produces good results with that particular filament.
For miniatures, PLA and ABS are favored among enthusiasts. Conveniently, most 3D printers that support one overwhelmingly support the other due to the similarity of the materials.
PLA, or polylactic acid, is not only cheap and ships in the largest variety of colors of all printing materials but is extremely easy to use, making it a top choice for pumping out lots of miniatures or iterating designs.
ABS or acrylonitrile butadiene styrene is tougher and more durable than PLA, ideal for miniatures that will pass between hands during games or occasionally take an accidental tumble. It’s also relatively cheap and simple to use, even for beginners.
Wood-based filament is also worth considering for miniatures. The material is particularly suited to accommodating paint due to its porous properties, which is an essential part of miniature making. 3D printers that confidently handle wood-based filament are a bit rarer, though, so make sure your choice is equipped before committing to a purchase.
Precision and Detail
Miniature printing is about squeezing as much detail into a print as possible alongside blemish-free results and accurate layering. To achieve this, we recommend printers with the highest resolution your budget will allow. Resolution is generally measured in microns, with 100 microns a good starting point, although the lower, the better.
The nozzle also plays a big role in this. Look out for printers with small nozzle bore diameters, ideally under 0.4 mm, for the best results, as this will translate into thinner layers and better detail.
FAQs
Is it worth getting a 3D printer for miniatures?
The question of if a purchase is ‘worth it’ is always subjective and down to personal circumstance but when it comes to 3D printing miniatures, there are huge upsides to doing this over simply purchasing them.
One big advantage is the insane cost saving to be had. Initially yes, you will be spending that bit more on the 3D printer itself but once it’s up and running the miniatures themselves will cost far less than at retail and if you’re an avid spender on miniatures, you’ll save even more over time. There are drawbacks though, like learning how 3D printing miniatures works and getting your head around the whole 3D printing process. But, if you’re a big miniatures fan and are consistently wanting to add more to your collection, these hurdles seem extremely small and can be overcome with a few online tutorials.
Are 3D printed models allowed in 40K?
3D printing is more popular than ever, especially within gaming communities such as Warhammer 40,000. To break it down, Warhammer 40K is a strategy game that consists of using armies in order to control a terrain that is around the size of a table. Though the game is very entertaining and popular, the miniature models are costly to buy, and often mean that serious gamers must fork out hundreds of dollars on new pieces.
However, 3D printing has been able to pave the way for Warhammer players looking to enjoy the game without being burdened with the huge financial investment required to purchase all of the pieces – which leads many players to opt for printing and decorating miniature models themselves. Technically speaking, it’s completely fine to print your own 3D models for Warhammer 40,000, so long as you’re not claiming that the design created is your own (as it belongs to the original artist and Warhammer 40K) and so long as you’re only using it for your own personal use, such as for playing 40K. However, it’s extremely important to note that if you were to purchase any 40K digital files, print them and then sell them for your own profit, then this would be both illegal and unethical, and could cause you to be stuck with a pretty hefty lawsuit! So, in other words, 3D printed models are allowed in 40K, as long as you are only using 3D printing as a hobby, and only planning to use the models for your own personal usage.
What type of printer is best for miniatures?
Resin printers are the best types of 3D printers for printing miniatures. Resin printers can provide high-quality definition at smaller scales.
Our Verdict
The Creality Ender 3 Pro tops our list of recommended 3D printers for miniatures for consistently delivering high-quality prints, all at an affordable price point. It’s a perfect first printer for beginners and an easy upgrade for more seasoned hobbyists.
The Qidi Technology i Mates 3D Printer’s fully enclosed design is the headline here, but the printer performs admirably when tackling miniatures due to excellent resolution and nozzle specifications. The ease of use also makes it a strong option for those that want to 3D print free of the hassle of more hands-on kits.
Priced at only $160, the Monoprice Delta Mini shouldn’t be as good as it is. The feature set usually belongs on a much more expensive printer and the print quality towers far above what you’d reasonably expect.
Those looking to tap into the heightened precision and speed of resin-based printers to make miniatures should consider the Elegoo Mars 2. Lastly, for pure value, our money is on the ever-popular FlashForge Creator Pro.
Feel free to drop into the comments section below with any questions or concerns.