Anycubic Kobra S1 ACE 2 Pro Combo vs QIDI iBox Mono2
Head-to-head 3D printer comparison, 2026
Comparing FDM to resin? The Anycubic Kobra S1 ACE 2 Pro Combo ($499, FDM) and QIDI iBox Mono2 ($229, 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 6.4/10. It pulls ahead in Value, Beginner Friendliness, Print Quality, Speed. That said, the QIDI iBox Mono2 saves you $270.
Score Breakdown
Specifications
| Spec | Anycubic Kobra S1 ACE 2 Pro Combo | QIDI iBox Mono2 |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $499 | $229 |
| Type | FDM | RESIN |
| Build Volume | 250 x 250 x 250 mm | 120 x 68 x 200 mm |
| Print Speed | 600 mm/s | 90 mm/s |
| Min Resolution | 0.05 mm | 0.01 mm |
| Weight | 13 kg | 5.2 kg |
| Overall Score | 8/10 | 6.4/10 |
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
QIDI iBox Mono2
+Enclosed design contains resin fumes better than open printers without relying solely on a purifier
+WiFi standard, unlike some competitors at this price
+QIDI build quality is solid and consistent
+Minimal footprint fits where other resin printers won't
−4K resolution is significantly behind competitors offering 9K at the same price
−120x68mm build volume is one of the smallest in the category
−$229 for 4K when Elegoo Mars 4 gives you 7K for $149 is a tough math problem
−QIDI's resin community is small: problems stay unsolved longer
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 QIDI iBox Mono2 if you want:
- A great printer for resin
- A great printer for miniatures
- A great printer for compact
- 4K mono LCD
- Enclosed design
- WiFi
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Anycubic Kobra S1 ACE 2 Pro Combo better than the QIDI iBox Mono2?
By the numbers, the Anycubic Kobra S1 ACE 2 Pro Combo scores higher (8/10). But "better" depends on your use case, the QIDI iBox Mono2 may be the smarter buy if you need resin.
Which is better for beginners, Anycubic Kobra S1 ACE 2 Pro Combo or QIDI iBox Mono2?
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 $270 more than the QIDI iBox Mono2?
The Anycubic Kobra S1 ACE 2 Pro Combo scores higher overall (8/10 vs 6.4/10). The extra $270 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 QIDI iBox Mono2?
Technology: the Anycubic Kobra S1 ACE 2 Pro Combo is FDM (filament) and the QIDI iBox Mono2 is RESIN (resin). FDM prints bigger functional parts; resin delivers finer surface detail.