Grok 4.1 Fast (Reasoning) vs Claude Sonnet 4.6 (Adaptive Reasoning, Max Effort): The Ultimate Performance & Pricing Comparison

Deep dive into reasoning, benchmarks, and latency insights.

The Final Verdict in the Grok 4.1 Fast (Reasoning) vs Claude Sonnet 4.6 (Adaptive Reasoning, Max Effort) Showdown

After a comprehensive analysis, Claude Sonnet 4.6 (Adaptive Reasoning, Max Effort) emerges as the superior choice for users prioritizing raw intelligence and reasoning. However, Grok 4.1 Fast (Reasoning) remains a highly competitive option, especially for scenarios demanding faster response times and cost-efficiency. This detailed Grok 4.1 Fast (Reasoning) vs Claude Sonnet 4.6 (Adaptive Reasoning, Max Effort) comparison will break down every critical metric to help you make the best decision.

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Model Snapshot

Key decision metrics at a glance.

Grok 4.1 Fast (Reasoning)

xAI

Reasoning: 9
Coding: 3
Multimodal: 3
Long Context: 5
Blended Price / 1M tokens: $0.000
P95 Latency: 1000ms
Tokens per second: 197.686tokens/sec

Claude Sonnet 4.6 (Adaptive Reasoning, Max Effort)

Anthropic

Reasoning: 6
Coding: 5
Multimodal: 4
Long Context: 6
Blended Price / 1M tokens: $0.006
P95 Latency: 1000ms
Tokens per second: 57.466tokens/sec

Overall Capabilities

The capability radar provides a holistic view of the Grok 4.1 Fast (Reasoning) vs Claude Sonnet 4.6 (Adaptive Reasoning, Max Effort) matchup. This chart illustrates each model's strengths and weaknesses at a glance, forming a cornerstone of our Grok 4.1 Fast (Reasoning) vs Claude Sonnet 4.6 (Adaptive Reasoning, Max Effort) analysis.

This radar chart visually maps the core capabilities (reasoning, coding, math proxy, multimodal, long context) of `Grok 4.1 Fast (Reasoning)` vs `Claude Sonnet 4.6 (Adaptive Reasoning, Max Effort)`.

Benchmark Breakdown

For a granular look, this chart directly compares scores across standardized benchmarks. In the critical MMLU Pro test, a key part of the Grok 4.1 Fast (Reasoning) vs Claude Sonnet 4.6 (Adaptive Reasoning, Max Effort) debate, Grok 4.1 Fast (Reasoning) scores 90 against Claude Sonnet 4.6 (Adaptive Reasoning, Max Effort)'s 60. This data-driven approach is essential for any serious Grok 4.1 Fast (Reasoning) vs Claude Sonnet 4.6 (Adaptive Reasoning, Max Effort) comparison.

This grouped bar chart provides a side-by-side comparison for each benchmark metric.

Speed & Latency

Speed is a crucial factor in the Grok 4.1 Fast (Reasoning) vs Claude Sonnet 4.6 (Adaptive Reasoning, Max Effort) decision for interactive applications. The metrics below highlight the trade-offs you should weigh before shipping to production.

Time to First Token

Grok 4.1 Fast (Reasoning)300ms

Claude Sonnet 4.6 (Adaptive Reasoning, Max Effort)300ms

Tokens per Second

Grok 4.1 Fast (Reasoning)197.686

Claude Sonnet 4.6 (Adaptive Reasoning, Max Effort)57.466

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The Economics of Grok 4.1 Fast (Reasoning) vs Claude Sonnet 4.6 (Adaptive Reasoning, Max Effort)

Power is only one part of the equation. This Grok 4.1 Fast (Reasoning) vs Claude Sonnet 4.6 (Adaptive Reasoning, Max Effort) pricing analysis gives you a true sense of value.

Pricing Breakdown

Compare input and output pricing at a glance.

Real-World Cost Scenario

To process 1M input tokens and generate 250k output tokens, Grok 4.1 Fast (Reasoning) would cost $0.000, whereas Claude Sonnet 4.6 (Adaptive Reasoning, Max Effort) would cost $0.007. This practical calculation is vital for any developer considering the Grok 4.1 Fast (Reasoning) vs Claude Sonnet 4.6 (Adaptive Reasoning, Max Effort) choice.

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Which Model Wins the Grok 4.1 Fast (Reasoning) vs Claude Sonnet 4.6 (Adaptive Reasoning, Max Effort) Battle for You?

Choose Grok 4.1 Fast (Reasoning) if...

Your top priority is raw performance and capability.

You are working in a technical or scientific field requiring the highest accuracy.

You need the most advanced reasoning capabilities available.

Choose Claude Sonnet 4.6 (Adaptive Reasoning, Max Effort) if...

You are developing at scale where operational costs are critical.

You prioritize cost-effectiveness over maximum performance.

Your workload requires consistent, reliable performance.

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Your Questions about the Grok 4.1 Fast (Reasoning) vs Claude Sonnet 4.6 (Adaptive Reasoning, Max Effort) Comparison

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