The Anycubic Kobra S1 Max and Bambu Lab X1C are cross-brand rivals: both are professional-tier printers, listed $400 apart. Note that the X1C has been replaced by the X2D and is no longer sold new. Both are enclosed CoreXY printers with 4-slot multicolor and automatic calibration. The X1C costs $400 more, without a hardware advantage on the specs we track; the Kobra S1 Max answers with 156% more build volume and support for PLA-CF, PETG-CF and PVA.
First-generation product — recently released, still early days
Best for: Professional makers and small studios who need large-format enclosed printing for engineering filaments at a competitive price — and want Anycubic's ecosystem over Creality or Qidi alternatives.
Full details →This printer is no longer sold new. It has been replaced by the Bambu Lab X2D.
Best for: Professional makers seeking the X1C should now consider the X2D (its direct successor) or P2S (prosumer enclosed). Clearance X1C units offer the LiDAR and AI monitoring features at a reduced price.
Full details →| Anycubic Kobra S1 Max | Bambu Lab X1C | |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing | ||
| Starting Price | ★ $799 | $1,199 |
| Print Specs | ||
| Tier | Professional | Professional |
| Motion | CoreXY | CoreXY |
| Build Volume | ★ 350 × 350 × 350 mm | 256 × 256 × 256 mm |
| Max Speed | ★ 600 mm/s | 500 mm/s |
| Multicolor | ✅ 4 slots | ✅ 4 slots |
| Enclosure | ✅ | ✅ |
| Auto Calibration | ✅ | ✅ |
| Open Source | ❌ | ❌ |
| Upgrade Kit | — | — |
| Buy Timing | ||
| Released | Nov 25, 2025 | Jul 25, 2022 |
| Cycle length | — | ~365 days |
| Cycle advice | Buy | Superseded |
| Deals advice | Buy | Clearance |
| Next model | — | — |
The Kobra S1 Max was released on Nov 25, 2025, 352 days ago. It is a first-generation product, so there is no earlier cycle to predict its successor from.
The X1C has been replaced by the X2D and is no longer sold new, so there is no release cycle left to time — any unit you find now is leftover or second-hand stock.
On timing alone, the Kobra S1 Max is the safer buy right now — it launched only 352 days ago, while the X1C has already been replaced by the X2D.
Cycle and deal status as of November 12, 2026. See the launch calendar →
The Kobra S1 Max lists at $799 and the X1C at $1,199 — $400 apart, so the X1C costs 50% more.
Per litre of build volume, that works out to $19 for the Kobra S1 Max versus $71 for the X1C — the Kobra S1 Max is both cheaper and roomier, so it wins on value outright.
Buy the Kobra S1 Max. The X1C has already been replaced by the X2D and is no longer sold new, so it is only worth considering at a clearance price. If the X1C appealed to you, the fair comparison today is the Kobra S1 Max against the X2D.
Compare Anycubic Kobra S1 Max vs Bambu Lab X2D →
How we judge timing and deals: read our methodology →
One of the largest enclosed build volumes in the prosumer/professional tier — suited for large engineering parts, architectural models, and batch production.
Maintaining 65°C across a 350×350 mm chamber is a meaningful technical achievement — ensuring consistent results for ABS, ASA, and PA across the full build plate.
The S1 Max extends the Kobra ecosystem into the large-format enclosed segment, enabling Anycubic users to scale up without switching brands.
The X1C's LiDAR sensor maps bed surface deviation and adjusts in real time — the most reliable first-layer consistency in its class.
The built-in camera with spaghetti detection pauses prints automatically when failures are detected — critical for unattended production runs.
The X1C uses a die-cast metal frame and carbon-fiber-reinforced structure for rigidity at high speeds.