The Anycubic Kobra S1 and Creality K1C are cross-brand rivals: both are prosumer-tier printers, listed at the same price. Note that the K1C has been replaced by the K2 and is no longer sold new. Both are enclosed CoreXY printers with 4-slot multicolor, a 600 mm/s rated top speed and automatic calibration. For the same money, the Kobra S1 gives you 29% more build volume and extra engineering materials (PA), while the K1C gives you extra engineering materials (PA-CF).
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 →This printer is no longer sold new. It has been replaced by the Creality K2.
Best for: Makers who need enclosed CoreXY printing for PA-CF and ASA on a budget — and want a capable alternative to Bambu without the ecosystem lock-in.
Full details →| Anycubic Kobra S1 | Creality K1C | |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing | ||
| Starting Price | $499 | $499 |
| Print Specs | ||
| Tier | Prosumer | Prosumer |
| Motion | CoreXY | CoreXY |
| Build Volume | ★ 250 × 250 × 250 mm | 220 × 220 × 250 mm |
| Max Speed | 600 mm/s | 600 mm/s |
| Multicolor | ✅ 4 slots | ✅ 4 slots |
| Enclosure | ✅ | ✅ |
| Auto Calibration | ✅ | ✅ |
| Open Source | ❌ | ❌ |
| Upgrade Kit | — | — |
| Buy Timing | ||
| Released | Feb 11, 2025 | Jan 20, 2024 |
| Cycle length | — | ~450 days |
| Cycle advice | Caution | Superseded |
| Deals advice | Buy | Clearance |
| 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The K1C has been replaced by the K2 and is no longer sold new, so there is no release cycle left to time — any unit you find now is leftover or second-hand stock.
On timing alone, the Kobra S1 is the safer buy right now — it has no release history pointing to a successor yet, while the K1C has already been replaced by the K2.
Cycle and deal status as of November 12, 2026. See the launch calendar →
Both list at $499, so price alone will not separate them.
Per litre of build volume, that works out to $32 for the Kobra S1 versus $41 for the K1C.
Buy the Kobra S1. The K1C has already been replaced by the K2 and is no longer sold new, so it is only worth considering at a clearance price. If the K1C appealed to you, the fair comparison today is the Kobra S1 against the K2.
Compare Anycubic Kobra S1 vs Creality K2 →
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 K1C ships with a hardened steel nozzle rated for carbon-fiber filaments — a significant cost advantage over printers that require aftermarket nozzle upgrades.
Few printers under $500 offer genuine enclosure capability. The K1C delivers ABS and ASA-capable chamber temperatures.
Matches the Bambu P2S's 600 mm/s top speed for about $50 less.