Anycubic Photon Mono 4
- Speed
- 100 mm/h
- Score
- 7.4/10
- Wins
- 2/5
Anycubic Photon Mono 4 vs Phrozen Sonic Mini 8K S
- The Anycubic Photon Mono 4 wins, 7.4 vs 7.2 out of 10.
- Sonic Mini 8K S prints 1.6× the volume (165×72×180 ÷ 134×75×130 = 1.64) for more money.
- Photon Mono 4 is faster, 100 vs 80 mm/s.
- Pick the Photon Mono 4 if your prints fit in 13 cm.
Specs from the PrintPick catalog, checked 2026-09-29. Scores are PrintPick ratings out of 10.
Phrozen Sonic Mini 8K S
- Speed
- 80 mm/h
- Score
- 7.2/10
- Wins
- 2/5
The verdict
Buy the Photon Mono 4.
7.4/10 vs Sonic Mini 8K S's 7.2/10, and it wins 2 of 5 categories. Start here if budget is the constraint and you're not sure resin is your thing. The detail is real even at this price. If you get hooked, you'll want to upgrade within 6 months. That's not a knock: it's the expected path.
Specs, side by side
Teal wins the row.
Photon Mono 4Anycubic · RESIN
vsSonic Mini 8K SPhrozen · RESIN
| Photon Mono 4 | Spec | Sonic Mini 8K S |
|---|---|---|
| 1.3 L | Build volume | 2.1 L (wins) |
| 100 mm/s (wins) | Top speed | 80 mm/s |
| 0.01 mm | Finest layer | 0.01 mm |
| 5 kg | Weight | 6.5 kg |
Features
| Photon Mono 4 | Feature | Sonic Mini 8K S |
|---|---|---|
| Yes | 10K mono LCD | No |
| Yes | Laser-cut build plate | No |
| Yes | USB | No |
| No | 7.1" 8K mono LCD | Yes |
| No | 22-micron XY resolution | Yes |
| No | ParaLED 3.0 | Yes |
Scores out of 10
| Photon Mono 4 | Spec | Sonic Mini 8K S |
|---|---|---|
| 10 (wins) | Value | 8 |
| 6 | Beginner Friendliness | 6 |
| 9 | Print Quality | 10 (wins) |
| 5 (wins) | Speed | 4 |
| 7 | Reliability | 8 (wins) |
| 7.4 (wins) | Overall | 7.2 |
Build space, front view, to one scale
- 134 × 75 × 130 mm
- 165 × 72 × 180 mm
What owners say
For [the price], this is the cheapest way to find out if resin printing is for you.
Photon Mono 4 owner, r/resinprinting22-micron XY resolution is not a gimmick. The detail is genuinely jaw-dropping.
Sonic Mini 8K S owner, r/resinprintingIf you do jewelry or ultra-fine miniatures, this is the only printer that matters.
Sonic Mini 8K S owner, VOG (YouTube)
Pros & Cons
Photon Mono 4
- +This is the lowest you'll pay for 10K resolution resin printing
- +Compact enough to fit on a shelf with the build plate folded
- +10K resolution prints minis that genuinely impress non-printers
- −134x75mm build plate: barely fits more than two minis at once
- −USB-only workflow, no WiFi at any price point in this tier
Sonic Mini 8K S
- +22-micron XY resolution: individual scales on dragon miniatures, every rivet on armor, no blurring
- +ParaLED 3.0 delivers even exposure across the full plate, no hot spots
- +Mono LCD longevity is proven at 2,000+ hours without degradation
- −80mm/hr print speed is the slowest on this list: patience required
- −165x72mm plate is tiny; large models need slicing and gluing
Buy these with it
A printer does nothing without these. Grab them in the same order.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Anycubic Photon Mono 4 better than the Phrozen Sonic Mini 8K S?
By the numbers, the Anycubic Photon Mono 4 scores higher (7.4/10). But "better" depends on your use case, the Phrozen Sonic Mini 8K S may be the smarter buy if you need miniatures.
Which is better for beginners, Anycubic Photon Mono 4 or Phrozen Sonic Mini 8K S?
Both score 6/10 for beginners. Go with the Anycubic Photon Mono 4, the cheaper of the two.
Is the Phrozen Sonic Mini 8K S worth paying more for over the Anycubic Photon Mono 4?
The Anycubic Photon Mono 4 actually scores higher (7.4/10) despite costing less. The Phrozen Sonic Mini 8K S only makes sense if you specifically need miniatures.
What's the main difference between Anycubic Photon Mono 4 and Phrozen Sonic Mini 8K S?
Build volume (134x75x130mm vs 165x72x180mm) and print speed (100 vs 80 mm/s). The Anycubic Photon Mono 4 is best for miniatures; the Phrozen Sonic Mini 8K S targets miniatures.