What Anycubic Has Unveiled with the Photon P1 Max
Anycubic has just launched what they clearly intend as their flagship resin printer: the Photon P1 Max. And they've definitely gone all out on the specs. We're talking about a machine with a 14-inch screen at 12K resolution (11520 × 8640 pixels), a build volume of 285.5 × 214 × 300 mm translating to 18.3 liters, and a completely redesigned optical system they're calling LightTurbo 4.0.
What stands out most to me about this announcement is that they haven't just made a bigger printer. They've packed in serious engineering: C7-grade ball screws promising ±0.01 mm repeatability, an aspherical Fresnel lens with ≤3° collimation, and a copper-block cooling system to keep the light source running at a stable temperature. On paper, these are genuinely impressive numbers.
But what really raises my eyebrow is their dual-tank system with thermal control. According to Anycubic, the 1.9L heated vat can handle compatible resins with viscosity up to 8,000 cps. That's industrial-resin territory you wouldn't normally expect to see on a consumer-grade machine.
Screen, Resolution, and Size: What the Specs
Promise
The 14-inch 12K display is, without question, the headline spec. With square pixels measuring 24.8 × 24.8 μm, the level of detail on offer is exceptional. To put it in perspective, that's finer than many professional-grade printers from just two years ago.
Anycubic claims their LightTurbo 4.0 system maintains light uniformity above 92%, measured across 208 points on the screen. If that holds true in practice — and that "if" matters — it would mean you can use the entire build surface without dead zones or degraded quality toward the edges. The rolling auto-calibration system they mention sounds promising, though we'll have to see whether it's as genuinely set-and-forget as advertised.
What does give me pause is the longevity of such a large screen. Mono LCDs in the 8–10 inch range already show wear over time, and we're dealing with significantly more surface area here. The copper cooling system should help, but only time will tell whether it's enough.
Build Volume Compared to the Previous Photon Generation
The jump from the standard Photon P1 is substantial. Build volume goes from 223 × 126 × 230 mm up to 285.5 × 214 × 300 mm on the P1 Max. In practical terms, that's the difference between printing medium-sized prototypes and being able to produce full-scale functional parts or large batches of miniatures in a single run.
The 300mm height is particularly impressive. 
Many resin printers fall short on the Z-axis, but here you have plenty of room for tall figures or vertical industrial parts. Compared to direct competitors in this price range, the build volume sits at the top of the chart.
| Model | Build Volume | Total Volume |
|---|---|---|
| Photon P1 | 223 × 126 × 230 mm | ~6.5L |
| Photon P1 Max | 285.5 × 214 × 300 mm | 18.3L |
Post-processing ecosystem (Wash & Cure, vat, FEP film): what you'll need
Now for the less glamorous but equally important part. A printer with 18.3 liters of build volume demands a matching post-processing setup — and that's neither cheap nor compact. The 1.9L heated resin vat sounds great for high-viscosity resins, but it means you'll need both the space and the budget for post-processing accessories at scale.
Washing parts this size requires a large Wash & Cure station or, realistically, a DIY setup using industrial-sized containers. And let's not even get started on isopropyl alcohol consumption — with large prints, the costs add up fast. The FEP film is also a non-standard size, which will likely cost more than regular replacement sheets.
The dual-vat system leaves me with mixed feelings. On one hand, the flexibility of having two resins ready to go is genuinely appealing. On the other hand, users on forums are already pointing out how awkward it can be to drain two vats at different heights. My prediction: most people will end up using only the large heated vat, and the smaller one will just collect dust.
What I find convincing — and what gives me pause
The commitment to quality components is convincing: C7 ball screws, a precision Fresnel lens optical system, and active copper cooling. These are engineering choices that cost money and should translate into long-term reliability and precision. High-viscosity resin compatibility also opens up some interesting possibilities, especially if you work with materials like Anycubic Tough Ultra — at €31.99 per kilo, it delivers superior mechanical properties.
What gives me pause is the added complexity. More systems mean more potential points of failure. Auto-leveling, thermal control, dual vats — it all sounds great on paper, but every additional system is one more thing that may need maintenance or troubleshooting down the line. And Anycubic's technical support hasn't always been their strongest suit.
I also wonder about the final price in Europe. With these specs, it's not going to be cheap, and it'll compete directly with established options that already have mature communities and ecosystems. If the price climbs too high, it could end up in no man's land: too expensive for the casual maker, not robust enough for the professional who prefers brands with better support.
Who should wait — and who this format just isn't right for
If you're printing 28-32mm miniatures or small prototypes on a standard Mars or Photon and it's working fine for you, honestly, you don't need this. The jump in price and complexity simply isn't justified for that use case. It's like buying a pickup truck just to run errands.
Now, if you're constantly hitting the limits of your current printer — cranking out large functional prototypes or needing serious production volume — the P1 Max starts to make sense. Especially if you work with thick technical resins that would benefit from a heated vat. The 18.3L build volume lets you consolidate jobs that previously required multiple print runs.
For small professional workshops or advanced makers who monetize their prints, this could be the sweet spot between consumer printers and five-figure industrial machines. But be realistic: make sure you have the space and the workflow to handle a machine of this caliber. This is not plug-and-play like a Photon Mono.
My advice: if you can wait 6–8 months for real-world reviews to come in and the firmware to stabilize, do it. If you need volume now and have the budget, it could be an interesting bet — but go in knowing you'll essentially be a beta tester. With the technology packed into this thing, early batches always come with surprises.
Let's get our hands dirty (with resin, obviously) 😎
🔥1Kg Anycubic Tough Ultra Resin — High-Impact, Semi-Flexible Resin🔥
Now that you know what the Photon P1 Max is capable of, get the most out of it with Anycubic Tough Ultra Resin. Its excellent impact resistance and enhanced flexibility let you create durable models that hold up to heavy use without snapping on the first knock.