In 2023, Anycubic introduced an innovative auto-leveling resin 3D printer - Photon Mono M5s, which was widely favored by 3D makers, marking a significant leap in the industry. In 2024, building upon the success of the M5s, Anycubic launched a smarter, higher-resolution, and user-friendly 3D printer - Photon Mono M5s Pro, aiming to enhance user experience while maintaining competitive pricing. Both models stand out as strong performers in the medium-format resin 3D printer market. Today, we will provide a comprehensive comparison of their similarities, differences, and pricing.
Overview Comparisons
| Specifications |
 Anycubic Photon Mono M5s
|
 Anycubic Photon Mono M5s Pro
|
|---|---|---|
| Build volume | 218x123x200mm (5.4L) | 200x224x126mm (5.65L) |
| LCD size | 10.1" monochrome screen | 10.1" monochrome screen |
| LCD resolution | 12K, 11520x5120 | 14K, 13312x5120 |
| XY resolution | 19x24.8 micron | 16.8x24.8 micron |
| Bed leveling | Auto-leveling | Auto-leveling |
| Print speed | 105mm/h (avg.) | 105mm/h (avg.) |
| Release film | ACF film | ACF film |
| Display | 4.3" TFT touch-control | 4.3" TFT touch-control |
| Connectivity | WiFi, USB | WiFi, USB |
| Anycubic app | Support | Support |
| Accessory | Air purifier (optional) | Air heater and purifier (standard) |
| Other feature |
|
|
Resolution: 12K vs. 14K
Anycubic's Photon Mono M5s Pro offers superior print quality. Compared to the Mono M5s, the new M5s Pro is equipped with the same 10.1-inch LCD screen but with a higher resolution, boasting an impressive 14K pixel count. To be more specific, its screen resolution is 13,312 x 5,120 pixels, and the XY resolution is 16.8 x 24.8 microns (μm). This means the printed details are equivalent to about the size of a human hair. However, the M5s, with its 11,520 x 5,120px screen resolution and 19-micron XY resolution, still outperforms many resin 3D printers in creating objects with better detail and dimensional accuracy.
Purification Heater: Warming Up Your Resin on Winter
Air purifiers are optional accessories for the Photon Mono M5s. However, the M5s Pro is equipped with a standard accessory - an air heater and purifier, which is a two-in-one feature. It is designed for makers who live in high-latitude regions and want to print high-quality 3D objects during cold months. Low temperatures can affect the resin's flowability and curing speed, leading to frustrating printing issues such as 3D print separation. The optimal printing environment temperature is required to maintain at around 25-30°C, and the M5s Pro's purification heater can heat the air up to 40°C, ensuring the resin temperature stays above 20°C. This accessory can simultaneously perform air purification and heating functions.
Smarter 3D Printing Experience: Upgraded AI Algorithms
Resin 3D printing is often inconvenient and can easily mess up everything, Anycubic prioritized user printing experience in the development of the Photon Mono M5s, making this process more intelligent. Based on the M5s, the M5s Pro upgrades the device's AI system and introduces two new smart features, 'Resin Residue Detection' and 'Intelligent Release.' Here is an introduction to these smart detection features:
Device self-check: After turning on, the machine will automatically inspect key hardware, including mechanical sensors and motors, in case of hardware failures that could lead to printing errors. Mechanical sensors play a crucial role in determining whether functions can operate correctly, and functions like 'Resin Detection', 'Auto-leveling', and 'Printing Monitoring' .
Resin detection: Through the internal mechanical sensor, the device can detect changes in force when the buildplate contacts the resin, accurately measuring the amount of resin in the resin vat. Then, by comparing this with the estimated resin amount in the sliced file, the device determines whether the resin in the vat is sufficient for the printing requirements.
Printing monitoring: This feature will detect potential printing issues like model detachment due to insufficient exposure time.
Resin residue detection: During the downward motion of the Z-axis, the machine uses mechanical algorithms to check resin residue above 3mm in the resin vat. Upon detection, the printer immediately stops, and a notification window appears on the screen to alert users. In this way, issues such as film cracking, resin leaking, LCD screen damage, etc., can be proactively prevented, reducing user repair and maintenance costs.
Intelligent release: Once activated, this feature enables AI to intelligently calculate and dynamically adjust the peel height, thereby improving printing success rates and printing speed.
What's more, both of these models support the Anycubic APP, allowing the machine to connect with the mobile app via WiFi. Users can remotely control and monitor the printer, perform online slicing, access a vast model library, and support firmware updates through the app.
Automatic Bed Leveling: No Worries Needed
Leveling a 3D printer bed allows you to achieve a perfect first layer, preventing printing issues from happening such as 3D prints not sticking to the bed and layer warping. The Photon Mono M5s is the market's first desktop-level automatic leveling resin 3D printer, representing a significant advancement and innovation in 3D printing. This user-friendly feature is carried forward to the M5s Pro, with further optimizations. By enhancing the floating platform technology and the internal smart sensor, the leveling process becomes more precise, ensuring a flat bed. This is a true plug-and-play experience, as the auto-leveling feature eliminates the need for tools like hex keys and paper. Simply pour in UV resin, and you can start your first print immediately upon unboxing.
Fast 3D Printing: Perfect for Large Rapid Prototypes
Both machines can maintain an average speed of 105mm/h during printing, and the combination of ACF film with High-Speed Resin accelerates 3D printing. ACF film minimizes peel forces that occur when separating the print from the build plate, and this allows for faster Z-axis lifts. Then The low-viscosity and high-flow features of the high-speed resin enable rapid resin flow, and the next new layer can quickly get cured.
No need to worry about complex parameter settings. The new version of the Anycubic Photon Workshop slicer provides three sets of recommended parameters for users. Here are the data sets that allow you to visually compare the printing speeds of the M5s and the M5s Pro when printing a 180mm tall model:
- Printed with Standard Resin in normal mode: 11 hours and 30 minutes.
- Printed with Standard Resin in fast mode: 3 hours.
- Printed with High-Speed Resin in fast mode: 1 hour and 58 minutes.
Price
The original prices of the two machines are the same, but the price difference may vary depending on the purchase location and time. Keeping an eye on information from the Anycubic official store, such as promotions, price discounts, etc., can save you big money. For example, the M5s Pro is currently available at an early bird price, while the M5s is on the list of winter sales. Below are the pricing details for the North American market.
Price for Photon Mono M5s Pro
- Pre-order: $479 with 2kg ABS-Like Resin V2 for free, Jan. 29 - Feb. 19
- Original price: $579
Price for Photon Mono M5s
- Original price: $579