Mid-cycle — watch for announcements before buying
Best for: Makers who need a very large print area for props, architectural models, or batch production — and want multicolor without paying professional-tier prices.
Full details →Overdue for a refresh — no successor announced yet. Prices should be at their lowest
Best for: Budget-conscious beginners who want Bambu's ease of use and multicolor printing in a compact footprint.
Full details →| Anycubic Kobra 3 Max | Bambu Lab A1 Mini | |
|---|---|---|
| Tier | Professional | Entry |
| Motion | BedSlinger | BedSlinger |
| Build Volume | 420 × 420 × 500 mm | 180 × 180 × 180 mm |
| Max Speed | 300 mm/s | 500 mm/s |
| Multicolor | ✅ 4 slots | ✅ 4 slots |
| Enclosure | ❌ | ❌ |
| Auto Calibration | ✅ | ✅ |
| Open Source | ❌ | ❌ |
| Upgrade Kit | — | — |
| Materials | PLA, PETG, ABS, TPU | PLA, PETG, TPU |
| Released | Oct 15, 2024 | Oct 19, 2023 |
| Cycle length | ~450 days | ~365 days |
| Cycle advice | Caution | Wait |
| Deals advice | Caution | Buy |
| Next model | Kobra 4 Max (Expected late 2026) | — |
One of the largest build volumes available at a consumer price — ideal for life-size props, large terrain tiles, and batch production.
Few printers offer multicolor at this scale. The ACE Pro system enables filament switching across the full 420×420 bed area.
Delivers large-format multicolor at a fraction of professional large-format printer costs.
The A1 Mini sets up in minutes with automatic calibration and Bambu's guided first-print workflow.
Up to 4 colors with the AMS Lite accessory — Bambu's filament switching system with minimal waste purging.
Fits on a desk or shelf without taking over your workspace, while still printing at 500 mm/s.