Anycubic Kobra S1 Combo vs Anycubic Photon Mono M5s
Head-to-head 3D printer comparison, 2026
Choosing between two Anycubic printers? The Anycubic Kobra S1 Combo ($499) and Anycubic Photon Mono M5s ($339) both come from one of the most trusted names in 3D printing, with a $160 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 7.8/10. It pulls ahead in Beginner Friendliness, Speed. That said, the Anycubic Photon Mono M5s saves you $160 and wins on Print Quality.
Score Breakdown
Specifications
| Spec | Anycubic Kobra S1 Combo | Anycubic Photon Mono M5s |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $499 | $339 |
| Type | FDM | RESIN |
| Build Volume | 250 x 250 x 260 mm | 218 x 123 x 220 mm |
| Print Speed | 600 mm/s | 150 mm/s |
| Min Resolution | 0.05 mm | 0.01 mm |
| Weight | 12.5 kg | 9.5 kg |
| Overall Score | 8.2/10 | 7.8/10 |
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 M5s
+14K resolution on a Saturn-size plate is the highest resolution in this build volume class
+Anti-warping release mechanism measurably reduces failed prints on larger models
+218x123mm plate handles busts, terrain, and multi-model runs
+Anycubic's community has solid troubleshooting documentation
−Pricier than the Elegoo Saturn 3 Ultra at comparable specs
−Discontinued: Anycubic support and firmware updates are ending
−App is functional but rougher than Elegoo's
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 M5s if you want:
- A great printer for resin
- A great printer for miniatures
- A great printer for detail
- 14K mono LCD
- Anti-warping release
- Dual cooling
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Anycubic Kobra S1 Combo better than the Anycubic Photon Mono M5s?
By the numbers, the Anycubic Kobra S1 Combo scores higher (8.2/10). But "better" depends on your use case, the Anycubic Photon Mono M5s may be the smarter buy if you need resin.
Which is better for beginners, Anycubic Kobra S1 Combo or Anycubic Photon Mono M5s?
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 $160 more than the Anycubic Photon Mono M5s?
The Anycubic Kobra S1 Combo scores higher overall (8.2/10 vs 7.8/10). The extra $160 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 M5s?
Technology: the Anycubic Kobra S1 Combo is FDM (filament) and the Anycubic Photon Mono M5s is RESIN (resin). FDM prints bigger functional parts; resin delivers finer surface detail.