The Anycubic Kobra 3 (prosumer) and Qidi Tech Q1 Pro (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 Q1 Pro by the Q2 — and neither is sold new. The Q1 Pro costs $150 more and gets you an enclosed chamber (with ASA, PA, PA-CF and PC on its materials list); the Kobra 3 answers with 4-slot multicolor and 17% 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 It has been replaced by the Anycubic Kobra 4.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 It has been replaced by the Qidi Tech Q2.
Best for: Budget-conscious makers who need active chamber heating for ABS, ASA, and PA printing. Look for clearance deals — the Q2 is the better long-term buy if available.
Full details →| Anycubic Kobra 3 | Qidi Tech Q1 Pro | |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing | ||
| Starting Price | ★ $349 | $499 |
| Print Specs | ||
| Tier | Prosumer | Entry |
| Motion | BedSlinger | CoreXY |
| Build Volume | ★ 255 × 255 × 260 mm | 245 × 245 × 240 mm |
| Max Speed | 600 mm/s | 600 mm/s |
| Multicolor | ★ ✅ 4 slots | ❌ No |
| Enclosure | ❌ | ★ ✅ |
| Auto Calibration | ✅ | ✅ |
| Open Source | ❌ | ❌ |
| Upgrade Kit | — | — |
| Buy Timing | ||
| Released | May 15, 2025 | Mar 20, 2024 |
| Cycle length | ~212 days | ~518 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| Cycle advice | Superseded | Superseded |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The Kobra 3 has been replaced by the Kobra 4 and is no longer sold new, so there is no release cycle left to time — any unit you find now is leftover or second-hand stock.
The Q1 Pro has been replaced by the Q2 and is no longer sold new, so there is no release cycle left to time — any unit you find now is leftover or second-hand stock.
Neither printer is sold new any more: the Kobra 3 has already been replaced by the Kobra 4 and the Q1 Pro has already been replaced by the Q2.
Cycle and deal status as of November 12, 2026. See the launch calendar →
The Kobra 3 lists at $349 and the Q1 Pro at $499 — $150 apart, so the Q1 Pro costs 43% more.
Per litre of build volume, that works out to $21 for the Kobra 3 versus $35 for the Q1 Pro — 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 Q1 Pro has already been replaced by the Q2. The fair comparison today is between their replacements.
Compare Anycubic Kobra 4 vs Qidi Tech Q2 →
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 Q1 Pro's heated chamber was groundbreaking at its price point. ABS, ASA, and PA prints come out without warping that plagues open-frame printers.
Same speed class as Bambu Lab printers at a fraction of the price for enclosed printing.