Anycubic Kobra 2 Pro vs Elegoo Mars 4
Head-to-head 3D printer comparison, 2026
Comparing FDM to resin? The Anycubic Kobra 2 Pro ($249, FDM) and Elegoo Mars 4 ($149, RESIN) use fundamentally different technologies. FDM melts filament layer by layer; resin cures liquid with UV light. Here's how they stack up.
Our Verdict
The Anycubic Kobra 2 Pro takes the crown with 8.4/10 vs 7.2/10. It pulls ahead in Beginner Friendliness, Speed, Reliability. That said, the Elegoo Mars 4 saves you $100 and wins on Value.
Score Breakdown
Specifications
| Spec | Anycubic Kobra 2 Pro | Elegoo Mars 4 |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $249 | $149 |
| Type | FDM | RESIN |
| Build Volume | 220 x 220 x 250 mm | 153 x 77 x 165 mm |
| Print Speed | 500 mm/s | 80 mm/s |
| Min Resolution | 0.05 mm | 0.02 mm |
| Weight | 6.5 kg | 6.2 kg |
| Overall Score | 8.4/10 | 7.2/10 |
Pros & Cons
Anycubic Kobra 2 Pro
+Klipper at $249: real input shaping and pressure advance out of the box
+Direct drive handles flexibles without a fight
+26-point mesh leveling means first-layer failures are rare
+Anycubic's ecosystem has solid community support and replacement parts
−220x220mm bed is smaller than newer $250 competitors like the Neptune 4 Plus
−Open frame limits material options; ABS is borderline without modification
−Anycubic's Klipper fork is more locked-down than Elegoo or Creality stock Klipper
Elegoo Mars 4
+$149 entry into Elegoo's quality resin lineup
+7K resolution is still detailed enough for D&D and Warhammer minis
+WiFi monitoring included even at this price
+Elegoo's brand reliability is the best in budget resin
−No tilt release: FEP films will need replacing more often than the Ultra variants
−7K detail is noticeably softer than the 9K and 12K machines on fine surface textures
−Slower at 80mm/hr vs 100mm/hr on the Ultra
Who Should Buy Which?
Choose the Anycubic Kobra 2 Pro if you want:
- A great printer for beginners
- A great printer for budget
- A great printer for speed
- Klipper firmware with input shaping and pressure advance
- 500mm/s max print speed
- Direct-drive extruder
Choose the Elegoo Mars 4 if you want:
- A great printer for budget
- A great printer for resin
- A great printer for miniatures
- 7K mono LCD
- WiFi
- USB
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Anycubic Kobra 2 Pro better than the Elegoo Mars 4?
By the numbers, the Anycubic Kobra 2 Pro scores higher (8.4/10). But "better" depends on your use case, the Elegoo Mars 4 may be the smarter buy if you need budget.
Which is better for beginners, Anycubic Kobra 2 Pro or Elegoo Mars 4?
The Anycubic Kobra 2 Pro is more beginner-friendly (9/10 vs 6/10) with easier setup and a gentler learning curve.
Is the Anycubic Kobra 2 Pro worth $100 more than the Elegoo Mars 4?
The Anycubic Kobra 2 Pro scores higher overall (8.4/10 vs 7.2/10). The extra $100 gets you klipper at $249: real input shaping and pressure advance out of the box.
What's the main difference between Anycubic Kobra 2 Pro and Elegoo Mars 4?
Technology: the Anycubic Kobra 2 Pro is FDM (filament) and the Elegoo Mars 4 is RESIN (resin). FDM prints bigger functional parts; resin delivers finer surface detail.