The Anycubic Kobra S1 and Elegoo Centauri Carbon 2 are cross-brand rivals: both are prosumer-tier printers, listed $140 apart. Both are CoreXY printers with 4-slot multicolor and automatic calibration. The Kobra S1 costs $140 more and gets you an enclosed chamber (with PA on its materials list) and a top speed of 600 mm/s (vs 500).
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 →First-generation product — recently released, still early days
Best for: Elegoo users and budget-conscious makers who want multicolor FDM from a brand known for resin printers — or those looking for a capable CoreXY with high-temperature nozzle capability at $449.
Full details →| Anycubic Kobra S1 | Elegoo Centauri Carbon 2 | |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing | ||
| Starting Price | $499 | ★ $359 |
| Print Specs | ||
| Tier | Prosumer | Prosumer |
| Motion | CoreXY | CoreXY |
| Build Volume | 250 × 250 × 250 mm | ★ 256 × 256 × 256 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 | Jan 26, 2026 |
| Cycle length | — | — |
| Cycle advice | Caution | Buy |
| 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 Centauri Carbon 2 was released on Jan 26, 2026, 290 days ago. It is a first-generation product, so there is no earlier cycle to predict its successor from.
On timing alone, the Centauri Carbon 2 is the safer buy right now — it launched only 290 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 →
The Centauri Carbon 2 lists at $359 and the Kobra S1 at $499 — $140 apart, so the Kobra S1 costs 39% more.
Per litre of build volume, that works out to $32 for the Kobra S1 versus $21 for the Centauri Carbon 2 — the Centauri Carbon 2 is both cheaper and roomier, so it wins on value outright.
Our pick for most buyers is the Centauri Carbon 2, for a lower price ($140 less), plus better buy-now timing. Go for the Kobra S1 instead if you want to print PA — it is enclosed and lists it, while the Centauri Carbon 2 is open-frame.
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 Centauri Carbon 2 marks Elegoo's entry into multicolor FDM printing — bringing the brand's value-focused approach to a segment dominated by Bambu and Anycubic.
The high-temperature nozzle enables printing of PA, PA-CF, and PC on an open-frame CoreXY — a notable differentiator at this price point.
Elegoo's proprietary CANVAS system provides 4-color filament switching at a competitive all-in price of $449.