8K vs 4K? Which Resin Should You Get?

Is 8K resin really that different from the 4K resin?

You might have asked yourself this question or looked online for an answer. Regardless, we can assure you that you are not the only one.

A lot of people have wondered about the real difference between the 8K vs 4K resin. Is it worth the upgrade? Should you get the 8K resin for your next batch?

This time, Honey Badger 3D Print and Paint have made an 8K vs 4K resin comparison video with our beloved Aqua-Gray 8K and our trusty Aqua-Gray 4K.

Keep reading to see the difference!

8K vs 4K: Detail Comparison

James pointed out that they want you to have the best idea of what you can expect from these two resins. So to make the comparison as 'scientific' as possible, they are printing all the models used in this comparison video with the Sonic Mighty 8K and the recommended parameter settings provided on our website.

Now, let's get going!

1. Anubis Statues

Designed by Artisan Guild, this model surely has all the details you would want in a resin 3D printed model. As some of you might already know, the darker resin is the Aqua-Gray 8K, while the lighter one is Aqua-Gray 4K, and the darker color itself gives an edge to how crisp the details come out to be.

When you put these two models side by side, you will not see the stark difference at first glance.

But when you look closely at these models, you can see that the 8K resin definitely has the edge. The teeth are sharper, the necklace and mouth are crisper, and the 8K resolution is definitely showing through.

2. Rowena Bust

Next, James compared the Rowena model by Ernest Nimovski or also known as Nerikson, to see how it compares with skin textures. According to James, both models are still highly detailed with the skin and horns showing even the subtlest accent.

That said, James mentioned that the Aqua-Gray 8K might be slightly stronger compared to its 4K competitor because Rowena's scarf on the 4K model breaks during removal. He highlighted it could also be due to him having a heavy hand while handling the 4K, but all in all, he thinks the breakage didn't affect the details comparison, and that's what matters the most.

3. Anubis Warrior

Here's another Anubis model for comparison. According to James, the biggest differences are on the axes. With the 8K resin, the axe and the arm on the model just look crisper, which is really well done.

4. Nurgle

According to James, prints like these Nurgle are incredibly difficult, especially with the huge swarm of flies around the model.

That said, the 4K resin still managed to pick up the spectacular details. But, once you get into the 8K, you can see just how great the 8K resin improves your details. If you are a seasoned painter, this caliber of model is definitely something that you'll enjoy painting on.

So, now that you've seen all these 8K vs 4K resin detail comparisons, are you getting the 8K resin? Let's see what James thinks.

Do I Need 8K Resins?

James acknowledges that his opinion is highly subjective, but he believes that whether or not you need 8K resins for your projects rely heavily on your needs and preference.

Are You Printing Big?

If the answer is yes, you should continue and ask yourself, how much details would this model have?

If you are printing with a machine like the Sonic Mega 8K, then an 8K resin might not be necessary. Instead, you may care more about printing speed. With this in mind, you can use the Phrozen Speed resin instead, as it will better fit your needs.

What if you print big but care a lot about the details in your models? Go ahead and get the 8K resin.

Are You Printing for Business?

If you own a miniature business on Etsy or offer print-on-demand services for your clients, you might want to consider getting the 8K Resin to get the best quality possible.

As a business owner, ensuring that your 3D printing products are at par with injection molding quality is one crucial aspect to ensure consumer satisfaction. With this in mind, go ahead with the 8K resin.

Are You a Professional Painter?

Definitely go with the 8K. Not only that the 8K resin will give you more details to work with, but it'll also provide an excellent base for your painting work. One of our active members—Maria zur Nedden, shares her story on how 3D printing revives her love of painting.

But if you think you are just a mediocre painter and the details on the model don't matter much to your work, then the 4K resin is good enough for you.

Are You 3D Printing for Hobby?

In this case, it really is up to your personal preference. Do you care that much about the crispiness of details on your model? Or the 4K resolution is enough for you when comparing the price differences?

Both answers are totally valid, and it's up to you to decide whether the 8K resin is necessary for your needs.

Will Honey Badger Choose 8K vs 4K?

After reading through their comparison, you might wonder if they’ll go with the 8K resin. Well, James said they do prefer the 8K resin. When presented with the option, they personally prefer the quality and crispiness offered by the 8K resin, or in this case, the Aqua-Gray 8K.

But will they always get the 8K resin? He mentioned that it depends. It depends on your projects and the models you want to create. And when the budget is tight, they'll still take the Aqua-Gray 4K anytime because both will provide you with highly detailed models. It's just that one has more edge than the others.

If you want to know more about Phrozen's selection of resin, what to choose, and what's best for you, you should check out our article about everything you need to know before getting your next Phrozen resin.

Curious about the full video from James and the Honey Badger? Watch here!