links are always useful.
That looks quite pricey for an a8.

presume you mean this one: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Anet-Precis.../dp/B073Y13FHP

It's extremely similiar to my ctc 13 pro b.

And yes they are potentially very good machines.
Not sure I like the acrylic frame. That makes it really tricky to add mods to it. Drilling acrylic is difficult and not generally recommended (it will splinter and crack).
A metal or plywood frame is actually much better.

The main issue with this design printer is that the x axis printbed carriage is not securely attached to the y axis gantry. So if the printer moves, it usually loses calibration.
So the first thing you need to do is get a baseplate (sheet of plywood is fine), make some brackets and screw/bolt both parts of the frame to a baseplate.
Once you've done that - change the calibration wheels for ones that incorporate nylon locking nuts.

That gives you a really stable machine that will hold calibration for a significant period :-)

You will also need a top mounted filament holder. Tricky with an acrylic frame.

But yep, the dual axis z motors, side supported bed and direct drive extruder make it vastly superior to machines like the ender 3.

Just bear in mind that for the money, it's not that great a buy.
Needs a fair bit doing to it and there ar5e machines in the same price bracket that already have these mods in place.

This is actually a better buy: https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B07G5F14..._t3_B073Y13FHP
Needs exactly the same mods as the newer version, that is 2.5x the cost. I can't see any real benefit in the changes they've made for the newer model.

But If you're in the 300 price range then something like this: https://www.amazon.co.uk/ANYCUBIC-Pr...ustrial&sr=1-4
is a much much better buy :-)

2 models of the anycubic: https://www.amazon.com/ANYCUBIC-Mega...gateway&sr=8-4

For $199 this could currently well be the best value i3 on the market. Certainly the only one with a 3.5 inch touchscreen.
You should add a top mounted filament holder - but that's about all the mods I can see would be necessary :-)

Although it is a bowden tube setup which isn't ideal or necessary on an i3.
But hey, what you gain on the swings you lose on the roundabouts :-)

The monoprice maker select plus (rebadged wanhao) is still an excellent machine: https://www.amazon.com/Monoprice-Tou...ateway&sr=8-42
And that IS a direct drive.
For $289 it's massively better value than the new anet a8.