Anycubic is launching the Kobra S1 Combo, another FDM 3D printer aimed at ambitious 3D printing enthusiasts. The device combines a fully enclosed CoreXY design with high precision and speed as well as multi-color and multi-material printing.
The equipment includes a filament changer (4 materials) ACE Pro (Anycubic Color Engine Pro) with integrated filament dryer, which is included in the “Combo” version. There is also automatic calibration and numerous improvements compared to previous Kobra models. The focus is clearly on features that are relevant for modern users – from high printing speeds (up to 600 mm/s according to the manufacturer) and quiet drivers to convenient print monitoring via the Anycubic app and integrated camera.
We have tested the printer extensively: The device is delivered well packaged, assembly is straightforward and can be completed in around 15 to 20 minutes.
The first impression is of solid workmanship. The frame and mechanics appear stable, even though the door and lid are made of plastic. The Kobra S1 Combo is based on a CoreXY architecture in a closed housing. This keeps the printing temperature more constant (important for materials such as ABS and ASA) even if a heated installation space would be an advantage here. The device can perform movements quickly and precisely without the print table moving jerkily in the X/Y direction. Anycubic advertises speeds of up to 600 mm/s), but in practice this is only achievable for very simple geometries or in draft mode – standard profiles print much more slowly. However, the printer remains pleasantly quiet during operation; the fans and stepper motors are barely audible. The automatic leveling of the print bed works reliably, allowing us to start printing straight away without any manual adjustments.
The multi-material feeder (ACE Pro) with integrated filament dryer is located on the housing of the Combo version. It offers space for up to four filament rolls and keeps the material dry – a clear advantage with hygroscopic filaments such as nylon or PETG. At the same time, the system enables multi-color prints. With a second ACE Pro module, the device can even process eight materials in one print. The filament change is automatic but, like all devices of this type, causes a relatively large amount of waste (“pooping”) due to the necessary purge tower and when rinsing the colors. In the test, the change functioned reliably, but the filament must be straightened before it is fed in for the first time. A practical feature is that the ACE-Pro-Hub simplifies filament management – for example by reducing moisture and monitoring filament residues and Anycubic can also recognize filament automatically.
Technical Specifications
| Feature | Kobra S1 Combo | Kobra S1 |
| Printer Model | Kobra S1 Combo | Kobra S1 |
| Multicolor Printing | Supports 4- or 8-color printing | Available separately |
| Build Volume | 250×250×250 mm | 250×250×250 mm |
| Supported Filaments | PLA, PETG, TPU, ABS, ASA | PLA, PETG, TPU, ABS, ASA |
| Max. Print Speed | 600 mm/s | 600 mm/s |
| Recommended Print Speed | 300 mm/s | 300 mm/s |
| Recommended Acceleration | 10,000 mm/s² | 10,000 mm/s² |
| Max. Acceleration | 20,000 mm/s² | 20,000 mm/s² |
| Machine Dimensions | S1: 400×410×490 mm ACE Pro: 365.94×282.84×234.5 mm | 400×410×490 mm |
| Packaging Dimensions | S1C: 490×484×593 mm, 25.9 kg | 490×484×573 mm, 20.2 kg |
| Benchy Print Time (Manufacturer) | 15 minutes | 15 minutes |
| Noise Level | 46 dB (standard mode), 44 dB (silent mode) | 46 dB / 44 dB |
| Nozzle Temperature | Up to 320 °C | Up to 320 °C |
| Heated Bed Temperature | Up to 120 °C | Up to 120 °C |
| Nozzle Diameter | Standard 0.4 mm, expandable to 0.2 / 0.6 / 0.8 mm | Same |
| Print Calibration / Flow Control | Supported | Supported |
| Firmware | Kobra OS | Kobra OS |
| Motion System | CoreXY | CoreXY |
| X-Axis | Linear rail | Linear rail |
| Y-Axis | Linear rail | Linear rail |
| Z-Axis | Single motor with 3 guide rods | Same |
| Extrusion Type | Dual gear direct drive | Same |
| Hotend | Metal, quick swap | Same |
| Air Filtration | Activated carbon filter | Activated carbon filter |
| Control Screen | 4.3-inch capacitive touchscreen | Same |
| Power-Loss Resume | Supported | Supported |
| Filament Detection | Supported | Supported |
| Camera | Included | Included |
| Video Monitoring | Supported, 480P | Supported, 480P |
| Timelapse Function | Supported | Supported |
| Enclosure Material (Door & Lid) | Fully made of polycarbonate (PC) | Same |
| AI Detection | “Spaghetti” detection | Same |
| Object Ejection | Supported | Supported |
| 8-Color Filament Hub | Available for 8-color pack | Available (optional) |
In our test, the device produced convincing print results. Initial prints with PLA (both Anycubic and third-party filament) adhered to the flexible printing plate without any problems and were clean straight away. With PLA, including PLA+ and silk PLA, no readjustments were necessary with the standard profiles. PETG also achieved good results. When printing with ABS, success largely depends on the geometry of the objects. As expected, objects with large volumes suffer from warping if the build space is not actively heated. Overall, the print quality – after minimal fine-tuning – is at the expected level for a printer in this class. The Bowden extruder guide (from the ACE module to the hotend) works precisely.
The additional convenience functions round off the package, but there is still room for improvement in some areas. A built-in camera allows remote monitoring via smartphone app, but the resolution of the time-lapse recordings is not particularly good. The Kobra S1 Combo also has AI-supported print monitoring, which is designed to detect “spaghetti” misprints or detached objects and pause the print. This feature is not yet working perfectly, but will probably be improved in future software upgrades.
Overall conclusion
Overall, the Kobra S1 Combo from Anycubic is an extremely powerful all-in-one 3D printer at an extremely attractive price. Compared to previous Anycubic models, it scores with higher speed, more convenient operation (auto-leveling, camera) and the ability to process several materials and colors in one print. Compared to its competitors, it scores with its good price-performance ratio. The integrated filament dryer with multi-filament feed in particular makes the device attractive for demanding makers who want to work with different or moisture-sensitive filaments. There are still some weaknesses in the functions of the ecosystem (app) or the AI recognition, but this is being actively worked on. Further functions were already added during our test. The mixture of high performance and practical features makes it an interesting tool for the home maker workshop.
The 3D printer currently costs 619 euros in the official Anycubic store.
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