Anycubic Kobra 3 vs Anycubic Photon Mono M5s
Head-to-head 3D printer comparison, 2026
Choosing between two Anycubic printers? The Anycubic Kobra 3 ($299) and Anycubic Photon Mono M5s ($339) both come from one of the most trusted names in 3D printing, with a $40 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 7.8/10. It pulls ahead in Value, Beginner Friendliness, Speed. The Anycubic Photon Mono M5s still puts up a fight in Print Quality and Reliability.
Score Breakdown
Specifications
| Spec | Anycubic Kobra 3 | Anycubic Photon Mono M5s |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $299 | $339 |
| Type | FDM | RESIN |
| Build Volume | 250 x 250 x 260 mm | 218 x 123 x 220 mm |
| Print Speed | 600 mm/s | 150 mm/s |
| Min Resolution | 0.05 mm | 0.01 mm |
| Weight | 9 kg | 9.5 kg |
| Overall Score | 8.2/10 | 7.8/10 |
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 Photon Mono M5s
+14K resolution on a Saturn-size plate is the highest resolution in this build volume class
+Anti-warping release mechanism measurably reduces failed prints on larger models
+218x123mm plate handles busts, terrain, and multi-model runs
+Anycubic's community has solid troubleshooting documentation
−Pricier than the Elegoo Saturn 3 Ultra at comparable specs
−Discontinued: Anycubic support and firmware updates are ending
−App is functional but rougher than Elegoo's
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 Photon Mono M5s if you want:
- A great printer for resin
- A great printer for miniatures
- A great printer for detail
- 14K mono LCD
- Anti-warping release
- Dual cooling
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Anycubic Kobra 3 better than the Anycubic Photon Mono M5s?
By the numbers, the Anycubic Kobra 3 scores higher (8.2/10). But "better" depends on your use case, the Anycubic Photon Mono M5s may be the smarter buy if you need resin.
Which is better for beginners, Anycubic Kobra 3 or Anycubic Photon Mono M5s?
The Anycubic Kobra 3 is more beginner-friendly (8/10 vs 6/10) with easier setup and a gentler learning curve.
Is the Anycubic Photon Mono M5s worth $40 more than the Anycubic Kobra 3?
The Anycubic Kobra 3 actually scores higher (8.2/10) despite costing $40 less. The Anycubic Photon Mono M5s only makes sense if you specifically need resin.
What's the main difference between Anycubic Kobra 3 and Anycubic Photon Mono M5s?
Technology: the Anycubic Kobra 3 is FDM (filament) and the Anycubic Photon Mono M5s is RESIN (resin). FDM prints bigger functional parts; resin delivers finer surface detail.