Last April, the AnkerMake M5 3D printer was introduced with the bold claim of being a game-changer, boasting the tagline “Printing So Smart, It’s Easy”. While 3D printing hasn’t always been synonymous with ease, Anker aimed to redefine expectations with a compelling pitch for their first Anker 3d Printer.
Their Kickstarter campaign highlighted several key features:
- Unprecedented speed, promising prints up to five times faster than competitors, reducing wait times significantly.
- A robust design engineered for smooth, quiet, and high-quality prints, even at rapid speeds.
- A user-friendly, three-step setup process, claiming readiness to print within 15 minutes of unboxing.
- An integrated “AI camera” designed to prevent print failures and ensure accurate results.
- Convenient remote control, real-time notifications, and HD monitoring via the internet.
- Automatic creation of shareable timelapse videos for social media.
One year on, after extensive testing with not one, but two AnkerMake M5 units, the reality is a mixed bag of impressive speed and persistent issues.
Anker AnkerMake M5 3D printer in operation.
Anker AnkerMake M5: Quick Verdict
Verge Score: 6 out of 10
Pros:
- Simple and quick assembly
- Truly fast printing capabilities
- Broad compatibility with various plastic filament types
- Effective auto-leveling system (post-update)
Cons:
- The AI camera is largely ineffective
- Print vibrations are noticeable on finished products
- Noisy operation, even when idle
- Inconsistent quality control from Anker
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After months of hands-on experience, using multiple filament spools and producing numerous 3D printed parts, the AnkerMake M5 demonstrates the ability to create functional parts at impressive speeds, even for those new to 3D printing. Successfully printing complex items like a Legend of Zelda sword hilt and a print-in-place tank on the first attempt showcases its potential. Furthermore, printing flexible TPU bouncing balls and transparent PETG shapes without adjusting settings highlights its user-friendliness. The process is streamlined: import a model into Anker’s software, select the filament in “Easy” mode, and await smartphone notifications upon completion.
AnkerMake M5 extruder in motion, highlighting its high-speed printing capability.
The AnkerMake M5’s extruder can reach speeds of 500mm/s, but this speed can impact print quality. Photo by Sean Hollister / The Verge
However, achieving this smooth operation wasn’t as quick as the advertised 15-minute setup. While assembling the printer’s main components was indeed swift, initial issues emerged. Crucially, the printer arrived with improperly tightened belts and overtightened wheels and screws. Neither the provided printed instructions nor the printer’s LCD screen offered guidance on resolving these mechanical issues or even on basic filament loading. Despite promises of one-button filament loading, this feature remains absent.
Further complicating the initial experience were firmware problems. For months, the auto-leveling function was unreliable, settings were lost upon shutdown, and nozzle scraping and print defects were common. A March firmware update largely rectified the auto-leveling, enabling consistent first layers across the print bed.
Despite these improvements, the print quality of the review units still fell short of Anker’s initial promises.
Print quality comparison between Ender 3 Pro and AnkerMake M5 showing ringing issues.
Print quality comparison: Ender 3 Pro (top), AnkerMake M5 (middle and bottom). Click to enlarge. Design credits: rosscadguy and StarLord81. Photo by Sean Hollister / The Verge
The image above compares prints of a DJI Mini 2 drone case. The top image, printed on an Ender 3 Pro at 50mm/s, exhibits cleaner lines than the AnkerMake M5 prints below, even when the M5 is slowed to the same speed. At its default 250mm/s, the AnkerMake M5 (bottom) shows noticeable inconsistencies. Regardless of speed adjustments or belt and wheel tightening, the AnkerMake M5 struggles to achieve the smooth surface finish initially advertised. The “ringing” or “ghosting” effect, a common artifact attributed to high-speed vibrations, is prevalent in prints and has been noted by other users.
Benchy print comparison showing ringing issue persistence on AnkerMake M5.
Benchy print before and after the March update. Zits are resolved, but ringing remains. Photo by Sean Hollister / The Verge
Despite the ringing, the AnkerMake M5 demonstrates decent print quality in other aspects. Complex geometry tests, like the Autodesk Kickstarter Geometry Test, reveal good bridging and dimensional accuracy, with minor issues in overhang performance. However, Anker’s claimed score of 25.5/30 on this test, with perfect vibration performance, wasn’t replicated in testing, achieving only 21/30 using Anker’s provided model and filament.
Pushing the speed further to the new “500mm/s” fast mode exacerbates vibration issues, as illustrated by the 3DBenchy prints below.
3DBenchy prints at 250mm/s and 500mm/s showcasing quality degradation at higher speeds.
Benchy prints compared at 250mm/s and 500mm/s. Photo by Sean Hollister / The Verge
Close-up of 500mm/s Benchy print showing gaps and imperfections.
Gaps visible in the 500mm/s print, completed in under 30 minutes. Photo by Sean Hollister / The Verge
Beyond surface quality, noise is another significant drawback. Despite being marketed as quiet, the AnkerMake M5’s constant fan noise, even in idle, necessitated relocating it to a garage. The printer’s loud homing movements further contribute to noise concerns.
Timelapse video quality also fails to meet expectations.
Animated GIF comparing promised and actual timelapse quality on AnkerMake M5.
AnkerMake’s advertised timelapse quality. GIF: Anker
The timelapse feature is rudimentary, failing to maintain consistent bed positioning between frames, resulting in jerky, unstable videos. The lack of automatic lighting during captures also obscures print details, rendering the blue filament as white in timelapses.
However, the most significant disappointment is the “AI camera,” which proved entirely non-functional throughout months of testing.
Close-up of the "AI Camera" on the AnkerMake M5 3D printer.
The integrated “AI Camera” of the AnkerMake M5. Photo by Sean Hollister / The Verge
Advertised to detect bottom layer adhesion failures, spaghetti messes, and extruder jams, the AI camera consistently failed to identify these issues.
Anker's marketing image highlighting AI camera's supposed failure detection capabilities.
Anker’s claims about preventing wasted filament with AI detection. Images: Anker
Even deliberately printing spaghetti-like structures failed to trigger the camera’s error detection. Similarly, extruder jams and filament runouts went unnoticed. The only instances of error detection were false positives, such as misinterpreting the first layer of a black TPU print. Consequently, Anker disabled timelapse and error detection by default in a firmware update.
Underlying concerns about long-term reliability persist. Online communities report instances of catastrophic print failures leading to extensive extruder damage, sometimes requiring complete replacement.
Remote print monitoring via AnkerMake M5 camera, a useful but potentially privacy-compromising feature.Remote print monitoring is convenient but raises privacy questions. Photo by Sean Hollister / The Verge
Customer support experiences are also mixed. Users report lengthy troubleshooting processes and self-installation of replacement parts, even for hardware issues. While some users report positive experiences, community feedback and expert reviews suggest quality control inconsistencies. Issues range from loose parts and overtightened wheels to damaged V-wheels and fragile extruder screws. The lack of an all-metal hotend, contrary to initial Kickstarter promises, and reports of stripped screws further contribute to quality concerns.
Anker’s official response attributes hardware issues to “normal tolerance levels,” focusing instead on software improvements. Software updates have indeed brought improvements, addressing initial instability and adding features like Vase Mode and Gcode pause functionality. However, the software still feels like it’s in beta, with ongoing changes and occasional regressions. The planned transition to PrusaSlicer and continuous firmware updates indicate an evolving, but not yet fully mature, product.
Variety of 3D printed objects from AnkerMake M5 showcasing functional print capability.
Prints made with AnkerMake M5: Master Sword, Halo pistol shell, battery dispenser, tank, headphone hanger, pegboard pegs. Image: Sean Hollister / The Verge
AnkerMake M5 3D printer in its operational environment.
Photo by Sean Hollister / The Verge
After a year of development, the AnkerMake M5’s software still exhibits beta-level maturity. Recommending a product that feels like it’s still being developed, especially at its retail price point and against increasingly competitive fast 3D printers, is challenging. While acceptable for Kickstarter backers at a discounted price, selling this product through major retailers with promises of seamless, intelligent, and failure-proof 3D printing within minutes of setup sets unrealistic expectations.
Update, 4:21PM ET: Clarified AI model creation process; Anker slicer is needed for AI, but Gcode from other slicers can be used.
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