Anycubic Kobra S1 ACE 2 Pro Combo vs Creality Ender 3 V3 KE
Head-to-head 3D printer comparison, 2026
The Anycubic Kobra S1 ACE 2 Pro Combo and Creality Ender 3 V3 KE are both FDM 3D printers competing in different tiers, $499 vs $199. We scored both across value, beginner-friendliness, quality, speed, and reliability. Here's the full breakdown.
Our Verdict
The Creality Ender 3 V3 KE takes the crown with 8.4/10 vs 8/10. It pulls ahead in Value, 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 KE |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $499 | $199 |
| Type | FDM | FDM |
| Build Volume | 250 x 250 x 250 mm | 220 x 220 x 240 mm |
| Print Speed | 600 mm/s | 500 mm/s |
| Min Resolution | 0.05 mm | 0.05 mm |
| Weight | 13 kg | 8 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 KE
+Klipper with WiFi at $199: normally this combination costs $299+
+Direct drive comes standard, not as a $40 upgrade
+500mm/s is real and achievable with the pre-installed Klipper profiles
+Color touchscreen that actually works, unlike the Ender 3 classics
−Open frame makes ABS printing inconsistent
−220mm bed is smaller than some $199 competitors
−Community is newer than the Ender 3 classic and gaps show when troubleshooting
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 KE if you want:
- A great printer for budget
- A great printer for beginners
- A great printer for speed
- Klipper firmware
- Auto bed leveling
- Direct drive
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Anycubic Kobra S1 ACE 2 Pro Combo better than the Creality Ender 3 V3 KE?
By the numbers, the Creality Ender 3 V3 KE 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 KE?
The Creality Ender 3 V3 KE 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 $300 more than the Creality Ender 3 V3 KE?
The Creality Ender 3 V3 KE actually scores higher (8.4/10) despite costing $300 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 KE?
Build volume (250x250x250mm vs 220x220x240mm) and print speed (600 vs 500 mm/s). The Anycubic Kobra S1 ACE 2 Pro Combo is best for multi-color; the Creality Ender 3 V3 KE targets budget.