Anycubic Photon Mono M5s vs Bambu Lab P1P
Head-to-head 3D printer comparison, 2026
Comparing FDM to resin? The Anycubic Photon Mono M5s ($339, RESIN) and Bambu Lab P1P ($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 Bambu Lab P1P takes the crown with 8.8/10 vs 7.8/10. It pulls ahead in Beginner Friendliness, Speed, Reliability. That said, the Anycubic Photon Mono M5s saves you $160 and wins on Print Quality.
Score Breakdown
Specifications
| Spec | Anycubic Photon Mono M5s | Bambu Lab P1P |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $339 | $499 |
| Type | RESIN | FDM |
| Build Volume | 218 x 123 x 220 mm | 256 x 256 x 256 mm |
| Print Speed | 150 mm/s | 500 mm/s |
| Min Resolution | 0.01 mm | 0.05 mm |
| Weight | 9.5 kg | 13.5 kg |
| Overall Score | 7.8/10 | 8.8/10 |
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
Bambu Lab P1P
+Identical CoreXY motion system as the P1S: same speed, same print head, same quality
+Aftermarket enclosure panels are $60 and turn this into a near-P1S for less money
+Bambu's slicer and cloud ecosystem work the same as on every other Bambu
−$499 open frame when the A1 Combo is $399 with AMS Lite: the value math is awkward
−AMS sold separately: the one thing the A1 Combo has that this doesn't
−Discontinued: replaced by the P2S, which is just better
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 Bambu Lab P1P if you want:
- A great printer for speed
- A great printer for beginners
- A great printer for budget
- CoreXY
- Auto bed leveling
- WiFi
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Anycubic Photon Mono M5s better than the Bambu Lab P1P?
By the numbers, the Bambu Lab P1P scores higher (8.8/10). But "better" depends on your use case, the Anycubic Photon Mono M5s may be the smarter buy if you need resin.
Which is better for beginners, Anycubic Photon Mono M5s or Bambu Lab P1P?
The Bambu Lab P1P is more beginner-friendly (9/10 vs 6/10) with easier setup and a gentler learning curve.
Is the Bambu Lab P1P worth $160 more than the Anycubic Photon Mono M5s?
The Bambu Lab P1P scores higher overall (8.8/10 vs 7.8/10). The extra $160 gets you identical corexy motion system as the p1s: same speed, same print head, same quality.
What's the main difference between Anycubic Photon Mono M5s and Bambu Lab P1P?
Technology: the Anycubic Photon Mono M5s is RESIN (filament) and the Bambu Lab P1P is FDM (resin). FDM prints bigger functional parts; resin delivers finer surface detail.