Anycubic Photon Mono X
Researched by Ric Ruben · Build volume 192 x 125 x 250mm · MSLA
A fast, high-detail monochrome resin printer with a well-sized build volume, held back by weak slicer software and a high price.
Full Review
The Photon Mono X is Anycubic's first MSLA printer, and it arrives with the features that define modern resin printers: a large build volume, a 4K screen, and a monochrome display. The 8.9-inch monochrome LCD is the headline feature — monochrome screens filter out less of the UV light used to cure each layer, cutting cure times from around 6 seconds per layer on RGB screens down to 1.5–2 seconds, and lasting roughly four times longer. Anycubic also lets you dial down UV intensity to stretch that lifespan further.
The Photon Mono X is discontinued. Anycubic's current resin machine, the Photon Mono M7, goes up against both Elegoo rivals in our resin 3D printer buying guide.
The Mono X's monochrome display allows it to go up to print speeds of 60 mm/h at 0.05 mm layer height — about 3 times faster than all of its Anycubic MSLA predecessors.
At 192 x 125 x 250mm, the build volume outshines close competitors like the Mighty 4K (200 x 125 x 220mm) and the Elegoo Saturn (192 x 120 x 200mm). Two large rear fans keep the machine cool during printing — and despite the cooling demands of a monochrome screen, they were recorded at a quiet 47dB.
Specs
Beautiful Size
The Mono X's build volume and 4K resolution screen put it in step with similar-sized competitors. Its Z-axis moves with a high level of stability and precision thanks to a dual linear rail and anti-backlash nut combination, and build plate leveling follows the usual simple MSLA process — loosen the screws, balance the plate with a piece of paper, then retighten. Some users have reported the build plate not fitting perfectly into the machine's corners; if you suspect a defective plate, it's worth contacting Anycubic directly for a replacement. On design, the all-metal chassis, 3.5-inch color touchscreen, and Anycubic's signature yellow removable lid make for a sturdy, distinctive-looking machine.
How Does It Print?
The Mono X can take some getting used to. Some prints develop a sticky membrane on the build plate — if that happens consistently, Anycubic can provide an adjusted print profile. It's also normal to find small scraps of cured resin left in the vat after a print, which currently means combing through the tank yourself. Anycubic's Resin Exposure Range Finder (RERF) test print helps new users dial in the optimal cure time for a given resin.
Software & Usability
Only two slicers currently support the Mono X: Anycubic's own Photon Workshop and the Lychee Slicer — a narrower choice than most machines offer. Photon Workshop covers the basics well, including turning a set of images into a 3D face model, but previewing a sliced file means saving it first, which can take over 10 minutes on larger prints; Anycubic has said it's working with ChituBox to add support. In the meantime, slicing externally and importing the result as an STL is a reasonable workaround. File transfer is via USB, and although the Mono X has a Wi-Fi antenna, wireless printing only works through Anycubic's mobile app, whose setup can be tedious with a long Wi-Fi password — direct slicer-to-printer connectivity would be a welcome update. The touchscreen UI itself is a strong point, letting you adjust layer cure time and UV strength mid-print.
Top Features
Today's top MSLA printers compete mainly on print speed and resolution, and the Mono X's monochrome display delivers on both. Greater light permeability lets it hit print speeds up to 60mm/h at 0.05mm layer height — about 3 times faster than earlier Anycubic MSLA machines — without the curing time increasing for larger prints. Its 8.9-inch 4K monochrome LCD runs at 3840 x 2400 pixels, translating to an XY resolution of 50 microns, notably finer than the 35 microns typical of other 4K MSLA printers (a gap driven by screen size — smaller screens like the Phrozen Sonic Mini 4K reach 35 microns more easily). The difference is barely visible to the naked eye but can matter for specialist applications.
Design & Anti-Aliasing
A removable top cover gives easy access to the print bed and vat, and a new "matrix design" light engine promises better UV distribution, with the Z-axis lead screw held by two linear rails for stability. Anti-aliasing, a relatively new Anycubic setting, smooths the surface of printed objects and reduces visible layer lines, though it can also soften some finer details — worth experimenting with (an anti-aliasing value of 4 or higher is a good starting point) to see what suits a given design.
Related: read our full guide to VAT Polymerization (SLA/DLP) 3D printing.
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The Anycubic Photon Mono X has been discontinued and is no longer restocked. The closest current model in the Anycubic resin lineup is the Photon Mono M7, which offers a 14K screen and faster print speeds at a similar price point.
Check price: Anycubic Photon Mono M7 →