AnkerMake M5 3D Printer review – 3D printing is all about precision, speed, and ease of use. But let’s be honest—most printers force you to pick only two. With the AnkerMake M5 3D Printer, do you finally get high speed and great quality without the frustrating setup? Let’s find out!
Then comes the AnkerMake M5, promising five times faster printing speeds, AI monitoring, and a sleek, modern design that looks nothing like the usual budget 3D printers we’ve seen. It sounds like a dream, but does it actually deliver?
That’s what we’re about to find out. This is a deep-dive review of the AnkerMake M5, covering features, performance, pros, cons, and whether this machine is actually worth your money.
Let’s break it down.
Quick Overview: What Makes the AnkerMake M5 Special?
Before we go into all the details, here’s a quick snapshot of what the AnkerMake M5 offers:
✔️ Insane Print Speeds – 250mm/s by default, but can hit 500mm/s in turbo mode.
✔️ AI-Powered Failure Detection – Built-in camera automatically detects print failures.
✔️ Auto-Leveling System – No more painful manual bed leveling.
✔️ Direct Drive Extruder – Handles flexible filaments better than Bowden setups.
✔️ Strong Metal Frame – Reduces vibrations for more stable prints.
✔️ Smart Connectivity – Print remotely via Wi-Fi, the mobile app, or USB.
✔️ Timelapse Recording – The built-in camera lets you make cool timelapse videos.
Now, let’s break each of these features down and see how they perform in real-world use.
Unboxing & Setup: Fast and Easy?
The first impression matters. Some 3D printers take hours to set up, requiring you to assemble multiple parts, calibrate everything manually, and deal with a million screws.
But with the AnkerMake M5, the setup is refreshingly simple.
• Pre-Assembled Design: The printer comes mostly assembled, so you only need to attach a few parts.
• Easy Wiring: The cables are pre-managed, so there’s no mess.
• Auto-Leveling: A 49-point auto-leveling system means you don’t have to tweak the bed manually.
Setup Time: Around 15 minutes, even if you’re a beginner. That’s impressive.
Build Quality & Design: A Premium Feel
Right off the bat, the AnkerMake M5 looks and feels premium. Unlike cheap, wobbly budget printers, this one has a solid metal frame that actually helps with print stability.
• The base is heavy, reducing vibrations during high-speed prints.
• The gantry (Z-axis movement) is reinforced, preventing print quality loss at higher speeds.
• The touchscreen UI is crisp and responsive, making it feel modern and user-friendly.
It’s clear that Anker didn’t cheap out on materials here.
Speed: Does It Really Print 5X Faster?
Speed is the #1 selling point of the AnkerMake M5. Anker claims it prints five times faster than standard printers. But is that actually true?
Speed Breakdown
• Standard 3D printers (like the Ender 3) print at around 50-100mm/s.
• AnkerMake M5 prints at 250mm/s by default and can hit 500mm/s in turbo mode.
• A typical benchy (small test boat model) prints in 30-40 minutes instead of 2+ hours.
Real-World Performance
✅ At 250mm/s, prints come out surprisingly clean and detailed.
✅ At 500mm/s, some prints lose quality (ringing and slight artifacts).
✅ For simple objects, the speed is a game-changer.
✅ For ultra-detailed models, it’s better to stick to 250mm/s or lower.
Verdict: The speed boost works great, but pushing it to the limit sacrifices quality.
Print Quality: Can It Keep Up?
Fast printing is great, but what about precision and detail? No one wants a fast but ugly print.
Some points to note:
✅ Good layer consistency – No major gaps or inconsistencies.
✅ Handles overhangs well – The cooling system does a good job.
✅ Great for functional prints – If you print parts for DIY projects, it’s excellent.
❌ At ultra-high speeds, some ghosting (vibrations) appear.
❌ Tiny details (like miniatures) aren’t as sharp as on slower printers.
If you’re printing large, functional parts, this printer is fantastic. If you’re printing high-detail figurines, you might need to tweak the settings.
AI Camera & Smart Features
The built-in AI camera is supposed to:
• Monitor prints in real-time and detect failures.
• Send notifications to your phone if something goes wrong.
• Record automatic timelapses of your prints.
Does It Work?
✅ It catches major failures (like prints coming loose or massive layer shifts).
✅ Timelapse videos are a nice touch for showing off prints.
❌ It sometimes misses minor failures.
❌ Notifications can be delayed.
Is it a cool feature? Yes.
Is it 100% reliable? No.
Think of it as a useful extra tool, not a replacement for checking your prints manually.
Smart Features Score: 7.5/10
Pros & Cons Breakdown
✅ Pros (What’s Great About the AnkerMake M5?)
✔️ Super fast printing speeds (250-500mm/s) – Perfect for impatient people like me.
✔️ Strong, premium build quality – Feels solid, no cheap plastic parts.
✔️ Direct drive extruder – Handles flexible filaments better.
✔️ AI failure detection – Helps catch bad prints before wasting filament.
✔️ Wi-Fi and remote control – Start and monitor prints from anywhere.
✔️ Auto-leveling – No manual bed leveling needed.
✔️ Sleek, modern touchscreen UI – Feels user-friendly and polished.
❌ Cons (What Could Be Better?)
❌ Print quality slightly drops at max speeds.
❌ AI camera isn’t perfect – Sometimes misses small failures.
❌ Louder than some printers due to the fast movement.
❌ Not the cheapest option – If you’re on a tight budget, there are cheaper alternatives.
Final Verdict: Should You Buy the AnkerMake M5?
Buy It If:
✅ You want a fast printer that saves hours of time.
✅ You print large objects or functional parts regularly.
✅ You want a modern, easy-to-use 3D printer with auto-leveling.
✅ You like smart features (remote monitoring, AI detection, timelapses).
Skip It If:
❌ You need ultra-fine detail for miniatures.
❌ You’re on a super tight budget and don’t mind slower speeds.
❌ You don’t care about smart features like remote monitoring.