8K Resolution, Larger Print Area, and Air Purification

The Anycubic Photon Premium features a superior print resolution, two air purifiers and a reduced odor of toxic resin. There are many other factors to consider when using a 3D printer, beyond the headline resolution. Does the M3 premium, the top-of-the-line entry in the Photon series deliver?

Anycubic Photon Premium Design M3

The Photon M3 Premium is a continuation of the Photon line-up by Anycubic. It has the same yellow cover as the Photon S3 Premium. The printer’s larger size makes it stand out. If you want to make the most of its larger build volume, be sure to leave room for the printer’s large body measuring around 12.9 inches (L) by 13.8 inches (W) and 24.6 inches (H).

You will notice a lot of weight when it is first removed from the shipping box. This resin 3D printer weighs in at 19kg (just under 41 pounds). You should ensure that the surface can hold its weight if you don’t have enough space, especially if it isn’t placed alone.

The M3 Premium also features familiar design elements. Laser-engraved checkered build-plates provide better adhesion and can be removed without any sanding. The printer can also be equipped with two Anycubic AirPure units.

The M3 Premium’s 4.3-inch resistive touch screen allows you to navigate through the menus and set up your prints. Although it is smaller than the Touch Screen of the Photon M3 Plus but still responsive, it can be used by larger-handed users.

Anycubic decided to place the USB port on the right-hand side for USB connectivity. It is still at the front of the printer, but it is important to pay attention to its placement. The cord and power switch are located on the same side as the Wi-Fi antenna.

On another note, if you aren’t using Anycubic’s included USB drive, you’ll need it appropriately formatted and ensure it doesn’t exceed 8 GB in size for smoother operation. Sandisk, a trusted brand, can help you with this. But, if it does not, there are likely to be USB-related problems.




Anycubic M3 Premium Technical Specifications

You can expect specifications to be consistent as a Premium product.

The M3 Premium feature a 10.1″ 8K monochrome LCD screen with 28.5μm (microns) accuracy. So for those looking to squeeze an extra model in or fit that slightly larger piece, it’s a welcome size upgrade to the likes of the M3 Plus. As a trade-off, the potential print speed slightly suffers at around ≤ 95mm per hour.



Beyond these, the M3 Premium uses Anycubic’s LighTurb light source. This ensures a better light uniformity of more than 90%, which reduces the risk of light straying. This improves the quality of prints and makes them look sharper.

The Anycubic Photon 3 Premium: Setting up

If you’re new to 3D printing, the initial set-up and leveling of the build plate can be a little bit of a learning area for some. This process is becoming more simplified with the addition of pre-cut leveling papers and tweaks to the build plate. 

It’s the same process as for the Premium M3 Plus. You need to press the build plate and tighten the four screws, before you can set the zero position.

The two knobs on the resin vat are enough to secure it. To prevent any accidental resin spillages on the screen, a small screen protector kit has been included. It can be difficult to get a bubble-free finish.

Installing the two purifier units is easy, unlike other parts of M3, such as the automatic feeder systems. Before installing each purifier, take off the top that protects the carbon filter. Once powered on, you’ll see a distinctive LED light behind the anti-UV cover.

The M3 Premium improves airflow

The usefulness of accessories for 3D printers is dependent on their printing processes. Anycubic includes two of its air purifiers equipped with USB plugs as part of a more generalized usage case. It’s not surprising that 3D printing is a hot topic because of concerns about respiratory and odor sensitivity.

But, it is important to consider the effectiveness of using an air purifier. Also, how large an area of treatment is required. Anycubic claims that the purifier can remove around 80% of odors in just 10 minutes.

It’s not a trick, but it works. There is no noticeable resin odor in a small space with two M3 Premium printers at once. This will not replace the need for a mask but it can be used as an additional filter option to reduce the unpleasant elements of the printing process.

You should still change the activated charcoal filters at least once every 3-6 months according to Anycubic. Both purifiers can be used almost silently, which means that there’s minimal noise during printing.

My only complaint was resolved by a recent firmware update. Previously if you turned the M3 Premium printer on, its twin air purifiers wouldn’t also automatically turn on as well. This change has been made so that you don’t have to remember to turn them on manually or to enable them via touch screen.

Printing on M3 Premium

Anycubic has attempted to increase print success and expand the options for users using the M3 Premium.

 I usually want to test various designs in small and medium sizes to find out how a printer performs. It is usually a mix of large pieces and multi-part pieces, depending on the modeler.



The Premium M3 Plus has a larger build plate and nFEP film, which provides a better environment to test print successes and failures. Print failures are often caused by layers sticking to the film. Fortunately, this was not an issue during my testing.

Be careful with your model placement and be aware of the physical aspects of the printing process. The M3 Premium is a great choice for anyone concerned about printing successful prints. The newer nFEP printers are more durable, which means they last longer than other printers.

The M3 Premium’s 1.35 liter resin vat boasts a 60% increased capacity. A common problem with resin printing is not having enough resin in the middle of a print. The option to have more resin can help reduce this issue. Even at visibly low levels, there’s often enough to finish quite a few prints—especially when working with miniatures.

Anycubic plans to allow mobile printing through the Anycubic app. Unfortunately, connectivity issues were still present even after the correct firmware update was applied. Wireless printing was not available for testing.

The only problem with cleaning and maintaining the printing process was the magnets on the bolts at the top of the plate. This doesn’t affect your operation if you do multiple prints at once. The additional attention to cleaning might prove too much for occasional printers.

Photon Workshop is used by the M3 Premium when preparing files for printing. It’s a basic, slow-speeding slicer that’s not designed for cutting print files. Lychee, a more targeted software, will allow you to make adjustments in most cases. You can add your own supports.

You will need to modify your print settings and use Photon Workshop for placement if you already have a majority of pre-supported models.

8K High Quality Prints With The Photon M3 premium

To test print results and quality, I worked foremost with Anycubic’s ABS-like Resin Pro, while also trying Phrozen’s 8K resin as a comparison metric. Anycubic’s ABS resin is flexible and resistant to falls. This gave you more flexibility for delicate pieces and support removal.

I printed familiar models as a secondary measure to see if there were any quality differences. I tried a model I had printed previously in both 4K and 6K resolutions, as well as one I had never printed before at 6K. There were minor improvements in both cases.

This is a reason not to upgrade your machine. The detail may not always be obvious to an untrained eyes. But if you’re a practicing 3D modeler or looking for the absolute best quality results before painting, it’s a trade-off to weigh.

Should You Buy Anycubic Photon 3 Premium?

If you’ve liked what Anycubic has done with its previous Photon printers, you’ll likely find much to like about the M3 Premium. However, the M3 Premium may not be worth the extra resolution. The M3 Premium is a great option if you want to get the best representation of your 3D models and maximize its print volume.

Printing at more conservative settings is easier, but the printing process is still reliable. I have very few complaints and the printer does what it is supposed to. 

Mostly, you’ll need to think if the M3 Premium’s overall size and print volume suit your needs and whether those air purifiers bring added value for you. If you are willing and able to use a variety print, the M3 Premium offers great value.