Affordable resin printers are getting better and offer high-quality print, such as what Anycubic Photon Mono X Vs Phrozen Sonic Mini 4K can achieve at the price range. These printers share many similarities and are among the best for the overall performance. They are made for beginners and enthusiasts who want to make their models at home. If you are interested to know more, let’s see what they can offer below.
In this comparison, we are going to talk about:
- What are FDM and Resin 3D Printer
- What are Anycubic Photon Mono X and Phrozen Sonic Mini 4K
- How are the Machine of Anycubic Photon Mono X and Phrozen Sonic Mini 4K
- How are the Build Capacity of Anycubic Photon Mono X and Phrozen Sonic Mini 4K
- How is the Resolution of Anycubic Photon Mono X and Phrozen Sonic Mini 4K
- How is the Experience with Anycubic Photon Mono X and Phrozen Sonic Mini 4K
- How is the Performance of Anycubic Photon Mono X and Phrozen Sonic Mini 4K
- Anycubic Photon Mono X Vs Phrozen Sonic Mini 4K
FDM and Resin 3D Printer
Technology is moving fast to answer human questions and demands. It was not very long ago that the internet was exclusive to people who understand how to access and have the device to access them, but today everyone can enjoy the never-ending convenience. The same happens in additive manufacturing because today, the piece of tech is more accessible to the mass. The machine is more affordable, the material is widely available, community support, and information about 3D printing are easy to access.
The 3D printer or machine is a method to create something from a material called filament or resin, depending on the machine type. FDM printers use a filament, and to put it extremely simply, they work like a glue gun but are far more fascinating. A hot end will melt the filament and dispense it layer by layer until a finished object is made. There are moving parts in all X, Y, and Z-axis to make this possible.
Resin or photosensitive resin is used by a resin printer, also known as laser, SLA, MSLA, and DLP, based on the light source and curing method. The resin printer is more straightforward; it cures liquid resin layer by layer with a build plate installed upside down and moving along the Z-axis. Liquid resin has some odor, so it must be placed in a well-ventilated room. The finished project must be washed from the remaining resin and finished with UV light as a natural sunray.
| Anycubic Photon Mono X | Phrozen Sonic Mini 4K | |
|---|---|---|
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| Product Dimensions | 18.7 x 10.6 x 11.4 inches | 18 x 11.75 x 11.75 inches |
| Shipping Weight | 33.9 pounds | 13.12 pounds |
| Shop now at Amazon | Check price | Check price |
About Anycubic Photon Mono X and Phrozen Sonic Mini 4K
No single answer will satisfy everyone, just like there is no one machine to answer all of your demands. 3D printers that come from different companies have different capacities and overall product quality. If this is your first machine, we recommend choosing a popular option because they have larger community support in case you find some issues or need to know more about how to work with the specific machine. Usually, well-known companies have plenty of machines to consider.
If your type of application calls for printing in great detail, the resin printer will be an ideal option to go for. For example, the Anycubic and Phrozen are two well-known names that you can shop from. We have seen many of their machines working well and producing finer details on the models. They also have an extensive collection, but we recommend checking the 4K models because higher resolution means it will be easier to achieve finer details if you can spend more.
Some of the most exciting options from their collection are Anycubic Photon Mono X and Phrozen Sonic Mini 4K. These machines can produce excellent quality printing and are pretty different from each other. They are made for various types of users, and as you may already know, the Mono X is not an affordable model. This printer is significantly larger than the other, and higher capacity always means a higher price for 3D printers.
Many questions is Mono X worth the price? Yes, if you need the extra volume and no when you will only print minis. Phrozen Sonic Mini 4K, on the other hand, is a balanced option if the building capacity is enough for your application. This printer combines fast print, excellent print quality, and a reasonable price point. The two are working almost identical to each other, and they also come with the same core technology. Read also: Anycubic Photon Mono 4K Vs Mars 3 here.
Anycubic Photon Mono X and Phrozen Sonic Mini 4K Unit
One of the best things about resin printers for beginners is fewer parts to connect. Even on the budget range like the Sonic Mini 4K, the machine comes with a lid attached and covered in plastic wrap. The build plate is not installed yet, similar to the vat, so these two parts must be connected manually. It comes with accessories like a scrapper, but this package doesn’t include the sample resin.
The same can be said for Photon Mono X, but this machine is noticeably bigger. While they use a yellow tint for the top cover, the one with Phrozen is murky or darker, while this one from Anycubic is brighter, so you can see the inside better. Similarly, it comes with almost everything attached but the vat and builds plate. Remember that the build plate is leveled before attaching the vat. One minor complaint about convenience is both machines place the USB port on the side.
Anycubic Photon Mono X and Phrozen Sonic Mini 4K Capacity
Moving further, let’s talk about what set the Anycubic Photon Mono X and Phrozen Sonic Mini 4K apart the most. Similar to FDM, you will find larger machines with bigger volumes to be more expensive, and Mono X is a bumped up on the capacity. This machine’s total build volume is 192 x 125 x 250 mm, while the Sonic Mini is 135 x 75 x 130 mm. It is a noticeable difference, and if your items will benefit from a larger build capacity, the Mono X is a convenient choice.
Anycubic Photon Mono X and Phrozen Sonic Mini 4K Screen
Next, let’s look at the screen because this is a crucial part of the curing process. The screen filters the light to cure resin, and in the past, printers used RGB screens. This option is seen as a waste because the Monochrome screen is better for this application. Monochrome screens such as what is used by Anycubic Photon Mono X and Phrozen Sonic Mini 4K have a higher light permeability which makes them cure faster, making the machine produce the same print with less time.
The monochrome screen, often called mono, is now a staple for resin printers. Knowing the advantage, the machine with this technology can work faster and, surprisingly, make the screen last longer. The screen size is almost identical because both printers use 4K resolution, with Mono X being wider at 8.9-inch instead of 6.1-inch like the Sonic Mini. This resolution and size produce an XY resolution of up to 35 microns on the Sonic Mini and 50 microns on the Mono X.
The difference in resolution is a result of the build volume because Mono X is wider. Hence, the exact resolution has to spread across a wider surface, so it has less pixel density than the Sonic Mini.
Anycubic Photon Mono X and Phrozen Sonic Mini 4K Experience
The user experience with Anycubic Photon Mono X and Phrozen Sonic Mini 4K is very similar. The lid is easy to remove, but they are big, so you need to use both hands. The leveling is done manually with the help of the menu when adjusting the height. There is a large knob above the build plate to secure it on the arm. The level or flatness itself is adjusted through the few screws below it. Once the bed is completely flat, we can fasten the screws again.
Mono X displays are slightly larger, but they are equally responsive and easy to navigate. It is easier to use a large display because your finger can press it more comfortably. We also like the menu and view of these displays.
Anycubic Photon Mono X and Phrozen Sonic Mini 4K Performance
Lastly, the Anycubic Photon Mono X and Phrozen Sonic Mini 4K are fast printers for overall performance. They can finish the job really well and produce very detailed results. Many may wonder how is the difference in resolution will turn out in the real world. Surprisingly, our eyes can’t see the difference. The gap of 15 microns is too small for a regular observation because both machines are fantastic at recreating details. Many may use the printer to create models of characters.
It can be from games or comic books, which is impressive. Depending on the quality of your resin, it can slightly vary from one brand or color to another, but overall we are delighted with how the test print comes out.
Anycubic Photon Mono X Vs Phrozen Sonic Mini 4K
The Anycubic Photon Mono X and Phrozen Sonic Mini 4K are good printers for what they can offer. The main difference will be their size or build capacity because Mono X is a significant bump-up and perfect for making large models. They look equally impressive from the level of details and will be a great choice if you often print characters or models with fine or fine details. The ease of use and system is the same, but they use different slicer.
Conclusion
Both Anycubic Photon Mono X and Phrozen Sonic Mini 4K are impressive machines based on the print results. We recommend Sonic Mini if you only print minis and smaller models because it is much more affordable. Still, if you will print larger items, it is only possible with a bigger machine like Mono X.