So this post is extra close to my heart. If you’d asked me two years ago whether I’d ever be the kind of person who gets excited about printer nozzles, resin curing, or slicing software, I’d have laughed—and maybe checked if you were okay.
But here I am. Spoiler alert: I’m completely obsessed with 3D printing, and the brand that started it all for me? Anycubic.
Let me back up a little.
My Accidental Dive Into 3D Printing
It all started during one of those “creative productivity” spirals. You know what I’m talking about—right in the middle of lockdown life, when baking banana bread wore off and everyone started looking for a new hobby. For some folks, it was sourdough starters. For me, it was 3D printing.
I’d been scrolling Reddit one night and stumbled across a thread showcasing these incredible miniatures—tiny Dungeons & Dragons figures with foam swords, dragons, even entire villages with cobblestone textures. The kind of stuff that looks professionally made. Someone casually commented, “Printed it on my Anycubic Photon Mono.” That name stuck.
I remembered thinking: There’s no way you can make something that detailed at home, right?
Naturally, I went down a YouTube rabbit hole that night… and well, the rest was history.
Finding My First Printer: The “Whoa, This Is Real” Moment
Now, I wasn’t about to throw hundreds of bucks at a printer with no idea what I was doing. But the more I researched, the more I noticed a trend, especially among beginners: Anycubic kept coming up.
What stood out for me was how user-friendly people claimed their machines were. And more than that, the price-to-performance ratio seemed… kind of unbeatable?
Eventually, I took the plunge and ordered my very first Anycubic Photon Mono. It was love at first layer.
So, What Makes Anycubic So Special?
Let me tell you straight up—I am not an engineer. I’m not even “techy,” unless you count updating my phone once a year. But using the Photon Mono felt intuitive in a way I never expected from slightly intimidating gear.
And here’s why I think Anycubic succeeds where others trip up:
- Plug-and-Play Vibes
Most Anycubic printers (like both the Photon series for resin printing and the Kobra series for FDM) come mostly assembled. The Photon Mono took me maybe 20 minutes to set up—including reading the manual. - Community Love
Whether you’re checking Reddit, Facebook groups, or YouTube, there’s an insanely helpful crowd around this brand. From slicer settings to design tips, people genuinely love helping other users out. - Resources that Don’t Assume You’re a Tech Wizard
Anycubic’s tutorials and support guides actually make sense. No weird jargon, no assumptions that you know how to calibrate a Z-axis from the get-go. And their customer support? Surprisingly responsive. - Print Quality that Punches Way Above Its Weight
I still remember the first time I printed a miniature with the Photon Mono—I did a little jig in the kitchen. The detail on a 30mm model? Insanely sharp. I’ve had friends ask what site I bought it from. That feeling never gets old.
How It Solved My “Creativity Block” Problem
Here’s the thing: I didn’t start 3D printing just to pump out toys or gadgets. I started because I was in a weird mental slump and needed something satisfying. Tactile. Something I could finish and go, “Look! I made that.”
Creative burnout is real, and for me, Anycubic became both escape and excitement. Printing builds this unique rhythm—you go from “slice this design,” to “watch layers slowly appear,” to “oh man, it’s DONE.”
It’s the kind of hobby that balances techy fiddling with artistic joy, and that’s a much rarer combo than you’d think.
My Daily-Driver: Photon Mono X 6K
These days, I’ve upgraded to the Anycubic Photon Mono X 6K. This beast is bigger, sharper, and A LOT faster than my beginner machine. It handles complicated models like a total pro—perfect for large-scale terrain, articulated models, and ambitious builds I didn’t even think I could pull off a year ago.
The 6K resolution? Chef’s kiss. The detail is ridiculous. Stringy scarves, tiny teeth on dragons, even the texture of rock formations—all crisp. It’s a level-up that finally let me say: “Yeah, this is professional quality.” And I’m still using basic beginner-friendly slicer settings.
Resin vs. FDM – Tried Both, Recommend Both
I also tried out the Anycubic Kobra—their FDM printer line—and honestly, I was skeptical at first. Resin has such a clear advantage in detail. But for larger prints, cosplay props, practical parts (like drawer organizers, phone stands, or camera mounts)? FDM rules.
The Kobra’s auto-bed leveling makes it completely stress-free. And the build plate sticks just enough to hold prints but pops them off without a fight. That’s rare, folks. If you’ve ever practically wrestled with a print glue-stuck to the base, you’ll know what I mean.
Parts I Love Most (and Use All the Time)
Here are a few things that consistently make my 3D printing life easier:
- Anycubic Wash & Cure Plus Machine — This thing is basically a spa day for your resin prints. Quiet, fast, effective. Clean prints = happy me.
- High-Temp Resin — Great for rugged models or stuff I want a little more durability from. I’ve even used it for small kitchen tools (bonus tip: always check safety specs though).
- Flexible Build Plate (especially for FDM printers) — Save yourself the headaches. Forget scraping with sharp tools—just bend and pop your prints off.
Who Should Try Anycubic?
Honestly?
- Hobbyists on a budget
- Makers and tinkerers who love experimenting
- Tabletop gamers who want custom minis
- Parents making toys and cosplay outfits
- Yes, even teachers—these machines are popping up in STE(A)M programs more and more
And if you’re like me—someone who didn’t start with a huge tech background but wanted a creative outlet and a hands-on way to make stuff—Anycubic is a solid bet.
Final Thoughts: Why I’m Still an Anycubic Fanboy(ish)
I’ve now used my Anycubic machines for everything from dice towers, art sculptures, and replacement parts for broken appliances to full cosplay armor (only halfway done with that one—let’s be honest). And there’s something deeply satisfying about watching your ideas take real, solid shape layer by layer.
The brand kept things simple when I was a newbie and gave me space to grow into more complex prints without needing to sell a kidney for an upgrade. It’s reliable, surprisingly affordable, and straight-up fun.
So if you’ve been lurking on 3D printing subreddits, debating whether to get yourself a starter machine, or just need a push to build your first Iron Man prop?
Get a Photon Mono. Or a Kobra. Or both.
