Anycubic Kobra S1 ACE 2 Pro Combo vs Elegoo Mars 4
Head-to-head 3D printer comparison, 2026
Comparing FDM to resin? The Anycubic Kobra S1 ACE 2 Pro Combo ($499, 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 S1 ACE 2 Pro Combo takes the crown with 8/10 vs 7.2/10. It pulls ahead in Beginner Friendliness, Speed. That said, the Elegoo Mars 4 saves you $350 and wins on Value.
Score Breakdown
Specifications
| Spec | Anycubic Kobra S1 ACE 2 Pro Combo | Elegoo Mars 4 |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $499 | $149 |
| Type | FDM | RESIN |
| Build Volume | 250 x 250 x 250 mm | 153 x 77 x 165 mm |
| Print Speed | 600 mm/s | 80 mm/s |
| Min Resolution | 0.05 mm | 0.02 mm |
| Weight | 13 kg | 6.2 kg |
| Overall Score | 8/10 | 7.2/10 |
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
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 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 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 S1 ACE 2 Pro Combo better than the Elegoo Mars 4?
By the numbers, the Anycubic Kobra S1 ACE 2 Pro Combo scores higher (8/10). 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 S1 ACE 2 Pro Combo or Elegoo Mars 4?
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 $350 more than the Elegoo Mars 4?
The Anycubic Kobra S1 ACE 2 Pro Combo scores higher overall (8/10 vs 7.2/10). The extra $350 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 Elegoo Mars 4?
Technology: the Anycubic Kobra S1 ACE 2 Pro Combo is FDM (filament) and the Elegoo Mars 4 is RESIN (resin). FDM prints bigger functional parts; resin delivers finer surface detail.