The Anycubic Kobra S1 (prosumer) and Prusa Research 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 $40 more and gets you an enclosed chamber (with ABS and PA on its materials list) and 168% more build volume; the Mini+ answers with an open-source design.
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: Beginners who prioritize open-source hardware, community support, and long-term reliability over speed — and don't mind a slower, more deliberate printing experience.
Full details →| Anycubic Kobra S1 | Prusa Research Mini+ | |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing | ||
| Starting Price | $499 | ★ $459 |
| Print Specs | ||
| Tier | Prosumer | Entry |
| Motion | CoreXY | BedSlinger |
| Build Volume | ★ 250 × 250 × 250 mm | 180 × 180 × 180 mm |
| Max Speed | ★ 600 mm/s | 200 mm/s |
| Multicolor | ★ ✅ 4 slots | ❌ No |
| Enclosure | ★ ✅ | ❌ |
| Auto Calibration | ✅ | ✅ |
| Open Source | ❌ | ★ ✅ |
| Upgrade Kit | — | — |
| Buy Timing | ||
| Released | Feb 11, 2025 | Apr 25, 2021 |
| Cycle length | — | ~730 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 Mini+ was released on Apr 25, 2021, 2,027 days ago. Its previous release cycle ran about 730 days; it is now 1,297 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 Mini+ is 1,297 days past its ~730-day cycle with no successor announced.
Cycle and deal status as of November 12, 2026. See the launch calendar →
The Mini+ lists at $459 and the Kobra S1 at $499 — $40 apart, so the Kobra S1 costs 9% more.
Per litre of build volume, that works out to $32 for the Kobra S1 versus $79 for the Mini+ — so the pricier Kobra S1 actually gives you more build space per dollar.
If you are buying before Dec 5, 2026, the active sale tips value toward the Kobra S1.
Our pick for most buyers is the Kobra S1, for an enclosed chamber (with ABS and PA on its materials list) and 168% more build volume, plus a higher editor score (8.3 vs 7.9) and better buy-now timing. Go for the Mini+ instead if you want an open-source printer you can modify and repair yourself — the Kobra S1 is not open source. The Kobra S1 is also in a sale window right now (Black Friday 2026, until Dec 5, 2026).
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 Mini+ has been on the market since 2021 and has proven its durability with thousands of community print-hours logged.
Prusa stocks replacement parts for all Mini+ components. Community guides cover every repair scenario.
The lowest-cost way to enter the Prusa ecosystem with a fully supported printer.