Anycubic Kobra 3 Combo vs Anycubic Kobra S1 ACE 2 Pro Combo

Head-to-head 3D printer comparison, 2026

Choosing between two Anycubic printers? The Anycubic Kobra 3 Combo ($399) and Anycubic Kobra S1 ACE 2 Pro Combo ($499) both come from one of the most trusted names in 3D printing, with a $100 gap between them. Here's how they compare across every category that matters.

Our Verdict

It's a dead heat, both score 8/10 overall. The Anycubic Kobra 3 Combo wins in Beginner Friendliness, while the Anycubic Kobra S1 ACE 2 Pro Combo takes Value. Pick based on which strengths matter more to you.

Score Breakdown

Anycubic Kobra 3 ComboAnycubic Kobra S1 ACE 2 Pro Combo
8
Value
9
8
Beginner Friendliness
7
8
Print Quality
8
9
Speed
9
7
Reliability
7

Specifications

SpecAnycubic Kobra 3 ComboAnycubic Kobra S1 ACE 2 Pro Combo
Price$399$499
TypeFDMFDM
Build Volume250 x 250 x 260 mm250 x 250 x 250 mm
Print Speed600 mm/s600 mm/s
Min Resolution0.05 mm0.05 mm
Weight10 kg13 kg
Overall Score8/108/10

Pros & Cons

Anycubic Kobra 3 Combo

+600mm/s multi-color printing at competitive pricing

+ACE Pro handles 4 colors with less waste than early Bambu AMS

+WiFi and camera are standard, not paid extras

+Anycubic's slicer multi-color tools are improving fast

ACE Pro system is newer and less battle-tested than Bambu's AMS

Anycubic software isn't as polished as Bambu Studio

Fewer YouTube troubleshooting videos means more solo problem-solving

Anycubic Kobra S1 ACE 2 Pro Combo

+16 colors out of the box — doubles the 8-color S1 Combo and quadruples the Bambu A1 Combo (4)

+Fully enclosed CoreXY handles ABS, ASA, and engineering filaments without warping

+44dB quiet mode is unusually low for a 600mm/s CoreXY — apartment-friendly

+Upgraded hotend is rated for the full Anycubic filament range

+Early bird €459 undercuts the Bambu P2S (€549) and matches pricing of the older 8-color S1 Combo

Brand new product — early adopter risk on firmware and ACE 2 Pro reliability

Anycubic slicer still trails Bambu Studio on automation and profile polish

ACE 2 Pro adds significant desk footprint

Early bird pricing ends May 31 — regular price expected to climb

Who Should Buy Which?

Choose the Anycubic Kobra 3 Combo if you want:

  • A great printer for multi-color
  • A great printer for speed
  • A great printer for beginners
  • Multi-color (ACE Pro)
  • Auto bed leveling
  • WiFi

Choose the Anycubic Kobra S1 ACE 2 Pro Combo if you want:

  • A great printer for multi-color
  • A great printer for speed
  • A great printer for enclosed
  • ACE 2 Pro multi-color system (up to 16 colors)
  • Fully-enclosed CoreXY architecture
  • Upgraded hotend (all-filament compatible)

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the Anycubic Kobra 3 Combo better than the Anycubic Kobra S1 ACE 2 Pro Combo?

They tie at 8/10. The Anycubic Kobra 3 Combo suits multi-color and speed, while the Anycubic Kobra S1 ACE 2 Pro Combo is aimed at multi-color and speed.

Which is better for beginners, Anycubic Kobra 3 Combo or Anycubic Kobra S1 ACE 2 Pro Combo?

The Anycubic Kobra 3 Combo is more beginner-friendly (8/10 vs 7/10) with easier setup and a gentler learning curve.

Is the Anycubic Kobra S1 ACE 2 Pro Combo worth $100 more than the Anycubic Kobra 3 Combo?

The Anycubic Kobra 3 Combo actually scores higher (8/10) despite costing $100 less. The Anycubic Kobra S1 ACE 2 Pro Combo only makes sense if you specifically need multi-color.

What's the main difference between Anycubic Kobra 3 Combo and Anycubic Kobra S1 ACE 2 Pro Combo?

Build volume (250x250x260mm vs 250x250x250mm) and print speed (600 vs 600 mm/s). The Anycubic Kobra 3 Combo is best for multi-color; the Anycubic Kobra S1 ACE 2 Pro Combo targets multi-color.

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