🖨 3D Printer Radar

Anycubic Kobra S1vsBambu Lab A1

💰Bambu Lab A1 is $50 cheaper (17% less)
⚡Anycubic Kobra S1 tops out at 600 mm/s vs 500 mm/s
🏠Only Anycubic Kobra S1 has an enclosure — required for ABS, ASA, PA engineering filaments
🎨Only Bambu Lab A1 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 S1
Buy/Wait:Caution

First-generation product — no release history to base predictions on

Best for: Makers who want an enclosed CoreXY at a prosumer price for PLA, PETG, ABS, and ASA — and prefer the Anycubic ecosystem. For reliable PA or PC printing, consider the Kobra S1 Max or Qidi Q2 which offer active chamber heating.

Full details →
Bambu Lab A1
Buy/Wait:Wait

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

Best for: Makers who want large prints and multicolor capability without an enclosure — ideal for PLA, PETG, and flexible materials.

Full details →
Anycubic Kobra S1Bambu Lab A1
Pricing
Starting Price$349★ $299
Print Specs
TierProsumerEntry
MotionCoreXYBedSlinger
Build Volume250 × 250 × 250 mm★ 256 × 256 × 256 mm
Max Speed★ 600 mm/s500 mm/s
Multicolor❌ No★ ✅ 4 slots
Enclosure★ ✅❌
Auto Calibration✅✅
Open Source❌❌
Upgrade Kit——
Buy Timing
ReleasedFeb 11, 2025Oct 19, 2023
Cycle length—~365 days
Cycle adviceCautionWait
Deals adviceBuyBuy
Next model——

Quick Winner

💰
Budget pick
Bambu Lab A1
$299 starting
📐
Large prints
Bambu Lab A1
256×256×256 mm
⚡
Fastest prints
Anycubic Kobra S1
600 mm/s
🔓
Open ecosystem
Tie

Bottom Line

🏠Anycubic Kobra S1 is the only choice if you print ABS, ASA, PA, or PC — those materials require an enclosure
🎨Bambu Lab A1 is the pick if multicolor printing is important to you

Materials

Anycubic Kobra S1 only
ASAUV-stable ABS alternative — outdoor parts, needs enclosure
PANylon — strong and wear-resistant, needs dry storage
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
Bambu Lab A1 only
—

Why buy each?

Anycubic Kobra S1

Enclosed CoreXY at 600 mm/s

The Kobra S1 combines an enclosed build chamber with 600 mm/s CoreXY motion — offering improved heat retention over open-frame printers for ABS and ASA.

Anycubic ecosystem at prosumer price

Brings Anycubic's value-focused approach to the enclosed CoreXY segment — competing with Qidi Q2C and Bambu P2S at a lower price point.

250×250×250 mm build volume

A practical cubic build volume well-suited for functional mechanical parts, enclosures, and prototypes.

Bambu Lab A1

AMS Lite multicolor

The A1 Combo includes the AMS Lite for 4-color filament switching — the same system used on the A1 Mini and A2L.

256×256×256 mm build volume

Roughly 2.9 times the volume of the A1 Mini — great for terrain, cosplay props, and functional parts. The A2L is the step up if you need a larger bed-slinger.

Bambu ecosystem integration

Works with Bambu Studio, Bambu Handy app, and the full Bambu filament ecosystem including multi-material profiles.