The Anycubic Kobra 3 Max (professional) and Bambu Lab A1 Mini (entry) come from different brands and sit in different tiers, so this is less a head-to-head than a question of how much printer you need. Both are open-frame bed-slinger printers with 4-slot multicolor and automatic calibration. The Kobra 3 Max costs $380 more and gets you 1412% more build volume and a top speed of 600 mm/s (vs 500).
Just released — full support runway ahead
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 | |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing | ||
| Starting Price | $599 | ★ $219 |
| Print Specs | ||
| Tier | Professional | Entry |
| Motion | BedSlinger | BedSlinger |
| Build Volume | ★ 420 × 420 × 500 mm | 180 × 180 × 180 mm |
| Max Speed | ★ 600 mm/s | 500 mm/s |
| Multicolor | ✅ 4 slots | ✅ 4 slots |
| Enclosure | ❌ | ❌ |
| Auto Calibration | ✅ | ✅ |
| Open Source | ❌ | ❌ |
| Upgrade Kit | — | — |
| Buy Timing | ||
| Released | Oct 1, 2026 | Oct 19, 2023 |
| Cycle length | ~716 days | ~365 days |
| Cycle advice | Buy | Wait |
| Deals advice | Buy | Buy |
| Next model | — | — |
The Kobra 3 Max was released on Oct 1, 2026, 42 days ago. Its previous release cycle ran about 716 days, so it is 6% of the way through — roughly 674 days before a successor would be due at that pace.
The A1 Mini was released on Oct 19, 2023, 1,120 days ago. Its previous release cycle ran about 365 days; it is now 755 days past that point and no successor has been announced.
On timing alone, the Kobra 3 Max is the safer buy right now — it is only 6% of the way through its expected cycle, while the A1 Mini is 755 days past its ~365-day cycle with no successor announced.
Cycle and deal status as of November 12, 2026. See the launch calendar →
The A1 Mini lists at $219 and the Kobra 3 Max at $599 — $380 apart, so the Kobra 3 Max costs 174% more.
Per litre of build volume, that works out to $7 for the Kobra 3 Max versus $38 for the A1 Mini — so the pricier Kobra 3 Max actually gives you more build space per dollar.
With both in sale windows, this is a good moment to buy either — compare the live sale prices before you decide.
Our pick for most buyers is the A1 Mini, for a lower price ($380 less), plus a higher editor score (9.0 vs 8.0). Go for the Kobra 3 Max instead if you print large parts — its 420 × 420 × 500 mm build volume holds 1412% more than the A1 Mini's 180 × 180 × 180 mm. One caveat: the A1 Mini is 755 days past its ~365-day cycle with no successor announced, so check the launch calendar before you buy.
How we judge timing and deals: read our methodology →
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 2 Pro 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.