🖨 3D Printer Radar

Anycubic Kobra 4vsPrusa Research MK4S

💰Anycubic Kobra 4 is $350 cheaper (92% less)
📐Anycubic Kobra 4 has 52% more build volume
⚡Anycubic Kobra 4 tops out at 600 mm/s vs 500 mm/s
🎨Only Anycubic Kobra 4 supports multicolor printing (4 slots)
Cross-ecosystem comparison: These printers use different software ecosystems. Accessories, filament profiles, and community support are not interchangeable between brands. Consider the total ecosystem cost, not just the printer price.
Anycubic Kobra 4
Buy/Wait:Buy

Early in release cycle — no urgency to wait

Best for: Budget makers who want 4-color multicolor printing without committing to the Bambu or Prusa ecosystem — and are comfortable with a less mature software experience.

Full details →
Prusa Research MK4S
Buy/Wait:Upgrade Kit

Late in cycle — but an upgrade kit is available. Existing owners can upgrade without buying new

🔧 Upgrade kit available — from MK4, MK3.5

Best for: Makers who value open-source hardware, community support, long-term repairability, and battle-tested reliability over raw speed or multicolor features.

Full details →
Anycubic Kobra 4Prusa Research MK4S
Pricing
Starting Price★ $379$729
Print Specs
TierEntryProsumer
MotionBedSlingerBedSlinger
Build Volume★ 260 × 260 × 260 mm250 × 210 × 220 mm
Max Speed★ 600 mm/s500 mm/s
Multicolor★ ✅ 4 slots❌ No
Enclosure❌❌
Auto Calibration✅✅
Open Source❌★ ✅
Upgrade Kit—🔧 From MK4, MK3.5
Buy Timing
ReleasedMay 18, 2026Aug 13, 2024
Cycle length~368 days~730 days
Cycle adviceBuyUpgrade Kit
Deals adviceBuyBuy
Next model——

Quick Winner

💰
Budget pick
Anycubic Kobra 4
$379 starting
📐
Large prints
Anycubic Kobra 4
260×260×260 mm
⚡
Fastest prints
Anycubic Kobra 4
600 mm/s
🔓
Open ecosystem
Prusa Research MK4S
Open source

Bottom Line

💰Anycubic Kobra 4 saves you $350 — choose it if budget is your primary constraint
🎨Anycubic Kobra 4 is the pick if multicolor printing is important to you
🔓Prusa Research MK4S is the pick for open firmware, community mods, and long-term repairability

Materials

Anycubic Kobra 4 only
—
Both
PLAEasy to print, no enclosure needed — everyday parts
PETGTougher, slightly flexible, moisture-resistant
TPUFlexible rubber-like — phone cases, gaskets, wheels
Prusa Research MK4S only
ABSHeat and impact resistant — needs enclosure
ASAUV-stable ABS alternative — outdoor parts, needs enclosure
PANylon — strong and wear-resistant, needs dry storage
PCPolycarbonate — extremely tough, challenging to print

Why buy each?

Anycubic Kobra 4

260×260×260 mm build volume

A cube-format build volume slightly larger than the Kobra 3 V2's 255×255×260 mm bed — practical for most everyday prints.

ACE 2 Pro multicolor in the Combo

The Combo includes one ACE 2 Pro for 4-color printing. A second unit and an 8-color filament hub expand it to 8 colors.

49-point auto-leveling

LeviQ 3.0 probes 49 points and applies compensation automatically, with no manual adjustment required.

Prusa Research MK4S

Upgrade kit available — no need to buy new

MK4 and MK3.5 owners can upgrade to MK4S specs without purchasing a whole new printer. This is Prusa's commitment to owners and is unique in the industry at this level.

Fully open source

Firmware, PCB schematics, hardware designs, and slicing profiles are all published under open licenses. You own the printer completely.

Best community and documentation

Prusa's forum, knowledge base, and repair guides are unmatched. Parts are stocked and available for years after purchase.