A closer look at the Anycubic i3 Mega S: A reliable workhorse or a dated contender?
Competition in the FDM 3D printing space is fierce, especially in the budget-friendly space. The Anycubic i3 Mega S is an evolution of the popular original i3 Mega, often a potential contender for enthusiasts and beginners alike. But does it still hold its own? After rigorous testing, let’s break down its performance, pros and cons, and who it really serves.
First impressions and build:
Unbox the i3 Mega S and you’ll find that this is a printer built for stability. Its sturdy metal frame creates a strong Cartesian base that minimizes vibration during printing – a significant advantage compared to more fragile competitors. Assembly is minimal; attaching the filament holder and build platform typically results in a print within 30 minutes. The use of a high-efficiency UL-certified power supply is reassuring, and the overall appearance is practical yet sturdy.
Notable features and upgrades:
this "S" The name implies a meaningful upgrade to the original version:
- Titanium extrusion press: Direct drive cooling ensures better control of flexible filaments such as TPU compared to the Bowden setup. Blockages are less likely to occur, but it is still important to keep the mechanism clean.
- Filament beat sensor: This is an invaluable feature for longer prints, as when the filament is exhausted, the scribble stops mid-job, preventing wasted time and spaghetti monsters.
- Removable magnetic build surface: This flexible board is a joy. Once cooled, the print comes off effortlessly, greatly simplifying the disassembly process. Adhesion is usually very good, especially after a gentle wipe with isopropyl alcohol. Be careful when chiseling it with tools!
- Large touch screen interface: The color touchscreen is clear, responsive, and intuitive for basic functions like loading supplies, leveling, and starting a print.
Print performance: quality and reliability
This is where the i3 Mega S earns its status "main force" reputation:
- Print quality (PLA/PETG): Have a good slicing setup (community proven profiles, e.g. Lux hot end Widely used), Mega S consistently delivers good to very good results in PLA and PETG. Interlayer adhesion is strong, dimensional accuracy is generally acceptable for functional parts (±0jc .2mm range), and the surface finish of the lower layers is smooth, although slight ringing may be present on sharp corners. The angle of bridging and overhang can reach about 45-50 degrees.
- detail: With a 0.4mm nozzle, it handles finer details adequately, but isn’t a micro specialist. Layer lines are clearly visible; higher resolution requires precise calibration.
- reliability: Once dialed in, printing failures due to machine errors are relatively rare. Consistent bed adhesion and reliable extruder contribute to its "Set it and forget it" Ability to achieve simpler geometries.
notorious "tower gorge" & Calibration quirks:
No review would be complete without addressing the following issues "Tower clearance." Many units have a slight gap (~1 mm) between the X-axis towers near the top. this able Relative to height, smaller frame distortions can affect Z-axis alignment on taller prints. Printed gasket repair is common and effective. Although often exaggerated, it is an obvious physical defect that represents manufacturing differences.
also:
- Manual bed leveling: The 4-point manual leveling must be meticulous – this is critical to success on the first level. Automating this would be a major upgrade.
- VREF adjustment: A buzzing motor sometimes indicates the need for a slight adjustment to the potentiometer on the motherboard, a simple but necessary step that some users encounter.
Acoustic overview:
It wasn’t whisper quiet. Fans (especially the cooling section) can produce significant noise. The stepper motors are noisy, but controllable; overall, it’s not a printer suitable for quiet bedrooms without an enclosure or quiet drivers.
Where does it shine?
The advantages of i3 Mega S are:
- The rugged first printer: Its ease of setup (partially), reliability, and forgiving nature make it an excellent introduction to FDM.
- **Functionality
