The Anycubic Kobra 3 and Creality K1C are cross-brand rivals: both are prosumer-tier printers, listed $150 apart. Note that both have been replaced — the Kobra 3 by the Kobra 4 and the K1C by the K2 — and neither is sold new. The K1C costs $150 more and gets you an enclosed chamber (with ASA and PA-CF on its materials list); the Kobra 3 answers with 40% more build volume.
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 It has been replaced by the Anycubic Kobra 4.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 It has been replaced by the Creality K2.
Best for: Makers who need enclosed CoreXY printing for PA-CF and ASA on a budget — and want a capable alternative to Bambu without the ecosystem lock-in.
Full details →| Anycubic Kobra 3 | Creality K1C | |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing | ||
| Starting Price | ★ $349 | $499 |
| Print Specs | ||
| Tier | Prosumer | Prosumer |
| Motion | BedSlinger | CoreXY |
| Build Volume | ★ 255 × 255 × 260 mm | 220 × 220 × 250 mm |
| Max Speed | 600 mm/s | 600 mm/s |
| Multicolor | ✅ 4 slots | ✅ 4 slots |
| Enclosure | ❌ | ★ ✅ |
| Auto Calibration | ✅ | ✅ |
| Open Source | ❌ | ❌ |
| Upgrade Kit | — | — |
| Buy Timing | ||
| Released | May 15, 2025 | Jan 20, 2024 |
| Cycle length | ~212 days | ~450 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| Cycle advice | Superseded | Superseded |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The Kobra 3 has been replaced by the Kobra 4 and is no longer sold new, so there is no release cycle left to time — any unit you find now is leftover or second-hand stock.
The K1C has been replaced by the K2 and is no longer sold new, so there is no release cycle left to time — any unit you find now is leftover or second-hand stock.
Neither printer is sold new any more: the Kobra 3 has already been replaced by the Kobra 4 and the K1C has already been replaced by the K2.
Cycle and deal status as of November 12, 2026. See the launch calendar →
The Kobra 3 lists at $349 and the K1C at $499 — $150 apart, so the K1C costs 43% more.
Per litre of build volume, that works out to $21 for the Kobra 3 versus $41 for the K1C — the Kobra 3 is both cheaper and roomier, so it wins on value outright.
Neither is sold new any more, so we would not buy either at full price: the Kobra 3 has already been replaced by the Kobra 4 and the K1C has already been replaced by the K2. The fair comparison today is between their replacements.
Compare Anycubic Kobra 4 vs Creality K2 →
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 K1C ships with a hardened steel nozzle rated for carbon-fiber filaments — a significant cost advantage over printers that require aftermarket nozzle upgrades.
Few printers under $500 offer genuine enclosure capability. The K1C delivers ABS and ASA-capable chamber temperatures.
Matches the Bambu P2S's 600 mm/s top speed for about $50 less.