Anycubic Photon Mono 4 vs Elegoo Neptune 4
Head-to-head 3D printer comparison, 2026
Comparing FDM to resin? The Anycubic Photon Mono 4 ($159, RESIN) and Elegoo Neptune 4 ($199, 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 Elegoo Neptune 4 takes the crown with 8.2/10 vs 7.4/10. It pulls ahead in Beginner Friendliness, Speed. That said, the Anycubic Photon Mono 4 saves you $40 and wins on Print Quality.
Score Breakdown
Specifications
| Spec | Anycubic Photon Mono 4 | Elegoo Neptune 4 |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $159 | $199 |
| Type | RESIN | FDM |
| Build Volume | 134 x 75 x 130 mm | 225 x 225 x 265 mm |
| Print Speed | 100 mm/s | 500 mm/s |
| Min Resolution | 0.01 mm | 0.05 mm |
| Weight | 5 kg | 9.5 kg |
| Overall Score | 7.4/10 | 8.2/10 |
Pros & Cons
Anycubic Photon Mono 4
+$159 is the lowest you'll pay for 10K resolution resin printing
+Compact enough to fit on a shelf with the build plate folded
+10K resolution prints minis that genuinely impress non-printers
−134x75mm build plate: barely fits more than two minis at once
−USB-only workflow, no WiFi at any price point in this tier
−Slow: 100mm/hr means longer overnight print sessions
Elegoo Neptune 4
+Klipper at $199 means real input shaping and pressure advance, not just fast travel speeds
+Direct drive handles TPU without a fight
+500mm/s capable on stock profiles
+225mm bed is slightly larger than the V3 KE at the same price
−No WiFi on the base model: Elegoo charges extra for connectivity the KE includes free
−Elegoo's community is smaller than Creality's, which matters when you hit unusual problems
−Klipper config occasionally needs manual edits out of the box
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 Elegoo Neptune 4 if you want:
- A great printer for budget
- A great printer for speed
- A great printer for beginners
- Klipper firmware
- Auto bed leveling
- Direct drive
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Anycubic Photon Mono 4 better than the Elegoo Neptune 4?
By the numbers, the Elegoo Neptune 4 scores higher (8.2/10). 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 Elegoo Neptune 4?
The Elegoo Neptune 4 is more beginner-friendly (8/10 vs 6/10) with easier setup and a gentler learning curve.
Is the Elegoo Neptune 4 worth $40 more than the Anycubic Photon Mono 4?
The Elegoo Neptune 4 scores higher overall (8.2/10 vs 7.4/10). The extra $40 gets you klipper at $199 means real input shaping and pressure advance, not just fast travel speeds.
What's the main difference between Anycubic Photon Mono 4 and Elegoo Neptune 4?
Technology: the Anycubic Photon Mono 4 is RESIN (filament) and the Elegoo Neptune 4 is FDM (resin). FDM prints bigger functional parts; resin delivers finer surface detail.