Anycubic Kobra 3 vs Elegoo Mars 4
Head-to-head 3D printer comparison, 2026
Comparing FDM to resin? The Anycubic Kobra 3 ($299, 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 3 takes the crown with 8.2/10 vs 7.2/10. It pulls ahead in Beginner Friendliness, Speed. That said, the Elegoo Mars 4 saves you $150 and wins on Value.
Score Breakdown
Specifications
| Spec | Anycubic Kobra 3 | Elegoo Mars 4 |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $299 | $149 |
| Type | FDM | RESIN |
| Build Volume | 250 x 250 x 260 mm | 153 x 77 x 165 mm |
| Print Speed | 600 mm/s | 80 mm/s |
| Min Resolution | 0.05 mm | 0.02 mm |
| Weight | 9 kg | 6.2 kg |
| Overall Score | 8.2/10 | 7.2/10 |
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
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 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 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 3 better than the Elegoo Mars 4?
By the numbers, the Anycubic Kobra 3 scores higher (8.2/10). 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 3 or Elegoo Mars 4?
The Anycubic Kobra 3 is more beginner-friendly (8/10 vs 6/10) with easier setup and a gentler learning curve.
Is the Anycubic Kobra 3 worth $150 more than the Elegoo Mars 4?
The Anycubic Kobra 3 scores higher overall (8.2/10 vs 7.2/10). The extra $150 gets you corexy at 600mm/s for $299 is bambu a1 territory.
What's the main difference between Anycubic Kobra 3 and Elegoo Mars 4?
Technology: the Anycubic Kobra 3 is FDM (filament) and the Elegoo Mars 4 is RESIN (resin). FDM prints bigger functional parts; resin delivers finer surface detail.