Phrozen Sonic Mini 8K 3d resin printer [HONEST REVIEW]

[@dtj9923]

I got my 8K running on New Year's Day and I gotta tell ya, I'M FLOORED. OUT OF THE BOX and with no tuning it exceeded all expectations. I have been printing with a professional, dental grade Phrozen Sonic 4K for the last year and was used to really high quality prints. The 8K just made that machine obsolete at every level. The 8K has had zero print failures, zero detached prints, zero mechanical artifacts appearing in the prints. The prints are just astounding. One of the things that has really stood out is the quality of underside of the prints. I don't know if it's the 8K resin, the printer, or the combination of the two but the undersides of the prints look dramatically better. I see NO EVIDENCE OF POOLING even on flat printed rectilinear items with fluid trapping features. It just so happens I print a lot of these sorts of parts. The 8K resin is fantastic and it rinses very easily. It cures really well. I see less warping, stretching and related surface defects. Actually NONE. It's a major advancement from the 4K resin in many ways. I'm working with Chitubox anti-alias and smoothing settings today after working with optimized print angles yesterday. The potential of this platform with regard to achievable print quality is mind blowing! I just did a couple of reprints for comparison over the past few days between the Sonic 4k and the 8K Mini and it's readily apparent that the 8K is a major advancement in print quality. If you print mecha, planes, trains, or vehicles this machine is definitely for you! Oh Formlabs.... you should just throw in the towel on your obscenely overpriced laser SLA dumpster fire of a printer. Phrozen is crushing you!!! I did some back to back calibrations tests for comparison. It was pointless. Form3 print quality and detail rendering is so 10 years ago. Thanks for the review VOG! I'm about to go order my second 8K machine. Happy printing! Love the videos.

[@vogman]

Thanks for the feedback 😁

[@jamesjusick1462]

Your hard core honest reviews on other models makes this review completely believable, even as you find no flaws. Your honesty really pays off.

[@Cakemagic1]

Amazing printer. If Phrozen can achieve this with normal LCD printers, I'm going to be expecting a lot from them for their DLP alternative.

[@vogman]

Me too. I want to know what that is 😁😁😁

[@Sharpevil]

Hi VOG! I had a very similar issue with paper towel dust for a while. Eventually, I got fed up with it and started using blue shop towels. They're a bit more expensive, but they shed far, far less lint, and depending on what you're using them for, you can occasionally get a few uses out of them before tossing them. I find they're worth having on hand.

[@barhamitzvah]

I have been looking forward to your review for weeks! Pretty amazing to see how well everyone is rating it. Mine just got delivered yesterday :)

[@vogman]

Hope you enjoy it! It's amazing. 😁

[@cavinrauch]

I've grown to love your reviews! Didn't even realise I was looking forward to this video till I saw it :D

[@vogman]

Glad you like them! Merry Christmas to you and yours 😁😁😁

[@noviceartisan]

Wow, I think they've really outdone themselves this time! Beautiful quality prints, and amazing details :O I honestly can't imagine printers getting any better than this now!

[@vogman]

But... and this will upset you... they CAN get better. Let's try and remember this comment this time next year 😁😁😁

[@Cless_Aurion]

Always happy to see one of your videos! Keep up the good work man! :D

[@vogman]

Many thanks Cless. Merry Christmas to you and yours 😁😁😁

[@THEASHER629]

Oh man, lovely review as always! THANKS! I almost choked on my lemonade when you correctly assumed I was yelling at the screen about Anycubic's DLP!!! 😆 Looking forward to that comparison

[@vogman]

Glad you enjoyed it! 😁

[@thebutlah]

Absolute legend, your discount code just saved me $200 (shipping was cheaper, $50 on resin saved, the rest was the 15% off)

[@vogman]

That's great to hear 😁

[@PencilParasite]

Thank you VOG, I honestly think Phrozen has shown the most you can get from MSLA technology (screen, mechanics, electronics) when you want to get under a thousand dollars. I'm also waiting for a comparison with the Ultra and maybe with the Mars DLP 2K (as long as Elegoo hasn't forgotten it).

[@vogman]

You and I are of a similar mind 😁😁😁

[@f1hotrod527]

They should be adding chamber heaters as standard. That is the biggest issue I have with resin printing. Many people print in a basement or garage due to resin smell, and it is not 75 + degrees F in these areas.

[@lukearts2954]

That level of detail is totally crazy indeed! And people who have been following you for a while, know that it takes a lot for you not to find any fair negative points... I'm going to keep my eye on this one!

[@aidanfordsword6954]

This is awesome! Now I'm feeling down about how I backed the ultra, but the life span of the projector is what REALLY made me want it. Cant wait to see a comparison between the two!

[@vogman]

NEVER feel down for backing DLP. The prints don't lie and they've been talking to me. You'll love the Ultra. 😁😁😁

[@Boneappleteahee]

His voice is so calm and good on the ears. He sounds like he’d be on a kids show telling stories

[@AlexJaneway]

Really Looking forward to mine, I got the Super Early-Bird Preorder on the release date, as soon as it went live.

[@LordBilliam]

I ordered a mighty 4k recently and it came with a metal vat and sturdier rails than I saw in KZbin reviews of older models. It prints so much better than my similar Elegoo and Anycubic printers. I bought it to avoid using any more products that might have connections to Xinjiang, and I'll be staying with Phrozen as they've shown their quality, so I'm getting one of these ASAP

[@justaregulargamer7314]

If the voice actor from Stanley parable did 3d printer reviews, it is this guy

[@GeekDetour]

Excellent review AND you are absolutely right: I want to see the Anycubic DLP AmeraLabs test in a good close-up. The one you made in this video is EXCELLENT: good light, awesome macro, sharp. My bet is that the Anycubic 720p DLP AmeraLabs Town is super blocky. I want to see them side-by-side! 🤣

[@AviadMD]

You are killing me here! Just gotta see a head to head vs Ultra DLP!

[@vogman]

Coming soon 😁

[@RabbitAimUK]

Your videos are so good, very honest detailed reviews and your voice is so calming. Great stuff

[@vogman]

That's very kind. Merry Christmas to you and yours 😁😁😁

[@captainjerk]

Looks great! I'm glad it exceeds your expectations! :D Merry Christmas, and Happy New Year! Thanx for a great vid Geoff!

[@RamoArt]

Electronics do need to withstand being dropped from a certain height during shipping, so I wouldn't be so sure about it having been packaged "very well". The logistics company that I work for says the packaging has to survive an 80cm drop, otherwise they are not liable for damages that occur.

[@johngrant5749]

Many thanks. Looks superb. Happy Christmas by the way.

[@markhickson9087]

As ever a great review. The one thing that puts me off lcd printers though is the cost of a new screen. I can imagine it won't be cheap for this 8k model? I'm waiting for the ultra having missed the kickstarter. Looking forward to your comparison. If it is hard to tell then who cares 😁. 2k was good, 8k is clearly better but this has to be of diminishing benefit. At my age I have to wear glasses for painting miniatures. Not sure I can see detail at arms length.

[@ajlbeer]

You've really upped your game with regard to the photography. Well done!

[@vogman]

Thanks. I'm working on it. I've now mastered the lens cap. Now to find the "on" button 😁😁😁

[@LeoNelBuilds]

Fantastic review! Everyone is raving about this printer, I think you've convinced me as I trust your judgement with these things!

[@cavinrauch]

Sounds the Sonic mini 8k is the closet yet to an off the shelf inkjet printer experience. It just works.

[@vogman]

Exactly. We don't want difficult. This was straight out of the box printing with factory given settings. All very easy 😁

[@sebastiangurgul6712]

Going to 0.03mm layer height would present this printer at its absolute best in my estimation. Resolution in all 3 axis would then be comparable and those layer lines would likely melt away and leave you with the absolute limits of what could be achieved on this machine. I’m also curious how you will find the 8k resin stacks up against your current favorites. Will it just be another gimmick or actually stand apart from the current offerings on the market?

[@languin12]

Thanks for the review my man i feel so much better that i got an early bird...now for the wait.

[@TKs3DPrints]

8k screens hmmm nice i still think the dlp is the way resin printers will end up going then most probs back to fast lasers. everything moves and changes and flips back again. my old laser moai still has the best smooth prints i can find but the print time is lacking these days only a little faster than fdm. but if they could bounce multiple lasers all over the screen then it might take on again i know laser tech is also changing. but the problem with dlp is the size of the build area but yes 8k screen nice. to think in a years time 8k screens will be standard and there will be the next gen or resin prints. makes ya wonder what we will have in 5 years time. another great video vog. :) have a great xmass and a fab new year to you and family. :)

[@vogman]

My money is on DLP too... that's an exciting path I hope the industry takes. Phrozen is really pushing the limits of LCD here (and doing it VERY well). Home-grade DLP has only just started 😁 Merry Christmas to you and yours 😁😁😁

[@catnamestaken]

Cool. Can't wait for the comparison

[@SvenEnterlein]

I am very happy with my Mini 4k already. Phrozen support has been very good for me as well. They even sent me a free upgrade kit to reduce the Z-arm flex. If I had the need (and money), I'd be getting this beauty :)

[@oleurgast730]

Definitly some improvements possible: chamber heater for a constant temperature of chamber and resin, resin sensor for automatic pause if resin level is low, a tank tilt system to reduce the stress of releasing print from FET and of course a magnetic build plate. While the last of course is simple to do yourself and a chamber heater also can be made stand alone (while it would be nice to have it been set in the slicer) of course this chitu based systems make it hard for any developer to add thinks like resin level sensor and tilt tank mechanics.

[@69Gothic]

Merry Chirstmas Mr. Veg Oil Guy! Thank you for all the content, and thank you for inspiring me to start experimenting with sculpting and casting!

[@vogman]

Thanks Adam, and the same to you. I'm happy to help if and where I can 😁😁😁

[@EdwardDowner]

I really wish you had done some side by side direct comparisons with 4k and 2k printer prints.

[@PaolochazGomez]

very nice, im excited for the video comparison on mini 8k and photon Ultra :)

[@ptcook27]

just received mine today together with mighty 4k

[@vogman]

Great to hear 😁

[@bassett_green]

Mine just arrived today, and the build quality feels great compared to my Anycubic Photon. Everything worked great out of the box and it was very easy to set the z=0.

[@Sagnad8]

Great video! I have the mini 4K and love it dearly. This might be my next purchase. Thanks and Merry Christmas!!

[@JohnJones-oy3md]

6:15 - Your socks, her brassiere. Merry Christmas!

[@Bruno-cb5gk]

Pre-ordered it for the super low price. Haven't got it yet, but I'm very glad it's so good.

[@vogman]

You'll love it 😁

[@GarbachNL]

Great review as usual. Very excited as I got a message that mine is underway!

[@vogman]

Hope you enjoy it! 😁😁😁

[@Mistertbones]

Pretty good review there. Merry Christmas, Geoff!

[@vogman]

Thanks buddy. And a fabulous Christmas to you and yours 😁😁😁

[@ianroberts8158]

Merry Christmas and a Happy New year Geoff all the best for the new year

[@Zeeflyboy]

The only think that was stopping me buying this printer is the lock to Chitu… I hate what Chitubox are doing with this strategy. Great news that lychee will be able to support it - is it official or are they working around the encryption (and thus something that could be broken in future)?

[@PBRJOHN684]

That is an amazing detail from that "mini" 3D printer. And yes I did see all that amazing detail on Instagram and was totally amazed 👍 Merry Christmas to you, Mrs VOG and of course Resin too 🍻👍

[@vogman]

Glad you liked it! Merry Christmas to you and yours 😁😁😁

[@Gocast2]

Fawn girl is amazing, would love to see you try casting a bust! Have a great christmas! 🍻🍻

[@j.d.2433]

You had me at 'good news'. Merry Christmas!

[@vogman]

Merry Christmas to you and yours 😁😁😁

[@KrakenCasting]

Boy, Geoff, you're making it harder for me to put off upgrading. Hope you're doing well. Happy Christmas!

[@vupham7678]

Very nice preview and very gut discount price but not for me ! I live in germany with shiping cost over 170€ maybe i think i can wait still next year .. lol..

[@loganasaurusrex8246]

now THAT'S what I'm talking about!

[@stelonous]

Thanks for the review. I will consider this printer now.

[@jamesm3268]

Ordered 2 of these one for me and one for a friend I also have the mega 8k such an awesome printer company.

[@vogman]

I do like Phrozen... you'll be pleased with your choice 😁

[@MWSculpts]

Great thank you 😊. A tempting purchase!!

[@ex-bahamutgamer8381]

Not to be a kicker on Phrozen. Would it be more sense to put protective package case example: foam on the mirror to prevent damaging the mirror and give diagram how to open your printer, so you can remove the protective package. That kinda of the issue ?

[@arekwork]

hey man this absolutely grate video! Is there any chance to compare this printer and printing results to Solus Pro ?

[@vogman]

Sorry, I don't have access to a Solus 😁😁😁

[@antoniomromo]

Amazing review as usual good sir. Also love that you know and can admit that you need more time to see how it compares to the photon.

[@eact17]

Love the review as always and can't wait to get mine. Currently sitting in transit having an extended party at a depot! Interestingly these are being delivered before the anycubics. I think to see the correct level of detail it should 🤔 be printed at the layer height of the xy resolution or less ?? For example on a 45 degree angle print you will be getting a print of resolution of 0.05 resolution from the xy.

[@vogman]

In this review I stuck with 0.05 layers. The 8K can happily handle 0.01 layers, but at least here you can see how it prints at its worst 😁😁😁

[@CraigLYoung]

Thanks for sharing and Merry Christmas 🎅

[@vogman]

Happy holidays! 😁😁😁

[@HobbyistLife]

Nicely done, I already ordered mine, looking forward to doing my review too. Thanks!

[@vogman]

Have fun! 😁😁😁

[@tombombadil9338]

Looking forward to that comparison. I'm torn on that deal as well. Won't get it till April, but at the speed of things, what new printers/tech will come out in that time.

[@ANModelTrucks]

Hi Vog. I have a question - did you test how accurate this printer? I mean how precise prints come out? Did you try to place same parts in 4 corners and center of building platform and then compare size of those parts and 3d model? I know that Anycubic printers had big problems with calibrating few years ago and parts placed on that manner had different size and only central part had same dimensions as 3D model. And how about cylindrical parts? Did you try to measure difference between 3d model and printed parts? I use Form2 printer for years and it has the problem from the beginning - all cylindrical parts have at least 0.2mm less diameter. Now I'm looking for new printer, because I see that new printers can print with much better quality.

[@Kephirus]

Just discovered your channel; Good STUFF SIR !!!

[@vogman]

Awesome, thank you! Great to have you here 😁

[@coulterjb22]

Great review. I wish I needed another printer!

[@mnap89]

Try some castable resin with it - maybe x-one and compaer with same resin and model from dlp

[@federico9292]

I had in my gut that this would have been an outstanding printer, I really wanted it and got an Early Bird! that would be my first resin printer, I am wondering if it will go easy on me, I come from 6 years of FDM

[@Tarex_]

And I can't even print with my Mono X because of a destroyed polarizer since September :( those 8K prints are amazing! Definitely a good point to set for the others to follow soon, 8K, DLP, 2022 will be quite the race if it's gonna be at this level

[@vogman]

Sorry about the X 😢 Yes, my money is on DLPs taking us by storm in 2022 😁😁😁

[@ryjacrafts4797]

what camera setup you're using in taking pictures, are you using macro lens? great stills.

[@AndcRew14414]

Wow first comment - I think that my first :) Great review - I cannot wait to see some casting with this printer!

[@vogman]

It will be next year now, but that's not far away 😁

[@jackdeth245]

I'm either getting one of these or a Photon Ultra, not sure which yet tho, so I'm awaiting your conclusion. Sorry to put so much responsibility on your shoulders ;)

[@joerie.houthuijsen]

awesome ! i love the 8k mini. cant wait of your comparison to the dip or the mono x 6k (as of the large volume)

[@vogman]

Coming soon! 😁😁😁

[@joerie.houthuijsen]

@VOG do you think that this laser mirror thing inside looks a bit like the dlp printers? Or has it still tegenstaken lcd above?

[@wildniscamper7276]

could you tell me, whats the deal with the phrozen sonic xl 4k? they are used in medical production and the price seems not tooooo crazy...but how does it stand out in comparison to the other phrozen resin printers? is it the accuracy or the repeatability or is it a different light source? would be awesome to let me know✌️ love ya style of doing rewies! spot on! cheers

[@Starganderfish]

Thanks for the great review, and Merry XMas. Be great if you could let us know how it prints with regular resin in comparison to the 8K resin from Phrozen?

[@TheOriginalWilson]

Been waiting for this...

[@vogman]

Worth the wait?

[@bryanwilkinson3433]

Love your videos! Fantastic reviews and great advice. I’ve personally been studying your jewelry casting videos like a hawk! I was on the fence about preordering this printer because I was unsure if the 8k benefits would translate to casting? I’d love to hear your thoughts and if you intend to cast any metal components using this printer?

[@irish_wrist_watch5858]

I... AM... SPEEDDDD

[@vogman]

😁😁😁

[@GarethLewin]

I know that I'm adding to the chorus, but why not? I'm torn between this and the Ultra, so I really really would love a video from you comparing the two.

[@patprop74]

it's cool and all it looks nice in a minimalistic kind of way, but then again you are not paying for over-engineering, so that is good for the penny pinchers of the world, who needs good design when you can save a few bucks anyways right lol, I'd say it is a cross over from what we use to make in the open-source DIY world, and a commercial product, it's not a Formlab, but it's not a laser cut out LittleRP either, One of the real downside is, one can't trust a well-established company that uses Kickstart as a sales strategy, that is shady behavior that shouldn't be forgiven, and yet over looked by all reviewers, as if it was a normal acceptable thing to do, 8:56 haha I got a good chuckle out of " it wouldn't stop me from buying this printer" lol, we both know! Merry Christmas folks.

[@CorentinLeman]

Could you try printing the torture toaster? It seems that nobody tried it on a resin printer, so that might be interesting to do it on this one. Thanks for the video, you convinced me to buy one!

[@DennyPetronio]

There are rogue supports left all over these models. How could you possibly miss the one @6:28?! Looks like a great printer though.

[@emrelee]

Wonderful video as usual. I wanna print models around 25-40cm so I got stuck between Halot Sky and Mighty 4K, I am not sure if you have ever tested Halot Sky but between Sky and Mighty4k (sky is +350usd) which one would you recommend? Also if I get mini8k along side either SKY or Mighty, perhaps I can print the very detailed parts of the model like heads etc with it. Do you think it's a sound setup or waist of money? Would you recommend mini8k on the side for the detailed parts scenario that I mentioned? Thank you!

[@Tronova]

That $169 delivery fee though through Phrozen... Ouch.

[@GRANDOS]

did you print at layer height 0.22 micron ?

[@No_Plastic]

What do you think of this and Anycubic Ultra DLP printer? Which one would you prefer? thanks

[@TheCHAIRMENMAO]

How do the prints look without the 8k resin?

[@vogman]

Time will tell. I've got a bottle of Siraya Tech Sculpt I'm going to play with 😁

[@ameliabuns4058]

Display resolution isn't directly XY resolution, light bleed, shrinkage and things like that matter a ton

[@vogman]

Absolutely... but it still prints nice 😁

[@mmmeixner]

@VOG Great review as every time - this is one of my most loved YT channels 👏 I bought „Faun Girl" today and tried to find a good orientation for printing … not easy - may I ask, how you oriented it?

[@glowing_kitty]

The only “complain” I have: the build plate is way to small for what I print ^^ My Photon Mono X is really the minimum size I want to work with. Are there any reviews of larger resin printers upcoming?:)

[@vogman]

Not at this level of quality... not yet. It will come, that's for sure 😁😁😁

[@EnchantingCat8365]

Very nice video. Im happy that dlp printers are coming in near future. Im seeing into printing high detail 28mm miniatures but want to wait for a 3d printer thats capable of delivering this quality for a Price up to 350€. With dlp my hopes for the quality are fullfilled, but these printer is quiet large and quiet expensive. Would you recommend it anyways for me or would you say that i should just wait a few month to see what comes down the line to fullfill my price demands? Thanks for all your answers!

[@vogman]

It's hard to guess the future. If I could do it successfully, I'd be a wealthy man... and I don't even qualify to be "comfortable." If I earn a little more, I might just scrape into "skint" 😁😁😁 So my GUESS is that we're seeing LCDs being pushed to the limits here, and this is being done very well with this 8K. However, DLPs at this level are brand new and at the bottom on the development curve. I see great things in the future for them. Of course, there could also be something else we haven't yet heard of that may be even better.

[@alzalame]

Nice comparision

[@atadincselim1]

I have a mini 8k and i am trying to cast silver men jewelry items. Which resin would be best for me if i am using outside casting houses who are casting classic wax.. Can you help?

[@bunni3140]

$230 to ship it... ends up being about $1000. A bit steep for me, but it looks very good. Thanks for the review.

[@vogman]

I understand buddy. That's expensive shipping costs for sure.

[@elvendarkness1]

Howdy! I'm new to 3D printering and wanted to see if I could get some opinions on which of the two printers would be a better buy. I'm looking at the Phrozen Sonic Mini 8K Resin 3D Printer or the Tribes Edition Anycubic Photon Mono X 6K. Everyone's comments and opinions would greatly be appreciated in helping make a sound choice. Thank you!

[@vogman]

The Mono X will give you more printing space thanks to the bigger plate. The Mini 8K will give you better detailed prints. The choice between the two is down to you 😁

[@TzarChelo]

What Resin should be used with this printer? Some economic resin please. Can you recomend me one from anycubic, elego and phrozen. Thank you!

[@preddes6522]

Great review. VOG do you think the quality at face value is equal or near to tabletop miniatures ala games workshop?

[@vogman]

Personally I think we're there now, yes. Often you can see layer lines, but you can't "feel" them... so primer and paint cover with ease. 😁

[@LoLeinTroll]

I consider to buy a mono x 6k because of the bigger build plate. But maybe there will be a sonic mighty 8k. Do you have any information regarding bigger 8k phrozen printers?

[@SvenEnterlein]

He just released a review for the Mighty 8k :)

[@shura8817]

Hi, have you tried castable resin? Phrozen still have nothing about yet...

[@Borkery]

still waiting for my printer that was supposed to be here early december.

[@vogman]

Post in December is always a pain. I sent a buddy a parcel at the beginning of the month and it's still resting at his local sorting office. These things happen 😁