Anycubic Photon P1 Max vs Prusa Research Original Prusa MK4S
Researched by Riley Hart · prices checked Nov 4, 2026
As of Nov 4, 2026, the Anycubic Photon P1 Max costs $959 and the Prusa Research Original Prusa MK4S costs $999, so the Anycubic Photon P1 Max is $40 cheaper. The Prusa Research Original Prusa MK4S scores higher in our ranking (7.5 vs 6.2 out of 10). Pick the Anycubic Photon P1 Max for large resin models and batches of miniatures. Pick the Prusa Research Original Prusa MK4S for quality focused makers who like to tinker. The Anycubic Photon P1 Max wins 3 of 4 points we can measure (1 tied).
Who wins, point by point
The Anycubic Photon P1 Max wins 3 of 4 points we can measure (1 tied). Built from today's prices, the specs and independent tests for these two robots.
| Photon P1 Max | Original Prusa MK4S | Winner | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Price today | $959 | $999 | Photon P1 Max |
| Warranty | 1 year | 1 year | Tie |
| Build volume | 285.5 x 214 x 300 mm | 250 x 210 x 220 mm | Photon P1 Max |
| Release year | 2026 | 2024 | Photon P1 Max |
- You want to spend less (saves $40)
- You care most about build volume (285.5 x 214 x 300 mm vs 250 x 210 x 220 mm)
- You want the newer model (2026 vs 2024)
- Best for large resin models and batches of miniatures
- Best for quality focused makers who like to tinker
- Build volume
- 285.5 x 214 x 300 mm
- Max speed
- 15 to 25 mm/h
- Multicolor
- No
- Enclosure
- Yes
Big 12K resin printer for miniatures and large display models
Full Anycubic Photon P1 Max review, pros and cons →- Build volume
- 250 x 210 x 220 mm
- Multicolor
- Optional MMU3
- Enclosure
- No
Reliable open frame Prusa with top print quality, kit or assembled
Full Prusa Research Original Prusa MK4S review, pros and cons →Side by side
| Anycubic Photon P1 Max | Prusa Research Original Prusa MK4S | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $959 | $999 |
| 3 year cost | $959 | $999 |
| Our score | 6.2/10 | 7.5/10 |
| Rank in 3D printers | #27 | #18 |
| Status | on sale | on sale |
| Warranty | 1 year on 3D printers, 14 day no reason return (Anycubic store) | 1 year for buyers outside the EU, including the US (Prusa knowledge base) |
| Build volume | 285.5 x 214 x 300 mm, 18.3 L (Anycubic) | 250 x 210 x 220 mm |
| Print speed | 15 to 25 mm/h with standard resin at 0.05 mm layers (Anycubic). FauxHammer saw a 30 hour job drop to about 20 hours with the automatic pressure based lift | No max speed published; Tom's Hardware measured 24 mm3/s volumetric flow with Prusament PLA |
| Multi color | No, resin printer prints one resin at a time | Optional MMU3 upgrade |
| Enclosure | Yes, lift up UV blocking lid; no fume hose included (Tom's Hardware); AirPure 2.0 filter sold separately (Anycubic) | No, open frame; optional Original Prusa Enclosure |
| Auto leveling | Yes, Leveling-Free 3.0 with force feedback (Anycubic). Tom's Hardware hit a firmware glitch that lifted the plate about 100 mm after leveling and had to re level | Yes, automatic mesh bed leveling with a load cell sensor |
| Max nozzle temp | Not applicable, resin (MSLA) printer with no nozzle | 290 C |
| Heated bed | No heated bed; heated 1.9 L vat reaches up to 35 C (Anycubic). Tom's Hardware found it held temperature | Yes, up to 120 C |
| Filament types | Not applicable, uses 405 nm resin; slicing in Photon Workshop, Chitubox, Lychee or Tango (Anycubic) | PLA, PETG, Flex, PVA, PC, PP, CPE, PVB; ABS, ASA, HIPS, PA with the enclosure and filtration add on |
| Connectivity | Wi-Fi, Ethernet and the Anycubic app (Anycubic); USB (Tom's Hardware); no automatic resin refill | Wi-Fi module included, NFC, USB drive |
| Camera | Yes, built in camera for remote monitoring (Anycubic); FauxHammer found timelapses only 640 x 480 and exportable only by USB drive | n/a |
| Noise | 45 dB or less (Anycubic claim) | Tom's Hardware found it very quiet, suitable for a shared office |
| Assembly | n/a | Sold assembled or as a kit; Tom's Hardware estimates about 8 hours to build the kit |
| Weight | 23.1 kg; 430 x 414 x 625 mm (Anycubic) | 7 kg; 500 x 550 x 400 mm |
| Resolution | 14 inch 12K mono LCD (11520 x 8640), 24.8 x 24.8 micron XY, layers 0.02 to 0.15 mm (Anycubic) | n/a |
| Best for | large resin models and batches of miniatures | quality focused makers who like to tinker |
| Skip if | you want auto resin refill or only print small parts | you want an enclosure or multi color included |
Specs are maker claims unless a reviewer is named. Prices from the stores we link, checked daily.
What reviewers found
Anycubic Photon P1 Max
- Tom's Hardware (Editor's Choice): Editor's Choice. A Tyrael figure took 7 h 24 min at 0.05 mm and 254 mL of resin, a scaled up model took 14 h 15 min and 1,106 mL, and a mask took 6 h 5 min. The heated vat held 35 C. A firmware glitch raised the plate about 100 mm after leveling. AI features were finicky. Source
- FauxHammer (4/5): Automatic pressure based lift cut a 30 hour estimate to about 20 hours with no failed prints. Detail was good enough for painted miniatures at 30 micron layers. Early layers came out thicker than set because of the spring mounted screen, and timelapses were only 640 x 480. Source
Prusa Research Original Prusa MK4S
- Tom's Hardware: Called it one of the best printers they have tested. Flow rose to 24 mm3/s with Prusament PLA, and a puzzle print took 2 h 59 min versus 3 h 23 min on a Bambu P1P with smoother parts that fit. Source
- TechRadar (5/5): Scored 30 of 30 in its print quality test with a combined dimensional error of 0.097 mm, and every Benchy in its multi print test finished. Noted the high price and open frame. Source
Questions buyers ask
Which is better, the Anycubic Photon P1 Max or the Prusa Research Original Prusa MK4S?
The Prusa Research Original Prusa MK4S scores higher in our ranking (7.5 vs 6.2 out of 10). Pick the Anycubic Photon P1 Max for large resin models and batches of miniatures. Pick the Prusa Research Original Prusa MK4S for quality focused makers who like to tinker.
Which is cheaper?
The Anycubic Photon P1 Max at $959, versus $999 for the Prusa Research Original Prusa MK4S, checked Nov 4, 2026.
What is the difference between the Photon P1 Max and the Original Prusa MK4S?
Build volume: 285.5 x 214 x 300 mm, 18.3 L (Anycubic) on the Photon P1 Max, 250 x 210 x 220 mm on the Original Prusa MK4S. Print speed: 15 to 25 mm/h with standard resin at 0.05 mm layers (Anycubic). FauxHammer saw a 30 hour… on the Photon P1 Max, No max speed published; Tom's Hardware measured 24 mm3/s volumetric flow with Prusament… on the Original Prusa MK4S. Multi color: No, resin printer prints one resin at a time on the Photon P1 Max, Optional MMU3 upgrade on the Original Prusa MK4S.
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