Elegoo Mars 4 Ultra
- Price
- $240
- Score
- 7.8/10
- Wins
- 3/5
Elegoo Mars 4 Ultra vs Phrozen Sonic Mini 8K S
- The Elegoo Mars 4 Ultra wins, 7.8 vs 7.2 out of 10.
- Near-same build volume (165×72×180 vs 153×77×165 mm, 1.10×).
- The Mars 4 Ultra is faster (100 ÷ 80 = 1.3×) and costs $89 ($329 − $240) less. Easy pick.
Specs and US prices from the PrintPick catalog, checked 2026-09-29. Scores are PrintPick ratings out of 10.
Phrozen Sonic Mini 8K S
- Price
- $329
- Score
- 7.2/10
- Wins
- 1/5
The verdict
Buy the Mars 4 Ultra.
7.8/10 vs Sonic Mini 8K S's 7.2/10, and it wins 3 of 5 categories. If you're choosing between the Mars 4 ($149) and this, spend the $91 more. The tilt release alone extends FEP life enough to justify it. The 9K detail is also noticeably sharper on fine models.
Specs, side by side
Teal wins the row.
Mars 4 UltraElegoo · RESIN
vsSonic Mini 8K SPhrozen · RESIN
| Mars 4 Ultra | Spec | Sonic Mini 8K S |
|---|---|---|
| $240 (wins) | Price | $329 |
| 1.9 L | Build volume | 2.1 L (wins) |
| 100 mm/s (wins) | Top speed | 80 mm/s |
| 0.01 mm | Finest layer | 0.01 mm |
| 6.8 kg | Weight | 6.5 kg |
Features
| Mars 4 Ultra | Feature | Sonic Mini 8K S |
|---|---|---|
| Yes | 9K mono LCD | No |
| Yes | Tilt release | No |
| Yes | WiFi | No |
| Yes | Air purifier | No |
| No | 7.1" 8K mono LCD | Yes |
| No | 22-micron XY resolution | Yes |
| No | ParaLED 3.0 | Yes |
Value math
$240 ÷ 1.9 L and $329 ÷ 2.1 L. Lower is more printer for the money.
| Mars 4 Ultra | Spec | Sonic Mini 8K S |
|---|---|---|
| $123.47 (wins) | $ per liter | $153.85 |
| $2.40 (wins) | $ per mm/s | $4.11 |
Scores out of 10
| Mars 4 Ultra | Spec | Sonic Mini 8K S |
|---|---|---|
| 9 (wins) | Value | 8 |
| 7 (wins) | Beginner Friendliness | 6 |
| 9 | Print Quality | 10 (wins) |
| 6 (wins) | Speed | 4 |
| 8 | Reliability | 8 |
| 7.8 (wins) | Overall | 7.2 |
Build space, front view, to one scale
- 153 × 77 × 165 mm
- 165 × 72 × 180 mm
What owners say
Tilt release at this price is a game changer. My FEP films last twice as long.
Mars 4 Ultra owner, r/resinprinting9K detail on D&D minis is breathtaking. Worth every penny of the $199.
Mars 4 Ultra owner, Uncle Jessy (YouTube)22-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
Mars 4 Ultra
- +9K resolution is a meaningful jump from 7K: finer surface texture, sharper edges on small parts
- +Tilt release means FEP films last longer; $50 less per year in consumables is real money
- +Built-in air purifier takes the edge off the smell without requiring an external solution
- −153x77mm plate is tight for anything larger than small character models
- −Still needs a wash and cure station: budget $50-80 extra
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 Elegoo Mars 4 Ultra better than the Phrozen Sonic Mini 8K S?
By the numbers, the Elegoo Mars 4 Ultra scores higher (7.8/10). 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, Elegoo Mars 4 Ultra or Phrozen Sonic Mini 8K S?
The Elegoo Mars 4 Ultra is more beginner-friendly (7/10 vs 6/10) with easier setup and a gentler learning curve.
Is the Phrozen Sonic Mini 8K S worth $89 more than the Elegoo Mars 4 Ultra?
The Elegoo Mars 4 Ultra actually scores higher (7.8/10) despite costing $89 less. The Phrozen Sonic Mini 8K S only makes sense if you specifically need miniatures.
What's the main difference between Elegoo Mars 4 Ultra and Phrozen Sonic Mini 8K S?
Build volume (153x77x165mm vs 165x72x180mm) and print speed (100 vs 80 mm/s). The Elegoo Mars 4 Ultra is best for miniatures; the Phrozen Sonic Mini 8K S targets miniatures.