Anycubic Photon Mono 2 vs Artillery Sidewinder X4 Plus
Head-to-head 3D printer comparison, 2026
Comparing FDM to resin? The Anycubic Photon Mono 2 ($169, RESIN) and Artillery Sidewinder X4 Plus ($349, FDM) use fundamentally different technologies. FDM melts filament layer by layer; resin cures liquid with UV light. Here's how they stack up.
Our Verdict
The Artillery Sidewinder X4 Plus takes the crown with 7.4/10 vs 7/10. It pulls ahead in Speed. That said, the Anycubic Photon Mono 2 saves you $180 and wins on Print Quality.
Score Breakdown
Specifications
| Spec | Anycubic Photon Mono 2 | Artillery Sidewinder X4 Plus |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $169 | $349 |
| Type | RESIN | FDM |
| Build Volume | 143 x 89 x 165 mm | 300 x 300 x 400 mm |
| Print Speed | 80 mm/s | 500 mm/s |
| Min Resolution | 0.02 mm | 0.05 mm |
| Weight | 5.5 kg | 14.5 kg |
| Overall Score | 7/10 | 7.4/10 |
Pros & Cons
Anycubic Photon Mono 2
+6K resolution still delivers usable miniature detail for most tabletop purposes
+Compact and portable: stores on a shelf when not in use
+Photon Workshop slicer is decent for an entry-level tool
+Anycubic's brand reliability is solid at this tier
−No tilt release means FEP replacements add up quickly
−No WiFi: USB-only workflow
−6K resolution is outdated next to $149 competitors offering 7K and 9K
−Discontinued: no firmware updates coming
Artillery Sidewinder X4 Plus
+300x300x400mm at $349: the price-per-cubic-millimeter is absurd
+Klipper pre-installed with room to tune
+Direct drive handles TPU and flexible materials at this large scale
+Prints armor plates and large props without slicing and gluing
−QC varies batch to batch: some users get great units, some need calibration work
−Artillery's community is thin compared to Creality or Elegoo
−Gets audibly loud pushing 500mm/s; this is a workshop printer, not a bedroom one
Who Should Buy Which?
Choose the Anycubic Photon Mono 2 if you want:
- A great printer for budget
- A great printer for resin
- A great printer for miniatures
- 6K mono LCD
- USB
- Anycubic Photon Workshop slicer
Choose the Artillery Sidewinder X4 Plus if you want:
- A great printer for large-prints
- A great printer for budget
- A great printer for speed
- 300x300x400mm build
- Klipper
- Auto bed leveling
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Anycubic Photon Mono 2 better than the Artillery Sidewinder X4 Plus?
By the numbers, the Artillery Sidewinder X4 Plus scores higher (7.4/10). But "better" depends on your use case, the Anycubic Photon Mono 2 may be the smarter buy if you need budget.
Which is better for beginners, Anycubic Photon Mono 2 or Artillery Sidewinder X4 Plus?
Both score 6/10 for beginners. Go with the Anycubic Photon Mono 2 to save $180.
Is the Artillery Sidewinder X4 Plus worth $180 more than the Anycubic Photon Mono 2?
The Artillery Sidewinder X4 Plus scores higher overall (7.4/10 vs 7/10). The extra $180 gets you 300x300x400mm at $349: the price-per-cubic-millimeter is absurd.
What's the main difference between Anycubic Photon Mono 2 and Artillery Sidewinder X4 Plus?
Technology: the Anycubic Photon Mono 2 is RESIN (filament) and the Artillery Sidewinder X4 Plus is FDM (resin). FDM prints bigger functional parts; resin delivers finer surface detail.