Anycubic Photon Mono 4 Ultra: problems, parts and running costs
Checked: 2026-10-19
Summary
The most common owner-reported trouble is inconsistent print quality on undersides and bottom surfaces, followed by first-layer adhesion failures that re-levelling fixes [1][2][6]. Running costs are resin plus cleaning supplies and the occasional release film; the sources read give no consumable prices or power-draw figure, so no yearly total can be computed. It is a good buy near the ~$200 street price tracked in October 2026 and a weak one at the $299 list price, where the same money reaches larger machines [1][3][5].
Common problems and fixes
- Inconsistent underside quality — the most recurring caution across Reddit aggregations; one beginner reported a washed-out underside on the test print [1][6]. No fix is documented in the sources read. Warranty: not stated in sources.
- First-layer adhesion failures — 3DWork saw platform adhesion failures during testing, fixed by re-levelling and first-layer tuning [2]; the machine ships with manual 4-point levelling, does not ship pre-levelled and has no leveling feet [2][3]. For models that will not stick, the manual advises increasing bottom exposure or adding a raft [5]. Warranty: not stated in sources.
- Flakes in the resin vat — the manual’s fix is to shorten exposure times [5]. Warranty: not stated in sources.
- Layer separation (delamination) — the manual advises checking release-film tension, tightening the platform and vat, reducing lift speed and venting hollow models [5]. Warranty: not stated in sources.
- Stock ACF film softer than PFA — one owner reported the film possibly reducing print quality [1]; FauxHammer says the vat also takes Mono 4 PFA film, which gives marginally sharper prints at the cost of speed [3]. Warranty: not stated in sources.
- Advertised 120 mm/h needs High Speed Resin 2.0 — the speed claim holds only at 0.1 mm layers with High Speed Resin 2.0; standard resin tops out at 80 mm/h [1][2]. Warranty: not stated in sources.
- Anycubic quality-control concerns — a recurring theme in community sentiment, with build quality and build volume the most negative areas [1][6]. No fix applies. Warranty: not stated in sources.
Parts and consumables
Yearly running cost
Not enough data. The recurring costs are resin (Anycubic High Speed Resin 2.0 or standard resin), isopropyl alcohol or water-wash resin, nitrile gloves, a separate wash-and-cure station that is not included, and the occasional replacement release film [1][2][3]. No consumable prices were given in the sources read and no rated power-draw figure was confirmed, so a yearly total cannot be computed from the inputs.
When it is a good buy
- Around $200 is the right territory. The lowest tracked offer at the October 2026 check was $202.28 on AliExpress (StillPrinting, 2026-10), before any shipping fees; at that street level it is a reasonable miniature and jewellery machine [1][3].
- $299 is the weak point. At the Anycubic official store’s regular price of $299.00 (StillPrinting, 2026-10) the case weakens, because the same money reaches larger-volume machines [1][3][4].
- Better alternative for batch work: the Anycubic Photon M7. It offers a similar feature set with more build area and is the closer fit when you need to batch miniatures or print large terrain [3].