The Anycubic Kobra 3 (prosumer) and Creality Ender 3 V4 (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 Note that the Kobra 3 has been replaced by the Kobra 4 and is no longer sold new. Both are open-frame bed-slinger printers with 4-slot multicolor and automatic calibration. The Ender 3 V4 costs $50 more, without a hardware advantage on the specs we track; the Kobra 3 answers with 49% more build volume and a top speed of 600 mm/s (vs 500).
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 It has been replaced by the Anycubic Kobra 4.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 →Early in release cycle — no urgency to wait
Best for: Budget-conscious beginners who want optional multicolor printing in the trusted Ender 3 form factor at an accessible price — and are comfortable with a hands-on setup experience.
Full details →| Anycubic Kobra 3 | Creality Ender 3 V4 | |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing | ||
| Starting Price | ★ $349 | $399 |
| Print Specs | ||
| Tier | Prosumer | Entry |
| Motion | BedSlinger | BedSlinger |
| Build Volume | ★ 255 × 255 × 260 mm | 220 × 220 × 235 mm |
| Max Speed | ★ 600 mm/s | 500 mm/s |
| Multicolor | ✅ 4 slots | ✅ 4 slots |
| Enclosure | ❌ | ❌ |
| Auto Calibration | ✅ | ✅ |
| Open Source | ❌ | ❌ |
| Upgrade Kit | — | — |
| Buy Timing | ||
| Released | May 15, 2025 | Jan 15, 2026 |
| Cycle length | ~212 days | ~854 days |
| Cycle advice | Superseded | Buy |
| Deals advice | Clearance | Buy |
| 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The Kobra 3 has been replaced by the Kobra 4 and is no longer sold new, so there is no release cycle left to time — any unit you find now is leftover or second-hand stock.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 V4 was released on Jan 15, 2026, 301 days ago. Its previous release cycle ran about 854 days, so it is 35% of the way through — roughly 553 days before a successor would be due at that pace.
On timing alone, the Ender 3 V4 is the safer buy right now — it is only 35% of the way through its expected cycle, while the Kobra 3 has already been replaced by the Kobra 4.
Cycle and deal status as of November 12, 2026. See the launch calendar →
The Kobra 3 lists at $349 and the Ender 3 V4 at $399 — $50 apart, so the Ender 3 V4 costs 14% more.
Per litre of build volume, that works out to $21 for the Kobra 3 versus $35 for the Ender 3 V4 — the Kobra 3 is both cheaper and roomier, so it wins on value outright.
Buy the Ender 3 V4. The Kobra 3 has already been replaced by the Kobra 4 and is no longer sold new, so it is only worth considering at a clearance price. If the Kobra 3 appealed to you, the fair comparison today is the Ender 3 V4 against the Kobra 4.
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 V4's rigid frame reduces vibration at high speeds, improving print quality over the V3 KE's lighter structure.
The Combo bundle includes Creality's CFS filament system for 4-color printing, expandable to 16 colors with additional CFS units — one of the most affordable multicolor setups available.
The Ender 3 family has the largest 3D printing community in the world, with extensive documentation, mods, and active Creality firmware updates.