The Anycubic Kobra S1 (prosumer) and Bambu Lab A1 Mini (entry) 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. The Kobra S1 costs $280 more and gets you an enclosed chamber (with ABS, ASA and PA on its materials list) and 168% more build volume.
First-generation product — 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 — 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 →Overdue for a refresh — no successor announced yet. Prices should be at their lowest
Best for: Budget-conscious beginners who want Bambu's ease of use and multicolor printing in a compact footprint.
Full details →| Anycubic Kobra S1 | Bambu Lab A1 Mini | |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing | ||
| Starting Price | $499 | ★ $219 |
| Print Specs | ||
| Tier | Prosumer | Entry |
| Motion | CoreXY | BedSlinger |
| Build Volume | ★ 250 × 250 × 250 mm | 180 × 180 × 180 mm |
| Max Speed | ★ 600 mm/s | 500 mm/s |
| Multicolor | ✅ 4 slots | ✅ 4 slots |
| Enclosure | ★ ✅ | ❌ |
| Auto Calibration | ✅ | ✅ |
| Open Source | ❌ | ❌ |
| Upgrade Kit | — | — |
| Buy Timing | ||
| Released | Feb 11, 2025 | Oct 19, 2023 |
| Cycle length | — | ~365 days |
| Cycle advice | Caution | Wait |
| Deals advice | Buy | Buy |
| Next model | — | — |
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 A1 Mini was released on Oct 19, 2023, 1,120 days ago. Its previous release cycle ran about 365 days; it is now 755 days past that point and no successor has been announced.
On timing alone, the Kobra S1 is the safer buy right now — it has no release history pointing to a successor yet, while the A1 Mini is 755 days past its ~365-day cycle with no successor announced.
Cycle and deal status as of November 12, 2026. See the launch calendar →
The A1 Mini lists at $219 and the Kobra S1 at $499 — $280 apart, so the Kobra S1 costs 128% more.
Per litre of build volume, that works out to $32 for the Kobra S1 versus $38 for the A1 Mini — so the pricier Kobra S1 actually gives you more build space per dollar.
With both in sale windows, this is a good moment to buy either — compare the live sale prices before you decide.
This one is close on paper. If you will stick to materials both printers list (PLA, PETG and TPU), save the $280; if you want ABS, ASA and PA, the Kobra S1's enclosure earns its premium.
How we judge timing and deals: read our methodology →
The Kobra S1 combines an enclosed build chamber with 600 mm/s CoreXY motion — offering improved heat retention over open-frame printers for ABS and ASA.
Brings Anycubic's value-focused approach to the enclosed CoreXY segment — competing with the Qidi Q2 and Bambu P2S, with multicolor and filament drying included at $499.
A practical cubic build volume well-suited for functional mechanical parts, enclosures, and prototypes.
The A1 Mini sets up in minutes with automatic calibration and Bambu's guided first-print workflow.
Up to 4 colors with the AMS Lite accessory — Bambu's filament switching system with minimal waste purging.
Fits on a desk or shelf without taking over your workspace, while still printing at 500 mm/s.