The Anycubic Kobra 3 Max (professional) and Prusa Research MK4S (prosumer) 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 automatic calibration. The MK4S costs $130 more and gets you extra engineering materials (ASA, PA and PC) and an open-source design; the Kobra 3 Max answers with 664% more build volume and 4-slot multicolor.
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 →Late in cycle — but an upgrade kit is available. Existing owners can upgrade without buying new
🔧 Upgrade kit available — from MK4, MK3.5
Best for: Makers who value open-source hardware, community support, long-term repairability, and battle-tested reliability over raw speed or multicolor features.
Full details →| Anycubic Kobra 3 Max | Prusa Research MK4S | |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing | ||
| Starting Price | ★ $599 | $729 |
| Print Specs | ||
| Tier | Professional | Prosumer |
| Motion | BedSlinger | BedSlinger |
| Build Volume | ★ 420 × 420 × 500 mm | 250 × 210 × 220 mm |
| Max Speed | ★ 600 mm/s | 500 mm/s |
| Multicolor | ★ ✅ 4 slots | ❌ No |
| Enclosure | ❌ | ❌ |
| Auto Calibration | ✅ | ✅ |
| Open Source | ❌ | ★ ✅ |
| Upgrade Kit | — | 🔧 From MK4, MK3.5 |
| Buy Timing | ||
| Released | Oct 1, 2026 | Aug 13, 2024 |
| Cycle length | ~716 days | ~730 days |
| Cycle advice | Buy | Upgrade Kit |
| 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 MK4S was released on Aug 13, 2024, 821 days ago. Its previous release cycle ran about 730 days; it is now 91 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 MK4S is 91 days past its ~730-day cycle with no successor announced.
Cycle and deal status as of November 12, 2026. See the launch calendar →
The Kobra 3 Max lists at $599 and the MK4S at $729 — $130 apart, so the MK4S costs 22% more.
Per litre of build volume, that works out to $7 for the Kobra 3 Max versus $63 for the MK4S — the Kobra 3 Max is both cheaper and roomier, so it wins on value outright.
If you are buying before Dec 5, 2026, the active sale tips value toward the Kobra 3 Max.
This one is close on paper. If you will stick to materials both printers list (PLA, PETG, ABS and TPU), save the $130; if you need ASA, PA and PC, the MK4S earns its premium. The Kobra 3 Max also brings 664% more build volume and 4-slot multicolor.
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.
MK4 and MK3.5 owners can upgrade to MK4S specs without purchasing a whole new printer. This is Prusa's commitment to owners and is unique in the industry at this level.
Firmware, PCB schematics, hardware designs, and slicing profiles are all published under open licenses. You own the printer completely.
Prusa's forum, knowledge base, and repair guides are unmatched. Parts are stocked and available for years after purchase.