Photon Mono 4 vs Form 3+ SLA 3D Printer
Technical comparison · Resin 3D printing
Photon Mono 4 and Form 3+ SLA 3D Printer are not direct competitors: very different prices (~17.4×). Photon Mono 4 costs less (~€215) and is the entry-level choice; Form 3+ SLA 3D Printer offers more capability at a higher price (~€3750). Judge them by budget, not head-to-head.
| Parameter |
Photon Mono 4
Anycubic
F2 · Intermediate
|
Form 3+ SLA 3D Printer
Formlabs
F2 · Intermediate
|
|---|---|---|
| Identity | ||
| Launch year | 2024 | 2022 |
| Use tier | F2 — Intermediate | F2 — Intermediate |
| Price | ||
| Price (€) | ~180–250 € | 3750 € |
| Universal specs | ||
| Dimensions (W×D×H) (cm) | — | 40.5 × 37.5 × 53 cm |
| Weight (kg) | — | 17.5 kg |
| Work area (mm) | 153.4 × 87 mm | 145 × 145 mm |
| Z-axis height (mm) | 165 mm | 185 mm |
| Power (W) | — | 220 W |
| Voltage (V) | — | 240 V |
| Maximum speed | 1.17 mm/min | — |
| Declared precision | 17 μm | 25 μm |
| Category specs | ||
| Build area XY (short side) (mm) | 87 mm | 145 mm |
| XY resolution (µm) | 17 µm | 25 µm |
| Light source | Mono LCD | Laser |
| Print speed (mm/h) | 70.2 mm/h | — |
| Tilt / peel system | Standard FEP | — |
| Ecosystem | ||
| Cloud dependency | No | No |
| Software notes | The device is fully compatible with the main third-party slicing software options on the market, including widely popular solutions such as Chitubox and Lychee Slicer, alongside the proprietary Anycubic Photon Workshop application. This flexibility allows users to manage advanced exposure parameters, supports, and tolerance compensation without proprietary constraints. File preparation occurs primarily via offline transfer using a USB port, ensuring a stable workflow independent of active network connections. Managing print profiles for various commercial resins is highly intuitive, facilitating the optimization of layer-by-layer curing times for both standard materials and advanced formulations. | Print process management is handled by PreForm, a highly optimized proprietary software that automates model orientation, support generation, and slicing using advanced algorithms. PreForm offers an intuitive interface and diagnostic tools that minimize print failures. Although it is not possible to use third-party open-source slicers due to the closed nature of the ecosystem, the native integration ensures perfect calibration with original materials. The software includes network file transmission capabilities and is tightly connected to the Dashboard cloud platform, which enables remote monitoring of printers and resin consumption, without being strictly mandatory for the machine's core offline operation. |
The differences that matter
- Price: Photon Mono 4 215 € vs Form 3+ SLA 3D Printer 3750 € — Photon Mono 4 wins (+1644%)
- Work area: Photon Mono 4 153.4×87 mm vs Form 3+ SLA 3D Printer 145×145 mm — Form 3+ SLA 3D Printer wins (+58%)
Which one to choose
MakerSpecs is an independent atlas. We don't sell products: this comparison links to both sheets, where you'll find complete data and official links.