The Anycubic Kobra X and Bambu Lab A1 Mini are both entry-tier printers, but the Kobra X costs 1.8× as much — so the question is what the extra money buys. Both are open-frame bed-slinger printers with 4-slot multicolor and automatic calibration. The Kobra X costs $180 more and gets you 201% more build volume and a top speed of 600 mm/s (vs 500).
First-generation product — recently released, still early days
Best for: Budget-conscious makers who want multicolor printing at the lowest possible entry price and don't need a large build volume or premium features.
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 X | Bambu Lab A1 Mini | |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing | ||
| Starting Price | $399 | ★ $219 |
| Print Specs | ||
| Tier | Entry | Entry |
| Motion | BedSlinger | BedSlinger |
| Build Volume | ★ 260 × 260 × 260 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 | Mar 1, 2026 | Oct 19, 2023 |
| Cycle length | — | ~365 days |
| Cycle advice | Buy | Wait |
| Deals advice | Caution | Buy |
| Next model | — | — |
The Kobra X was released on Mar 1, 2026, 256 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 X is the safer buy right now — it launched only 256 days ago, 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 X at $399 — $180 apart, so the Kobra X costs 82% more.
Per litre of build volume, that works out to $23 for the Kobra X versus $38 for the A1 Mini — so the pricier Kobra X actually gives you more build space per dollar.
If you are buying before Dec 1, 2026, the active sale tips value toward the A1 Mini.
Our pick for most buyers is the A1 Mini, for a lower price ($180 less), plus a higher editor score (9.0 vs 8.0). Go for the Kobra X instead if you print large parts — its 260 × 260 × 260 mm build volume holds 201% more than the A1 Mini's 180 × 180 × 180 mm. One caveat: the A1 Mini is 755 days past its ~365-day cycle with no successor announced, so check the launch calendar before you buy. The A1 Mini is also in a sale window right now (Bambu Black Friday 2026, until Dec 1, 2026).
How we judge timing and deals: read our methodology →
Listed at $399 and frequently on sale for $279–299 with ACE Gen 2 included, the Kobra X is one of the most affordable ways to get into multicolor FDM printing.
The same cube-format build volume as the pricier Kobra 4 — practical for most everyday prints.
The second-generation ACE Gen 2 offers improved filament switching reliability over the original ACE Pro, with support for up to 4 colors per print.
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.