Anycubic Photon Mono 4 vs Creality SparkX i7
Head-to-head 3D printer comparison — 2026
Comparing FDM to resin? The Anycubic Photon Mono 4 ($159, RESIN) and Creality SparkX i7 ($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 SparkX i7 takes the crown with 8.6/10 vs 7.4/10. It pulls ahead in Beginner Friendliness, Speed, Reliability. That said, the Anycubic Photon Mono 4 saves you $240 and wins on Value, Print Quality.
Score Breakdown
Specifications
| Spec | Anycubic Photon Mono 4 | Creality SparkX i7 |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $159 | $399 |
| Type | RESIN | FDM |
| Build Volume | 134 x 75 x 130 mm | 260 x 260 x 255 mm |
| Print Speed | 100 mm/s | 500 mm/s |
| Min Resolution | 0.01 mm | 0.05 mm |
| Weight | 5 kg | 9.12 kg |
| Overall Score | 7.4/10 | 8.6/10 |
Pros & Cons
Anycubic Photon Mono 4
+Cheapest high-detail resin printer
+10K resolution
+Compact
+Low entry cost
−Very small build plate
−No WiFi
−USB-only
−Slow compared to newer models
Creality SparkX i7
+CES 2026 winner - polished beginner experience
+AI photo-to-3D feature is surprisingly fun
+Klipper-based with root access (open ecosystem)
+Lightweight and quiet at under 10kg
−16-page privacy policy required at setup
−CFS Lite does not retract for spools
−New platform with limited community troubleshooting
−Creality Cloud app can feel cluttered
Who Should Buy Which?
Choose the Anycubic Photon Mono 4 if you want:
- A great printer for miniatures
- A great printer for resin
- A great printer for budget
- 10K mono LCD
- Laser-cut build plate
- USB
Choose the Creality SparkX i7 if you want:
- A great printer for beginners
- A great printer for multi-color
- A great printer for budget
- AI camera monitoring
- CFS Lite multi-color (4 colors)
- Auto bed leveling
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Anycubic Photon Mono 4 better than the Creality SparkX i7?
By the numbers, the Creality SparkX i7 scores higher (8.6/10). But "better" depends on your use case — the Anycubic Photon Mono 4 may be the smarter buy if you need miniatures.
Which is better for beginners, Anycubic Photon Mono 4 or Creality SparkX i7?
The Creality SparkX i7 is more beginner-friendly (10/10 vs 6/10) with easier setup and a gentler learning curve.
Is the Creality SparkX i7 worth $240 more than the Anycubic Photon Mono 4?
The Creality SparkX i7 scores higher overall (8.6/10 vs 7.4/10). The extra $240 gets you ces 2026 winner - polished beginner experience.
What's the main difference between Anycubic Photon Mono 4 and Creality SparkX i7?
Technology: the Anycubic Photon Mono 4 is RESIN (filament) and the Creality SparkX i7 is FDM (resin). FDM prints bigger functional parts; resin delivers finer surface detail.