Anycubic Photon
Where to Buy
Specifications
Build Volume
Layer Height
Screen & light
Speed & layers
Physical
Information
Description
The Anycubic Photon is a 2018 LCD resin (MSLA) 3D printer that did a lot to make resin printing affordable and mainstream. It's a compact desktop machine aimed at beginners and hobbyists printing miniatures, jewelry master models and figurines, where fine detail matters more than build size.
At its core is a 5.5-inch LCD screen with 2560×1440 (2K) resolution and a 47 µm pixel size, lit by a 405 nm UV source. The build volume is 115×65×155 mm, layer height ranges from 25 to 100 µm, Z-axis accuracy is 10 µm, and print speed is up to 20 mm/h. It's controlled via a color touchscreen and prints standalone from a USB drive, drawing around 40 W.
Pros
- High detail thanks to the 2K screen and 47 µm pixel — reviewers note clean miniatures and master models
- Very affordable for its era — the Photon significantly lowered the entry barrier to resin printing
- Simple three-point bed leveling and standalone USB printing without a connected computer
- Handy in-house slicer with automatic support generation and on-screen model preview on the color touchscreen
- Replaceable FEP film in the vat — you can swap the consumable yourself and cut running costs
Cons
- Small 115×65×155 mm build volume limits model size
- Low print speed (up to 20 mm/h) and a single Z axis make tall prints slow
- Resin and cleaning alcohol are toxic: gloves, a mask and ventilation are needed, and post-processing is laborious
- Discontinued model — consumables and the LCD screen have to be sourced second-hand
The Anycubic Photon suits anyone who wants an inexpensive way to try resin printing of miniatures, figurines and jewelry master models and can live with a small build area and manual post-processing. For more demanding work today it makes more sense to look at the newer Photon Mono lineup with a monochrome screen.
Bottom line: a historically important and still usable budget LCD printer with good detail, but with slow printing and an outdated RGB screen compared with modern monochrome machines.
Reviews
Compatible Materials
Filament and resin types that work with Anycubic Photon