Anycubic Photon Mono 4 vs Qidi Q2
Head-to-head 3D printer comparison, 2026
Comparing FDM to resin? The Anycubic Photon Mono 4 ($159, RESIN) and Qidi Q2 ($499, 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 Q2 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 $340 and wins on Value.
Score Breakdown
Specifications
| Spec | Anycubic Photon Mono 4 | Qidi Q2 |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $159 | $499 |
| Type | RESIN | FDM |
| Build Volume | 134 x 75 x 130 mm | 230 x 230 x 240 mm |
| Print Speed | 100 mm/s | 600 mm/s |
| Min Resolution | 0.01 mm | 0.05 mm |
| Weight | 5 kg | 16.5 kg |
| Overall Score | 7.4/10 | 8.6/10 |
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
Qidi Q2
+65C chamber heating: ABS, nylon, PC, carbon fiber without drama
+Quick-swap nozzle that's actually on par with Bambu's
+Enclosed CoreXY with chamber heating at $499 is genuinely rare
+Firmware is noticeably better than the Q1 Pro
−Qidi ecosystem still a fraction of Bambu's size
−Build volume is a touch smaller than competitors at this price
−Community resources are thin compared to Bambu or Creality
−16.5kg is heavy for an open-frame-sized footprint
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 Qidi Q2 if you want:
- A great printer for engineering
- A great printer for enclosed
- A great printer for speed
- Enclosed CoreXY with 65C heated chamber
- 350C tri-metal hotend
- WiFi 6 + Ethernet
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Anycubic Photon Mono 4 better than the Qidi Q2?
By the numbers, the Qidi Q2 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 Qidi Q2?
The Qidi Q2 is more beginner-friendly (8/10 vs 6/10) with easier setup and a gentler learning curve.
Is the Qidi Q2 worth $340 more than the Anycubic Photon Mono 4?
The Qidi Q2 scores higher overall (8.6/10 vs 7.4/10). The extra $340 gets you 65c chamber heating: abs, nylon, pc, carbon fiber without drama.
What's the main difference between Anycubic Photon Mono 4 and Qidi Q2?
Technology: the Anycubic Photon Mono 4 is RESIN (filament) and the Qidi Q2 is FDM (resin). FDM prints bigger functional parts; resin delivers finer surface detail.