Anycubic Kobra S1 Combo vs Anycubic Photon Mono 2
Head-to-head 3D printer comparison, 2026
Choosing between two Anycubic printers? The Anycubic Kobra S1 Combo ($499) and Anycubic Photon Mono 2 ($169) both come from one of the most trusted names in 3D printing, with a $330 gap between them. Here's how they compare across every category that matters.
Our Verdict
The Anycubic Kobra S1 Combo takes the crown with 8.2/10 vs 7/10. It pulls ahead in Beginner Friendliness, Speed, Reliability. That said, the Anycubic Photon Mono 2 saves you $330 and wins on Value.
Score Breakdown
Specifications
| Spec | Anycubic Kobra S1 Combo | Anycubic Photon Mono 2 |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $499 | $169 |
| Type | FDM | RESIN |
| Build Volume | 250 x 250 x 260 mm | 143 x 89 x 165 mm |
| Print Speed | 600 mm/s | 80 mm/s |
| Min Resolution | 0.05 mm | 0.02 mm |
| Weight | 12.5 kg | 5.5 kg |
| Overall Score | 8.2/10 | 7/10 |
Pros & Cons
Anycubic Kobra S1 Combo
+8 colors out of the box, double what the Bambu A1 Combo offers
+CoreXY speed at a competitive price point
+ACE Pro 2 wastes less filament on color swaps than its predecessor
+Paint-on multi-color tools in the Anycubic slicer are genuinely good
−Anycubic's software is solid but still behind Bambu Studio
−Community is smaller than Bambu or Creality
−No enclosure
−ACE Pro 2 takes up a lot of desk space
Anycubic Photon Mono 2
+6K resolution still delivers usable miniature detail for most tabletop purposes
+Compact and portable: stores on a shelf when not in use
+Photon Workshop slicer is decent for an entry-level tool
+Anycubic's brand reliability is solid at this tier
−No tilt release means FEP replacements add up quickly
−No WiFi: USB-only workflow
−6K resolution is outdated next to $149 competitors offering 7K and 9K
−Discontinued: no firmware updates coming
Who Should Buy Which?
Choose the Anycubic Kobra S1 Combo if you want:
- A great printer for multi-color
- A great printer for speed
- A great printer for beginners
- 8-color ACE Pro 2 multi-color system
- CoreXY architecture
- Auto bed leveling
Choose the Anycubic Photon Mono 2 if you want:
- A great printer for budget
- A great printer for resin
- A great printer for miniatures
- 6K mono LCD
- USB
- Anycubic Photon Workshop slicer
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Anycubic Kobra S1 Combo better than the Anycubic Photon Mono 2?
By the numbers, the Anycubic Kobra S1 Combo scores higher (8.2/10). But "better" depends on your use case, the Anycubic Photon Mono 2 may be the smarter buy if you need budget.
Which is better for beginners, Anycubic Kobra S1 Combo or Anycubic Photon Mono 2?
The Anycubic Kobra S1 Combo is more beginner-friendly (8/10 vs 6/10) with easier setup and a gentler learning curve.
Is the Anycubic Kobra S1 Combo worth $330 more than the Anycubic Photon Mono 2?
The Anycubic Kobra S1 Combo scores higher overall (8.2/10 vs 7/10). The extra $330 gets you 8 colors out of the box, double what the bambu a1 combo offers.
What's the main difference between Anycubic Kobra S1 Combo and Anycubic Photon Mono 2?
Technology: the Anycubic Kobra S1 Combo is FDM (filament) and the Anycubic Photon Mono 2 is RESIN (resin). FDM prints bigger functional parts; resin delivers finer surface detail.