The real difference between Budget vs Premium Resin

The real difference between Budget vs Premium Resin: What you are actually getting (and what you are paying)

The question that arises every time one is shopping epoxy resin is:

Does the higher price make sense to buy premium resin or a low price resin will perform the same task?

It's a fair question. Having hundreds of different brands of epoxy in the market (along with the possibility of spending between 15 and 80 pounds/litre) knowing what you are actually spending can save you a lot of frustration and wasted projects.

Here we will deconstruct the actual difference between inexpensive and costly epoxy resins in the form of clarity and UV protection versus hardness, working time, to make an informed choice on which one to use in your own craft, furniture, or art enterprise.

The Essentials: How can One Resin be considered “Premium?

All epoxy resins are based on an identical foundation, a two part system that consists of a resin and a hardener which reacts to create a solid and tough plastic.

What makes premium resins special, however, is the quality and purity of those raw materials, and how well the formula has been revised to be clear, colour stable and have long durability.

Premium resins go through:

• Stricter quality management to assure of batch consistency.
• Stabilisers (anti-yellowing agent and UV inhibitor) added.
• Increased purity (less fillers or contaminants).
• Profiles of optimised viscosity and cure

Budget resins differ, and tend to focus more on low cost than accuracy. They are still useful on simple jobs, but they have trade-offs, which can impact your finish, strength and shelf life.

Clarity and Colour: The First Thing You Notice.

Optical clarity is one of the most noticeable ones of the differences between cheap and premium resin.

Budget Resin

• Frequently has a slight yellowish or amberish hue entire prior to mixing.
• May form micro-bubbles or cloud formations more readily.
• Easily decomposes under UV light or heat.

Premium Resin

• However, even before pigments are added, it is water-clear.
• The formula is tailored to self-degas, that is, to have fewer trapped bubbles.
• Resists yellowing with the help of UV absorbers and HALS (Hindered Amine Light Stabilisers).

That optical clarity is essential in the event that you are producing resin art, jewellery, or river tables. The appearance of clear patterns or light colours can be spoilt with cloudiness or amber colour.

Pro Tip:Premium Clear and Deep Pour Resins with Epoxy Res-iT are designed to have the best optical clarity and the highest-level of UV stability, which is ideal in professional results.

Viscosity and Working Time: The Real life behaviour of Resin.

Viscosity (thickness) influences the ease at which the resin can be mixed, poured, and spread. Exceptional resins are designed to meet individual applications be it used in a coating or in casting or in deep pours.

The resin may result in bubbles, irregular surfaces or soft spots due to poor balance. High quality formula will remain workable to allow you to pour, position and torch bubbles without any hurry.

Power & Difficulty: The Unspoken Distinction.

Mechanical strength of your resin is something you can not always see, but it makes a difference.

Budget resin can be cured but still a bit soft or rubbery. Over time, that means:

• Scratches more easily
• Dents or bends under weight
• Surface dulling with wear

The resins intended to be used on top of a tabletop or in furniture have a higher Shore hardness (usually D80-D85+). That means:

• Increased scratch and shock resistance.
• Longer-lasting glossier finishes.
• Greater adhesion to wood, glass and pigments.

In the case of high use products, such as the countertops, coasters or tables, high hardness translates to long-term performance.

UV Protection and Yellowing as Time passes.

The long-term sunlight resistance of resin may be the greatest difference between cheap and premium resin.

Budget Resin

• Has very little or no UV blockers.
• Turns yellow in only a couple of weeks or months in the light.
• Lays down less quickly, particularly on light coloured art work or transparent work.

Premium Resin

• Sells multi-layer UV protection (UV absorbers + HALS).
• Remains clear even following extended exposure.
• Suitable to decorative art, jewellery as well as furniture in bright rooms.

This is the only reason why price difference can be justified. When resin art is being sold, high protection against UV rays will preserve the beauty of the artwork in the eyes of your customers even many years down the line.

Mixing Ratios & Consistency

Budget brands might experience a lower ratio of mixes, or directions that differ with batches. Irregular chemistry may result in:

• Sticky or soft finishes
• Incomplete cures
• The separating resin during storage.

Premium brands make an investment in accurate control of formulation and thus the ratio of resin to hardener is predictable and accurate (usually 2:1 or 1:1 by volume). This consistency decreases user error - and contributes to the same finish each time by the professional.

Pro Tip:Epoxy Res-iT resins are already tested on the conditions of UK, so it means that you can reasonably expect that they will cure well even in colder or more humid environments.

Safety, Odour & VOCs

One of the biggest differences that should not be overlooked is health and comfort at the workplace.

Less expensive resins might be smelly or have more levels of VOC (volatile organic compound). It may cause headaches, annoyance, or the lack of indoor air quality.

Premium resins are commonly:

• Low-VOC and low-odour
• Less hazardous to use indoors (in small workshops in particular).
• Verified to be in better environmental standards.

When you spend your day at home or in closed locations, this is not a luxury upgrade, but rather a health investment.

Support, Testing & Warranty

Purchasing premium, you are not simply paying money on the resin, you are paying money on the skill that is in it.

Premium brands are known to offer:

• Detailed technical data sheets(TDS)
• UK-based customer support
• Batch testing & traceability
• Garantee or satisfaction.

Budget resins are seldom accompanied by any good faith or warranties of replacement. In case of a malfunction, then you are left alone.

When you are dealing with a trusted UK supplier, such as Epoxy Res-iT, you receive the quality resin as well as the actual customer service to support its quality.

When a Budget Resin is Good Enough.

Premium resin is not required in all projects. A low cost option can be quite acceptable even when quick tests are involved, or the project does not require a high level of clarity (such as opaque pigments or filler pours).

• Selling your creations
• Pouring large/deep castings
• Creating visage art or furniture.
• Seeking professional-level performance.

Then it will actually cost you less in the long run to spend more money, time, and stress on high-quality epoxy resin.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Is premium epoxy resin really worth the price?

Yes, premium resin offers superior clarity, UV resistance, and strength compared to budget alternatives. It’s less likely to yellow, cures more consistently, and produces professional-grade results that last longer. For anyone selling resin art or furniture, the difference in quality and durability quickly justifies the cost.

2. Why does cheap resin turn yellow faster?

Low-cost resins usually lack UV inhibitors or HALS stabilisers, which protect epoxy from sunlight and heat damage. Without them, the resin oxidises and yellows over time. Premium products like Epoxy Res-iT Premium Clear Resin contain advanced stabilisers to maintain long-term clarity.

3. Can I mix premium and budget resin together?

It’s not recommended. Different formulations cure at different rates and may have incompatible chemical structures. Mixing brands can cause incomplete curing, soft spots, or colour shifts. Always use the resin and hardener from the same brand and batch for predictable results.

4. What type of resin should beginners use?

Beginners should start with a premium, easy-mix 1:1 formula. It’s more forgiving and cures consistently, reducing the risk of sticky or cloudy finishes. Once you understand handling and timing, you can experiment with deep-pour or fast-cure systems.

5. How can I prevent my resin from yellowing or going cloudy?

Store resin in a cool, dark place; maintain a stable curing temperature (20-25°C); and choose a UV-protected, high-clarity resin. Avoid cheap, untested brands that skip UV stabilisers.

Conclusion: Spend it to Get it Right, Design with Assurance.

With epoxy resin, you do actually get what you pay.

Not only is resin of premium grade brand prestige, but about performance, reliability and the assurance that your art or furniture will remain beautiful long after the installation.

When you use high quality materials, you are laying money on your reputation as an artist. High-end resin can make your work hobbies a professional grade work, and prevent you spending money on expensive rework.

Choose your resin like you’d choose your tools; invest in quality, and it will show in every pour.