Form 4B vs Sonic Mini 8K Resin 3D Printer

Technical comparison · Resin 3D printing

In brief

Form 4B and Sonic Mini 8K Resin 3D Printer are not direct competitors: very different prices (~10.5×). Sonic Mini 8K Resin 3D Printer costs less (~€525) and is the entry-level choice; Form 4B offers more capability at a higher price (~€5499). Judge them by budget, not head-to-head.

Parameter
Formlabs Form 4B Form 4B Formlabs F2 · Intermediate
Identity
Launch year 2024 2021
Use tier F2 — Intermediate F2 — Intermediate
Price
Price (€) 5499 € ~450–600 €
Universal specs
Dimensions (W×D×H) (cm) 39.8 × 36.7 × 55.4 cm 29 × 29 × 43 cm
Weight (kg) 18.3 kg 10 kg
Work area (mm) 200 × 125 mm 165 × 72 mm
Z-axis height (mm) 210 mm 180 mm
Power (W) 480 W 50 W
Voltage (V) 240 V
Maximum speed 100
Declared precision 50 μm 22 μm
Category specs
Build area XY (short side) (mm) 125 mm 72 mm
XY resolution (µm) 50 µm 22 µm
Light source Mono LCD Mono LCD
Print speed (mm/h) 100 mm/h 80 mm/h
Tilt / peel system Standard FEP
Ecosystem
Cloud dependency No No
Software notes Print job management is handled by the proprietary PreForm software, which enables automatic model layout, optimized orientation, and guided generation of retention supports. The program integrates preconfigured and validated print profiles for all proprietary materials, reducing the need for manual calibrations by the user. Through the Dashboard cloud platform, users can remotely monitor production progress, manage print queues for multiple devices, and analyze material consumption. The software architecture requires a network connection for advanced monitoring features, but it also allows files to be transferred via local USB, Ethernet, or Wi-Fi connections, ensuring operational flexibility inside the laboratory. The system integrates seamlessly with the leading third-party slicing software available on the market, offering substantial operational flexibility. Users can utilize popular solutions such as ChiTuBox and Lychee Slicer, which feature pre-configured and optimized profiles for this specific model, simplifying file preparation and advanced support management. Connectivity occurs primarily via a USB port for offline file transfer, ensuring total stability during the printing process without the risk of interruptions caused by network fluctuations. Exposure parameters are fully customizable directly within the software, allowing for precise optimization across a wide range of both proprietary and third-party resins.

The differences that matter

  • Price: Form 4B 5499 € vs Sonic Mini 8K Resin 3D Printer 525 € — Sonic Mini 8K Resin 3D Printer wins (+947%)
  • Work area: Form 4B 200×125 mm vs Sonic Mini 8K Resin 3D Printer 165×72 mm — Form 4B wins (+110%)

Which one to choose

Choose Form 4B if…

you value work area.

See the Form 4B sheet →

Choose Sonic Mini 8K Resin 3D Printer if…

you value price.

See the Sonic Mini 8K Resin 3D Printer sheet →

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.