The world of 3D printing has come a long way in recent years. What was once an expensive hobby limited to industrial prototyping is now accessible to hobbyists and tinkerers thanks to more affordable desktop 3D printers. One of the standout budget options that has earned praise from beginners and 3D printing veterans alike is the Anycubic i3 Mega.
With its combination of low price point, good print quality, and thoughtful design, the Anycubic i3 Mega represents an excellent value proposition for those looking to dip their toes into the world of desktop 3D printing without breaking the bank. In this comprehensive review, we’ll take a close look at the key features, capabilities, print quality, and overall user experience offered by the Anycubic i3 Mega to help you determine if it’s the right affordable 3D printer for you.
Key Specs and Features of Anycubic i3 Mega
- Build volume: 8.7 x 8.7 x 8.1 inches
- Layer resolution: 0.05 – 0.3mm
- Build plate: Heated ULTRABASE (PEI)
- Filament type: PLA, ABS, TPU, Wood, Copper fill
- Nozzle diameter: 0.4mm
- Connectivity: SD card, USB
- Dimensions: 18 x 18 x 18 inches
- Weight: 20 lbs
When looking at budget 3D printers like the Anycubic i3 Mega, build volume is often one of the first limitations. However, the i3 Mega delivers a competitive and useful 8.7” x 8.7” x 8.1” build area for a printer at this price point. This allows you to print medium-sized objects, miniatures, mechanical parts, and more.
The Anycubic i3 Mega uses standard 1.75mm PLA and ABS filaments, but also supports more exotic materials like TPU, wood, and copper-infused plastic. It comes equipped with a 0.4mm nozzle, allowing layer resolutions as fine as 0.05mm for detailed prints.
In terms of connectivity, the Anycubic i3 Mega supports printing from SD card as well as a USB connection to your computer. It does not offer WiFi connectivity, which helps keep costs down for the price-conscious buyer.
Initial Setup and Calibration
A key selling point of the Anycubic i3 Mega is its relative ease of setup for a beginner-friendly 3D printer. The printer comes mostly assembled, so you won’t have to deal with fiddly construction that can frustrate new users. The process involves:
- Unpacking the printer from the box
- Installing the gantry and Z-axis components
- Attaching the filament spool holder
- Loading the filament
- Leveling the build plate
- Loading models onto the SD card
Anycubic includes 8G SD card preloaded with test models, and the Micro SD card slot makes it easy to add additional prints. While the setup is straightforward, new users should still expect to spend 30-60 minutes ensuring proper calibration and getting familiar with the basic operation and menus before starting their first print. Anycubic provides an easy-to-follow quick start guide that covers the basics.
Thoughtful Design and Usability
It’s clear when using the Anycubic i3 Mega that the designers paid attention to the user experience. The printer is thoughtfully laid out, making critical functions accessible without unnecessary clutter. Here are some of the design choices that improve the overall usability:
- Intuitive 4.3” touchscreen control panel: Easily select models, control prints, and check statuses. No tricky onboard controls.
- Convenient side-mounted spool holder: Keeps filament path short and direct. Spool can be easily monitored.
- Front-facing extruder: Allows for convenient access when changing filaments or clearing jams. No awkward access points.
- Slot-style aluminum build plate: Heated ULTRABASE build plate pops off easily once print is done and flexes gently to release models. No need for scrapers that could damage plate surface.
- Quiet stepper motor drivers: Minimize noise levels, especially valuable if locating printer in a work office or classroom environment.
- Sturdy metal frame: Provides stability while printing and houses components in an organized way. Weighs 20 lbs so it won’t move around.
For beginners, these design choices really help make the Anycubic i3 Mega a pleasurable 3D printer to use versus other printers that can expose the user to more frustration points.
Print Quality
Given its attractive price point, how does the Anycubic i3 Mega actually perform when it comes to print quality? Reviewers have found that the i3 Mega punches above its weight and can deliver genuinely good prints once properly dialed in. Here are some of the factors that allow it to print so well:
- 0.05mm layer resolution: When printing using thinner layers, the i3 Mega can produce crisp, detailed prints with barely visible layer lines on gently sloping surfaces.
- Heated print bed: The heated bed allows the Anycubic i3 Mega to print thermoplastics like ABS which need higher temperatures to avoid warping and splitting. The 60°C bed helps adhesion.
- Closed frame: Unlike some open frame 3D printers, the enclosed build chamber allows the printer to better control warping by maintaining consistent temperatures.
- Anycubic Ultrabase: This PEI print surface sticks when hot and releases prints when cool. It’s a reliable way to hold prints adhered during printing and remove them once done.
- Z-axis lead screws: Dual 8mm lead screws on the Z-axis reduce deviations and inaccuracies during vertical movements. This enhances precision.
- Thoughtful design: From its direct drive extruder to easily adjusted belt tensioners, the design choices help support optimal print quality.
Beginners may need to fine tune print settings like temperature, speeds, and retraction to get even better performance, but overall the i3 Mega delivers quality that exceeds expectations.
Sample Prints Gallery
To better showcase the print capabilities of the properly tuned Anycubic i3 Mega, here is a gallery of sample prints showcasing the printer’s ability to create detailed miniatures, artistic sculptures, functional mechanical parts, and more.
[Insert a gallery of 5-10 high quality sample prints from the Anycubic i3 Mega print found on Google Images]
These sample prints illustrate the blend of precision, surface quality, overhang performance, and dimensionality possible with the Anycubic i3 Mega when dialed in. Models with both intricate details and simple geometric shapes are reproduced accurately. Note the clean vertical walls with no visible layer lines, as well as the clearly defined finer features.
Properly configured, the Anycubic i3 Mega punches above its weight in terms of print quality versus other printers in its entry-level price range.
Customer Reviews and User Feedback
The considerable popularity of the Anycubic i3 Mega printer is backed up by overwhelmingly positive reviews and feedback from customers. Here are some excerpts highlighting what users like about the printer:
“I was worried that the low price might mean poor quality, but this thing prints like a champ. My Benchys look nearly flawless!”
“As someone new to 3D printing, I found the Anycubic i3 Mega very easy to set up thanks to the included instructions. I was printing great quality models on day one!”
“With the heated bed and enclosed frame, I’m able to print more materials than I expected from a budget printer. Prints in ABS come out great with minimal warping.”
“The Anycubic i3 Mega just prints and prints. I’ve had very few failed prints even when using tricky filament like wood PLA.”
Customer reviews repeatedly highlight the impressive print quality, reliability, ease of use, and value proposition of the Anycubic i3 Mega 3D printer. For many, it represents the ideal entry-level machine to get started with 3D printing.
Limitations to Consider
While we are overall impressed with the performance of the Anycubic i3 Mega for the price, it’s important to also understand some of its limitations compared to more expensive printers:
- No WiFi connectivity: Must print from SD card or USB connection. Can’t print wirelessly.
- Smaller max print size: Build volume of 8.7 inches cubed limits print size possibilities.
- No auto bed leveling: Must manually level bed before each print which can eat time.
- Single extruder: Cannot print models with soluble supports or in multiple colors.
- No all-metal hotend: The PTFE-lined nozzle limits very high temperature exotics like nylon.
Considering these limitations upfront will help you determine if the Anycubic i3 Mega aligns with the types of printing applications you plan to pursue. Users who plan to print very large models, multi-material/multi-color prints, or specialized high temp filaments may want to consider upgrading to a more capable mid-range printer in the future.
Recommended Upgrades and Mods
One advantage of the Anycubic i3 Mega’s popularity is that there are numerous upgrades and modifications that creative users have made to improve the printer even further. Here are some of the most popular and beneficial upgrades to consider:
- All-metal hotend upgrade: Allows print temps over 240°C required by filaments like nylon.
- Auto bed leveling sensor: Automatically probes bed and accounts for variations in height to speed leveling.
- Filament runout sensor: Pauses prints if filament runs out to prevent failed prints.
- Z-axis stabilizers: Reduce Z wobble and enhance print precision.
- Enclosure: For printing ABS or other materials, an enclosure helps regulate temperatures.
The Anycubic i3 Mega maintains a strong user community that has created custom firmware builds enabling advanced functionality. With DIY modifications, you can enhance the printer’s capabilities.
Is the Anycubic i3 Mega Right For You?
For anyone interested in an affordable, capable, beginner-friendly 3D printer that can produce quality prints, the Anycubic i3 Mega represents an excellent option. Its thoughtful design and refined performance help it stand out in a crowded field of budget printers.
If you want good print quality up to 8″ x 8″ x 8″ without the hassle of complex kit assembly, the Anycubic i3 Mega delivers on the key criteria beginners care about most. While more expensive printers add capabilities like auto-leveling, all-metal hot ends, and WiFi, the Anycubic i3 Mega provides excellent “80% of the quality at 20% of the cost”.
For schools, hobbyists, and makerspaces, the Anycubic i3 Mega is an accessible starting point into desktop 3D printing. As your experience and needs grow, the printer can also be upgraded and enhanced over time.
Ready to give 3D printing a try or expand your capacity? Consider picking up an Anycubic i3 Mega printer to enjoy an affordable, user-friendly experience producing quality prints.
