The Photon Mono is visibly indistinguishable from its predecessor, sharing the same chassis, UV cover, and even removable components like the vat and build plate. The only way you can differentiate the two, is by the nameplate at the bottom, signifying it sports the higher-end screen under the hood. This means that, again, the USB port is on the right-hand side, sacrificing the compactness of the device on your workspace when you need space to pull out a USB from the side. With the roaring success of the previous Photon Mono machines, and their expanded range of more premium sizes and qualities, as well as the wash and cure machines to match, the Photon Mono 4K is the logical next step for the range. With a budget size, and a screen capable of incredible detail, all for just a little more cost than the base mono model, this printer is a no-brainer for miniature enthusiasts of all kinds and anyone looking to start printing detailed models without breaking the bank.

Is the Anycubic Photon Mono 4K worth the money? Absolutely. The Photon Mono 4K worked right out of the box, it was easy to set up, and printed extremely well. It has everything that you’d really want for a starting 3D printer with a pretty great price to boot. While the Photon Mono still performs considerably well, there’s just no replacement for the detail that the Photon Mono 4K can create. Being able to see the veins in an orc’s leg, or the scuff marks on a piece of bone armor adds so much depth to the character and makes it feel more like a professionally made miniature you could have grabbed right off the shelf. Our main con for the Photon Mono 4K would have to be the build plate. While the build quality is fantastic, the build plate is still the same size as the original Photon Mono with dimensions of 6.5 x 5.2 x 3.1 in. You can still print large miniatures, just not many at once. For those looking for more printing real estate, we’ll be reviewing the Photon Mono X soon, as well as the Wash & Cure station! If you’re interested in delving into the world of 3D printing, the Photon Mono 4K is a great beginner unit and can be found on the Anycubic website with a slight discount for the holidays.

The Anycubic Photon Mono was already an excellent resin 3D printer for beginners and the move towards a higher resolution will surely help get more people into this interesting hobby. Everything that applies to the more expensive models will apply to the Photon Mono 4K as well, so, besides the provided accessories, you will have to get quite a few objects by yourself. Also, you will need to watch (or read) some guides on how to properly perform the cleaning and curing of the models. In the end, all the effort will pay off since the Anycubic Photon Mono 4K is able to print some gorgeous models, far better than most FDM printers, especially in the same price range. It’s not the perfect device, but the Photon Mono 4K is fairly silent, not the fastest, but neither the slowest to print a model and the small display works really well for some basic adjustments and for checking the status of the print. So, if you want to give resin 3D printing a try, then the inexpensive Anycubic Photon Mono 4K is one of the best options available right now.