The Anycubic Kobra 3 and Elegoo Neptune 4 Pro are cross-brand rivals: both are prosumer-tier printers, listed $89 apart. Note that the Kobra 3 has been replaced by the Kobra 4 and is no longer sold new.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 automatic calibration. The Kobra 3 costs $89 more and gets you 4-slot multicolor and 26% more build volume; the Neptune 4 Pro answers with extra engineering materials (ASA).
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 It has been replaced by the Anycubic Kobra 4.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 →Overdue for a refresh — no successor announced yet. Prices should be at their lowest
Best for: Budget-conscious makers who want a capable bed-slinger with Klipper firmware for customization — without Bambu's closed ecosystem or Prusa's premium pricing.
Full details →| Anycubic Kobra 3 | Elegoo Neptune 4 Pro | |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing | ||
| Starting Price | $349 | ★ $260 |
| Print Specs | ||
| Tier | Prosumer | Prosumer |
| Motion | BedSlinger | BedSlinger |
| Build Volume | ★ 255 × 255 × 260 mm | 225 × 225 × 265 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 | Jul 15, 2023 |
| Cycle length | ~212 days | ~450 days |
| Cycle advice | Superseded | Wait |
| 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The Kobra 3 has been replaced by the Kobra 4 and is no longer sold new, so there is no release cycle left to time — any unit you find now is leftover or second-hand stock.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 Neptune 4 Pro was released on Jul 15, 2023, 1,216 days ago. Its previous release cycle ran about 450 days; it is now 766 days past that point and no successor has been announced.
On timing alone, the Neptune 4 Pro is the safer buy right now — it is 766 days past its ~450-day cycle with no successor announced, while the Kobra 3 has already been replaced by the Kobra 4.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 Neptune 4 Pro lists at $260 and the Kobra 3 at $349 — $89 apart, so the Kobra 3 costs 34% more.
Per litre of build volume, that works out to $21 for the Kobra 3 versus $19 for the Neptune 4 Pro — the Neptune 4 Pro is the better value per litre as well.
Buy the Neptune 4 Pro. 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 Neptune 4 Pro against the Kobra 4.
Compare Anycubic Kobra 4 vs Elegoo Neptune 4 Pro →
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 Neptune 4 Pro ships with Klipper pre-installed — enabling advanced input shaping, pressure advance, and configuration flexibility without modding.
A 500 mm/s rated speed at a price significantly below Bambu and Prusa alternatives.
Full automatic bed leveling reduces setup time and calibration friction.