The Anycubic Photon P1 resin 3D printer is a compact desktop resin printer with dual-color and dual-material printing capability, launched as a significant upgrade for Anycubic’s product line, available at retailers including Amazon and Anycubic’s official site. This machine marks a genuine leap forward for the company—delivering industrial-grade precision and features that most competitors at this price simply don’t offer.
Key Takeaways
- Dual-color and dual-material printing reduces resin waste on smaller models by allowing simultaneous use of two materials.
- 14K resolution delivers micron-level precision with zero visible layer lines and no calibration needed out of the box.
- Peel force reduced by 60% via high-transparency release film for higher success rates and smooth bottoms.
- Intelligent Assist 3.0 auto-levels the platform, adjusts lift speeds, and detects safety risks in real time.
- Current pricing around $720 at Amazon, down from the original $970 launch price.
What Makes the Anycubic Photon P1 Stand Out
The Anycubic Photon P1 resin 3D printer distinguishes itself through dual-vat architecture and industrial-grade precision at a prosumer price point. Most desktop resin printers force you to choose between one material or one color per print; this machine lets you run two simultaneously. That’s not a minor convenience—it’s a workflow significant shift for anyone printing miniatures, prototypes, or precision engineering parts where material waste and print time matter.
The 14K resolution sensor system delivers quasi-industrial performance with micron-level precision. Reviewers have consistently reported crisp, sharp detail with zero visible layer lines, even on the first prints. A stable ball screw system combined with smart auto-leveling ensures accuracy without the fussing that plagues cheaper resin printers. The machine requires no calibration out of the box—a massive advantage over competitors that demand tedious setup routines.
Build quality reflects a genuine step up for Anycubic. The wavy release film reduces peel forces by 60% through high-transparency texture, which translates to higher success rates and smooth bottoms on finished parts. One reviewer testing the printer over three months reported zero failed prints, out of the box, with no calibration required.
Print Quality and Real-World Performance
The Anycubic Photon P1 resin 3D printer delivers print quality that justifies the investment. Test prints completed in roughly 30 minutes, with water-washable resin performing flawlessly—no warping, no surface defects, no post-print issues. The sharp detail and smooth surface finishes make this machine ideal for tabletop miniatures, jewelry prototyping, dental models, and precision engineering work where surface quality directly affects the finished product.
Intelligent Assist 3.0 automates the tasks that typically derail resin printing. The system auto-levels the platform, dynamically adjusts lift speeds based on layer geometry, and monitors for safety risks in real time. Smart thermal resin control automatically optimizes temperatures for consistent prints across different ambient conditions—a feature that eliminates one of the biggest variables in resin printing. A built-in 480p camera enables remote monitoring and time-lapses, though image quality is serviceable rather than broadcast-grade.
The slicer software from Anycubic is straightforward and user-friendly, supporting both full-plate and dual-plate configurations. You can prepare files on your computer and send them directly to the printer without navigating clunky interfaces or proprietary workflows.
Dual-Color Printing: A Rare Feature at This Price
Dual-color and dual-material printing is where the Anycubic Photon P1 resin 3D printer genuinely separates itself from the field. Most prosumer resin printers handle one material per job; this machine handles two simultaneously. That means you can print a miniature with a flesh-tone base and metallic armor in one run, or prototype a two-part assembly without waiting for the first part to cure and be removed.
For artists and engineers, this capability cuts print time and reduces resin waste on smaller models—a meaningful advantage when specialty resins cost $50 to $100 per liter. You’re not forced to print a full plate of single-color parts just to maximize material usage. The dual-vat setup is rare enough in the desktop space that it alone justifies serious consideration.
Pricing and Availability
The Anycubic Photon P1 resin 3D printer launched at $970, with current pricing around $720 at Amazon—a $250 discount that reflects strong market positioning. Early-bird Kickstarter buyers reported paying $449. The machine is widely available through Amazon, Anycubic’s official website, and other major retailers, making it accessible to buyers worldwide.
What Holds It Back
No product is flawless. Early production units shipped with a UV cover that wasn’t fully protective—a flaw fixed in later units. The 480p camera is serviceable for monitoring but won’t produce gallery-quality time-lapses. Some claimed AI failure detection features remain untested in independent reviews, so treat those as promised capabilities rather than proven ones.
The simplistic interface that Anycubic advertises as user-friendly also means fewer advanced controls for users who want to tweak every parameter. If you’re coming from a high-end industrial printer, you’ll notice the trade-off between ease-of-use and granular customization.
How does the Anycubic Photon P1 compare to other resin printers?
The Anycubic Photon P1 resin 3D printer stands out for its dual-vat, dual-color capability—a feature most competitors don’t offer at this price point. Standard resin printers excel at single-material work but force you to manage color or material changes manually. The P1 handles both simultaneously, making it ideal for mixed-material prototypes and multi-color miniatures that would require multiple print jobs on other machines.
Is calibration really not needed out of the box?
Yes. Multiple reviewers confirmed zero-fail printing straight from the box with no calibration required. Auto-leveling and sensor optimization handle setup automatically, eliminating the tedious platform-leveling that frustrates users of cheaper resin printers.
What resins work best with the Anycubic Photon P1?
Water-washable resins perform flawlessly on this machine, with no warping or post-print complications reported. The smart thermal control adjusts for different resin types, making it versatile across engineering resins, standard photopolymers, and specialty formulations. Always check resin compatibility with the manufacturer, but the P1’s sensor system handles temperature variation gracefully.
The Anycubic Photon P1 resin 3D printer is a genuine step forward for desktop resin printing. It delivers industrial precision, dual-material capability, and zero-fail reliability in a machine that doesn’t require a PhD in photochemistry to operate. The $720 price point makes it a serious contender for anyone printing miniatures, prototypes, or precision parts. Is it perfect? No. But it’s hard to argue with the print quality and feature set at this price.
Where to Buy
$549.99 at Amazon | $549.99 at Amazon | Amazon.com | Amazon.co.uk | $674.68
Edited by the All Things Geek team.
Source: TechRadar
