Anycubic Kobra 3 vs Anycubic Kobra S1 ACE 2 Pro Combo
Head-to-head 3D printer comparison, 2026
Choosing between two Anycubic printers? The Anycubic Kobra 3 ($299) and Anycubic Kobra S1 ACE 2 Pro Combo ($499) both come from one of the most trusted names in 3D printing, with a $200 gap between them. Here's how they compare across every category that matters.
Our Verdict
The Anycubic Kobra 3 takes the crown with 8.2/10 vs 8/10. It pulls ahead in Beginner Friendliness.
Score Breakdown
Specifications
| Spec | Anycubic Kobra 3 | Anycubic Kobra S1 ACE 2 Pro Combo |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $299 | $499 |
| Type | FDM | FDM |
| Build Volume | 250 x 250 x 260 mm | 250 x 250 x 250 mm |
| Print Speed | 600 mm/s | 600 mm/s |
| Min Resolution | 0.05 mm | 0.05 mm |
| Weight | 9 kg | 13 kg |
| Overall Score | 8.2/10 | 8/10 |
Pros & Cons
Anycubic Kobra 3
+CoreXY at 600mm/s for $299 is Bambu A1 territory
+WiFi and camera come standard without paying extra
+Add the ACE Pro multi-color system later if you want it
+Open frame is accessible for maintenance
−Anycubic's slicer software is behind Bambu Studio in polish and usability
−No multi-color out of the box: the A1 Combo at $399 already includes it
−Limited long-term data: first-gen product with fewer community fixes documented
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 if you want:
- A great printer for speed
- A great printer for beginners
- A great printer for budget
- CoreXY
- 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 better than the Anycubic Kobra S1 ACE 2 Pro Combo?
By the numbers, the Anycubic Kobra 3 scores higher (8.2/10). But "better" depends on your use case, the Anycubic Kobra S1 ACE 2 Pro Combo may be the smarter buy if you need multi-color.
Which is better for beginners, Anycubic Kobra 3 or Anycubic Kobra S1 ACE 2 Pro Combo?
The Anycubic Kobra 3 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 $200 more than the Anycubic Kobra 3?
The Anycubic Kobra 3 actually scores higher (8.2/10) despite costing $200 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 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 is best for speed; the Anycubic Kobra S1 ACE 2 Pro Combo targets multi-color.