The Anycubic Kobra 3 (prosumer) and Creality Ender 3 V3 KE (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. Note that both have been replaced — the Kobra 3 by the Kobra 4 and the Ender 3 V3 KE by the Ender 3 V4 — and neither is sold new. Both are open-frame bed-slinger printers with automatic calibration. The Kobra 3 costs $70 more and gets you 46% more build volume and 4-slot multicolor.
This printer is no longer sold new. It has been replaced by the Anycubic Kobra 4.
Best for: Budget makers who want 4-color multicolor printing without committing to the Bambu or Prusa ecosystem — and are comfortable with a less mature software experience. Look for clearance deals — the Kobra 4 is the current model.
Full details →This printer is no longer sold new. It has been replaced by the Creality Ender 3 V4.
Best for: Budget-conscious beginners who want fast Klipper-based printing without the Bambu ecosystem or Prusa premium — and are comfortable with a more hands-on setup experience.
Full details →| Anycubic Kobra 3 | Creality Ender 3 V3 KE | |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing | ||
| Starting Price | $349 | ★ $279 |
| Print Specs | ||
| Tier | Prosumer | Entry |
| Motion | BedSlinger | BedSlinger |
| Build Volume | ★ 255 × 255 × 260 mm | 220 × 220 × 240 mm |
| Max Speed | ★ 600 mm/s | 500 mm/s |
| Multicolor | ★ ✅ 4 slots | ❌ No |
| Enclosure | ❌ | ❌ |
| Auto Calibration | ✅ | ✅ |
| Open Source | ❌ | ❌ |
| Upgrade Kit | — | — |
| Buy Timing | ||
| Released | May 15, 2025 | Sep 15, 2023 |
| Cycle length | ~212 days | ~854 days |
| Cycle advice | Superseded | Superseded |
| Deals advice | Clearance | Clearance |
| Next model | — | — |
The Kobra 3 has been replaced by the Kobra 4 and is no longer sold new, so there is no release cycle left to time — any unit you find now is leftover or second-hand stock.
The Ender 3 V3 KE has been replaced by the Ender 3 V4 and is no longer sold new, so there is no release cycle left to time — any unit you find now is leftover or second-hand stock.
Neither printer is sold new any more: the Kobra 3 has already been replaced by the Kobra 4 and the Ender 3 V3 KE has already been replaced by the Ender 3 V4.
Cycle and deal status as of November 12, 2026. See the launch calendar →
The Ender 3 V3 KE lists at $279 and the Kobra 3 at $349 — $70 apart, so the Kobra 3 costs 25% more.
Per litre of build volume, that works out to $21 for the Kobra 3 versus $24 for the Ender 3 V3 KE — so the pricier Kobra 3 actually gives you more build space per dollar.
Neither is sold new any more, so we would not buy either at full price: the Kobra 3 has already been replaced by the Kobra 4 and the Ender 3 V3 KE has already been replaced by the Ender 3 V4. The fair comparison today is between their replacements.
Compare Anycubic Kobra 4 vs Creality Ender 3 V4 →
How we judge timing and deals: read our methodology →
The V2 expands to 255×255×260 mm — 34% more printable volume than the original Kobra 3 — for larger parts and more batch production.
The V2 includes a 720p camera for real-time print monitoring and AI spaghetti detection, adding reliability features previously absent from the Kobra 3 line.
The Kobra 3 V2 Combo with ACE Pro is one of the most affordable 4-color setups available — often underpricing Bambu's A1 Combo.
The KE keeps the Ender 3's familiar bed-slinger layout but runs Klipper-based firmware, reaching 500 mm/s without the Bambu premium.
The Ender 3 series has one of the largest 3D printer communities in the world, with thousands of documented modifications and upgrades.
If you outgrow the KE, the Creality K2 and K2 Plus are natural next steps within the same brand ecosystem.