The Anycubic Kobra S1 Max (professional) and Elegoo Centauri Carbon 2 (prosumer) 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. Both are CoreXY printers with 4-slot multicolor and automatic calibration. The Kobra S1 Max costs $440 more and gets you an enclosed chamber (with PA, PA-CF, PC and PET-CF on its materials list) and 156% more build volume.
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 →First-generation product — recently released, still early days
Best for: Elegoo users and budget-conscious makers who want multicolor FDM from a brand known for resin printers — or those looking for a capable CoreXY with high-temperature nozzle capability at $449.
Full details →| Anycubic Kobra S1 Max | Elegoo Centauri Carbon 2 | |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing | ||
| Starting Price | $799 | ★ $359 |
| Print Specs | ||
| Tier | Professional | Prosumer |
| 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 | Jan 26, 2026 |
| Cycle length | — | — |
| Cycle advice | Buy | Buy |
| 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 Centauri Carbon 2 was released on Jan 26, 2026, 290 days ago. It is a first-generation product, so there is no earlier cycle to predict its successor from.
Both are early enough in their cycles that timing should not decide this one. The Kobra S1 Max launched 352 days ago and the Centauri Carbon 2 launched 290 days ago. Pick on features and price.
Cycle and deal status as of November 12, 2026. See the launch calendar →
The Centauri Carbon 2 lists at $359 and the Kobra S1 Max at $799 — $440 apart, so the Kobra S1 Max costs 123% more.
Per litre of build volume, that works out to $19 for the Kobra S1 Max versus $21 for the Centauri Carbon 2 — so the pricier Kobra S1 Max actually gives you more build space per dollar.
This one is close on paper. If you will stick to materials both printers list (PLA, PETG, ABS and ASA), save the $440; if you want PA, PA-CF, PC and PET-CF, the Kobra S1 Max's enclosure earns its premium.
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 Centauri Carbon 2 marks Elegoo's entry into multicolor FDM printing — bringing the brand's value-focused approach to a segment dominated by Bambu and Anycubic.
The high-temperature nozzle enables printing of PA, PA-CF, and PC on an open-frame CoreXY — a notable differentiator at this price point.
Elegoo's proprietary CANVAS system provides 4-color filament switching at a competitive all-in price of $449.