Anycubic Photon Mono M5s vs Artillery Sidewinder X4 Plus
Head-to-head 3D printer comparison, 2026
Comparing FDM to resin? The Anycubic Photon Mono M5s ($339, RESIN) and Artillery Sidewinder X4 Plus ($349, 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 Anycubic Photon Mono M5s takes the crown with 7.8/10 vs 7.4/10. It pulls ahead in Print Quality, Reliability. The Artillery Sidewinder X4 Plus still puts up a fight in Value and Speed.
Score Breakdown
Specifications
| Spec | Anycubic Photon Mono M5s | Artillery Sidewinder X4 Plus |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $339 | $349 |
| Type | RESIN | FDM |
| Build Volume | 218 x 123 x 220 mm | 300 x 300 x 400 mm |
| Print Speed | 150 mm/s | 500 mm/s |
| Min Resolution | 0.01 mm | 0.05 mm |
| Weight | 9.5 kg | 14.5 kg |
| Overall Score | 7.8/10 | 7.4/10 |
Pros & Cons
Anycubic Photon Mono M5s
+14K resolution on a Saturn-size plate is the highest resolution in this build volume class
+Anti-warping release mechanism measurably reduces failed prints on larger models
+218x123mm plate handles busts, terrain, and multi-model runs
+Anycubic's community has solid troubleshooting documentation
−Pricier than the Elegoo Saturn 3 Ultra at comparable specs
−Discontinued: Anycubic support and firmware updates are ending
−App is functional but rougher than Elegoo's
Artillery Sidewinder X4 Plus
+300x300x400mm at $349: the price-per-cubic-millimeter is absurd
+Klipper pre-installed with room to tune
+Direct drive handles TPU and flexible materials at this large scale
+Prints armor plates and large props without slicing and gluing
−QC varies batch to batch: some users get great units, some need calibration work
−Artillery's community is thin compared to Creality or Elegoo
−Gets audibly loud pushing 500mm/s; this is a workshop printer, not a bedroom one
Who Should Buy Which?
Choose the Anycubic Photon Mono M5s if you want:
- A great printer for resin
- A great printer for miniatures
- A great printer for detail
- 14K mono LCD
- Anti-warping release
- Dual cooling
Choose the Artillery Sidewinder X4 Plus if you want:
- A great printer for large-prints
- A great printer for budget
- A great printer for speed
- 300x300x400mm build
- Klipper
- Auto bed leveling
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Anycubic Photon Mono M5s better than the Artillery Sidewinder X4 Plus?
By the numbers, the Anycubic Photon Mono M5s scores higher (7.8/10). But "better" depends on your use case, the Artillery Sidewinder X4 Plus may be the smarter buy if you need large-prints.
Which is better for beginners, Anycubic Photon Mono M5s or Artillery Sidewinder X4 Plus?
Both score 6/10 for beginners. Go with the Anycubic Photon Mono M5s to save $10.
Is the Artillery Sidewinder X4 Plus worth $10 more than the Anycubic Photon Mono M5s?
The Anycubic Photon Mono M5s actually scores higher (7.8/10) despite costing $10 less. The Artillery Sidewinder X4 Plus only makes sense if you specifically need large-prints.
What's the main difference between Anycubic Photon Mono M5s and Artillery Sidewinder X4 Plus?
Technology: the Anycubic Photon Mono M5s is RESIN (filament) and the Artillery Sidewinder X4 Plus is FDM (resin). FDM prints bigger functional parts; resin delivers finer surface detail.