TL;DR:
The AnkerMake M5 boasts impressive speed and a sturdy build, but the AI error detection failed spectacularly after only a few prints, resulting in a massive, wasteful filament blob. Setup was easy and print quality was excellent when it worked. I cannot recommend it right now.
Full Review:
I was stoked about the AnkerMake M5. The promise of 500 mm/s print speeds and an AI safety net against colossal failures sounded like a dream come true. And the die-cast aluminum frame? It felt seriously robust. I was ready to dive headfirst into a faster, smarter printing experience.
Unfortunately, my excitement didn't last long. After just a handful of prints, the printer completely locked up mid-job, around the 10% mark. Then, the extruder went rogue, spewing out what seemed like an entire spool of AnkerMake PLA+ onto the print bed. I'm talking a massive pile, easily over half a kilogram. The really frustrating part? This happened despite the AI system that’s supposed to prevent these exact scenarios. I trusted the AI, and it hung me out to dry.
Cleaning up that mess was pure pain. I had to crank up the hot end temperature and wait forever just to soften the PLA enough to pry it off. The silicone cover on the hot end tore, and melted filament seeped into every nook and cranny, even into the cooling fans. Now, I'm probably looking at replacing the entire print head.
Adding insult to injury, all this happened right after the warranty expired. Yeah, I know, I let it sit in the box for several months before setting it up. But honestly, I didn't expect a printer this expensive to kick the bucket so quickly. And I'd already invested in a ton of accessories: nozzles in every size imaginable, an all-metal hotend upgrade, extra silicone covers, and a mountain of AnkerMake PLA+ filament. Now, it all just sits there, mocking me. I'm seriously considering switching brands or going back to my trusty Ender.
I made sure to keep the firmware updated, and I always used the latest version of AnkerMake Studio. Since I was using AnkerMake filament, I stuck to their recommended settings. It's not like I was experimenting with anything crazy.
I have to admit, when the M5 was working, the prints were fantastic, even at those crazy-fast speeds. I also really appreciated how easily it was to connect to AnkerMake Studio via WiFi. The camera is a neat feature, but it proved utterly useless at its primary function: detecting print failures. It was basically just a live feed of my impending doom.
Right now, I can't recommend this printer, especially if you're counting on those AI features for error detection. AnkerMake has some serious work to do before that part is ready for prime time. Until then, it feels like a gamble. You might get some amazing prints, or you might end up with an expensive, filament-encrusted paperweight. It’s up to you to decide if the risk is worth it.
Thank you for saving my business.
Awesome
I love this printer for my fine tuning on prototype then doing my production printing on my creality k printers.
Love this printer.. 169 shipped to front door
1 negative I'm going thru nozzles from glogs can't clean out. Keep buying and buying.
Crappy printers.
Setting a New Speed Record, Now Upgraded to 500 mm/s[1]
Precise 0.1 mm Detail[2]
Built-In AI Camera Monitoring
Auto-Created Timelapses
Hub Connects Multiple Devices
7×7 Auto-Leveling
Easy Assembly
Aluminum Alloy Structure
Print Volume 235×235×250 mm³
$699.00
Setting a New Speed Record, Now Upgraded to 500 mm/s[1]
Precise 0.1 mm Detail[2]
Built-In AI Camera Monitoring
Auto-Created Timelapses
Hub Connects Multiple Devices
7×7 Auto-Leveling
Easy Assembly
Aluminum Alloy Structure
Print Volume 235×235×250 mm³
TL;DR:
The AnkerMake M5 boasts impressive speed and a sturdy build, but the AI error detection failed spectacularly after only a few prints, resulting in a massive, wasteful filament blob. Setup was easy and print quality was excellent when it worked. I cannot recommend it right now.
Full Review:
I was stoked about the AnkerMake M5. The promise of 500 mm/s print speeds and an AI safety net against colossal failures sounded like a dream come true. And the die-cast aluminum frame? It felt seriously robust. I was ready to dive headfirst into a faster, smarter printing experience.
Unfortunately, my excitement didn't last long. After just a handful of prints, the printer completely locked up mid-job, around the 10% mark. Then, the extruder went rogue, spewing out what seemed like an entire spool of AnkerMake PLA+ onto the print bed. I'm talking a massive pile, easily over half a kilogram. The really frustrating part? This happened despite the AI system that’s supposed to prevent these exact scenarios. I trusted the AI, and it hung me out to dry.
Cleaning up that mess was pure pain. I had to crank up the hot end temperature and wait forever just to soften the PLA enough to pry it off. The silicone cover on the hot end tore, and melted filament seeped into every nook and cranny, even into the cooling fans. Now, I'm probably looking at replacing the entire print head.
Adding insult to injury, all this happened right after the warranty expired. Yeah, I know, I let it sit in the box for several months before setting it up. But honestly, I didn't expect a printer this expensive to kick the bucket so quickly. And I'd already invested in a ton of accessories: nozzles in every size imaginable, an all-metal hotend upgrade, extra silicone covers, and a mountain of AnkerMake PLA+ filament. Now, it all just sits there, mocking me. I'm seriously considering switching brands or going back to my trusty Ender.
I made sure to keep the firmware updated, and I always used the latest version of AnkerMake Studio. Since I was using AnkerMake filament, I stuck to their recommended settings. It's not like I was experimenting with anything crazy.
I have to admit, when the M5 was working, the prints were fantastic, even at those crazy-fast speeds. I also really appreciated how easily it was to connect to AnkerMake Studio via WiFi. The camera is a neat feature, but it proved utterly useless at its primary function: detecting print failures. It was basically just a live feed of my impending doom.
Right now, I can't recommend this printer, especially if you're counting on those AI features for error detection. AnkerMake has some serious work to do before that part is ready for prime time. Until then, it feels like a gamble. You might get some amazing prints, or you might end up with an expensive, filament-encrusted paperweight. It’s up to you to decide if the risk is worth it.
Thank you for saving my business.
Awesome
I love this printer for my fine tuning on prototype then doing my production printing on my creality k printers.
Love this printer.. 169 shipped to front door
1 negative I'm going thru nozzles from glogs can't clean out. Keep buying and buying.
Crappy printers.