Artillery Sidewinder X4 Plus vs Phrozen Sonic Mini 8K S
Head-to-head 3D printer comparison, 2026
Comparing FDM to resin? The Artillery Sidewinder X4 Plus ($349, FDM) and Phrozen Sonic Mini 8K S ($329, RESIN) use fundamentally different technologies. FDM melts filament layer by layer; resin cures liquid with UV light. Here's how they stack up.
Our Verdict
The Artillery Sidewinder X4 Plus takes the crown with 7.4/10 vs 7.2/10. It pulls ahead in Value, Speed. That said, the Phrozen Sonic Mini 8K S saves you $20 and wins on Print Quality, Reliability.
Score Breakdown
Specifications
| Spec | Artillery Sidewinder X4 Plus | Phrozen Sonic Mini 8K S |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $349 | $329 |
| Type | FDM | RESIN |
| Build Volume | 300 x 300 x 400 mm | 165 x 72 x 180 mm |
| Print Speed | 500 mm/s | 80 mm/s |
| Min Resolution | 0.05 mm | 0.01 mm |
| Weight | 14.5 kg | 6.5 kg |
| Overall Score | 7.4/10 | 7.2/10 |
Pros & Cons
Artillery Sidewinder X4 Plus
+300x300x400mm at $349: the price-per-cubic-millimeter is absurd
+Klipper pre-installed with room to tune
+Direct drive handles TPU and flexible materials at this large scale
+Prints armor plates and large props without slicing and gluing
−QC varies batch to batch: some users get great units, some need calibration work
−Artillery's community is thin compared to Creality or Elegoo
−Gets audibly loud pushing 500mm/s; this is a workshop printer, not a bedroom one
Phrozen 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
+Phrozen's resin profiles are dialed in out of the box
−80mm/hr print speed is the slowest on this list: patience required
−165x72mm plate is tiny; large models need slicing and gluing
−No WiFi: USB drive and manual file management only
−Phrozen's recommended resin is pricier than generic alternatives
Who Should Buy Which?
Choose the Artillery Sidewinder X4 Plus if you want:
- A great printer for large-prints
- A great printer for budget
- A great printer for speed
- 300x300x400mm build
- Klipper
- Auto bed leveling
Choose the Phrozen Sonic Mini 8K S if you want:
- A great printer for miniatures
- A great printer for detail
- A great printer for resin
- 7.1" 8K mono LCD
- 22-micron XY resolution
- ParaLED 3.0
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Artillery Sidewinder X4 Plus better than the Phrozen Sonic Mini 8K S?
By the numbers, the Artillery Sidewinder X4 Plus 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, Artillery Sidewinder X4 Plus or Phrozen Sonic Mini 8K S?
Both score 6/10 for beginners. Go with the Phrozen Sonic Mini 8K S to save $20.
Is the Artillery Sidewinder X4 Plus worth $20 more than the Phrozen Sonic Mini 8K S?
The Artillery Sidewinder X4 Plus scores higher overall (7.4/10 vs 7.2/10). The extra $20 gets you 300x300x400mm at $349: the price-per-cubic-millimeter is absurd.
What's the main difference between Artillery Sidewinder X4 Plus and Phrozen Sonic Mini 8K S?
Technology: the Artillery Sidewinder X4 Plus is FDM (filament) and the Phrozen Sonic Mini 8K S is RESIN (resin). FDM prints bigger functional parts; resin delivers finer surface detail.