The Anycubic Kobra 3 and Flashforge AD5X are cross-brand rivals: both are prosumer-tier printers, listed $50 apart. Note that the Kobra 3 has been replaced by the Kobra 4 and is no longer sold new. Both are open-frame printers with 4-slot multicolor, a 600 mm/s rated top speed and automatic calibration. The AD5X costs $50 more and gets you extra engineering materials (PA-CF) and support for PLA-CF and PETG-CF; the Kobra 3 answers with 59% 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 It has been replaced by the Anycubic Kobra 4.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 →First-generation product — no release history to base predictions on
Best for: Budget-conscious makers who want built-in 4-color multicolor printing under $400 — primarily for PLA and PETG. Open frame, so not suited for ABS or engineering filaments without the add-on enclosure.
Full details →| Anycubic Kobra 3 | Flashforge AD5X | |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing | ||
| Starting Price | ★ $349 | $399 |
| Print Specs | ||
| Tier | Prosumer | Prosumer |
| Motion | BedSlinger | CoreXY |
| Build Volume | ★ 255 × 255 × 260 mm | 220 × 220 × 220 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 | Jun 15, 2025 |
| Cycle length | ~212 days | — |
| Cycle advice | Superseded | Caution |
| 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The Kobra 3 has been replaced by the Kobra 4 and is no longer sold new, so there is no release cycle left to time — any unit you find now is leftover or second-hand stock.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 AD5X was released on Jun 15, 2025, 515 days ago. It is a first-generation product, so there is no earlier cycle to predict its successor from.
On timing alone, the AD5X is the safer buy right now — it has no release history pointing to a successor yet, while the Kobra 3 has already been replaced by the Kobra 4.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 AD5X at $399 — $50 apart, so the AD5X costs 14% more.
Per litre of build volume, that works out to $21 for the Kobra 3 versus $37 for the AD5X — the Kobra 3 is both cheaper and roomier, so it wins on value outright.
Buy the AD5X. 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 AD5X against the Kobra 4.
Compare Anycubic Kobra 4 vs Flashforge AD5X →
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 AD5X undercuts comparable multicolor setups on price with IFS built directly into the printer — no separate accessory needed.
No cloud dependency or mandatory account. OrcaSlicer is community-standard open-source slicer software — familiar to most experienced makers.
Ships ready for PLA-CF and PETG-CF without requiring a nozzle upgrade — a genuine differentiator at this price point.