Anycubic Photon Mono 2 vs Prusa MK4S
Head-to-head 3D printer comparison — 2026
Comparing FDM to resin? The Anycubic Photon Mono 2 ($169, RESIN) and Prusa MK4S ($799, 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 Prusa MK4S takes the crown with 7.8/10 vs 7/10. It pulls ahead in Beginner Friendliness, Print Quality, Speed, Reliability. That said, the Anycubic Photon Mono 2 saves you $630 and wins on Value.
Score Breakdown
Specifications
| Spec | Anycubic Photon Mono 2 | Prusa MK4S |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $169 | $799 |
| Type | RESIN | FDM |
| Build Volume | 143 x 89 x 165 mm | 250 x 210 x 220 mm |
| Print Speed | 80 mm/s | 200 mm/s |
| Min Resolution | 0.02 mm | 0.05 mm |
| Weight | 5.5 kg | 7 kg |
| Overall Score | 7/10 | 7.8/10 |
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
Prusa MK4S
+Legendary reliability
+Fully open source
+PrusaSlicer is excellent
+Best customer support in the industry
−Expensive for the speed
−Slower than CoreXY competition
−Open frame
−Showing its age vs Bambu
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 Prusa MK4S if you want:
- A great printer for reliability
- A great printer for open-source
- Open source
- PrusaSlicer
- Nextruder
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Anycubic Photon Mono 2 better than the Prusa MK4S?
By the numbers, the Prusa MK4S scores higher (7.8/10). 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 Prusa MK4S?
The Prusa MK4S is more beginner-friendly (8/10 vs 6/10) with easier setup and a gentler learning curve.
Is the Prusa MK4S worth $630 more than the Anycubic Photon Mono 2?
The Prusa MK4S scores higher overall (7.8/10 vs 7/10). The extra $630 gets you legendary reliability.
What's the main difference between Anycubic Photon Mono 2 and Prusa MK4S?
Technology: the Anycubic Photon Mono 2 is RESIN (filament) and the Prusa MK4S is FDM (resin). FDM prints bigger functional parts; resin delivers finer surface detail.