Anycubic Kobra S1 Combo vs Elegoo Mars 4
Head-to-head 3D printer comparison, 2026
Comparing FDM to resin? The Anycubic Kobra S1 Combo ($499, FDM) and Elegoo Mars 4 ($149, 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 Combo takes the crown with 8.2/10 vs 7.2/10. It pulls ahead in Beginner Friendliness, Speed, Reliability. That said, the Elegoo Mars 4 saves you $350 and wins on Value.
Score Breakdown
Specifications
| Spec | Anycubic Kobra S1 Combo | Elegoo Mars 4 |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $499 | $149 |
| Type | FDM | RESIN |
| Build Volume | 250 x 250 x 260 mm | 153 x 77 x 165 mm |
| Print Speed | 600 mm/s | 80 mm/s |
| Min Resolution | 0.05 mm | 0.02 mm |
| Weight | 12.5 kg | 6.2 kg |
| Overall Score | 8.2/10 | 7.2/10 |
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
Elegoo Mars 4
+$149 entry into Elegoo's quality resin lineup
+7K resolution is still detailed enough for D&D and Warhammer minis
+WiFi monitoring included even at this price
+Elegoo's brand reliability is the best in budget resin
−No tilt release: FEP films will need replacing more often than the Ultra variants
−7K detail is noticeably softer than the 9K and 12K machines on fine surface textures
−Slower at 80mm/hr vs 100mm/hr on the Ultra
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 Elegoo Mars 4 if you want:
- A great printer for budget
- A great printer for resin
- A great printer for miniatures
- 7K mono LCD
- WiFi
- USB
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Anycubic Kobra S1 Combo better than the Elegoo Mars 4?
By the numbers, the Anycubic Kobra S1 Combo scores higher (8.2/10). But "better" depends on your use case, the Elegoo Mars 4 may be the smarter buy if you need budget.
Which is better for beginners, Anycubic Kobra S1 Combo or Elegoo Mars 4?
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 $350 more than the Elegoo Mars 4?
The Anycubic Kobra S1 Combo scores higher overall (8.2/10 vs 7.2/10). The extra $350 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 Elegoo Mars 4?
Technology: the Anycubic Kobra S1 Combo is FDM (filament) and the Elegoo Mars 4 is RESIN (resin). FDM prints bigger functional parts; resin delivers finer surface detail.