Anycubic Kobra S1 ACE 2 Pro Combo vs Creality Ender 3 V3
Head-to-head 3D printer comparison, 2026
The Anycubic Kobra S1 ACE 2 Pro Combo and Creality Ender 3 V3 are both FDM 3D printers competing in different tiers, $499 vs $289. We scored both across value, beginner-friendliness, quality, speed, and reliability. Here's the full breakdown.
Our Verdict
The Creality Ender 3 V3 takes the crown with 8.4/10 vs 8/10. It pulls ahead in Beginner Friendliness, Reliability. The Anycubic Kobra S1 ACE 2 Pro Combo still puts up a fight in Speed.
Score Breakdown
Specifications
| Spec | Anycubic Kobra S1 ACE 2 Pro Combo | Creality Ender 3 V3 |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $499 | $289 |
| Type | FDM | FDM |
| Build Volume | 250 x 250 x 250 mm | 220 x 220 x 250 mm |
| Print Speed | 600 mm/s | 600 mm/s |
| Min Resolution | 0.05 mm | 0.05 mm |
| Weight | 13 kg | 8.6 kg |
| Overall Score | 8/10 | 8.4/10 |
Pros & Cons
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
Creality Ender 3 V3
+CoreXZ architecture at $289 is genuinely absurd value
+Klipper comes pre-installed, no flashing required
+600mm/s keeps up with machines twice the price
+Upgrade path is wide open: Klipper means the community has covered everything
−No WiFi means you're walking to the printer with a USB stick
−No enclosure: ABS will warp, ABS will warp, ABS will warp
−Creality's own software is clunky; Bambu Studio is just better
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 Creality Ender 3 V3 if you want:
- A great printer for beginners
- A great printer for budget
- A great printer for speed
- CoreXZ
- Auto bed leveling
- Direct drive
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Anycubic Kobra S1 ACE 2 Pro Combo better than the Creality Ender 3 V3?
By the numbers, the Creality Ender 3 V3 scores higher (8.4/10). 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 S1 ACE 2 Pro Combo or Creality Ender 3 V3?
The Creality Ender 3 V3 is more beginner-friendly (9/10 vs 7/10) with easier setup and a gentler learning curve.
Is the Anycubic Kobra S1 ACE 2 Pro Combo worth $210 more than the Creality Ender 3 V3?
The Creality Ender 3 V3 actually scores higher (8.4/10) despite costing $210 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 S1 ACE 2 Pro Combo and Creality Ender 3 V3?
Build volume (250x250x250mm vs 220x220x250mm) and print speed (600 vs 600 mm/s). The Anycubic Kobra S1 ACE 2 Pro Combo is best for multi-color; the Creality Ender 3 V3 targets beginners.