🖨 3D Printer Radar

Anycubic Kobra S1 MaxvsAnycubic Kobra 3

Same ecosystem (anycubic): Both printers share the same software, slicer, and filament ecosystem. This is a tier step-up comparison — consider whether the extra features justify the price difference.
Anycubic Kobra S1 Max
Buy/Wait:Buy

First-generation product — recently released, still early days

Best for: Professional makers and small studios who need large-format enclosed printing for engineering filaments at a competitive price — and want Anycubic's ecosystem over Creality or Qidi alternatives.

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Anycubic Kobra 3
Buy/Wait:Wait

Overdue for a refresh — no successor announced yet. Prices should be at their lowest

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.

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Anycubic Kobra S1 MaxAnycubic Kobra 3
TierProfessionalProsumer
MotionCoreXYBedSlinger
Build Volume350 × 350 × 350 mm255 × 255 × 260 mm
Max Speed600 mm/s600 mm/s
Multicolor❌ No✅ 4 slots
Enclosure
Auto Calibration
Open Source
Upgrade Kit
ReleasedNov 25, 2025May 15, 2025
Cycle length~212 days
Cycle adviceBuyWait
Deals adviceCautionBuy
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Materials

Anycubic Kobra S1 Max only
ASAUV-stable ABS alternative — outdoor parts, needs enclosure
PANylon — strong and wear-resistant, needs dry storage
PA-CFCarbon-fibre nylon — very stiff, abrasive to standard nozzles
PCPolycarbonate — extremely tough, challenging to print
PLA-CFCarbon-fibre PLA — rigid matte finish, more brittle
PETG-CFCarbon-fibre PETG — stiffer than PETG, easy to print
PET-CFCarbon-fibre PET — rigid, dimensionally stable
PVAWater-soluble support — dissolves for complex overhangs
Both
PLAEasy to print, no enclosure needed — everyday parts
PETGTougher, slightly flexible, moisture-resistant
ABSHeat and impact resistant — needs enclosure
TPUFlexible rubber-like — phone cases, gaskets, wheels
Anycubic Kobra 3 only

Why buy each?

Anycubic Kobra S1 Max

350×350×350 mm large-format build volume

One of the largest enclosed build volumes in the prosumer/professional tier — suited for large engineering parts, architectural models, and batch production.

65°C active chamber heating at scale

Maintaining 65°C across a 350×350 mm chamber is a meaningful technical achievement — ensuring consistent results for ABS, ASA, and PA across the full build plate.

Anycubic ecosystem continuity

The S1 Max extends the Kobra ecosystem into the large-format enclosed segment, enabling Anycubic users to scale up without switching brands.

Anycubic Kobra 3

34% more build volume over original

The V2 expands to 255×255×260 mm — 34% more printable volume than the original Kobra 3 — for larger parts and more batch production.

AI monitoring camera included

The V2 includes a 720p camera for real-time print monitoring and AI spaghetti detection, adding reliability features previously absent from the Kobra 3 line.

4-color ACE Pro at budget pricing

The Kobra 3 V2 Combo with ACE Pro is one of the most affordable 4-color setups available — often underpricing Bambu's A1 Combo.