Anycubic are one of the most respected brands in budget 3D printing. Does the Mega-S honor Anycubic’s legacy of greatness or has the company finally taken a misstep? Find out in today’s Anycubic Mega-S review.
Anycubic Mega-S Review Basics
Plainly, the Anycubic Mega-S shares many of the same specs as the Anycubic i3 Mega. This includes the sizeable 8.2 x 8.2 x 8.0-inch build volume, 50-300 micron print resolution, and even the same limited SD card connectivity. In fact, the main difference between the Anycubic Mega-S and Anycubic Mega-s and i3 Mega is that the Mega-S uses an upgraded Titan extruder. This extruder makes is possible to print with flexible filaments like TPU and PETG in addition to ABS and PLA.
This 3D printer comes mostly assembled and requires just a bit of time and patience to complete. All tools are included, and the instructions are clear on how to attach the top to the base. Once built, use the slicer of your choice to prepare prints before uploading to the printer through the SD slot. From there, interface with the Anycubic Mega-S through the full-color touchscreen.
Anycubic Mega-S Review Pros
Dirt Cheap
Let’s address the elephant in the room: this printer is CHEAP! At under $350, the Mega-S is one of the cheapest 3D printers around that we would actually recommend. It’s beaten out only by its own little brother, the i3 Mega, or other bare-bones workhorses like the Creality Ender-3. Overall, the Mega-S is an incredible value for budget shoppers and 3D printing beginners, though we expect nothing less from Anycubic.
Extra Accessories
In line with the Mega-S’s amazing value, this machine comes with a slew of valuable accessories and extras. The Anycubic Mega-S ships with extra nozzles of varying sizes, tools to help clear blockages, sample filament in a variety of colors, an SD card with pre-loaded projects, and even a brand new hotend! That’s simply unprecedented. We can’t remember ever seeing another printer ship with so many supplies. All together these extras add up to over $50 of hardware.
Although it’s not really an accessory, we also love the Mega-S’s Ultrabase. This durable textured print bed helps adhere all filaments more reliably, leading to better print quality and user experience.
Anycubic Mega-S Review Cons
Noisy
A lack of insulation and insecure parts like loose screws make this all metal exterior rattle loudly during use. Thankfully there are some printable solutions to this problem, but needless to say, don’t plan on sticking this printer in your bedroom.
Quality Control Issues
Ranging from loose screws and wiring to dented and warped print beds, the Anycubic Mega-S has quality control issues that doubtlessly stem from the machine’s ridiculously low price. While there are no reports of dangerous issues, note that you may have to do some serious tweeking before the Anycubic Mega-S is in fighting condition. You may even need to contact Anycubic for replacement parts or instructions on how to fix your issue. It’s nice that Anycubic’s customer service is so responsive and helpful, but it would be better if these quality control issues didn’t exist in the first place.
Anycubic Mega-S Review Verdict
It’s difficult to fault a sub-$350 3D printer that meets all its claims. The Anycubic Mega-S is a beginner- and wallet-friendly printer that provides average-to-good print results for the price in a variety of filament types. User-friendly features and accessories make everything that much easier no matter your level of experience. Is it made with the finest components and craftsmanship? No. But what do you expect from a printer at this price? With a little TLC, the Anycubic Mega-S is a fine machine with a notably edge over the cheaper Anycubic i3 Mega.
