Anycubic Kobra S1 ACE 2 Pro Combo vs Anycubic Photon Mono M5s
Head-to-head 3D printer comparison, 2026
Choosing between two Anycubic printers? The Anycubic Kobra S1 ACE 2 Pro Combo ($459) and Anycubic Photon Mono M5s ($339) both come from one of the most trusted names in 3D printing, with a $120 gap between them. Here's how they compare across every category that matters.
Our Verdict
The Anycubic Kobra S1 ACE 2 Pro Combo takes the crown with 8/10 vs 7.8/10. It pulls ahead in Value, Beginner Friendliness, Speed. That said, the Anycubic Photon Mono M5s saves you $120 and wins on Print Quality, Reliability.
Direct answer
Anycubic Kobra S1 ACE 2 Pro Combo is the better pick for most buyers.
Choose Anycubic Kobra S1 ACE 2 Pro Combo if you want the stronger overall score, better fit for multi-color and speed, and the safer recommendation. Choose Anycubic Photon Mono M5s only if its specific strengths matter more to you than the overall result.
Winner by buyer type
Best overall
Anycubic Kobra S1 ACE 2 Pro Combo
Best value
Anycubic Photon Mono M5s
Best build volume
Anycubic Kobra S1 ACE 2 Pro Combo
Score Breakdown
Specifications
| Spec | Anycubic Kobra S1 ACE 2 Pro Combo | Anycubic Photon Mono M5s |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $459 | $339 |
| Type | FDM | RESIN |
| Build Volume | 250 x 250 x 250 mm | 218 x 123 x 220 mm |
| Print Speed | 600 mm/s | 150 mm/s |
| Min Resolution | 0.05 mm | 0.01 mm |
| Weight | 13 kg | 9.5 kg |
| Overall Score | 8/10 | 7.8/10 |
Pros & Cons
Anycubic Kobra S1 ACE 2 Pro Combo
+16-color capable (4 colors standard; 16 colors requires 4x ACE 2 Pro units purchased separately). 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
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 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)
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 S1 ACE 2 Pro Combo better than the Anycubic Photon Mono M5s?
By the numbers, the Anycubic Kobra S1 ACE 2 Pro Combo scores higher (8/10). 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 S1 ACE 2 Pro Combo or Anycubic Photon Mono M5s?
The Anycubic Kobra S1 ACE 2 Pro Combo is more beginner-friendly (7/10 vs 6/10) with easier setup and a gentler learning curve.
Is the Anycubic Kobra S1 ACE 2 Pro Combo worth $120 more than the Anycubic Photon Mono M5s?
The Anycubic Kobra S1 ACE 2 Pro Combo scores higher overall (8/10 vs 7.8/10). The extra $120 gets you 16-color capable (4 colors standard; 16 colors requires 4x ace 2 pro units purchased separately). doubles the 8-color s1 combo and quadruples the bambu a1 combo (4).
What's the main difference between Anycubic Kobra S1 ACE 2 Pro Combo and Anycubic Photon Mono M5s?
Technology: the Anycubic Kobra S1 ACE 2 Pro Combo is FDM (filament) and the Anycubic Photon Mono M5s is RESIN (resin). FDM prints bigger functional parts; resin delivers finer surface detail.