What Anycubic Has Unveiled with the Photon P1 Max
Anycubic has just launched what it clearly wants to position as its flagship resin printer: the Photon P1 Max. And they've absolutely 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 litres, 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 built a bigger printer. There's serious engineering here: C7-grade ball screws promising ±0.01 mm repeatability, an aspherical Fresnel lens with ≤3° collimation, and a cooling system featuring an 8mm copper block to keep the light source running at a stable temperature. On paper, these are genuinely impressive numbers.
But what really raises my eyebrow is the dual-vat system with thermal control. According to Anycubic, the 1.9L heated vat can handle compatible resins with viscosity up to 8000 cps. That puts it firmly in industrial resin territory — the kind you wouldn't normally expect to see in a consumer-grade machine.
Screen, Resolution and Build 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, we're looking at an extraordinary level of detail. To put that in perspective, it's finer than many professional-grade printers from just a couple of years ago.
Anycubic claims their LightTurbo 4.0 system maintains light uniformity above 92%, measured across 208 points on the screen. If that holds up in the real world — and that "if" matters — it would mean you can use the entire build surface without dead zones or degraded quality at the edges. The rolling auto-calibration system they mention sounds promising, though whether it's as truly "set and forget" as advertised remains to be seen.
One thing that does give me pause is the longevity of such a large screen. Mono LCD panels at 8–10 inches already see meaningful wear over time, and we're dealing with considerably more surface area here. The copper cooling system should help, but only time will tell whether it's enough.
Build Volume vs. the Previous Photon Generation
The jump from the standard Photon P1 is substantial. We go from a build volume of 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 respectable functional parts or large batches of miniatures in a single run.
The 300mm Z-height is a standout feature. Ma
ny resin printers fall short on the Z-axis, but here you have plenty of room for tall figures or vertically-oriented industrial parts. Compared to direct competitors in this price range, the build volume sits at the top of the table.
| 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're signing up for
Here's the less glamorous but equally important part. An 18.3-litre build volume printer demands a post-processing setup to match — and that isn't cheap or compact. The heated 1.9L resin vat sounds great for high-viscosity resins, but it means you need the space and budget for post-processing accessories at scale.
Washing parts this size requires a large Wash & Cure station or, realistically, a DIY setup with industrial-sized containers. And don't get me started on isopropyl alcohol consumption — with large prints, the cost adds up fast. The FEP film will also be a specific size that will likely cost more than standard replacement sheets.
The dual vat system gives me mixed feelings. On one hand, the flexibility of having two resins ready to go is appealing. On the other, users in forums are already noting 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 small one will just gather dust.
What I find convincing — and what gives me pause
What convinces me is the commitment to quality components: C7 ball screws, a precision Fresnel lens optical system, and active copper cooling. These are engineering decisions that cost money and should translate into long-term reliability and precision. The high-viscosity resin compatibility also opens up some interesting possibilities — especially if you work with materials like Anycubic Tough Ultra, which at €31.99 per kilo delivers superior mechanical properties.
What gives me pause is the jump in complexity. More systems mean more potential failure points. Auto-levelling, thermal control, dual vats — it all sounds great on paper, but every additional system is one more thing that may need maintenance or cause issues down the line. And with Anycubic, after-sales 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 go head-to-head with established options that already have a mature community and ecosystem. If the price climbs too high, it risks falling into 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 well for you, honestly, you don't need this. The jump in price and complexity isn't justified for that use case. It's like buying a truck to pop to the shops.
Now, if you're constantly pushing the limits of your current printer, producing large functional prototypes, or need serious production volume, the P1 Max starts to make real 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 prints.
For small professional workshops or advanced makers who earn money from their prints, this could hit the sweet spot between consumer printers and five-figure industrial machines. But be warned: make sure you have the space and workflow to handle a machine of this scale. It's 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 stabilise, do it. If you need volume now and have the budget, it could be an interesting bet — but go in knowing you'll effectively be a beta tester. With the technology packed into this thing, early batches always come with surprises.
Let's get our hands dirty (or rather, resin-y) 😎
🔥1Kg Anycubic Tough Ultra Resin, tough resin, semi-flexible🔥
Now that you know what the Photon P1 Max can do, get even more out of it with Anycubic Tough Ultra Resin. Its outstanding impact resistance and improved flexibility let you create durable models that hold up to heavy use without snapping at the first knock.