Anycubic i3 Mega: Review & Buying Guide

Lisa Ernst · 13.11.2025 · Technology · 7 min

The Anycubic i3 Mega, a compact FDM printer with a metal frame, Ultrabase heated bed, and touchscreen, is officially listed as discontinued. Nevertheless, it continues to play a role in tests, tutorials, research projects, and second-hand ads. This text highlights what the printer delivers, which promises are proven, and whether it is still worth buying today.

Quelle: Own visualization

Introduction & Overview

The Anycubic i3 Mega is a desktop FDM 3D printer that builds up objects layer by layer using plastic filaments. It uses a Cartesian setup with a single extruder and a heated print bed. According to the manufacturer, it is aimed at users looking for a combination of simple operation and decent print quality.

The build volume is approximately 210 x 210 x 205 millimeters, sufficient for typical housings, figures, mounts, and everyday projects. The maximum extruder temperature is 260 degrees Celsius and the bed temperature is up to 100 degrees Celsius, which allows the use of common FDM materials. The printer processes 1.75mm filament and supports materials such as PLA, ABS, HIPS, and wood filament. Later variants of the series, such as the

Characteristic is the Ultrabase, , a coated glass heating bed that provides good adhesion when hot and easy removal of prints when cooling. Control is via a color touchscreen, and filament feeding is via a Bowden extruder with a 0.4mm nozzle. Convenience functions such as a filament sensor and a print resume function after a power outage are integrated to prevent the loss of long print runs.

Quelle: gizlogic.com

Intuitive operation: The touchscreen of the Anycubic i3 Mega allows for simple control.

History & Status

Since 2017, the i3 Mega was perceived in reviews as an easy-to-assemble, relatively inexpensive metal-frame printer that worked almost "out of the box". Early tests praised its stable frame construction, quick setup, and print quality.

This was soon followed by the Mega S, , a further developed variant with a revised extruder. Key data such as build volume, metal frame, and Ultrabase remained the same. A new feature was a Titan extruder, which can process flexible materials like TPU better.

Anycubic now lists both models, the i3 Mega and the Mega S, in a End-of-Life-Rubrik. . This means that they are no longer marketed as current series models. They are listed there with former list prices of 239 US dollars for the i3 Mega and 279 US dollars for the Mega S, which underscores their character as an inexpensive entry-level solution under 300 US dollars.

Despite being discontinued, the device is still recommended in buying guides for beginners, with the combination of metal frame, heated bed, filament sensor, and print resume being mentioned as advantages. Long-term reports highlight print quality, stability, and easy setup, but also point out noise levels, lack of Wi-Fi connectivity, and manual bed leveling.

The use of the printer in scientific studies is noteworthy, for example, to investigate material properties and process parameters in FDM prints. This shows that the machine works precisely and reproducibly enough for laboratory environments, although it was developed for the consumer market.

Quelle: uk.pcmag.com

The Anycubic i3 Mega S: A popular 3D printer for beginners and advanced users.

Analysis & Context

The Anycubic i3 Mega was positioned to close the gap between kit printers and more expensive ready-made devices. It offered a pre-assembled metal frame, organized cable management, a touchscreen, and convenience features, without leaving the price range of inexpensive entry-level systems. A robust, easy-to-assemble device lowered the entry barriers and reduced support needs. Additional features such as the filament sensor and resume function set the product apart from minimal kits.

The model benefited from the dynamics of classic maker platforms. Extensive test reports, modding guides, and upgrade lists appeared early on, documenting the device's potential and attracting new buyers. On Thingiverse , for example, there is an "Ultimate Upgrade Guide" for modifications to fans, stepper drivers, and housing parts, which addresses weaknesses such as volume and cooling. Numerous contributions and models on print and community platforms are specifically tailored to this device.

In media and tests, the printer is praised as a "good entry-level printer" under 300 USD, especially for its price-performance ratio, solid mechanics, and print quality after a short setup. At the same time, noise levels, lack of enclosure, and the need for manual fine-tuning are pointed out.

The ecosystem also plays a role for users: the i3 Mega works with common standards such as G-code, SD card, and software like Cura. It can be easily integrated into existing toolchains, including extensions like OctoPrint auf einem Raspberry Pi. This connectivity explains why it still appears in tutorials and setup guides years after its market launch.

This long-term review clip shows, based on a year of daily use, which strengths and weaknesses users actually experience in terms of operation, maintenance, and modding, thus supplementing the written tests with practical insights.

Facts & Claims

It is proven that the Anycubic i3 Mega has a build volume of around 210 x 210 x 205 millimeters, a metal frame, and a heated Ultrabase bed. The Ultrabase bed allows for strong adhesion at high temperatures and easy release of prints after cooling. The supported materials PLA, ABS, HIPS, and wood, as well as the typical temperature and speed ranges, are also documented. Several test reports confirm the extensive pre-assembly and easy initial setup.

The assessment as a beginner printer is well proven, as it is explicitly mentioned as a suitable option for 3D printing newcomers in several guides and test overviews, often with the note of a good price-performance ratio under 300 USD. The discontinued status is confirmed by the offizielle End-of-Life-Liste des Herstellers .

Blanket statements such as "always works flawlessly" or "maintenance-free" are not covered. Practical reports show a mixed picture: In addition to reliable print runs, users report Z-wobble, bed leveling problems, cable breaks at the heat bed, or high volume, which require modifications. A statement that the i3 Mega is a completely "plug-and-play-free" system without any fine-tuning is misleading. Tests describe the initial setup as quick and easy, but point to the necessity of careful bed leveling and regular maintenance. Upgrades to reduce noise and improve mechanics show that the device has weaknesses in its delivered state, which can, however, be remedied.

Reactions & Perspectives

Review magazines and specialist portals paint a positive, yet critical picture. All3DP describes the printer as a "great 3D printer under $300" and praises the metal frame, print quality, and easy setup, but criticizes noise levels and a lack of modern convenience features like Wi-Fi. Other reviews emphasize the stability of the frame and the secure execution of large prints thanks to Ultrabase and mass construction, but see room for improvement in fan noise and cable strain relief.

An evaluation referencing the results of Stiftung Warentest describes the related Mega S variant as a "reliable entry-level machine" with clean print results, but criticizes high power consumption and lack of a German-language manual. This makes it clear that the printer is solid, but not a perfect "all-round carefree package."

Reactions are mixed in community forums: some users report years of reliable operation and recommend the device, while others see it as a basis for modifications and advise on fan and driver upgrades. Some criticize the support for older models, while others positively highlight that Anycubic continues to provide firmware, manuals, and resources for the Mega series.

Sober feedback comes from research: Studies that use the i3 Mega to manufacture samples or functional textiles indicate that the machine can deliver reproducible results with suitable parameters. However, these works also show how sensitive mechanical properties are to layer height, temperature, and infill structure – an indication that a lot of fine-tuning is still necessary, even with a solid printer.

Quelle: histeresis.es

Precision in detail: The Anycubic i3 Mega printing a gear.

Conclusion & Recommendation

The Anycubic i3 Mega proves to be a solid, no longer cutting-edge, but very usable entry-level device. Its strengths lie in frame stability, usability, and the ecosystem. Weaknesses are evident in noise levels, automation, and the fine-tuning offered ex works.

Anyone willing to invest time in maintenance, parameters, and possibly sensible upgrades will still find the i3 Mega a good and inexpensive platform today. This is especially true if a well-maintained used device or remaining stock is found at a fair price and one relies on the strong community and the resources that are still available.

For a used purchase, the discontinued status is a double-edged sword: Prices are falling, but the availability of specific spare parts is uncertain. It is worth checking the condition of the Ultrabase bed, the cables to the heat bed, and the axes closely. A wealth of upgrade lists and print files is available, from printed display frames to silent board conversions. Connecting to a OctoPrint-System can significantly increase ease of use.

To classify information, check questions help: Does a tip come from a well-founded test, a manufacturer source, or an individual comment in a forum? Is a distinction made between facts and personal experiences? Are there multiple sources that support a statement?

Open questions concern the long-term availability of specific spare parts and systematic data series on the failure rate. A direct comparison with current entry-level devices regarding print speed, automation, and energy efficiency is also largely missing. Benchmarks with identical test objects, materials, and profiles would be necessary for a reliable classification.

This German-language video guides step-by-step through assembly, leveling, and the first test print and can help you understand the setup points described in the text in practice.