Anycubic Photon Mono 2 vs Creality Hi Combo
Head-to-head 3D printer comparison — 2026
Comparing FDM to resin? The Anycubic Photon Mono 2 ($169, RESIN) and Creality Hi Combo ($399, 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 Creality Hi Combo takes the crown with 7.6/10 vs 7/10. It pulls ahead in Beginner Friendliness, Speed. That said, the Anycubic Photon Mono 2 saves you $230 and wins on Value.
Score Breakdown
Specifications
| Spec | Anycubic Photon Mono 2 | Creality Hi Combo |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $169 | $399 |
| Type | RESIN | FDM |
| Build Volume | 143 x 89 x 165 mm | 260 x 260 x 300 mm |
| Print Speed | 80 mm/s | 500 mm/s |
| Min Resolution | 0.02 mm | 0.1 mm |
| Weight | 5.5 kg | 13.31 kg |
| Overall Score | 7/10 | 7.6/10 |
Pros & Cons
Anycubic Photon Mono 2
+Budget resin entry point from a known brand
+6K sufficient for most miniatures
+Small and portable
+Well-supported by Photon Workshop
−6K below current 9K/12K standard
−No WiFi
−No tilt release
−Very small build plate
Creality Hi Combo
+Up to 16 colors with 4 CFS modules
+CoreXY with all-metal body feels premium
+Taller 300mm Z-axis than most competitors
+Competitive $399 price for multi-color CoreXY
−CFS can fail to feed reliably during color changes
−Fixed purge volumes waste filament (no adaptive purge)
−PTFE tube alignment is critical and fiddly
−3.8/5 customer rating suggests some QC issues
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 Creality Hi Combo if you want:
- A great printer for multi-color
- A great printer for speed
- A great printer for budget
- CoreXY motion system
- Up to 16-color printing (4x CFS)
- Die-cast aluminum unibody
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Anycubic Photon Mono 2 better than the Creality Hi Combo?
By the numbers, the Creality Hi Combo scores higher (7.6/10). 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 Creality Hi Combo?
The Creality Hi Combo is more beginner-friendly (7/10 vs 6/10) with easier setup and a gentler learning curve.
Is the Creality Hi Combo worth $230 more than the Anycubic Photon Mono 2?
The Creality Hi Combo scores higher overall (7.6/10 vs 7/10). The extra $230 gets you up to 16 colors with 4 cfs modules.
What's the main difference between Anycubic Photon Mono 2 and Creality Hi Combo?
Technology: the Anycubic Photon Mono 2 is RESIN (filament) and the Creality Hi Combo is FDM (resin). FDM prints bigger functional parts; resin delivers finer surface detail.