๐Ÿ–จ 3D Printer Radar

Anycubic Kobra S1 vs Anycubic Kobra S1 Max

The Kobra S1 (prosumer) and Kobra S1 Max (professional) are a step-up decision within Anycubic's lineup: same ecosystem, different class of machine. Both are enclosed CoreXY printers with 4-slot multicolor, a 600 mm/s rated top speed and automatic calibration. The Kobra S1 Max costs $300 more and gets you 174% more build volume and extra engineering materials (PA-CF, PC and PET-CF).

๐Ÿ’ฐAnycubic Kobra S1 is $300 cheaper (38% less)
๐Ÿ“Anycubic Kobra S1 Max has 174% more build volume
Same ecosystem (Anycubic): Both printers share the same software, slicer, and filament ecosystem. This is a tier step-up comparison (Prosumer vs Professional) โ€” consider whether the extra features justify the price difference.
Anycubic Kobra S1
Buy/Wait:Caution

First-generation product โ€” no release history to base predictions on

Best for: Makers who want an enclosed multicolor CoreXY at a prosumer price for PLA, PETG, ABS, and ASA โ€” and prefer the Anycubic ecosystem. For reliable PA or PC printing, consider the Kobra S1 Max or Qidi Q2 which offer active chamber heating.

Full details โ†’
Anycubic Kobra S1 Max
Buy/Wait:Buy

First-generation product โ€” 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 โ€” and want Anycubic's ecosystem over Creality or Qidi alternatives.

Full details โ†’
Anycubic Kobra S1Anycubic Kobra S1 Max
Pricing
Starting Priceโ˜… $499$799
Print Specs
TierProsumerProfessional
MotionCoreXYCoreXY
Build Volume250 ร— 250 ร— 250 mmโ˜… 350 ร— 350 ร— 350 mm
Max Speed600 mm/s600 mm/s
Multicolorโœ… 4 slotsโœ… 4 slots
Enclosureโœ…โœ…
Auto Calibrationโœ…โœ…
Open SourceโŒโŒ
Upgrade Kitโ€”โ€”
Buy Timing
ReleasedFeb 11, 2025Nov 25, 2025
Cycle lengthโ€”โ€”
Cycle adviceCautionBuy
Deals adviceBuyBuy
Next modelโ€”โ€”

Timing: When to Buy

The Kobra S1 was released on Feb 11, 2025, 639 days ago. It is a first-generation product, so there is no earlier cycle to predict its successor from.

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.

On timing alone, the Kobra S1 Max is the safer buy right now โ€” it launched only 352 days ago, while the Kobra S1 has no release history pointing to a successor yet.

Cycle and deal status as of November 12, 2026. See the launch calendar โ†’

Deals & Pricing

The Kobra S1 lists at $499 and the Kobra S1 Max at $799 โ€” $300 apart, so the Kobra S1 Max costs 60% more.

Per litre of build volume, that works out to $32 for the Kobra S1 versus $19 for the Kobra S1 Max โ€” so the pricier Kobra S1 Max actually gives you more build space per dollar.

  • Both: On sale in the same event right now: Black Friday 2026 (Nov 1, 2026 โ€“ Dec 5, 2026). Compare the two sale prices side by side before deciding.

Who Should Choose Each

Choose the Anycubic Kobra S1 ifโ€ฆ

  • you want to spend less โ€” it is $300 cheaper ($499 vs $799)
  • you want our higher-rated printer โ€” 8.3 vs 8.1 out of 10
  • your prints fit within 250 ร— 250 ร— 250 mm โ€” then the Kobra S1 Max's extra build volume is money you do not need to spend

Choose the Anycubic Kobra S1 Max ifโ€ฆ

  • you print large parts โ€” its 350 ร— 350 ร— 350 mm build volume holds 174% more than the Kobra S1's 250 ร— 250 ร— 250 mm
  • you need PA-CF, PC and PET-CF โ€” they are on its materials list but not the Kobra S1's
  • you are buying now โ€” it is the safer pick on timing (recently launched, vs no cycle history for the Kobra S1)
  • you want PLA-CF, PETG-CF and PVA โ€” listed for the Kobra S1 Max but not the Kobra S1

Our Take

This one is close on paper. If your parts fit within the Kobra S1's 250 ร— 250 ร— 250 mm, save the $300; if not, the Kobra S1 Max's 174% extra build volume earns its premium.

How we judge timing and deals: read our methodology โ†’

Quick Winner by Buyer Type

๐Ÿ’ฐ
Budget pick
Anycubic Kobra S1
$499 vs $799
๐Ÿ“
Large prints
Anycubic Kobra S1 Max
350ร—350ร—350 mm
โšก
Fastest prints
Tie
Both 600 mm/s
๐Ÿ”“
Open ecosystem
Tie
Neither open source
๐Ÿงช
Engineering filaments
Anycubic Kobra S1 Max
6 vs 3 listed
๐ŸŽจ
Multicolor
Tie
4 slots each
โญ
Editor score
Anycubic Kobra S1
8.3 vs 8.1
๐Ÿ—“
Buy-now timing
Anycubic Kobra S1 Max
Recently launched

The Gaps That Matter

๐Ÿ’ฐ
PriceKobra S1 wins
$499 vs $799 โ€” 38% less than the Kobra S1 Max
๐Ÿ“
Build volumeKobra S1 Max wins
350 ร— 350 ร— 350 mm vs 250 ร— 250 ร— 250 mm (42.9 L vs 15.6 L)
The Kobra S1 tops out at 250 ร— 250 ร— 250 mm; anything larger has to be printed in pieces.
๐Ÿงช
Engineering materialsKobra S1 Max wins
PA-CF, PC and PET-CF only on the Kobra S1 Max's list
๐Ÿ—“
TimingKobra S1 Max wins
Kobra S1 Max: Recently launched ยท Kobra S1: No cycle history

Materials

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

Why buy each?

Anycubic Kobra S1

Enclosed CoreXY at 600 mm/s

The Kobra S1 combines an enclosed build chamber with 600 mm/s CoreXY motion โ€” offering improved heat retention over open-frame printers for ABS and ASA.

Anycubic ecosystem at prosumer price

Brings Anycubic's value-focused approach to the enclosed CoreXY segment โ€” competing with the Qidi Q2 and Bambu P2S, with multicolor and filament drying included at $499.

250ร—250ร—250 mm build volume

A practical cubic build volume well-suited for functional mechanical parts, enclosures, and prototypes.

Anycubic Kobra S1 Max

350ร—350ร—350 mm large-format build volume

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

65ยฐC active chamber heating at scale

Maintaining 65ยฐC across a 350ร—350 mm chamber is a meaningful technical achievement โ€” 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.