3D Printing Info

Printer comparison

FlashForge Creator 4 vs Phrozen Sonic Mini 8K S

Compare hardware, build volume, printing specifications, dated prices and sources.

2 selected · all documented properties

FlashForge Creator 4 vs Phrozen Sonic Mini 8K S — documented properties and sources
PropertyFlashForge Creator 4IDEXPhrozen Sonic Mini 8K SRESIN
Identity
BrandFlashForgePhrozen
ClassIDEXRESIN
Identity & Market
Manufacturer & exact marketed model name (verify the exact product identity first)Flashforge Creator 4, sold in A and S configurations (Creator 4A, Creator 4S)[1]Phrozen Sonic Mini 8K S 7.1" LCD 3D Printer. Manufacturer number 51010040501102[2][3][4]
Street price (USD; dated snapshot per entry)$10,999.00 at Top 3D Shop with a 2-3 week lead time, checked Aug 2026[1]$270.00 on us.phrozen3d.com, backordered with an end-of-September ETA, checked Aug 2026. The collection page rendered it as unavailable on the same day[4][3]
Variants & sibling models — and how to tell them apart (spec-contamination risk)Two factory configurations that share the chassis but not the temperature ceiling: Creator 4A ships 2 x HT extruders (320 °C max, no composite support), Creator 4S ships 1 x HT + 1 x HS (360 °C max, supports PA-CF, PA-GF, PP-CF, PPS-CF). A third extruder type, F, is rated 265 °C and intended for flexibles. Any published "360 °C" figure applies only to the HS head[1]Phrozen's 7.1-inch line is easy to confuse: the Sonic Mini 8K S ($270) sits beside the older Sonic Mini 8K ($340, sold out) and the 5.5-inch Sonic Mini ($129.99). The 10.1-inch Sonic Mighty family is a different size class entirely. The 8K S is the only one of the group with a single linear rail and a lead screw rather than a ball screw[3][2][4][5]
Physical & Frame
Build volume X×Y×Z (mm) — advertised vs actually usable400 x 350 x 500 mm[1]165 x 72 x 170 mm[2][4]
Machine footprint (mm) & clearance needed (cable/spool overhang)840 x 675 x 1000 mm (1050 mm on the stand). FlashForge specifies an installation space of at least 1400 x 1500 x 1600 mm[1]290 x 290 x 430 mm[2][4]
Net weight (kg)90 kg net[1]10 kg[2][4]
Frame construction & materialFully enclosed professional chassis on a stand[1]Black textured housing with a neon-green plastic cover[2]
Enclosure: open / enclosed; panel material; door/lidFully enclosed with HEPA 13 filtration and an actively controlled chamber[1]Open-frame MSLA with a UV-blocking plastic cover[2]
Passive chamber temperature reached (if enclosed; measured values preferred)Up to 65 °C, actively controlled (manufacturer claim)[1]Not documented
Kinematics & Motion Hardware
Kinematics (bedslinger i3 / CoreXY / other)IDEX — two independently driven extruders on the same gantry[1]MSLA, single Z axis on one linear rail with a lead screw, straight-lift peel[2][4]
X-axis guide type (rods / linear rails / V-wheels; size)Not documentedOne linear rail; lead screw (not a ball screw)[2][4]
Speed & Acceleration
Max print speed (claimed, mm/s)10-200 mm/s, adjustable per material. On the 4S the HS head is quoted 100-150 mm/s and the HT head 100-200 mm/s (manufacturer figures)[1]Not documented
Extruder
Type (direct drive / bowden) & design nameDirect drive, two independent extruders, interchangeable modules (F / HT / HS)[1]Not documented
Hotend & Nozzle
Max nozzle temp claimed AND firmware max temp limit (both values)Depends on the fitted extruder module: F 265 °C, HT 320 °C, HS 360 °C[1]Not documented
Stock nozzle size & sizes included in box0.4 mm default; 0.6 and 0.8 mm optional[1]Not documented
Heated Bed & Surface
Max bed temp claimed AND firmware limit130 °C maximum (manufacturer claim)[1]Not documented
Leveling & Z-Offset
Auto bed leveling: probe technology (inductive / strain gauge / load cell / touch probe)Automatic bed levelling; FlashForge does not name the probe technology in this spec table[1]Not documented
Filament Handling & Detection
Spool holder location & max spool size; drybox compatibilityTwo spool bays, 1 kg and 2 kg capacity[1]Not documented
Electronics & Power
Input voltage (110/220 V, switch or auto)AC 100-130 V / 200-240 V, 50-60 Hz, 30 A overcurrent protection[1]24 V DC, 2 A[4]
Total rated power draw2320 W rated[1]48 W maximum system power[4]
Firmware & Openness
Firmware base & current version (Klipper fork / Marlin fork / proprietary)Not named; the supported slicer is FlashPrint[1]Not named by Phrozen. Native file format .PRZ; compatible slicers CHITUBOX, Lychee and VoxelDance Tango[2][4]
Connectivity, UI & Camera
Display: size, type, touch?7-inch touchscreen, 1024 x 600[1]3.5-inch touch panel (control panel — not the masking LCD, see W1)[4]
WiFi (band/standard), Ethernet, USB ports, SD/flash-driveUSB flash drive, Ethernet, Wi-Fi[1]USB only[2][4]
Materials Support
Officially supported filament listStandard and engineering plastics on the HT head; the HS head adds PA-CF, PA-GF, PP-CF and PPS-CF. Materials such as PC, PA and carbon fibre are the stated targets for the 130 °C bed[1]405 nm photopolymer resin; no closed compatibility list published[2]
Reliability, Support & Ecosystem
Warranty length & support reputation (evidence, not vibes)12 months on the printer, 3 months on extruder parts[1]Not documented
Resin & MSLA
Masking LCDNot documented7.1-inch 8K monochrome masking LCD, XY pixel pitch 22 um. Phrozen does not publish the pixel count for this model[2][4]
Light sourceNot documentedLinear projection LED module. Wavelength not published for this model[2][4]
Vertical print speedmm/hNot documentedMax 80 mm/h (manufacturer claim). Phrozen does not state the layer height or resin type the figure assumes[4]
Layer height rangeNot documented0.01-0.30 mm[4]
Release filmNot documentedFEP film — note this is plain FEP, whereas the Sonic Mighty Revo 14K ships nFEP. No rated life published[4][5]

Manufacturer claims, independent measurements, packages and test conditions retain their source wording. FDM linear speed and resin vertical speed use different units and are not directly comparable. Unknown values are marked “Not documented”. Prices and source dates remain historical snapshots; check the linked guide for product details. Differences highlight text, not a universal winner.

Sources for this comparison

  1. Flashforge Creator 4 (A/S) product listing with full spec table top3dshop.com · 2026-08 · vendor
  2. Phrozen Sonic Mini 8K S technical data table 3djake.com · 2026-08 · vendor
  3. Phrozen US 3D printer collection (live prices and stock) us.phrozen3d.com · 2026-08 · vendor
  4. Phrozen Sonic Mini 8K S 7.1" LCD 3D Printer product page us.phrozen3d.com · 2026-08 · vendor
  5. Phrozen Sonic Mighty Revo 14K 10.1" LCD 3D Printer product page us.phrozen3d.com · 2026-08 · vendor