The Anycubic Kobra S1 Max and Prusa Research XL+ are both professional-tier printers, but the XL+ costs 2.9× as much — so the question is what the extra money buys. Both are CoreXY printers with automatic calibration. The XL+ costs $1,500 more and gets you an open-source design and 5 multicolor slots to the Kobra S1 Max's 4; the Kobra S1 Max answers with an enclosed chamber (with PET-CF on its materials list) 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 →Next model announced — but an upgrade kit is available for existing owners
🔧 Upgrade kit available — from XL
Best for: Professional makers, studios, and engineers who need large-format printing with genuine multi-material capability, open-source hardware, and Prusa's long-term support.
Full details →| Anycubic Kobra S1 Max | Prusa Research XL+ | |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing | ||
| Starting Price | ★ $799 | $2,299 |
| Print Specs | ||
| Tier | Professional | Professional |
| Motion | CoreXY | CoreXY |
| Build Volume | 350 × 350 × 350 mm | ★ 360 × 360 × 360 mm |
| Max Speed | ★ 600 mm/s | 500 mm/s |
| Multicolor | ✅ 4 slots | ★ ✅ 5 slots |
| Enclosure | ★ ✅ | ❌ |
| Auto Calibration | ✅ | ✅ |
| Open Source | ❌ | ★ ✅ |
| Upgrade Kit | — | 🔧 From XL |
| Buy Timing | ||
| Released | Nov 25, 2025 | Aug 13, 2026 |
| Cycle length | — | ~997 days |
| Cycle advice | Buy | Upgrade Kit |
| Deals advice | Buy | Buy |
| Next model | — | XL Pick & Place Toolhead (Late 2026) |
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 XL+ was released on Aug 13, 2026, 91 days ago. Prusa Research has already announced what comes next: XL Pick & Place Toolhead (Late 2026). Because Prusa Research sells upgrade kits for this line, owners can move up without replacing the whole printer.
On timing alone, the Kobra S1 Max is the safer buy right now — it launched only 352 days ago, while the XL+ has its next step announced (XL Pick & Place Toolhead, Late 2026), with upgrade kits for existing owners.
Cycle and deal status as of November 12, 2026. See the launch calendar →
The Kobra S1 Max lists at $799 and the XL+ at $2,299 — $1,500 apart, so the XL+ costs 188% more.
Per litre of build volume, that works out to $19 for the Kobra S1 Max versus $49 for the XL+ — the Kobra S1 Max is the better value per litre as well.
If you are buying before Dec 5, 2026, the active sale tips value toward the Kobra S1 Max.
Our pick for most buyers is the Kobra S1 Max, for a lower price ($1,500 less) and an enclosed chamber (with PET-CF on its materials list), plus better buy-now timing. Go for the XL+ instead if you want an open-source printer you can modify and repair yourself — the Kobra S1 Max is not open source. The Kobra S1 Max is also in a sale window right now (Black Friday 2026, until Dec 5, 2026).
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.
Unlike filament-switching AMS/MMU systems, the XL physically swaps print heads. Each material has its own nozzle, eliminating purge towers entirely and enabling true multi-material prints.
One of the largest build volumes available in a CoreXY printer at this price point — suited for large props, architectural models, and batch production.
Every component is documented, parts are stocked for years, and the community has developed hundreds of modifications and improvements.