Anycubic Photon Mono 2 vs Qidi Q1 Pro
Head-to-head 3D printer comparison — 2026
Comparing FDM to resin? The Anycubic Photon Mono 2 ($169, RESIN) and Qidi Q1 Pro ($449, 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 Qidi Q1 Pro takes the crown with 8/10 vs 7/10. It pulls ahead in Beginner Friendliness, Print Quality, Speed. That said, the Anycubic Photon Mono 2 saves you $280 and wins on Value.
Score Breakdown
Specifications
| Spec | Anycubic Photon Mono 2 | Qidi Q1 Pro |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $169 | $449 |
| Type | RESIN | FDM |
| Build Volume | 143 x 89 x 165 mm | 245 x 245 x 240 mm |
| Print Speed | 80 mm/s | 600 mm/s |
| Min Resolution | 0.02 mm | 0.1 mm |
| Weight | 5.5 kg | 20.3 kg |
| Overall Score | 7/10 | 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
Qidi Q1 Pro
+60C actively heated chamber for ABS, nylon, and PC
+350C hotend handles every engineering filament
+WiFi 6 with 1080p monitoring and timelapse
+From unboxing to printing in 10 minutes
−Exposed heater poses safety concern (risk of shock)
−Casing materials feel cheap despite premium design
−Firmware needs improvement (custom Klipper fork)
−Limited slicer material profiles out of the box
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 Qidi Q1 Pro if you want:
- A great printer for enclosed
- A great printer for professional
- A great printer for precision
- Enclosed CoreXY with 60C heated chamber
- 350C tri-metal hotend
- WiFi 6 + LAN connectivity
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Anycubic Photon Mono 2 better than the Qidi Q1 Pro?
By the numbers, the Qidi Q1 Pro scores higher (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 Qidi Q1 Pro?
The Qidi Q1 Pro is more beginner-friendly (7/10 vs 6/10) with easier setup and a gentler learning curve.
Is the Qidi Q1 Pro worth $280 more than the Anycubic Photon Mono 2?
The Qidi Q1 Pro scores higher overall (8/10 vs 7/10). The extra $280 gets you 60c actively heated chamber for abs, nylon, and pc.
What's the main difference between Anycubic Photon Mono 2 and Qidi Q1 Pro?
Technology: the Anycubic Photon Mono 2 is RESIN (filament) and the Qidi Q1 Pro is FDM (resin). FDM prints bigger functional parts; resin delivers finer surface detail.