Anycubic Kobra S1 ACE 2 Pro Combo vs Creality Ender 5 S1
Head-to-head 3D printer comparison, 2026
The Anycubic Kobra S1 ACE 2 Pro Combo and Creality Ender 5 S1 are both FDM 3D printers competing in different tiers, $499 vs $399. We scored both across value, beginner-friendliness, quality, speed, and reliability. Here's the full breakdown.
Our Verdict
The Anycubic Kobra S1 ACE 2 Pro Combo takes the crown with 8/10 vs 7.4/10. It pulls ahead in Value, Speed. That said, the Creality Ender 5 S1 saves you $100 and wins on Beginner Friendliness, Reliability.
Score Breakdown
Specifications
| Spec | Anycubic Kobra S1 ACE 2 Pro Combo | Creality Ender 5 S1 |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $499 | $399 |
| Type | FDM | FDM |
| Build Volume | 250 x 250 x 250 mm | 220 x 220 x 280 mm |
| Print Speed | 600 mm/s | 250 mm/s |
| Min Resolution | 0.05 mm | 0.05 mm |
| Weight | 13 kg | 10.2 kg |
| Overall Score | 8/10 | 7.4/10 |
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 5 S1
+Cube frame is mechanically stiffer than bed-slinger designs: first layers are more consistent
+Sprite direct drive handles TPU and flexible filaments properly
+220x220x280mm Z-height is the standout dimension for tall prints
+Stock experience is genuinely good without requiring calibration
−250mm/s is embarrassingly slow in 2024: this is not a speed machine
−No WiFi means manual file management every time
−$399 is a lot when the Bambu A1 Mini does more for $199
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 5 S1 if you want:
- A great printer for beginners
- A great printer for reliability
- Cube frame
- Direct drive
- Auto bed leveling
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Anycubic Kobra S1 ACE 2 Pro Combo better than the Creality Ender 5 S1?
By the numbers, the Anycubic Kobra S1 ACE 2 Pro Combo scores higher (8/10). But "better" depends on your use case, the Creality Ender 5 S1 may be the smarter buy if you need beginners.
Which is better for beginners, Anycubic Kobra S1 ACE 2 Pro Combo or Creality Ender 5 S1?
The Creality Ender 5 S1 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 $100 more than the Creality Ender 5 S1?
The Anycubic Kobra S1 ACE 2 Pro Combo scores higher overall (8/10 vs 7.4/10). The extra $100 gets you 16 colors out of the box — 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 Creality Ender 5 S1?
Build volume (250x250x250mm vs 220x220x280mm) and print speed (600 vs 250 mm/s). The Anycubic Kobra S1 ACE 2 Pro Combo is best for multi-color; the Creality Ender 5 S1 targets beginners.