Elegoo Mars 4 vs Phrozen Sonic Mighty 8K
Technical comparison · Resin 3D printing
Two resin printers with a monochrome LCD and the same declared speed of 70 mm/h: the Mars 4 costs about 220 €, the Sonic Mighty 8K about 650 €. The choice is between spending little on small parts and paying three times as much for a much larger build plate.
| Parameter | ||
|---|---|---|
| Identity | ||
| Launch year | 2023 | 2022 |
| Use tier | F2 — Intermediate | F2 — Intermediate |
| Price | ||
| Price (€) | ~180–260 € | ~550–750 € |
| Universal specs | ||
| Dimensions (W×D×H) (cm) | 22.7 × 22.7 × 43.85 cm | 33.7 × 33.7 × 51.6 cm |
| Weight (kg) | 5.2 kg | 14.3 kg |
| Work area (mm) | 153.36 × 77.76 mm | 218 × 123 mm |
| Z-axis height (mm) | 175 mm | 235 mm |
| Power (W) | — | 120 W |
| Declared precision | — | 28 μm |
| Category specs | ||
| Build area XY (short side) (mm) | 77.76 mm | 123 mm |
| XY resolution (µm) | 18 µm | 28 µm |
| Light source | Mono LCD | Mono LCD |
| Print speed (mm/h) | 70 mm/h | 70 mm/h |
| Tilt / peel system | Standard FEP | Standard FEP |
| Ecosystem | ||
| Cloud dependency | No | No |
| Software notes | The operation of the machine is primarily managed via third-party slicing software widely utilized within the resin 3D printing industry. The system natively supports file formats generated by programs such as ChiTuBox and Voxeldance Tango, offering the user the flexibility to choose their preferred interface for model preparation, support generation, and exposure parameter optimization. There is no native Wi-Fi connectivity or dedicated cloud management in this standard version; therefore, the transfer of print-ready files occurs traditionally via a USB port located on the machine body, ensuring a stable, independent, and completely offline workflow. | The system supports file formats generated by major third-party slicing software, including ChiTuBox and Lychee Slicer, ensuring operational flexibility for users with established workflows. Connectivity is comprehensive, featuring Ethernet cable options, Wi-Fi connection, and a USB port for offline file transfer. The internal firmware efficiently manages calibration and function control via the integrated touchscreen interface. Despite the availability of the Phrozen GO mobile application for remote progress monitoring, the machine operates entirely autonomously and does not require a constant internet connection or reliance on proprietary cloud services to execute and complete daily print operations. |
The differences that matter
- Build plate: 153 × 78 mm against 218 × 123 mm → the Sonic Mighty 8K offers more than double the area, so more parts per batch.
- Z height: 175 mm against 235 mm → on the Mars 4 a tall model has to be cut and glued.
- Pixel: 18 µm against 28 µm → the Mars 4 reproduces small details better.
- Connection: USB only on the Mars 4; Wi-Fi, Ethernet and USB on the Sonic Mighty 8K → with the first, files travel by USB stick.
Which one to choose
Choose Mars 4 if…
Miniatures, jewelry or desktop parts that fit a plate just over 15 × 7 cm, printed in batches too without worrying about the machine's cost. Its 18 µm pixels render small details. The trade-off: a small plate and USB-only file transfer, with no Wi-Fi or Ethernet.
Choose Sonic Mighty 8K if…
Taller or wider models, or more parts in the same batch: the plate reaches 218 × 123 mm with 235 mm of height. Files can be sent over Wi-Fi or Ethernet as well as USB. You accept triple the spend and coarser 28 µm pixels.
Where to buy
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