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Elegoo Resin: Buyer’s Guide

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by Claudio Mungo, Matteo Parenti
Published Jun 25, 2025

Elegoo is no rookie to the resin market, and its resin offering shows it. Keep reading to find out what's the perfect Elegoo resin for you!

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The affordable Mars LCD was the first printer released by Elegoo, which contributed to making resin 3D printing accessible to the masses. They have since expanded their ecosystem massively, incorporating their own lineup of FDM printerslarge format resin printersDLP printers, and resin. Their latest releases (at time of writing) include the Saturn 4 and 4 Ultra, and the Mars 5 and 5 Ultra.

And with the machine offering growing, their material lineup had to expand too. Today, Elegoo has a variety of resins to choose from, all with specific properties and use cases. All of them cure at the same wavelength of UV light (around 405 nm) and are compatible with other brands’ printers, as long as they operate in that section of the spectrum.

Elegoo’s resins are designed to work best with Mars and Saturn printers, mostly thanks to a very extensive official exposure chart that tracks timings for all resin and printer combinations. We will dive deeper into this later in the article.

But first and foremost, let’s set the baseline for the terms and specs we will focus on, and then we’ll go over the different resins that Elegoo has to offer. For specific slicing settings, skip to the end of the article.

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Elegoo Resin: The Best Options

A Few Considerations

Elegoo resin in an Elegoo printer, a compatible combination
Elegoo resin in an Elegoo printer, a compatible combination (Source: All3DP)

If you’re just getting started in the world of resin 3D printing or you’ve got to make a decision for a new project, it’s not as straightforward as looking at color availability or price. Choosing the right resin for the job can be tricky, especially if datasheets show only analytical data with no real-world comparison. These values are not without meaning, but contextualizing them is key to understanding how they affect printing.

When choosing resin, nothing is more important than the curing wavelength. In a nutshell: UV resin printers don’t all emit the same light. The most common spectrum section used is between 385-405 nm, but certain manufacturers prefer to use slightly higher or lower values. Wavelength is tied to the printer’s light source, and can’t be changed. Using a 405-nm resin in a 365-nm printer will result in uncured parts. All Elegoo resins are meant to operate in the range of 355-410 nm.

Compatibility is also crucial. Certain formulations are intended to be used specifically with DLP printers, while others work best on LCD ones. Elegoo claims that all their resins are compatible with both LCD and DLP printers, albeit we were unable to directly verify this claim. The consensus among the community seems to be that while standard resins do work well with DLP printers, DLP-specific resins help hide the voxels and bring up more detail.

Even if often overlooked, temperature is another key factor in achieving great results. UV resins are quite sensitive to ambient temperature, and won’t cure properly if it’s too cold. All the resins in this list are formulated to operate ideally between 20 and 25 °C. If the room’s temperature is below the threshold, consider preheating the resin and using an actively heated enclosure.

Always wear proper protection when handling resin
Always wear proper protection when handling resin (Source: All3DP)

Viscosity is another aspect that deserves attention. Viscous resins are inherently harder to print as they exert higher forces on the FEP sheet when peeling away. They also affect the curing times and final quality of the part, with lower-viscosity resins being considered less prone to layer delamination and air pockets.

Density must be kept in mind when choosing resins for high-res printers, such as those with 8K, 12K, or, 16K screens. A lower-density resin will print faster and cost less, but it will also have less material to be cured, possibly resulting in a low-resolution print. Resin formulations come as is, without the need to be further diluted to lower the density

Wash type is quite intuitive. Most types need to be washed after printing in IPA, while the conveniently named water-washable ones can be rinsed in water. In both of those cases, you can’t discard the remains in the sink. You need to comply with your local regulations on the disposal of hazardous waste.

Safety should always be the priority. Pay no attention to the marketing of the product boasting the low smell and non-irritant formulation: always wear protective equipment such as N95 or superior facemask, and a pair of nitrile gloves. If you spill resin on your skin, wash with water as soon as possible and keep an eye out for a rash forming. In the latter case, contact your doctor, as you might be particularly sensitive to resin irritation.

Finally, shelf life indicates how long does the resin last under ideal temperatures, humidity, and UV conditions. All Elegoo resins have a 2-year lifespan, which can be reduced if improperly stored or left to partially cure in the vat.

Now that we’ve gone over what you need to know, let’s take a look at what Elegoo currently offers. Note that some colors may be available through different resellers, and prices may vary.

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Elegoo Resin: The Best Options

Standard

Elegoo Standard is built like a tank
Elegoo Standard is built like a tank (Source: Sage via Amazon)

The Standard resin lineup is a budget option for those aiming at good all-around results. It’s ideal for projects that don’t require any particular mechanical property, like miniatures, busts, or dioramas. It has the widest printer compatibility, being supported by all Elegoo machines.

Standard

Designed to ensure professional results even for beginners, Elegoo Standard Resin stands out for its quality and versatility. The low volumetric shrinkage during the cure reduces warping and cracks, maintaining the dimensional stability of the parts even after cleaning and post-processing.

It boasts a wide range of colors for a lot of versatility, and is formulated to emit a very light odor, thus maintaining a more comfortable printing environment.

With a rating of 4.7 stars and over 9,320 reviews at Amazon alone, the Elegoo Standard Resin is highly appreciated. Users find it easy to use and good for beginners. Others, however, have expressed some negative opinions on the quality of the white color.

  • Viscosity: 200-350 mPa/s
  • Density: 1.05-1.13 g/cm³
  • Colors: 11, including black, translucent, yellow, and clear green
  • Sizes: 1 kg, 2 kg
  • Price: ~$22 (1 kg), ~$40 (2 kg)
Elegoo Standard Resin
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Standard V2.0

Standard Resin V2.0 is designed to offer high performance to both beginners and more experienced users.

Thanks to the low shrinkage during curing, the models printed with this resin are accurate and offer sharp details, a fundamental aspect for those who work on technical prototypes, miniatures, or customized components.

This resin offers good resistance over time and slightly greater flexibility than the formulation of the standard version, reducing the risk of accidental breakages during the handling of the models. However, as with all standard resins, impact resistance remains lower than that of “ABS-like” resins, so it is advisable to handle more delicate pieces with care.

According to many users, the Standard V2.0 is confirmed as a good choice for those looking for a balance between quality, speed, and ease of use. Some users, however, report that the smell is rather strong and that “Slate Blue” is difficult to clean from the VAT.

  • Viscosity: 100-350 mPa/s
  • Density: 1.05- 1.25 g/cm³
  • Colors: Six, including black, blue, and orchid
  • Sizes: 1 kg
  • Price: ~$20 (1 kg)
Elegoo Standard Resin 2.0
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Plant-Based

This soybean-derived blend aims at lowering the smell and irritation of classic resin formulations. Many are crediting Elegoo with actually diminishing the smell and potential irritants, but at least in terms of odor, reports confirm that albeit improved, it’s still producing a smell.

And even if marketed as non-irritant, note that you still have to wear protective equipment when handling it. As with all the other resins, it can’t be disposed of in the sink – the plant origin does not lower the toxicity for aquatic lifeforms.

According to the specs, this resin is much more resistant to elongation and flexural stress and has an overall lower impact and load resistance. In other words, it’s brittle. The use cases for this product are admittedly limited: It’s a material more geared toward the operator rather than the application. It can be used as an alternative to standard resin for decorative prints.

  • Viscosity: 200-400 mPa/s
  • Density: 1.05-1.25 g/cm³
  • Colors: White, gray, clear green
  • Size: 1 kg, 2 kg
  • Price: ~$27 (1 kg), ~$50 (2 kg)
Elegoo Plant-Based Resin
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Elegoo Resin: The Best Options

Performance

Three Witchery prints with 3.0 resin!
Three Witchery prints with 3.0 resin! (Source: TW via Amazon)

High-performance resins are designed to offer greater strength, flexibility, and durability, making them ideal for a wide range of applications or projects.

ABS-Like

As the name suggests, this formulation aims at emulating the properties of ABS plastic in liquid form. Itboasts a tensile strength of 39.39 MPa (megapascals) and a max load capacity of 167.1 kgF (kg of force). It can also sustain a 14% elongation before breaking and undergo 40.54 MPa of flexion before snapping. It’s perfect for more demanding applications, such as prototypes and functional parts.

On the more practical side, ABS-like resin has some downsides. It’s not as hard as other Performance resins, coming in at a Shore hardness of 84D, which makes it more prone to scratching and denting. It does have a 7.1% shrinkage rate when fully cured, which is quite high, and while some reviewers point out the significant smell, others suggest it’s not an issue.

  • Viscosity: 150-200 mPa/s
  • Density: 1.10 g/cm³
  • Colors: 11, including clear blue, red, smoky black, and mint green
  • Sizes: 1 kg, 2 kg
  • Price: ~$23 (1 kg), ~$45 (2 kg)
Elegoo ABS-Like Resin
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ABS-Like V2.0

Compared to ABS-Like resin, ABS-Like V2.0 offers greater precision and improved scratch and impact resistance. Furthermore, thanks to its excellent fluidity, the resin flows and solidifies quickly, reducing printing times and improving the success rate of the models.

This type of resin is suitable for a wide range of applications: miniatures for board games, industrial components, CAD prototypes, and custom parts.

Users who have tried the new version emphasize greater flexibility and resistance. Some report the need to optimize the printing parameters to get the most out of it, but the general feedback is very positive, especially for those looking for robustness and reliability in their projects. One point to consider is the very intense smell, so it’s recommended to print in well-ventilated environments, respecting all the rules for operating safely.

  • Viscosity: 600-800 mPa/s
  • Density: 1.05-1.13 g/cm³
  • Color: Gray
  • Sizes:1 kg
  • Price: ~$27 (1 kg)
Elegoo ABS-Like Resin 2.0
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ABS-Like V3.0

The main feature of ABS-like V3.0 resin is high impact-resistance, which makes it ideal for functional prototypes, mechanical parts, industrial components, and objects intended for intensive use. Compared to the previous two versions, it offers greater strength and toughness with improved flexural and impact strength.

New and improved formulas by Elegoo have led to the development of ABS-like Resin V3.0+ – which features superior heat resistance – and ABS-like Resin V3.0 Pro, which is highly scratch-resistant. According to some reviews at Amazon, these resins are appreciated for greater durability and greater precision in the details of the printed models.

Users mainly appreciate the toughness and details. That said, thorough post-processing is warranted, especially for the translucent option. In addition, a very intense odor is reported.

  • Viscosity: 180-210 mPa/s
  • Density: No data available
  • Colors: 10, including gray, red, and smoky black
  • Sizes: 1 kg, 2kg
  • Price: ~$19 (1 kg), ~$35 (2 kg)
Elegoo ABS-Like 3.0
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ABS-like Resin V3.0+
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Elegoo ABS-Like 3.0 Pro
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Elegoo Resin: The Best Options

Water-Washable

Water-washable resin is magic!
Water-washable resin is magic! (Source: Joel B. Adams via Amazon)

Water-washable resin caters to those who hate resin cleanup, who don’t have access to cheap IPA or cleaning products, or who simply want to avoid that path. IPA is a big chunk of the consumable costs and does come with plenty of limitations, as it’s hard to dispose of when saturated and it’s flammable. The solution is water-washable resin.

Water-Washable

You can rinse this formula with tap water to achieve the same results. Of course, remember not to throw away the contaminated water afterward – it’s still hazardous waste.

Elegoo’s water-washable resin has a lower shrinkage rate, as well as a slightly higher-than-usual density, which makes it perfect for fast and accurate prints. It’s also the most neutral of the list in terms of odor.

But the benefits end up here. It’s significantly more brittle compared even to the standard resin, and can withstand only ~65% of the load forces when compared to ABS-like resin. It’s clear that its use cases should be limited to decorative prints and miniatures only, which is where having plenty of color options comes in handy, although they’re not all offered in all sizes. The relatively higher price tag can be offset by the savings on IPA.

Users appreciate this resin for its ease of use and low odor. That said, according to others, the benefits are few, as it is a very fragile resin and the relatively higher price can be offset by the savings on IPA.

  • Viscosity: 100-200 mPa/s
  • Density: 1.10-1.19 g/cm³
  • Colors: Nine, including ceramic gray, clear blue, and mint green
  • Sizes: 1 kg
  • Price: ~$24 (1 kg)
Elegoo Water-Washable Resin
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Water-Washable V2.0

The Water Washable Resin V2.0 is designed to simplify post-production like the previous version, but with a better print quality. Its advanced formulation ensures low shrinkage, maintaining dimensional accuracy and preventing distortion. The curing process is quick and without compromising quality, allowing you to produce well-detailed models in less time. If you are looking for higher precision and better detail resolution, this resin could be more suitable than the V1.0.

Elegoo’s Water Washable Resin V2.0 is highly regarded for its ease of use, low odor, and simpler post-production process. It should be noted that although the details are excellent, it is still a rather fragile and not very flexible resin.

  • Viscosity: 70-150 mPa/s
  • Density: No data available
  • Colors: Gray, mint green, beige, yellow
  • Sizes: 1 kg, 2 kg
  • Price: ~$25 (1 kg), ~$47 (2 kg)
Elegoo Water-Washable Resin V2.0
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Elegoo Resin: The Best Options

Specialty

8K Standard delivers on all accounts
8K Standard delivers on all accounts (Source: Just Nelson via Amazon)

Next, we’ll delve into materials that offer particular properties suitable for specific applications. Among the resins listed, the thermochromic option won’t be examined, since it’s no longer available on Elegoo’s website but only at Amazon.

Rapid Standard

Elegoo’s Rapid Standard Resin has been designed to ensure fast printing and high precision, perfect for hobbyists and professionals who want to print faster and with great results.

Its main feature is its rapid curing, with exposure times between 0.5 and 1.8 seconds. Using the ACF release film, you can print up to three times faster than with traditional resins, saving precious time and increasing productivity. Thanks to its low viscosity and high fluidity, the resin distributes quickly, ensuring a smooth and regular printing process.

The resin is formulated in such a way as to prevent excess residue from forming on the surface of the model. In addition, the low shrinkage maintains dimensional accuracy, avoiding warping.

According to many users, it’s a resistant resin that’s excellent for prototypes and models that need a perfect finish. That said, it can be a bit brittle.

  • Viscosity: 150-200 mPa/s
  • Density: 1.10-1.19 g/cm³
  • Color: Gray
  • Sizes: 1 kg
  • Price: ~$24 (1 kg)
Elegoo Rapid Standard Resin
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Tough

Classic resins are great for details and finishes, but are often fragile when it comes to impacts or mechanical stress. Elegoo’s Tough Resin is specifically designed to offer superior mechanical resistance compared to standard and ABS-Like resins. On the other hand, it offers a lower temperature resistance compared to ABS-Like resins.

It’s ideal for those who need printed parts that resist impacts, bending, and difficult environmental conditions, without losing precision or detail.

On Reddit, those who have tried the Elegoo Tough Resin confirm its excellent performance. One user reports having printed miniatures and components that, once dropped on a concrete floor, did not suffer any damage. Others emphasize the flexibility of the parts and the ability to withstand repeated mechanical stress without failing.

  • Viscosity: 600-800 mPa/s
  • Density: 1.10-1.15 g/cm³
  • Colors: Black, gray
  • Sizes: 1 kg, 2 kg
  • Price: ~$33 (1 kg), ~$60 (2 kg)
Elegoo Tough Resin
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8K Standard

Elegoo’s 8K resin features an improved formulation purpose made for high-resolution printers. Much of the changes here have been made to the viscosity and fluidity, improving both. This allows the printer to better define the small details that would otherwise go lost in the mud.

It has very similar specs to the ABS-like resin, making it a great option for practical prints too. Interestingly, it’s even stronger than the standard resin for LCD. That said, the price is definitely on the higher side.

The reviews at Amazon are very positive, with users pointing out that, while trickier to work with than the Standard lineup, the results are excellent. Other users say that this resin has a very strong smell.

  • Viscosity: 250-400 mPa/s
  • Density: 1.05-1.25 g/cm³
  • Colors: Space gray, vanilla, white smoke, red clay
  • Size: 1 kg, 2gk
  • Price: ~$28 (1 kg), ~$50 (2 kg)
Elegoo 8K Resin
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8K Water-Washable

Elegoo’s 8K Water-Washable Resin combines precision, easy cleanup, and vivid colors, ensuring superior quality results with a simple and safe post-processing process.

Thanks to an advanced formulation, it offers excellent dimensional accuracy and low volumetric shrinkage during curing. This results in models with incredibly smooth surface finishes, very fine details, and dimensions faithful to the original design, perfect for miniatures and design models.

Based on the experience of many users, the Elegoo 8K Water-Washable Resin is the perfect choice for those looking for a high-definition, easy-to-use, and environmentally-friendly resin. Others, however, have encountered issues related to the very strong smell.

  • Viscosity: 250-400 mPa/s
  • Density: 1.05-1.25 g/cm³
  • Colors: Space gray, vanilla, white smoke
  • Size: 1 kg
  • Price: ~$35 (1 kg)
Elegoo 8K Water-Washable Resin
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8K ABS-Like V3.0

The Elegoo 8K ABS-Like Resin V3.0 is a product that combines resistance, ductility, and ultra-defined details thanks to 8K technology. This resin has been designed to offer printed models that resist impacts, stresses, and accidental drops without breaking, while maintaining exceptional print quality.

Compared to the standard 8K resin, the V3.0 offers greater tenacity, ensuring models that remain intact even under periodic stress or sudden impacts. This makes it ideal for functional prototypes and parts intended for intense use.

This resin is highly appreciated for the details and toughness.

  • Viscosity: No data available
  • Density: No data available
  • Color: Space Gray, White Smoke, Red Clay
  • Size: 1 kg, 2gk
  • Price: ~$22 (1 kg), ~$40 (2 kg)
Elegoo 8K ABS-like Resin V3.0
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Elegoo Resin: The Best Options

Accessories

After a day at the spa!
After a day at the spa! (Source: Salvador Gonzalez via Amazon)

Now that we have seen the resins proposed by Elegoo, let’s take a look at the accessories that could be useful for resin printing. In addition to the classic tools for post-processing, Elegoo offers several devices that will make the printing process easier and more fun.

Mercury XS

Elegoo Mercury XS is a bundle that combines a washing station and a curing station, designed to make post-production easier, faster, and more effective.

The Mercury XS includes two separate machines: one dedicated to washing and one to UV curing. After printing, you can immerse your models in the large 7,000 ml tank for a deep cleaning, even of large pieces or entire batches of prints. Once washed, the model moves to the curing station, where two light bars and four additional LEDs under the rotating plate ensure complete 360° curing.

The interface is intuitive: Just a button and a knob to set the washing or curing times (from 0 to 30 minutes). The transparent cover blocks almost all UV rays, protecting the eyesight and improving safety during use. Additionally, the system automatically turns off the UV lamps if the cover is removed.

Users appreciate the ease of use and the method of operation; however, some feel that the construction materials aren’t of good quality.

Elegoo Mercury XS
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Mini Air Purifier

The Mini Air Purifier is equipped with an activated carbon filter that absorbs and neutralizes irritating odors produced by the resin. This means a more comfortable working environment, especially if you print in closed or poorly ventilated spaces.

The included activated carbon filter lasts from 3 to 6 months and can be easily replaced to always guarantee maximum effectiveness. Thanks to the long-lasting battery, the purifier can work continuously for at least 24 hours on a single charge. This product is not only designed for Elegoo printers, but works perfectly with most LCD and DLP 3D printers, and can be easily integrated without taking up space.

Users appreciate the Mini Air Purifier’s ability to significantly reduce odors during printing. Some criticisms concern the placement of the USB cable and the filters that are rather fragileeffective and practical.

Elegoo Mini Air Purifier
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Mini Heater

If you’ve ever experienced problems with adhesion, warping, or mid-print detachment while printing with resin, the Elegoo Mini Heater is the device that can help you. Designed to maintain an optimal and stable temperature inside the printing chamber, this intelligent heater significantly improves the quality of your models.

The Mini Heater uses an ultra-fast PTC heating technology that brings the temperature of the chamber up to 25 °C. Thanks to the intelligent control, it activates when the temperature drops below 25 °C and turns off as soon as it exceeds it, thus maintaining a constant and ideal thermal environment for printing.

This system eliminates annoying problems such as mid-print detachment of the layers, warping of the models, and poor adhesion between the layers, and manages the temperature autonomously and efficiently. Installation is quick and easy thanks to the included adapter plate and the supplied tool kit.

The reviews on this product are very positive, users appreciate its effectiveness and reliability. According to others, it can’t handle very low temperatures.

Elegoo Mini Heater
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Elegoo Resin: The Best Options

Layer Times

Layer delamination can be caused by excessively fast curing times
Layer delamination can be caused by excessively fast curing times (Source: neuralhacker via Reddit)

Elegoo has kept a record of all the exposure times across all their resins and printers. Simply scroll the sheet and find the combination that suits your hardware, and use the values as a baseline. They also include unofficial profiles contributed by users in the community. You can find all of it on the official support page.

Speaking of community profiles, many slicers have started to include them in the material selection. In Lychee, for example, you can see what the most popular settings are, and what success rate they see. This is incredibly helpful if you’re trying to nail the best times for a specific resin and printer combination that isn’t covered by official sources or forums.

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