The Anycubic Kobra S1 Max and Creality K2 Plus are cross-brand rivals: both are professional-tier printers, listed $400 apart. Both are enclosed CoreXY printers with 4-slot multicolor, a 600 mm/s rated top speed and automatic calibration. The K2 Plus costs $400 more, without a hardware advantage on the specs we track; the Kobra S1 Max answers with extra engineering materials (PC and PET-CF) 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 →Overdue for a refresh — no successor announced yet. Prices should be at their lowest
Best for: Professionals and studios who need large-format enclosed multicolor printing without the premium price of Bambu's or Prusa's flagship offerings.
Full details →| Anycubic Kobra S1 Max | Creality K2 Plus | |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing | ||
| Starting Price | ★ $799 | $1,199 |
| Print Specs | ||
| Tier | Professional | Professional |
| Motion | CoreXY | CoreXY |
| Build Volume | 350 × 350 × 350 mm | 350 × 350 × 350 mm |
| Max Speed | 600 mm/s | 600 mm/s |
| Multicolor | ✅ 4 slots | ✅ 4 slots |
| Enclosure | ✅ | ✅ |
| Auto Calibration | ✅ | ✅ |
| Open Source | ❌ | ❌ |
| Upgrade Kit | — | — |
| Buy Timing | ||
| Released | Nov 25, 2025 | Sep 15, 2024 |
| Cycle length | — | ~450 days |
| Cycle advice | Buy | Wait |
| Deals advice | Buy | Buy |
| 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 K2 Plus was released on Sep 15, 2024, 788 days ago. Its previous release cycle ran about 450 days; it is now 338 days past that point and no successor has been announced.
On timing alone, the Kobra S1 Max is the safer buy right now — it launched only 352 days ago, while the K2 Plus is 338 days past its ~450-day cycle with no successor announced.
Cycle and deal status as of November 12, 2026. See the launch calendar →
The Kobra S1 Max lists at $799 and the K2 Plus at $1,199 — $400 apart, so the K2 Plus costs 50% more.
Per litre of build volume, that works out to $19 for the Kobra S1 Max versus $28 for the K2 Plus — the Kobra S1 Max is the better value per litre as well.
Our pick for most buyers is the Kobra S1 Max, for a lower price ($400 less) and extra engineering materials (PC and PET-CF), plus better buy-now timing. Go for the K2 Plus instead if you want our higher-rated printer — 8.3 vs 8.1 out of 10.
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.
One of the largest build volumes available in an enclosed CoreXY printer, suited for large props, architectural models, and batch production.
Creality's CFS (Creative Filament System) provides 4-color filament switching comparable to Bambu's AMS at a lower price point.
The K2 Plus delivers professional-level features at a price point accessible to serious hobbyists and small studios.