Photon P1 MSLA 3D Printer vs Form 3B+
Technical comparison · Resin 3D printing
Photon P1 MSLA 3D Printer and Form 3B+ are not direct competitors: very different prices (~7.2×). Photon P1 MSLA 3D Printer costs less (~€674) and is the entry-level choice; Form 3B+ offers more capability at a higher price (~€4849). Judge them by budget, not head-to-head.
| Parameter |
Photon P1 MSLA 3D Printer
Anycubic
F2 · Intermediate
|
Form 3B+
Formlabs
F2 · Intermediate
|
|---|---|---|
| Identity | ||
| Launch year | 2026 | 2022 |
| Use tier | F2 — Intermediate | F2 — Intermediate |
| Price | ||
| Price (€) | ~649–699 € | 4849 € |
| Universal specs | ||
| Dimensions (W×D×H) (cm) | 36.6 × 33.8 × 53.9 cm | 40.5 × 37.5 × 53 cm |
| Weight (kg) | 13.6 kg | 17.5 kg |
| Work area (mm) | 223 × 126 mm | 145 × 145 mm |
| Z-axis height (mm) | 230 mm | 185 mm |
| Power (W) | 215 W | 220 W |
| Voltage (V) | — | 240 V |
| Maximum speed | 0.58 mm/min | — |
| Declared precision | 16.8 μm | 25 μm |
| Category specs | ||
| Build area XY (short side) (mm) | 126 mm | 145 mm |
| XY resolution (µm) | 16.8 µm | 25 µm |
| Light source | Mono LCD | Laser |
| UV power (mW/cm²) | 5 mW/cm² | — |
| Print speed (mm/h) | 35 mm/h | — |
| Tilt / peel system | Standard FEP | — |
| Ecosystem | ||
| Cloud dependency | No | No |
| Software notes | Model preparation for the Photon P1 is primarily handled by Anycubic Photon Workshop, a proprietary slicing software that has evolved significantly, offering an intuitive interface alongside advanced mesh repair and support tools. The printer still maintains an open nature, being fully compatible with popular third-party slicers widely appreciated by the community, such as Chitubox, Lychee Slicer, and Tango. Network connectivity via Wi-Fi and a LAN port, alongside the traditional USB port, allows for seamless remote control, integrating perfectly with the Anycubic mobile app. This flexibility grants users the freedom to choose their preferred software workflow, always ensuring the maximum output quality of the printed file. | Printer control is managed by PreForm, Formlabs' proprietary print preparation software. This application automatically optimizes model orientation, support generation, and layout arrangement, integrating specific algorithms to maximize the yield of medical resins. The system supports standard file formats such as STL and OBJ. Through the Dashboard cloud platform, users can monitor print status, track material consumption, and manage job queues remotely for entire fleets of machines. Although network connectivity (Wi-Fi and Ethernet) facilitates advanced management, the printer retains the ability to operate in local mode via data transfer via USB. |
The differences that matter
- Price: Photon P1 MSLA 3D Printer 674 € vs Form 3B+ 4849 € — Photon P1 MSLA 3D Printer wins (+619%)
- Work area: Photon P1 MSLA 3D Printer 223×126 mm vs Form 3B+ 145×145 mm — Photon P1 MSLA 3D Printer wins (+34%)
Which one to choose
Choose Photon P1 MSLA 3D Printer if…
you value price and work area.
Choose Form 3B+ if…
it shows no measurable advantage over Photon P1 MSLA 3D Printer on the available specs: consider it on price or availability.
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