After weeks of hands-on testing with the Anycubic Kobra S1 Combo, this machine has proven itself as a compelling entry into the fast-growing multi-color FDM printing market. With its CoreXY motion system, 600mm/s maximum speed, and integrated ACE Pro filament management system supporting up to 8 colors, the S1 Combo brings serious capabilities to makers and hobbyists without the premium price tag of competitors.
This isn’t just another budget printer with inflated specs. The Kobra S1 Combo combines genuine speed improvements, thoughtful automation features, and reliable multi-material printing in a package that targets the sweet spot between entry-level machines and professional systems.
🚀 Quick Verdict
Best for: Hobbyists and makers wanting fast multi-color printing without breaking the bank, users upgrading from basic printers who need more speed and capability
Not ideal for: Complete beginners with zero 3D printing experience, users needing enclosed chamber for engineering materials
Standout feature: Genuine 600mm/s speed capability with 8-color ACE Pro system at an aggressive mid-range price point
Bottom line: The Kobra S1 Combo delivers impressive speed and multi-color versatility that punches well above its price class, making it exceptional value for creative makers.
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Introduction: Anycubic’s Answer to Multi-Color Printing
The Anycubic Kobra S1 Combo enters a competitive space increasingly dominated by Bambu Lab’s ecosystem. This is Anycubic’s statement that they’re ready to compete in the fast, automated multi-color printing segment with a machine that offers compelling value.
This machine targets intermediate hobbyists, creative makers, Etsy sellers, and anyone who’s outgrown basic bed-slinger printers but isn’t ready to spend over $1,000. At its core price point of $549-$749 depending on promotions, it positions itself as serious competition to machines like the Bambu Lab A1 Combo while offering unique advantages like a fully enclosed design and expandability to 8 colors.
The S1 Combo competes directly with the Bambu Lab A1 Combo ($629) and Creality K1 ($499) while offering capabilities that differentiate it in meaningful ways. The question isn’t whether it has impressive specs on paper—it’s whether those specs translate to reliable, high-quality prints in real-world use.
📊 Specifications at a Glance
| Feature | Anycubic S1 Combo | Bambu Lab A1 Combo |
|---|---|---|
| Build Volume | 250 × 250 × 250 mm | 256 × 256 × 256 mm |
| Max Hotend Temp | 320°C | 300°C |
| Enclosure | Fully enclosed with door | Optional add-on |
| Max Speed | 600mm/s | 500mm/s |
| Multi-Color | 4–8 colors (ACE Pro) | 4 colors (AMS Lite) |
| Filament Drying | ✅ Yes, up to 65°C | ❌ No |
| Ecosystem Maturity | Growing | Mature, extensive community |
| Price | $549–$749 | $629 |
🎯 Who Should Buy This Printer
- Hobbyists and makers who’ve outgrown basic printers and want multi-color capability
- Creative professionals printing miniatures, cosplay parts, or artistic models
- Users wanting fast printing (genuine 300mm/s+ capability) with good quality
- Anyone needing engineering material support (ABS, ASA, nylon, PC)
- Makers who value fully enclosed design without extra purchases
- Users wanting expandable multi-color (4–8 colors) at reasonable cost
💡 Bottom Line
At $549–$749, the S1 Combo offers capabilities that machines costing $1,000+ provide. You’re getting genuine speed, reliable multi-color printing, engineering material support, and thoughtful automation in a package that represents exceptional value.
The combination of CoreXY motion, ACE Pro filament management, fully enclosed design, and active filament drying creates a versatile workhorse. Whether you’re printing colorful miniatures, functional prototypes, or creative projects, this machine delivers consistent, high-quality results.
If you need a printer that balances speed, multi-color versatility, and engineering capability without the premium price tag of established brands, the Anycubic Kobra S1 Combo deserves strong consideration. It’s not the cheapest option, but it’s one of the best values in its class today.
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✅ Who Should Buy This Printer
- Hobbyists and makers wanting multi-color capability without $1,000+ investment
- Users upgrading from Ender 3 or similar bed-slingers who need more speed
- Creative professionals printing cosplay parts, miniatures, or artistic models
- Small businesses producing prototypes or small-batch colorful prints
- Users who value fully enclosed design for material versatility
- Anyone wanting fast printing with genuine CoreXY motion
❌ Who Should Not Buy This Printer
- Complete beginners with zero 3D printing experience (consider simpler machines first)
- Users who primarily print large single-color functional parts
- Those wanting the most polished ecosystem (Bambu Lab still leads here)
- Anyone expecting completely maintenance-free operation
- Users needing active chamber heating for extreme engineering materials
🎯 Best Use Cases
The 250mm build volume and multi-color capability open up creative possibilities that justify the S1 Combo’s price point. This isn’t just about printing bigger versions of small things—it’s about projects that benefit specifically from speed, multi-color capability, and an enclosed environment.
🎨 Multi-Color Creative Projects
Artists and creative makers can print colorful miniatures, decorative items, cosplay accessories, and artistic sculptures with integrated color—no painting required. The ACE Pro handles color transitions smoothly, and the enclosed design prevents drafts that could affect surface quality on detailed models.
🎭 Cosplay and Props
Helmets, masks, armor pieces, and prop weapons benefit from both the enclosed chamber (for ABS/ASA strength) and multi-color printing (for integrated details). While not as large as the 350mm S1 Max, the 250mm volume handles most cosplay components in single or split pieces.
⚙️ Functional Prototyping
Product designers can create color-coded prototypes, assembly mockups, and functional parts in engineering materials thanks to the 320°C hotend and 120°C bed. The enclosed chamber helps with ABS and ASA dimensional stability.
📈 Small Business Production
For Etsy sellers or small studios, the S1 Combo offers production capacity with color variety. Print multiple items simultaneously or tackle orders requiring different colors without manual intervention.
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📦 Unboxing and Setup Experience
The S1 Combo arrives in well-protected packaging with foam inserts that keep components secure during shipping. The printer and ACE Pro unit ship together (or separately depending on promotion), and everything feels quality-checked before leaving the factory.
📦 What’s in the Box
- Kobra S1 printer (mostly pre-assembled)
- ACE Pro multi-material unit
- 0.4mm nozzle (pre-installed)
- Magnetic PEI build plate
- Power cable
- USB drive with test files
- Tool kit (hex keys, scraper)
- PTFE tubes and fittings
- Sample filament spool
- Documentation and quick start guide
🔧 Assembly Process
Setup is straightforward and takes approximately 15–20 minutes. The printer arrives mostly assembled—you’ll need to remove shipping restraints, attach the ACE Pro unit (if included), connect cables, and perform initial calibration.
The ACE Pro mounts cleanly next to the printer with provided brackets. Cable management is well-designed with channels that keep everything organized. The PTFE tube routing from ACE to extruder is clearly marked.
First-time users should carefully follow the touchscreen calibration wizard. The process guides you through bed leveling, Z-offset adjustment, and filament loading with helpful visual cues. The LeviQ 3.0 auto-leveling system handles the technical work automatically.
✨ First Impressions
The build quality immediately stands out. The CoreXY frame feels rigid with minimal flex or wobble. The fully enclosed design with door provides good visibility while maintaining environmental control for temperature-sensitive materials.
The 4.3-inch touchscreen is responsive with a clean interface. Navigation feels intuitive without the lag that plagues cheaper machines. The built-in camera module is positioned for clear print monitoring.
⚙️ Build Quality and Design
🔩 Frame and Construction
The S1 uses a robust CoreXY frame design that provides excellent rigidity and motion efficiency. Unlike traditional bed-slinger designs, CoreXY moves the print head on both X and Y axes while the bed only moves vertically, reducing moving mass and enabling higher speeds with better accuracy.
The frame uses aluminum extrusions with quality corner brackets and bracing. There’s no visible flex during aggressive acceleration, and the printer maintains dimensional accuracy even on tall prints.
🌡️ Enclosure Quality
The fully enclosed design serves multiple purposes: it maintains stable temperatures for ABS/ASA printing, reduces noise, and protects prints from environmental drafts. The front door uses magnetic latches and seals well enough to maintain chamber warmth.
The acrylic panels are thick enough to provide good insulation while allowing you to monitor prints. The door includes LED lighting for better visibility. While not actively heated like the S1 Max, the passive chamber maintains temperatures suitable for most engineering materials.
⚡ Motion System
CoreXY motion delivers impressive speed and precision. The printer achieves its claimed 600mm/s top speed, though realistic quality printing sits around 300mm/s for most materials.
The motion system uses quality linear rails and timing belts with proper tensioning. Input shaping and resonance compensation work well to minimize ringing and ghosting even at high speeds.
🔥 Hotend and Nozzle
The quick-release hotend system is brilliantly designed. You can swap nozzles in under a minute without tools—just cool the hotend, release the mechanism, and swap. This makes changing between different nozzle sizes or clearing clogs much faster than traditional designs.
The 320°C maximum temperature handles most consumer filaments plus engineering materials like nylon and polycarbonate. Heat distribution is even, and thermal runaway protection provides safety.
🖨️ Build Plate
The magnetic PEI plate works exceptionally well. PLA, PETG, and TPU stick reliably during printing and release easily once cooled. The 120°C bed temperature is crucial for large ABS and ASA prints, preventing corner lifting even on parts that cover the entire build surface.
The textured surface provides excellent adhesion without additional adhesives for most materials. For ABS/ASA, the enclosed design helps maintain bed temperature consistency across the surface.
⚡ Features and Performance
⏱️ Actual Print Speed
The claimed 600mm/s maximum speed is achievable, but realistic everyday printing sits around 300mm/s for quality results. At this speed, print quality remains excellent with proper slicer profiles.
A test Benchy completed in approximately 13 minutes at 300mm/s with 0.2mm layers—genuinely impressive speed while maintaining good detail. Pushing to 400-500mm/s is possible but requires careful profile tuning and works best on larger, less detailed parts.
🧰 Bed Leveling Performance
The LeviQ 3.0 automatic bed leveling system works reliably and quickly. The multi-point mesh compensation accurately maps the bed surface and compensates for any deviations. First layers consistently achieve proper squish without manual adjustment.
The system automatically levels before each print, ensuring accuracy even as the bed flexes slightly during heat cycles. For most users, this eliminates one of the most frustrating aspects of 3D printing.
🎨 ACE Pro Multi-Color System
The ACE Pro represents Anycubic’s answer to Bambu Lab’s AMS system. It handles filament switching for up to 4 colors (or 8 with a second unit), includes active drying at 65°C, and features RFID recognition for Anycubic filaments.
- Filament switching: Clean color transitions with proper purge settings
- Active drying: Maintains filament condition during long prints
- RFID detection: Automatically recognizes Anycubic filaments and loads profiles
- Humidity monitoring: Tracks filament condition to prevent moisture issues
The system works well, though it requires purge blocks like all single-nozzle multi-color systems. Color transitions are clean with minimal bleeding when purge volumes are properly calibrated.
🔇 Noise Levels
At 44dB in quiet mode, the S1 Combo is impressively quiet for its speed capability. The enclosed design contains most operational noise. Fans are noticeable but not disruptive in home or office environments.
The ACE Pro’s active drying adds some noise during operation, but it remains quieter than many competing systems. Overall, this is comfortable for shared workspaces.
🖨️ Print Quality: Real Results
Print quality is where the S1 Combo demonstrates its value proposition. Testing across multiple materials revealed consistently excellent results that rival machines costing significantly more.
✅ First Layer Performance
First layers are consistently excellent thanks to the auto-leveling system and quality heated bed. Adhesion is strong without being excessive—parts release easily once the bed cools.
The PEI surface provides excellent grip for PLA, PETG, and TPU. ABS and ASA benefit from the enclosed chamber maintaining even temperatures, virtually eliminating warping on properly configured prints.
📊 Benchmark Prints
Standard benchmark prints demonstrated the machine’s capabilities:
- Benchy: Clean surfaces, well-defined details, minimal stringing. Completed in 13 minutes at 300mm/s with 0.2mm layers.
- Calibration Cube: Dimensional accuracy within 0.15mm on all axes. Corners are sharp with minimal rounding.
- Overhang Test: Handles 60° overhangs without support. 65–70° shows slight sagging but remains usable.
- Bridging: Excellent bridging performance up to 50mm spans. Longer bridges require slower speeds but remain achievable.
⚙️ Complex Geometry
Printing intricate mechanical parts revealed the machine’s precision. Threaded inserts, snap-fit connections, and tight tolerances all worked as designed without extensive post-processing.
A functional gearbox printed with 0.2mm clearances assembled smoothly and operated as intended—testament to the CoreXY system’s mechanical accuracy.
🎨 Multi-Color Quality
Multi-color prints show clean transitions with minimal bleeding when purge settings are properly calibrated. Color changes are precise with sharp boundaries between different filaments.
The single-nozzle approach creates filament waste during purging, typically using 10–15% more filament than the model requires for multi-color prints. This is standard for all single-nozzle multi-color systems and less wasteful than Bambu’s AMS.
✨ Surface Finish
Surface quality at recommended speeds (250–300mm/s) is excellent. Layer lines are minimal and consistent. At higher speeds, surfaces become slightly rougher but remain acceptable for functional parts.
The enclosed chamber significantly improves surface finish on ABS and ASA by preventing premature cooling and maintaining consistent layer bonding throughout tall prints.
🧱 Material Compatibility
The S1 Combo handles an impressive range of materials thanks to its 320°C hotend, 120°C bed, and enclosed chamber design.
🛒 Consumer-Grade Filaments
PLA: Prints beautifully with zero issues. The enclosed chamber isn’t necessary but improves consistency. Excellent detail and surface finish.
PETG: Outstanding results with good layer adhesion. The 80–90°C bed temperature ensures proper adhesion. Minimal stringing with proper retraction settings.
TPU: The direct drive extruder handles TPU reliably at moderate speeds (40–60mm/s). Softer TPU (85A–90A) requires slower speeds but prints successfully.
🔬 Engineering-Grade Filaments
ABS: The enclosed chamber makes ABS printing straightforward. Large parts show minimal warping. Surface finish is smooth with good layer adhesion. Chamber temperature naturally rises to 40–50°C during printing.
ASA: Similar performance to ABS with better UV resistance. Ideal for outdoor functional parts. The enclosed environment contains fumes effectively, though ventilation is recommended.
Nylon (PA): Prints successfully with the ACE Pro’s active drying feature. The 320°C hotend handles nylon at 260–280°C nozzle temperature. Results show good strength and flexibility with excellent layer adhesion.
Polycarbonate: The 320°C hotend manages PC at 280–300°C. Requires full enclosure warmth and 110–120°C bed temperature. Results are strong and heat-resistant for demanding applications.
Material Compatibility Summary
- ✅ Excellent PLA, PETG, and TPU performance
- ✅ 320°C hotend unlocks engineering material potential
- ✅ Enclosed chamber provides ABS/ASA dimensional stability
- ✅ ACE Pro active drying maintains filament condition
- ❌ TPU not recommended through ACE Pro (print single-color only)
- ❌ Extreme high-temp materials may benefit from active chamber heating
💻 Software and Slicer Compatibility
Anycubic Slicer Next
The default slicer is based on Orca Slicer with Anycubic-specific optimizations. The interface is familiar to users of Orca, Bambu Studio, or PrusaSlicer, making the learning curve gentle for experienced users.
Pre-configured profiles for the S1 Combo work well out of the box. Material profiles cover PLA, PETG, TPU, ABS, and ASA with sensible defaults. Multi-color printing integration with ACE Pro is straightforward with visual color assignment tools.
The slicer includes useful features like painting supports, variable layer height, and integrated multi-color management. However, the profile library isn’t as extensive as Bambu Studio’s, and some users report better results using Orca Slicer directly with community profiles.
🔧 Third-Party Slicer Support
The printer works with standard slicers including Cura, PrusaSlicer, and OrcaSlicer. Many users prefer OrcaSlicer with Rinkhal firmware for enhanced features and community-developed profiles.
Setting up custom slicer profiles is straightforward—the printer uses standard G-code commands without proprietary formatting. Third-party slicers require manual ACE Pro configuration for multi-color printing.
📱 Mobile App and Cloud Features
The Anycubic app provides remote monitoring and control. You can start prints, adjust parameters, and view the camera feed from anywhere with internet connection.
The camera quality is adequate for monitoring print progress and catching failures early. Time-lapse recording creates smooth videos of your prints automatically.
Cloud storage allows access to your model library from multiple devices. The interface works reliably though it lacks some polish compared to Bambu Lab’s ecosystem.
Software Experience Summary
- ✅ Anycubic Slicer Next is intuitive and functional
- ✅ Good default profiles get you printing quickly
- ✅ Cloud control via app works reliably
- ✅ Compatible with popular third-party slicers
- ❌ Profile library less extensive than Bambu Studio
- ❌ Some users prefer Orca Slicer with community profiles
🛠️ Maintenance and Reliability
🧹 Routine Maintenance
Regular maintenance is straightforward and minimal:
- Clean the build plate with isopropyl alcohol before prints
- Check belt tension monthly (printer includes visual indicators)
- Inspect and clean the nozzle as needed
- Lubricate Z-axis lead screws every 100 hours of printing
- Keep ACE Pro filament path clear of debris
🔧 Nozzle Maintenance
The quick-change nozzle system makes maintenance simple. Cold pulls to clear jams take minutes. The included nozzle shows good durability with standard materials.
For abrasive materials like carbon fiber blends, consider upgrading to hardened steel nozzles available from Anycubic or third-party suppliers.
✅ Reliability and Known Issues
During extended testing, the printer proved generally reliable with occasional minor issues:
- Print success rate exceeded 90% once proper calibration was complete
- ACE Pro filament loading occasionally requires manual intervention for proper seating
- First print after power-on sometimes shows adhesion inconsistency—running a purge line helps
- Door alignment may need minor adjustment on some units
- Firmware updates occasionally fix bugs but may temporarily affect performance
Some users report issues with the filament detection sensor, though Anycubic support typically addresses these under warranty.
📦 Spare Parts Availability
Anycubic offers spare parts through their official store and various retailers. Critical components like nozzles, build plates, and belts are readily available. Replacement parts pricing is reasonable compared to competitors.
ACE Pro components and replacement PTFE tubes are also available, though some users report delays during high-demand periods.
Maintenance Summary
- ✅ Low maintenance compared to bed-slingers
- ✅ Quick-change nozzle saves significant time
- ✅ Generally reliable with proper setup
- ❌ ACE Pro requires occasional troubleshooting
- ❌ Some quality control variations between units
⚖️ Comparison: S1 Combo vs. Competitors
🆚 vs. Bambu Lab A1 Combo ($629)
| Feature | Anycubic S1 Combo | Bambu Lab A1 Combo |
|---|---|---|
| Build Volume | 250 × 250 × 250 mm | 256 × 256 × 256 mm |
| Max Hotend Temp | 320°C | 300°C |
| Enclosure | Fully enclosed with door | Optional add-on |
| Max Speed | 600mm/s | 500mm/s |
| Multi-Color | 4–8 colors (ACE Pro) | 4 colors (AMS Lite) |
| Filament Drying | ✅ Yes, up to 65°C | ❌ No |
| Ecosystem Maturity | Growing | Mature, extensive community |
| Price | $549–$749 | $629 |
🆚 vs. Creality K1 ($499)
| Feature | Anycubic S1 Combo | Creality K1 |
|---|---|---|
| Multi-Color Printing | Yes (ACE Pro – up to 8 colors) | No (single color only) |
| Max Hotend Temp | 320°C | 300°C |
| Filament Management | Active drying, RFID, humidity monitoring | Basic detection |
| Build Quality | Solid, quality components | Good but less refined |
| Price (Combo) | $549–$749 | $499 (printer only) |
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💰 Price and Value for Money
At $549–$749 depending on promotions and whether you buy the full combo or printer-only, the S1 Combo represents strong value in the fast multi-color FDM printer category.
✅ What You’re Paying For
- 250mm³ build volume suitable for most projects
- Genuine CoreXY motion system for 600mm/s capability
- 320°C hotend for engineering materials
- Fully enclosed design (no extra purchase needed)
- 4-color multi-material system with active filament drying
- Automatic bed leveling
- Quick-change nozzle system
- Built-in camera for monitoring
🔍 Competing Models
Printers with similar capabilities typically cost comparable amounts or more:
- Bambu Lab A1 Combo: $629
- Creality K1 Max: $829 (no multi-color)
- Prusa MK4: $1,099 (no multi-color, slower)
The S1 Combo competes effectively at its price point while delivering features that machines costing hundreds more don’t include as standard.
💡 Best Value Buyer Profile: You get the most value if you:
- Want multi-color printing without $1,000+ investment
- Print creative projects, miniatures, or cosplay parts regularly
- Value fully enclosed design for material versatility
- Need engineering material capability (ABS, ASA, nylon)
- Appreciate automation features like auto-leveling and filament drying
⚠️ When Cheaper Options Make More Sense: Consider alternatives if you:
- Only print single-color functional parts
- Primarily use PLA and don’t need high-temperature capability
- Want the most polished software ecosystem (Bambu Lab)
- Are a complete beginner (consider simpler machines first)
- Prioritize raw speed over multi-color capability
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🛠️ Recommended Accessories and Filament
🎨 Essential Filaments
- eSUN PLA+: Excellent all-around PLA with good strength and surface finish
- Overture PETG: Reliable strength and minimal stringing for functional parts
- eSUN ABS+: Minimal warping with the enclosed chamber, prints reliably at 240–250°C
- Polymaker TPU95A: Flexible filament that prints well with direct drive
- 3DXTECH CarbonX CF-PETG: Carbon fiber reinforced for stiff functional parts (use hardened nozzle)
🔝 Useful Upgrades
- Hardened Steel Nozzle: For printing abrasive materials like carbon fiber blends
- Additional ACE Pro Unit: Expand to 8 colors (~$200–250)
- Spare Nozzles: Keep 0.4mm, 0.6mm, and 0.8mm sizes on hand
- Spare PEI Build Plate: Enables continuous printing without cooling delays
- Filament Storage Containers: Vacuum-sealed bags with desiccant for optimal storage
📦 Workshop Essentials
- Digital Calipers: Essential for accuracy checks and troubleshooting (~$20)
- Quality Scraper Set: Metal scrapers that won’t gouge the PEI surface
- Needle Files: For cleanup of support marks and small imperfections
- Isopropyl Alcohol (99%): For bed cleaning and maintaining adhesion
- Flush Cutters: Clean filament cuts without crushing
✅ Pros and Cons
✅ Pros
- Genuine CoreXY motion with impressive speed capability
- Supports up to 8 colors with ACE Pro multi-filament system
- Fully enclosed design included (not an extra purchase)
- Excellent print quality with good surface finish
- 320°C hotend handles engineering materials
- Active filament drying maintains material condition
- Quick-change nozzle system saves time
- Automatic bed leveling works reliably
- Quiet operation at 44dB
- Good material compatibility (PLA through PC)
- Competitive pricing for features offered
- Built-in camera for monitoring
- RFID filament detection for Anycubic materials
❌ Cons
- Ecosystem less mature than Bambu Lab
- ACE Pro occasionally requires troubleshooting
- Single-nozzle multi-color creates 10–15% filament waste
- Learning curve steeper than truly plug-and-play machines
- Some quality control variations between units
- No active chamber heating (passive only)
- Default slicer profiles could be better optimized
- Expanding beyond 4 colors requires additional ACE Pro unit (~$200)
- Community smaller than established brands
- Touchscreen could be larger and more responsive
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Anycubic Kobra S1 Combo suitable for beginners?
It depends on your definition of “beginner.” If you’re completely new to 3D printing, this might be overwhelming—the multi-material system, enclosed design, and range of capabilities create complexity.
However, if you’ve used a basic printer and understand fundamentals (bed leveling, basic print settings), the S1 Combo is accessible. The automatic leveling, pre-configured profiles, and guided setup make it more approachable than specifications suggest.
First-time 3D printer buyers should consider starting with something like the Anycubic Kobra 2 or Ender 3 V3, then upgrading once they’ve mastered basics.
Can I print ABS and ASA successfully?
Yes. The fully enclosed chamber maintains temperatures suitable for ABS and ASA printing. During testing, large ABS parts showed minimal warping with proper bed temperature (100–110°C) and chamber warmth.
The enclosure naturally reaches 40–50°C during printing, which is sufficient for most ABS/ASA applications. For extreme engineering requirements, active chamber heating would be beneficial, but the passive enclosure handles typical use cases well.
How does print speed compare to Bambu Lab printers?
For single-color prints, speed is very comparable—both can hit 500–600mm/s maximum with realistic everyday speeds around 300mm/s for quality results.
For multi-color prints, the systems are roughly equal in speed. Both use single-nozzle color switching with purge blocks. The S1 Combo’s purging is actually slightly more efficient (10–15% waste vs 15–20% for Bambu), though Bambu’s software makes the process more automated.
What’s the actual print failure rate?
After proper calibration, the success rate exceeded 90% during testing. Most failures related to user error (incorrect settings, improper filament loading) rather than machine issues.
First-layer adhesion issues occasionally occurred on the very first print after powering on. Running a purge line before starting critical prints eliminated this problem. ACE Pro filament loading requires attention—ensure filament seats properly to avoid mid-print issues.
Can I use third-party filament, or do I need Anycubic brand?
The printer works perfectly with any standard 1.75mm filament. You’re not locked into Anycubic’s ecosystem. During testing, filaments from eSUN, Overture, Hatchbox, and Polymaker all performed excellently.
The ACE Pro’s RFID feature auto-detects Anycubic filaments and loads profiles, but you can manually select profiles for third-party materials. The active drying works with any brand.
How much does it cost to expand to 8 colors?
Each additional ACE Pro unit adds 4 colors and costs approximately $200–250. To reach 8 colors total, you need one more unit beyond the included one—roughly $200–250 additional investment.
Most users find 4 colors sufficient for their needs. The 8-color setup makes sense for professional applications or users producing highly detailed multi-color models regularly.
What’s the warranty and customer support like?
Anycubic provides a one-year warranty covering manufacturing defects. Customer support quality varies—some users report excellent experiences while others find response times slow during peak periods.
The growing community on Reddit, Facebook groups, and Discord provides good peer support for troubleshooting. Anycubic’s official forums and YouTube channel also offer helpful resources.
How loud is the printer really?
At 44dB in quiet mode, it’s comparable to a quiet conversation or library environment. The enclosed design contains most noise effectively. You can comfortably run prints in a home office without significant disturbance.
The ACE Pro adds some noise during operation (fans for active drying), but this remains quieter than many desktop printers and definitely suitable for home environments.
Can I print TPU and flexible filaments?
Yes. The direct drive extruder handles TPU and flexible filaments reliably. Softer TPU (85A–90A durometer) requires slower speeds (40–60mm/s) but prints successfully with good results.
However, TPU is not recommended through the ACE Pro system—print flexible materials in single-color mode directly from the spool holder. The multi-material system works best with rigid filaments (PLA, PETG, ABS, ASA).
Does the S1 Combo work with OrcaSlicer or other third-party slicers?
Yes. The S1 Combo is compatible with OrcaSlicer, PrusaSlicer, and Cura. Many users prefer OrcaSlicer for its enhanced features and active community profiles.
Setup is straightforward—the printer uses standard G-code without proprietary formatting. You’ll need to manually configure ACE Pro settings for multi-color printing in third-party slicers, but the process is well-documented in community forums.
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🏆 Final Verdict
The Anycubic Kobra S1 Combo represents a strong value proposition in the competitive multi-color FDM printing market. It delivers genuine CoreXY speed, reliable multi-material capability, and a fully enclosed design at a price point that undercuts competitors while matching or exceeding their capabilities.
This isn’t a perfect machine. The ecosystem isn’t as polished as Bambu Lab’s, the ACE Pro requires occasional troubleshooting, and there’s a learning curve for new users. But these are minor compromises compared to what you’re getting.
🎯 Who Should Buy This Printer
- Hobbyists and makers who’ve outgrown basic printers and want multi-color capability
- Creative professionals printing miniatures, cosplay parts, or artistic models
- Users wanting fast printing (genuine 300mm/s+ capability) with good quality
- Anyone needing engineering material support (ABS, ASA, nylon, PC)
- Makers who value fully enclosed design without extra purchases
- Users wanting expandable multi-color (4–8 colors) at reasonable cost
- Small businesses or Etsy sellers producing colorful products
💡 Bottom Line
At $549–$749, the S1 Combo offers capabilities that machines costing $1,000+ provide. You’re getting genuine speed, reliable multi-color printing, engineering material support, and thoughtful automation in a package that represents exceptional value.
The combination of CoreXY motion, ACE Pro filament management, fully enclosed design, and active filament drying creates a versatile workhorse. Whether you’re printing colorful miniatures, functional prototypes, or creative projects, this machine delivers consistent, high-quality results.
If you need a printer that balances speed, multi-color versatility, and engineering capability without the premium price tag of established brands, the Anycubic Kobra S1 Combo deserves strong consideration. It’s not the cheapest option, but it’s one of the best values in its class today.