best resin for Anycubic Photon Mono 2
As an owner, you understand the power of the best resin for Anycubic Photon Mono 2. Its compact and smooth 3D printing makes the machine stand out, especially for its size. However, the quality of the resin used has a drastic impact on the result of the print. It’s not as simple as pouring resin and clicking on print; you need to ensure the formula you select is compatible with the project, environment, and the printer.
Whether it’s a miniature, a prototype, or a piece for display, the Anycubic Photon Mono 2 requires a compatible resin, regardless of the manufacturer. Elements such as print quality and its durability, smell, ease of use, and, of course, cost matter just as much. This guide will enable optimum selection and ensure the printer is used more effectively, thus leading to fewer failures and smoother prints. Most of the Anycubic Kobra 2 Pro’s frame is pre-built, so there is no need to stress about the bulk of the machine’s parts.
Key Takeaways
- Resins that cure too slowly or excessively shrink or crack will render the Photon Mono 2’s monochrome screen useless.
- Spendable resins, including standard UV, ABS-like, low-odor, and water-washable variants, remain top for use with the printer.
- It’s often not the resin, it’s the incorrect exposure settings. Such print issues will be handled in fewer steps than you expect.
- Based on ease of use, print quality, user reviews, price, and the rest of the 2024 top 7 resins, we compiled a ranked list.
- Understand resin types and their real-world advantages and disadvantages to help you save money and avoid costly mistakes.
What Makes a Resin “Best” for Photon Mono 2?
Understanding the Machine
The Photon Mono 2 is equipped with a monochrome 6.6” LCD screen, which surpasses older RGB models in both sharp resolution and speed. That is greatly useful for detail, but means you need faster resin and cure times.
Key Resin Qualities That Matter:
- Curing Speed: faster with monochrome screens. Select exposure-sensitive resins.
- Low Shrinkage: Critical for larger models or models broken into several parts.
- Consistency: Good resins improve warping, bubbles, and surface defects.
- Smell and Safety: The best options for indoor use are those with low odor, plant-based, or water-washable materials.
If you are printing miniatures, prioritize detail. For functional parts, use tough or ABS-like resin. For the easiest post-processing, water-washable resins are best.
Top 7 Resins for Anycubic Photon Mono 2 (2024 Tested Picks)
Here’s a summary of the top users and experts’ recommended resins for Photon Mono 2.
1. Anycubic UV Resin (Standard)
- User Type: Budget prints and general use
- Cost: $20–25/L
- User Reviews: Smooth dial-in, great results from Photon slicer presets
- Negatives: Some slight odor, brittleness from over-curing
2. Siraya Tech Fast Resin (Low Odor)
- User Type: Miniatures, cosplay props
- Cost: $35/L
- Positive Attributes: Smooth surface finish, good adhesion, minimal odor
- Pro Tip: Use 1.8s base / 10s bottom exposure on Mono 2
3. Elegoo ABS-like Resin
- User Type: Functional parts that need durability. Best For
- User Reviews: Maintains precision, high tensile strength, and is excellent for
- Caution: Industrial ABS is slightly more brittle
4. Phrozen Aqua 8K Resin
- User Type: Insane detail at high resolutions. Best For
- Application: Figurines, miniatures, and jewelry
- Advantage: Low odor and minimal shrinkage
- Market Price: ~$40–$45/L—worth it for professional work
5. eSun Water Washable Resin
- User Type: Best for safe, indoor printing
- User Reviews: Low odor, no alcohol needed for cleaning
- Cons: Less tough; more brittle under pressure
6. Anycubic Plant-Based Eco Resin
- User Type: Best for eco-conscious users and safe printing environments
- Pros: Biodegradable base, non-irritating, and low fumes
- Disadvantages: Prusa: Slightly slower curing time, not heavy-duty prints
7. Siraya Tech Tenacious (Flexible Resin)
- User Type: Best for flexible and impact-resistant parts.
- Use With: Combine with other Siraya resins for enhanced hybrid toughness.
- Tips: Cures slower, so adjust exposure accordingly.
Real-World Comparison: What Over Time Prints Reveal
Let us look further than the bottle. Here’s the performance of prints in the real world:
- Standard resins (Anycubic, Elegoo): Cost-effective, but prone to chipping and warping without meticulous settings.
- ABS-like resins: Minimally shrink, and improve strength, excellent for structural components.
- Water-washable resins: Transformative for indoors. No need for IPA, but it loses detail and sharpness.
- Eco-resins: Gentle for users but unsuitable for long-term mechanical applications.
Sample Scenario: Let us say you’re printing a 4-inch tabletop figurine. With Fast, users will get sharp and smooth features, but need to adjust exposure. ESun Water Washable makes cleanup easier, but the sword may not be sharp during printing.
Best Settings for Photon Mono 2: First Time Troubleshooting
Even the best resin can fail if the settings are wrong. Here are the most important things to remember:
Baseline Settings:
- Layer Height: 0.05 mm (0.03 for ultra detail)
- Normal Exposure Time: 1.8–2.5 seconds
- Bottom Layer Exposure: 20–30 seconds
- Lift Speed: 60–80 mm/min
Starting with a test print for resin exposure is recommended (R_E_R_F) for adjusting exposure.
Downloadable Profiles:
- Both Lychee and ChiTuBox have community profiles available for each resin.
- Check out forums like r/AnycubicPhoton for community-shared slicer settings.
Affordable vs Premium Resin: What’s the Real Difference?
Budget Resin (< $30/L):
- Best for engineering samples.
- Stronger odor than premium.
- It requires additional post-processing to achieve the desired surface finish.
Premium Resin ($35–$60/L):
- Better manufacturing consistency.
- Less fragile and more accurate to the intended dimensions.
- Cleanup is less messy.
If you’re not mass producing, paying an additional $5–10 for a bottle greatly reduces labor and failed print time.
Common Problems (and Simple Fixes)
Brittle Prints
Lower exposure settings or switch to ABS-like resin.
Print Peeling or Delamination
Check leveling, slow lift speed, and bed leveling to troubleshoot.
Surface Pitting or Bubbles
Stir the resin before use and avoid printing in high humidity to prevent surface pitting.
Over-cured Edges (Elephant’s Foot)
Reduce the bottom exposure layer and total layer cure time to fix over-cured edges.
Resin Tips for Optimal Results
- Always shake the resin before pouring.
- Filter out cured particles from used resin.
- Clean with resin-type appropriate methods (spray or warm soapy water) for cured parts.
- Store in cool, dark places in airtight containers to preserve.
- Label each bottle with the date opened, as they degrade over time.
Alternative Resin Types To Consider
- Flexible/Tough Resins: Effective for mechanical joints or drop-resistant prints.
- Castable Resins: Useful for jewelry or in lost-wax casting.
- Dental/Medical Resins: Generally, biocompatibility is insufficient to avoid these.
Concluding Remarks: The Appropriate Resin Makes All The Difference
To an artist, a paintbrush is an essential tool. To an artist, a paintbrush is an essential tool. For the Anycubic Photon Mono 2, the paint is indeed the resin. The right resin boosts time, quality, and elevates satisfaction especially when using Elegoo ABS-like and water-washable.
Test. Tune. Repeat.
Ensure that all settings, especially the resin, are dialed in and wait as the prints transition from a half-hearted “meh” to an astonishing “wow” reveal.
As a tip, for a finer result, adjust your slicer based on the chosen resin for your test print. Happy printing!
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Anycubic Photon Mono 2 good?
Yes, the Anycubic Photon Mono 2 is great for high-detail prints. Its monochrome screen speeds up curing and extends lifespan, making it ideal for miniatures, prototypes, and hobbyist projects with precision.
What type of resin is best for detailed 3D printing?
For fine detail, low-viscosity UV resin or ABS-like resin works best. These resins cure cleanly, reduce layer lines, and capture sharp features perfect for miniatures, jewelry, or display models.
What kind of resin is Anycubic?
Anycubic offers standard UV resin, water-washable, and plant-based eco-resins. These are designed for LCD printers like the Photon Mono 2, balancing quality, ease of use, and affordability.
