Anycubic Kobra S1 Combo vs Creality Ender 5 S1
Head-to-head 3D printer comparison, 2026
The Anycubic Kobra S1 Combo and Creality Ender 5 S1 are both FDM 3D printers competing in different tiers, $499 vs $399. Both are scored across value, beginner-friendliness, quality, speed, and reliability. Here's the full breakdown.
Our Verdict
The Anycubic Kobra S1 Combo takes the crown with 8.2/10 vs 7.4/10. It pulls ahead in Value, Speed. That said, the Creality Ender 5 S1 saves you $100.
Score Breakdown
Specifications
| Spec | Anycubic Kobra S1 Combo | Creality Ender 5 S1 |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $499 | $399 |
| Type | FDM | FDM |
| Build Volume | 250 x 250 x 260 mm | 220 x 220 x 280 mm |
| Print Speed | 600 mm/s | 250 mm/s |
| Min Resolution | 0.05 mm | 0.05 mm |
| Weight | 12.5 kg | 10.2 kg |
| Overall Score | 8.2/10 | 7.4/10 |
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
Creality Ender 5 S1
+Cube frame is mechanically stiffer than bed-slinger designs: first layers are more consistent
+Sprite direct drive handles TPU and flexible filaments properly
+220x220x280mm Z-height is the standout dimension for tall prints
+Stock experience is genuinely good without requiring calibration
−250mm/s is embarrassingly slow in 2024: this is not a speed machine
−No WiFi means manual file management every time
−$399 is a lot when the Bambu A1 Mini does more for $199
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 Creality Ender 5 S1 if you want:
- A great printer for beginners
- A great printer for reliability
- Cube frame
- Direct drive
- Auto bed leveling
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Anycubic Kobra S1 Combo better than the Creality Ender 5 S1?
By the numbers, the Anycubic Kobra S1 Combo scores higher (8.2/10). But "better" depends on your use case, the Creality Ender 5 S1 may be the smarter buy if you need beginners.
Which is better for beginners, Anycubic Kobra S1 Combo or Creality Ender 5 S1?
Both score 8/10 for beginners. Go with the Creality Ender 5 S1 to save $100.
Is the Anycubic Kobra S1 Combo worth $100 more than the Creality Ender 5 S1?
The Anycubic Kobra S1 Combo scores higher overall (8.2/10 vs 7.4/10). The extra $100 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 Creality Ender 5 S1?
Build volume (250x250x260mm vs 220x220x280mm) and print speed (600 vs 250 mm/s). The Anycubic Kobra S1 Combo is best for multi-color; the Creality Ender 5 S1 targets beginners.