Along with Elegoo, Anycubic owns the top of consumer resin. Its Photon line covers everything: the Mono 4 to start cheap, the Mono M7 family (14K) for mainstream detail, and the Photon P1 which adds dual-material and technical resins. Before any purchase, read our resin process guide: safety and post-processing matter as much as the machine.
Anycubic answers Elegoo head-on: the Mono 4 vs Mars 5, the M7/Max vs Saturn 4. The Photon P1 stands out with dual-color / dual-material, rare in consumer MSLA.
In brief
Four tiers. Photon Mono 4 / Mono 4 Ultra: compact 10K (7"), COB light source, ideal for minis, from ≈ $169. Photon Mono M7: 14K 10", a "leveling-free" platform, the detail standard (≈ $350–500), with M7 Pro (precision) and M7 Max (fast large format, ≈ $900) variants. Photon P1: 14K with optional dual-material and high-viscosity resin support (≈ $550–800).
Range table
| Model | Screen | Volume (≈) | Special | Price (≈) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mono 4 (Ultra) | 10K · 7" | 153 × 87 × 165 mm | Budget minis, COB | $169–249 |
| Mono M7 | 14K · 10" | 223 × 126 × 230 mm | Leveling-free | $350–500 |
| Mono M7 Max | 14K · large | Large format | Ultra-fast, big batches | ≈ $900 |
| Photon P1 | 14K · 10" | 223 × 126 × 230 mm | Dual-material, high viscosity | $550–800 |
The Mono M7 line
This is the heart of the offering. The Mono M7 (14K, 10") is a very complete mainstream MSLA: a large 6.5 L volume, ~17 µm fineness, and above all a "leveling-free" platform that simplifies setup. It comes in:
- M7 — the right balance of detail/volume/price, the most versatile.
- M7 Pro — for those who want maximum detail without the large format, on a more contained volume.
- M7 Max — the fast large format: big models and batch production, around $900.
The Photon P1 (dual-material)
The P1 is the most distinctive. On a 14K base (223 × 126 × 230 mm), it targets precision and adds, via an optional kit, dual-color / dual-material — printing one part in two resins (different colors or properties), a rarity in consumer resin. It also accepts high-viscosity resins (up to ~8,000 cps), opening the door to demanding technical resins.
Dual-material in resin is still complex (prep, cleaning, calibration). It's an asset for specific uses (two-color, combined materials), not an everyday "consumer" feature. For everything else, the "plain" M7 is enough.
Strengths & limits
Strengths
- Full range: from budget (Mono 4) to dual-material (P1).
- 14K & leveling-free (M7): high detail, simplified setup.
- Dual-material (P1): rare and powerful for specific uses.
- Mature ecosystem: app, profiles, Chitubox/Lychee supported.
Limits
- Resin's constraints: toxicity, PPE, ventilation, post-processing (see the dedicated guide).
- Brittle parts: like any standard resin.
- P1 more demanding: dual-material needs method and patience.
- Fierce Elegoo competition: Mars 5 / Saturn 4 play in the same league.
Which to choose?
Mono 4 to start or print minis cheaply. Mono M7 for the best detail/volume balance, M7 Max if you produce big. Photon P1 only if dual-material or technical resins genuinely interest you. Compare with the Elegoo line (Mars 5 / Saturn 4) and the Creality Halot-X1. And in every case: safety and post-processing first.
A full resin range: Mono 4 for budget, M7 for mainstream detail, P1 for dual-material.