Form 3B+ vs Sonic Mini
Technical comparison · Resin 3D printing
Form 3B+ and Sonic Mini are not direct competitors: very different prices (~22×). Sonic Mini costs less (~€220) and is the entry-level choice; Form 3B+ offers more capability at a higher price (~€4849). Judge them by budget, not head-to-head.
| Parameter |
Form 3B+
Formlabs
F2 · Intermediate
|
Sonic Mini
Phrozen
F1 · Entry
|
|---|---|---|
| Identity | ||
| Launch year | 2022 | 2020 |
| Use tier | F2 — Intermediate | F1 — Entry |
| Price | ||
| Price (€) | 4849 € | ~190–250 € |
| Universal specs | ||
| Dimensions (W×D×H) (cm) | 40.5 × 37.5 × 53 cm | 25 × 25 × 33 cm |
| Weight (kg) | 17.5 kg | 4.5 kg |
| Work area (mm) | 145 × 145 mm | 120 × 68 mm |
| Z-axis height (mm) | 185 mm | 130 mm |
| Power (W) | 220 W | 40 W |
| Voltage (V) | 240 V | — |
| Declared precision | 25 μm | 62.5 μm |
| Category specs | ||
| Build area XY (short side) (mm) | 145 mm | 68 mm |
| XY resolution (µm) | 25 µm | 62.5 µm |
| Light source | Laser | Mono LCD |
| Print speed (mm/h) | — | 50 mm/h |
| Tilt / peel system | — | Standard FEP |
| Ecosystem | ||
| Cloud dependency | No | No |
| Software notes | Printer control is managed by PreForm, Formlabs' proprietary print preparation software. This application automatically optimizes model orientation, support generation, and layout arrangement, integrating specific algorithms to maximize the yield of medical resins. The system supports standard file formats such as STL and OBJ. Through the Dashboard cloud platform, users can monitor print status, track material consumption, and manage job queues remotely for entire fleets of machines. Although network connectivity (Wi-Fi and Ethernet) facilitates advanced management, the printer retains the ability to operate in local mode via data transfer via USB. | The device operates primarily through third-party slicing software widely adopted within the maker community, such as ChiTuBox and Lychee Slicer, ensuring high flexibility in file preparation. Integration with these programs allows granular control over exposure parameters, support generation, and lift times. The machine features no integrated wireless connectivity or reliance on cloud platforms, requiring completed print files to be transferred exclusively via a removable USB flash drive. This configuration guarantees complete offline operational autonomy and mitigates the risk of interruptions caused by network issues or forced remote software updates. |
The differences that matter
- Price: Form 3B+ 4849 € vs Sonic Mini 220 € — Sonic Mini wins (+2104%)
- Work area: Form 3B+ 145×145 mm vs Sonic Mini 120×68 mm — Form 3B+ wins (+158%)
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.