Anycubic Photon Mono M5s vs Creality Hi Combo
Head-to-head 3D printer comparison, 2026
Comparing FDM to resin? The Anycubic Photon Mono M5s ($339, RESIN) and Creality Hi Combo ($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 Anycubic Photon Mono M5s takes the crown with 7.8/10 vs 7.6/10. It pulls ahead in Print Quality, Reliability. The Creality Hi Combo still puts up a fight in Beginner Friendliness and Speed.
Score Breakdown
Specifications
| Spec | Anycubic Photon Mono M5s | Creality Hi Combo |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $339 | $399 |
| Type | RESIN | FDM |
| Build Volume | 218 x 123 x 220 mm | 260 x 260 x 300 mm |
| Print Speed | 150 mm/s | 500 mm/s |
| Min Resolution | 0.01 mm | 0.1 mm |
| Weight | 9.5 kg | 13.31 kg |
| Overall Score | 7.8/10 | 7.6/10 |
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
Creality Hi Combo
+16 colors with 4 CFS modules if you go all-in
+All-metal CoreXY body that feels solid for $399
+300mm Z-axis beats most competitors at this price
+Multi-color CoreXY at $399 is genuinely rare
−CFS feed reliability is inconsistent on color changes
−No adaptive purge, fixed volumes waste filament
−PTFE tube alignment is fiddly and matters a lot
−3.8/5 customer rating hints at QC variance
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 Creality Hi Combo if you want:
- A great printer for multi-color
- A great printer for speed
- A great printer for budget
- CoreXY motion system
- Up to 16-color printing (4x CFS)
- Die-cast aluminum unibody
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Anycubic Photon Mono M5s better than the Creality Hi Combo?
By the numbers, the Anycubic Photon Mono M5s scores higher (7.8/10). But "better" depends on your use case, the Creality Hi Combo may be the smarter buy if you need multi-color.
Which is better for beginners, Anycubic Photon Mono M5s or Creality Hi Combo?
The Creality Hi Combo is more beginner-friendly (7/10 vs 6/10) with easier setup and a gentler learning curve.
Is the Creality Hi Combo worth $60 more than the Anycubic Photon Mono M5s?
The Anycubic Photon Mono M5s actually scores higher (7.8/10) despite costing $60 less. The Creality Hi Combo only makes sense if you specifically need multi-color.
What's the main difference between Anycubic Photon Mono M5s and Creality Hi Combo?
Technology: the Anycubic Photon Mono M5s is RESIN (filament) and the Creality Hi Combo is FDM (resin). FDM prints bigger functional parts; resin delivers finer surface detail.