Anycubic Kobra S1 ACE 2 Pro Combo vs QIDI X-Smart 3
Head-to-head 3D printer comparison, 2026
The Anycubic Kobra S1 ACE 2 Pro Combo and QIDI X-Smart 3 are both FDM 3D printers competing in different tiers, $499 vs $349. We scored both across value, beginner-friendliness, quality, speed, and reliability. Here's the full breakdown.
Our Verdict
It's a dead heat, both score 8/10 overall. The Anycubic Kobra S1 ACE 2 Pro Combo wins in Value, Speed, while the QIDI X-Smart 3 takes Beginner Friendliness, Reliability. Pick based on which strengths matter more to you.
Score Breakdown
Specifications
| Spec | Anycubic Kobra S1 ACE 2 Pro Combo | QIDI X-Smart 3 |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $499 | $349 |
| Type | FDM | FDM |
| Build Volume | 250 x 250 x 250 mm | 175 x 175 x 165 mm |
| Print Speed | 600 mm/s | 600 mm/s |
| Min Resolution | 0.05 mm | 0.05 mm |
| Weight | 13 kg | 9.5 kg |
| Overall Score | 8/10 | 8/10 |
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 X-Smart 3
+Fully enclosed CoreXY in a footprint smaller than most open-frame printers
+35C chamber heating helps layer adhesion on ABS and PETG without a full 60C setup
+QIDI's slicer is better than Creality's for enclosed use cases
+600mm/s speed in a machine this small is impressive
−175mm cube is the real ceiling: anything larger needs to be split and assembled
−QIDI's community is a fraction of Bambu's or Creality's size
−35C chamber heating is modest: the X-Plus 3's 60C chamber is meaningfully better for engineering materials
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 X-Smart 3 if you want:
- A great printer for compact
- A great printer for enclosed
- A great printer for beginners
- Enclosed CoreXY
- Chamber heating (35C)
- Auto bed leveling
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Anycubic Kobra S1 ACE 2 Pro Combo better than the QIDI X-Smart 3?
They tie at 8/10. The Anycubic Kobra S1 ACE 2 Pro Combo suits multi-color and speed, while the QIDI X-Smart 3 is aimed at compact and enclosed.
Which is better for beginners, Anycubic Kobra S1 ACE 2 Pro Combo or QIDI X-Smart 3?
The QIDI X-Smart 3 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 $150 more than the QIDI X-Smart 3?
The QIDI X-Smart 3 actually scores higher (8/10) despite costing $150 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 QIDI X-Smart 3?
Build volume (250x250x250mm vs 175x175x165mm) and print speed (600 vs 600 mm/s). The Anycubic Kobra S1 ACE 2 Pro Combo is best for multi-color; the QIDI X-Smart 3 targets compact.