🖨 3D Printer Radar

Anycubic Kobra S1 MaxvsPrusa Research Mini+

💰Prusa Research Mini+ is $340 cheaper (74% less)
📐Anycubic Kobra S1 Max has 635% more build volume
Anycubic Kobra S1 Max tops out at 600 mm/s vs 200 mm/s
🏠Only Anycubic Kobra S1 Max has an enclosure — required for ABS, ASA, PA engineering filaments
Cross-ecosystem comparison: These printers use different software ecosystems. Accessories, filament profiles, and community support are not interchangeable between brands. Consider the total ecosystem cost, not just the printer price.
Anycubic Kobra S1 Max
Buy/Wait:Buy

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 →
Prusa Research Mini+
Buy/Wait:Wait

Late in cycle — a new model is likely coming soon

Best for: Beginners who prioritize open-source hardware, community support, and long-term reliability over speed — and don't mind a slower, more deliberate printing experience.

Full details →
Anycubic Kobra S1 MaxPrusa Research Mini+
Pricing
Starting Price$799$459
Print Specs
TierProfessionalEntry
MotionCoreXYBedSlinger
Build Volume350 × 350 × 350 mm180 × 180 × 180 mm
Max Speed600 mm/s200 mm/s
Multicolor❌ No❌ No
Enclosure
Auto Calibration
Open Source
Upgrade Kit
Buy Timing
ReleasedNov 25, 2025Apr 25, 2021
Cycle length~730 days
Cycle adviceBuyWait
Deals adviceCautionBuy
Next modelPrusa Mini 2 (Expected 2027 or later)

Quick Winner

💰
Budget pick
Prusa Research Mini+
$459 starting
📐
Large prints
Anycubic Kobra S1 Max
350×350×350 mm
Fastest prints
Anycubic Kobra S1 Max
600 mm/s
🔓
Open ecosystem
Prusa Research Mini+
Open source

Bottom Line

💰Prusa Research Mini+ saves you $340 — choose it if budget is your primary constraint
🏠Anycubic Kobra S1 Max is the only choice if you print ABS, ASA, PA, or PC — those materials require an enclosure
🔓Prusa Research Mini+ is the pick for open firmware, community mods, and long-term repairability

Materials

Anycubic Kobra S1 Max only
ABSHeat and impact resistant — needs enclosure
PANylon — strong and wear-resistant, needs dry storage
PA-CFCarbon-fibre nylon — very stiff, abrasive to standard nozzles
PCPolycarbonate — extremely tough, challenging to print
PLA-CFCarbon-fibre PLA — rigid matte finish, more brittle
PETG-CFCarbon-fibre PETG — stiffer than PETG, easy to print
PET-CFCarbon-fibre PET — rigid, dimensionally stable
PVAWater-soluble support — dissolves for complex overhangs
Both
PLAEasy to print, no enclosure needed — everyday parts
PETGTougher, slightly flexible, moisture-resistant
ASAUV-stable ABS alternative — outdoor parts, needs enclosure
TPUFlexible rubber-like — phone cases, gaskets, wheels
Prusa Research Mini+ only

Why buy each?

Anycubic Kobra S1 Max

350×350×350 mm large-format build volume

One of the largest enclosed build volumes in the prosumer/professional tier — suited for large engineering parts, architectural models, and batch production.

65°C active chamber heating at scale

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.

Anycubic ecosystem continuity

The S1 Max extends the Kobra ecosystem into the large-format enclosed segment, enabling Anycubic users to scale up without switching brands.

Prusa Research Mini+

Proven reliability over 5+ years

The Mini+ has been on the market since 2021 and has proven its durability with thousands of community print-hours logged.

Fully open source and repairable

Prusa stocks replacement parts for all Mini+ components. Community guides cover every repair scenario.

Affordable Prusa entry point

The lowest-cost way to enter the Prusa ecosystem with a fully supported printer.