Overdue for a refresh — no successor announced yet. Prices should be at their lowest
Best for: Professional makers, studios, and engineers who need large-format printing with genuine multi-material capability, open-source hardware, and Prusa's long-term support.
Full details →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 →| Prusa Research XL | Anycubic Kobra S1 | |
|---|---|---|
| Tier | Professional | Prosumer |
| Motion | CoreXY | CoreXY |
| Build Volume | 360 × 360 × 360 mm | 250 × 250 × 250 mm |
| Max Speed | 500 mm/s | 600 mm/s |
| Multicolor | ✅ 5 slots | ❌ No |
| Enclosure | ❌ | ✅ |
| Auto Calibration | ✅ | ✅ |
| Open Source | ✅ | ❌ |
| Upgrade Kit | — | — |
| Materials | PLA, PETG, ABS, ASA, TPU, PA, PA-CF, PC | PLA, PETG, ABS, ASA, TPU, PA |
| Released | Nov 20, 2023 | Jan 1, 2025 |
| Cycle length | ~730 days | — |
| Cycle advice | Wait | Caution |
| Deals advice | Buy | Caution |
| Next model | — | — |
Unlike filament-switching AMS/MMU systems, the XL physically swaps print heads. Each material has its own nozzle, eliminating purge towers entirely and enabling true multi-material prints.
One of the largest build volumes available in a CoreXY printer at this price point — suited for large props, architectural models, and batch production.
Every component is documented, parts are stocked for years, and the community has developed hundreds of modifications and improvements.
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.
Brings Anycubic's value-focused approach to the enclosed CoreXY segment — competing with Qidi Q2C and Bambu P2S at a lower price point.
A practical cubic build volume well-suited for functional mechanical parts, enclosures, and prototypes.