The Anycubic Photon S is an affordable resin-based 3D printer that delivers high-quality prints. With a build volume of 130 x 80 x 160mm, integrated air filter, and 2K monochrome LCD, the Photon S is an excellent entry-level printer for hobbyists and professionals alike.
In this detailed review, we’ll take an in-depth look at the specs, features, print quality, software, accessories, and pros and cons of the Anycubic Photon S to help you decide if it’s the right 3D printer for your needs.
An Overview of the Anycubic Photon S
The Photon S is the latest iteration in Anycubic‘s popular Photon line of resin 3D printers. Released in late 2020, it builds upon the success of the original Photon and Photon Zero by upgrading to a monochrome LCD and adding an air filter system.
With dimensions of 220 x 220 x 400mm and a weight of 3kg, the Photon S has a small footprint perfect for any desk or workspace. Its outer metal frame combined with acrylic panels give it a sleek, modern aesthetic.
The Photon S currently retails for $259, placing it at the lower end of resin 3D printer prices. But despite the low cost, it still boasts impressive specs and features including:
- Build volume of 130 x 80 x 160mm
- 2560 x 1620 pixel monochrome 2K LCD screen
- XY resolution of 0.051mm
- Z axis resolution of 0.01mm
- Print speed of 1-3 seconds per layer
- Integrated active carbon air filter
- UV integrated light source
- 3.5 inch color touch screen
- USB port for printing from flash drive
- Compatible with Anycubic resin and third party 405nm resins
These capabilities make the Photon S suitable for printing highly detailed miniatures, jewelry, dentures, and other small objects. The monochrome LCD provides faster print speeds compared to older RGB LCD screens. And the air filter helps reduce odors from resin printing.
Next, let’s take a closer look at the Photon S’s key features and specs.
Photon S Features and Specifications Build Volume The Anycubic Photon S has a build volume of 130 x 80 x 160mm (5.1 x 3.1 x 6.3 inches). This is nearly identical to the original Photon’s build area.
While not the largest compared to higher-end resin printers, the build volume is sufficient for printing small figurines, jewelry, dental parts, and other detailed objects. Larger prints will need to be sliced into sections.
The Photon S uses an inverted masked stereolithography process, with the build plate moving up and down to lift prints out of the resin vat.
LCD Screen
One of the biggest upgrades with the Photon S is the 2560 x 1620 pixel monochrome LCD. This provides a 47% increase in pixels compared to the 1440 x 2560 RGB screen on the original Photon.
The high resolution allows for prints with very fine detail down to 0.05mm layer lines. And the monochrome LCD cures resin faster than an RGB screen, reducing print times by up to 50% in some cases.
Anycubic rates the Photon S screen for a 2K pixel print resolution, although technically the LCD resolution sits between 2K and 4K. Overall, the quality bump from the monochrome LCD makes the Photon S competitive with more expensive printers.
Build Plate and Resin Vat
The Photon S includes an upgraded aluminum build plate coated in a proprietary nano coating material. This provides good resin adhesion to ensure your models stay stuck to the plate during printing.
Removing prints takes a bit of force, so using a plastic scraper is recommended to avoid scratching the plate surface. Anycubic sells official scrapers, but many users get by with wood or plastic tools from around the house.
The resin vat uses FEP film rather than a rubber gasket. FEP provides a smoother surface for each layer to cure against, improving print quality. Anycubic thoughtfully includes 10 replacement FEP films in case the vat gets scratched or cloudy over time.
Air Filter One
unique feature of the Photon S is the integrated active carbon air filter located on the back. This is designed to reduce odors from resin printing.
The filter needs replacing every 1-2 months depending on use. Anycubic sells official filters, but many owners use inexpensive air conditioner filters as cheaper substitutes.
Overall, the filter isn’t perfect at containing smells. But it does cut down on odors, especially when used alongside methods like ventilation or resin curing stations.
Print Speed
Thanks to the monochrome LCD, the Anycubic Photon S can print layers at speeds between 1-3 seconds. This is up to 50% faster than the original Photon.
Of course, total print times will depend on the height and complexity of your model. But estimated print speeds are:
- 60 mm/hour for low detail prints
- 40 mm/hour for standard prints
- 30 mm/hour for high detail prints
These speeds are on par with other budget resin 3D printers in this price range. While not blazing fast, the Photon S is fast enough for most hobbyist and prototyping needs.
Connectivity and Software
The Photon S connects to a PC via USB to transfer print files and control printing. It is not a wireless printer.
Anycubic includes a USB stick with the printer, but you can also use any USB flash drive up to 128GB. Print files in .photon, .photons, .stl, and .obj formats are supported.
For slicing software, the printer is compatible with Anycubic’s Photon Workshop. This free program provides basic controls for orienting, slicing, and generating supports.
Third party slicers like Chitubox and Lychee Slicer also work well with the Photon S. These paid slicers unlock more custom supports and calibration tools for fine tuning prints.
To launch prints, the color touch screen provides an intuitive menu system. Options allow you to load files, adjust settings like layer height, and select tools like resin vat cleaning. It’s a user-friendly interface for how compact the screen is.
Print Quality
Now for the big question: how good are the prints from the Anycubic Photon S? In short, print quality is impressive for the price. The level of detail and precision rivals printers costing much more.
The excellent 2560 x 1620 LCD combined with the 405 nm UV light source allows for layer resolutions as low as 0.01 – 0.02mm. This creates ultra smooth prints without visible layer lines.
Small features like jewelry details or miniature clothing creases come out sharp and defined. Curved and round surfaces also print smoothly thanks to the anti-aliasing algorithms in the printer firmware.
Of course, maximum print quality requires properly dialing in resin exposure times. But overall, straight out-of-the-box prints exhibit remarkable precision and aesthetic quality.
For miniatures and tabletop gaming pieces, the Photon S delivers excellent surface smoothness, crisp details, and vivid colors when using high quality resin. Pieces are indistinguishable from factory painted minis.
The Photon S can’t match the accuracy of industrial SLA printers. But for the price, its capabilities are extremely impressive.
Recommended Resins
The Anycubic Photon S works with any standard 405nm UV resin. Anycubic has their own line of resins dialed in for optimal use with their printers.
Some popular options include:
- Anycubic Basic Resin: A good all-purpose resin for beginners. Decent detail and mechanical properties.
- Anycubic Eco Resin: A plant-based biodegradable resin that prints with low odor. Slightly brittle for moving parts.
- Anycubic Grey Resin: Great for painting and post-processing. Captures fine details well.
- Anycubic Transparent Red: For models that benefit from light piping or a red tint.
- Anycubic Water-Washable: Doesn’t require harsh chemicals for post-processing.
Third party resins from brands like Siraya Tech, Elegoo, and Resione also print beautifully on the Photon S. Different resins have tradeoffs between print speed, detail, strength, and flexibility, so choose one suited for your specific application.
Accessories
Anycubic offers a selection of accessories to improve the functionality of the Photon S. Here are some of the most useful:
- Extra FEP films: Must-have consumable films for the resin vat.
- UV curing station: Speeds up resin post-curing for handleable prints.
- Wash and cure station: Automates model washing and curing.
- Resin scraper: Safely removes prints from the build plate.
- Disposable nitrile gloves: Protects hands from resin.
- Filter replacements: Keep the air filter working effectively.
- Resin funnel: Helps pour resin back into the bottle with less mess.
Many users also recommend getting UV-protective safety glasses for eye protection. And small tools like plastic scrapers, funnels, and silicone mats can be handy workflow accessories.
Pros and Cons of the Anycubic Photon S
Here are some of the key advantages and disadvantages of the Anycubic Photon S based on customer experiences and reviews:
Pros:
- Excellent print quality for the price
- Good build volume for small prints
- Fast print speeds from monochrome LCD
- Air filter reduces odor
- User-friendly touch screen
- Sturdy metal and acrylic construction
- Large community support online
Cons:
- No WiFi or wireless connectivity
- Small build area limits print size
- Can have circuit board issues over time
- Changing FEP film is tricky
- Resin is messy requiring gloves and care
- Post-processing requires alcohol or equipment
On the whole, the Anycubic Photon S provides tremendous value for its capabilities. But it does involve more hands-on resin printing considerations versus filament printers.
Who is the Anycubic Photon S For?
The Photon S is an excellent budget resin 3D printer for:
- Tabletop gamers printing miniatures
- Jewelry makers designing intricate pieces
- Dental labs making braces, guards, and models
- Engineers creating detailed prototypes
- Crafters making geeky gifts and artwork
- Modelers printing characters and figurines
- Artists creating stunning 3D-printed art
It excels at small, highly detailed prints where surface finish and precision are critical. The excellent resolution makes it popular for miniatures that need to mimic injected plastic quality.
While not good for large props or functional prints, the Photon S fills an important niche for affordable premium resin printing. It’s a top choice for entry-level hobbyist printing.
Who Might Want a Different Printer?
The Anycubic Photon S has some limitations that make other printers potentially better choices for:
- Larger print sizes – Look at a printer with at least 200 x 200 x 250mm build volume.
- Tighter precision – Industrial SLA printers offer even better accuracy.
- Functional engineering prints – FDM printers have higher mechanical strength.
- Quick iteration – The wash/cure steps slow the process versus FDM.
- Office or classroom spaces – Resin printing has more hazards and mess.
For these use cases, a filament-based FDM printer or a more advanced SLA system may be preferable. The Photon S focuses squarely on small, high detail prints.
Our Verdict:
A Highly Capable Budget Resin Printer In closing, the Anycubic Photon S is an excellent resin 3D printer for beginners but with capabilities matching machines costing much more. The 2K monochrome LCD paired with precise Z-axis stepping allows for intricate prints with stunning surface quality. Models show visible improvements over the already solid original Photon.
While the build volume is limited, it’s perfectly acceptable for miniatures, jewelry, dental applications, and detailed prototyping prints. The wash and cure requirements add steps versus filament printing. But the experience is very approachable even for complete beginners.
For anyone looking to get started in resin printing, the Anycubic Photon S is a top choice that punches far above its budget price point. The excellent user community and plenty of video guides help new users get great results. For under $300 it’s one of the best values in desktop resin 3D printing.
