Best Anycubic 3D Printer 2026: Kobra S1, Kobra 3 Max & Photon Compared
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Anycubic has quietly become one of the most competitive 3D printer brands
of 2026 — not through marketing, but through aggressive pricing on machines that
genuinely punch above their weight.
The Kobra S1 Combo at $399 (down from $749) goes head-to-head with Bambu Lab's A1 at the same price, and the Photon series continues to dominate resin printing under $500.
The Kobra S1 Combo at $399 (down from $749) goes head-to-head with Bambu Lab's A1 at the same price, and the Photon series continues to dominate resin printing under $500.
Anycubic 2026 FDM Lineup at a Glance:
| Model | Sale Price | Best For | Multi-Colour | Build Volume |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kobra 4 | $279 | Budget beginners | X Single | 220×220×250mm |
| Kobra 4 Combo | $379 | Budget + multi-colour | ✓ ACE | 220×220×250mm |
| Kobra X | $349 | Mid-range speed | X Single | 300×300×300mm |
| Kobra X Combo | $569 | Mid-range multi-colour | ✓ ACE | 300×300×300mm |
| Kobra S1 | $349 | Fast enclosed | X Single | 256×256×256mm |
| Kobra S1 Combo | $399 | Best all-rounder | ✓ ACE 2 | 256×256×256mm |
| Kobra 3 Max | $429 | Large-format | X Single | 420×420×450mm |
| Kobra 3 Max Combo | $499 | Large-format multi-colour | ✓ ACE | 420×420×450mm |
| Kobra S1 Max | $699 | Premium large-format | X Single | 400×400×450mm |
| Kobra S1 Max Combo | $899 | Premium large multi-colour | ✓ ACE 2 | 400×400×450mm |
| Model |
|---|
| Kobra 4 |
| Kobra 4 Combo |
| Kobra X |
| Kobra X Combo |
| Kobra S1 |
| Kobra S1 Combo |
| Kobra 3 Max |
| Kobra 3 Max Combo |
| Kobra S1 Max |
| Kobra S1 Max Combo |
| Sale Price |
|---|
| $279 |
| $379 |
| $349 |
| $569 |
| $349 |
| $399 |
| $429 |
| $499 |
| $699 |
| $899 |
| Best For |
|---|
| Budget beginners |
| Budget + multi-colour |
| Mid-range speed |
| Mid-range multi-colour |
| Fast enclosed |
| Best all-rounder |
| Large-format |
| Large-format multi-colour |
| Premium large-format |
| Premium large multi-colour |
| Multi-Colour |
|---|
| X Single |
| ✓ ACE |
| X Single |
| ✓ ACE |
| X Single |
| ✓ ACE 2 |
| X Single |
| ✓ ACE |
| X Single |
| ✓ ACE 2 |
| Build Volume |
|---|
| 220×220×250mm |
| 220×220×250mm |
| 300×300×300mm |
| 300×300×300mm |
| 256×256×256mm |
| 256×256×256mm |
| 420×420×450mm |
| 420×420×450mm |
| 400×400×450mm |
| 400×400×450mm |
Anycubic Kobra S1 Combo — Best Overall FDM ($399)
- 256×256×256mm enclosed build volume
- ACE 2 Pro multi-colour system — 4-colour automatic filament switching
- 500mm/s rated speed with Anycubic's LeviQ 3.0 auto-levelling
- Best for: Anyone wanting a Bambu Lab A1 alternative at a directly competitive price
- ACE 2 Pro multi-colour system — 4-colour automatic filament switching
- 500mm/s rated speed with Anycubic's LeviQ 3.0 auto-levelling
- Best for: Anyone wanting a Bambu Lab A1 alternative at a directly competitive price
In our experience, the Kobra S1 Combo's enclosed design handles ABS and ASA
consistently — and at $399 on sale (from $749), it's the most aggressive
price-for-feature machine in Anycubic's current lineup.
Anycubic Kobra 3 Max Combo — Best for Large-Format ($499)
- 420×420×450mm build volume — the largest on this page by significant margin
- ACE system for 4-colour multi-material printing
- Best for: Anyone who prints large models that can't be split across prints
- ACE system for 4-colour multi-material printing
- Best for: Anyone who prints large models that can't be split across prints
The Kobra 3 Max is the machine we'd recommend the moment a buyer says they
need more than 256mm in any dimension — at $499 on sale (from $999), the
value-to-build-volume ratio is unmatched in this price range.
Anycubic Kobra 4 — Best Budget FDM ($279)
- $279 entry point — lowest FDM price in the Anycubic lineup
- Auto-levelling, magnetic flex plate, 220×220×250mm build volume
- Best for: First-time 3D printer buyers who want to spend as little as possible
- Auto-levelling, magnetic flex plate, 220×220×250mm build volume
- Best for: First-time 3D printer buyers who want to spend as little as possible
At $279, the Kobra 4 is where we'd send a buyer who's never printed before and
wants to understand the process before committing more money.
Anycubic Resin Printers — The Photon Series
Anycubic Photon Mono M7 — Best Entry Resin ($429)
- High-speed mono LCD, 196×122×200mm build volume
- Best for: Miniature painters, tabletop gamers, jewellers — anyone who needs layer detail FDM can't deliver
- Best for: Miniature painters, tabletop gamers, jewellers — anyone who needs layer detail FDM can't deliver
The Photon Mono M7 is the resin machine we recommend to anyone entering
resin printing — the mono LCD speed and detail quality justify the step up
from FDM for detail-first use cases.
Anycubic Photon Mono M7 Pro — Best Mid-Range Resin ($489)
- Larger build platform than M7, faster cure times
- Best for: Anyone printing multiple miniatures per batch or larger resin models
- Best for: Anyone printing multiple miniatures per batch or larger resin models
The upgrade from M7 to M7 Pro is justified by batch size — if you're printing
multiple models per session, the larger platform pays back immediately.
Anycubic Photon Mono M7 Max — Best Large Resin ($749)
- Largest resin build volume in the Anycubic lineup
- Best for: Studios, professionals, anyone producing large resin pieces
- Best for: Studios, professionals, anyone producing large resin pieces
The M7 Max is the professional resin pick — the build volume puts it in a
class where very few alternatives exist at this price.
Do You Need a Wash & Cure Machine with Your Resin Printer?
Yes — resin prints require post-processing. IPA washing removes uncured resin
from the surface; UV curing hardens the final print. Doing this without a
dedicated machine is possible but messy and inconsistent.
- Wash & Cure 3 ($89) — for the M7 / M7 Pro build volume
- Wash & Cure 3 Plus ($179) — for larger build platforms
- Wash & Cure 3 Max ($339) — for the M7 Max
- Wash & Cure 3 ($89) — for the M7 / M7 Pro build volume
- Wash & Cure 3 Plus ($179) — for larger build platforms
- Wash & Cure 3 Max ($339) — for the M7 Max
Quick Verdict
- Best overall: Kobra S1 Combo ($399)
- Best budget FDM: Kobra 4 ($279)
- Best large-format: Kobra 3 Max Combo ($499)
- Best beginner resin: Photon Mono M7 ($429)
- Best professional resin: Photon Mono M7 Max ($749)
- Best budget FDM: Kobra 4 ($279)
- Best large-format: Kobra 3 Max Combo ($499)
- Best beginner resin: Photon Mono M7 ($429)
- Best professional resin: Photon Mono M7 Max ($749)
FAQ
Q: What is the best Anycubic 3D printer in 2026?
A: The Anycubic Kobra S1 Combo at $399 (on sale from $749). It offers an enclosed build volume, ACE 2 multi-colour system, and 500mm/s speed — the most capable machine in Anycubic's current lineup at this price.
Q: Is Anycubic Kobra better than Bambu Lab A1?
A: The Kobra S1 Combo competes directly with the Bambu Lab A1 at the same $399 price point. Bambu Lab has the more refined software ecosystem; Anycubic wins on build volume at this price.
Q: Do I need a Wash & Cure machine for Anycubic resin printers?
A: Yes — all resin printers require washing and UV curing after printing. Anycubic's Wash & Cure 3 ($89) is the correct companion for the Photon Mono M7 and M7 Pro.
Q: What is the difference between Anycubic FDM and resin printers?
A: FDM (Kobra series) uses filament and is better for functional parts and large models. Resin (Photon series) uses UV-cured liquid for extreme detail — best for miniatures and jewellery but requires ventilation and post-processing.
Ali KH — Founder, Cubic School
I started Cubic School because I couldn't find a single review site that took all three of my obsessions seriously: 3D printing, speedcubing, and building brick sets. I've been printing since the early FDM days, competed casually in speedcubing, and have built more LEGO Technic and CaDA sets than my shelves can reasonably hold. Every product featured on this site is one I've researched, handled, or run through its paces myself.
No manufacturer sends us free units in exchange for positive coverage — what you read here is what I actually think.
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