The Anycubic Kobra X and Prusa Research Mini+ are cross-brand rivals: both are entry-tier printers, listed $60 apart. Both are open-frame bed-slinger printers with automatic calibration. The Mini+ costs $60 more and gets you an open-source design and extra engineering materials (ASA); the Kobra X answers with 201% more build volume and a top speed of 600 mm/s (vs 200).
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: 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 X | Prusa Research Mini+ | |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing | ||
| Starting Price | ★ $399 | $459 |
| Print Specs | ||
| Tier | Entry | Entry |
| Motion | BedSlinger | BedSlinger |
| Build Volume | ★ 260 × 260 × 260 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 | Mar 1, 2026 | Apr 25, 2021 |
| Cycle length | — | ~730 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 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 X is the safer buy right now — it launched only 256 days ago, 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 Kobra X lists at $399 and the Mini+ at $459 — $60 apart, so the Mini+ costs 15% more.
Per litre of build volume, that works out to $23 for the Kobra X versus $79 for the Mini+ — the Kobra X is both cheaper and roomier, so it wins on value outright.
Our pick for most buyers is the Kobra X, for 201% more build volume and a top speed of 600 mm/s (vs 200), plus better buy-now timing. Go for the Mini+ instead if you want an open-source printer you can modify and repair yourself — the Kobra X is not open source.
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 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.