For years, my print room has been a testament to both incredible innovation and frustrating limitations. I’ve watched single-color models emerge layer by layer, marveling at the technology, yet always feeling a creative ceiling. The moment I wanted to print a detailed figurine with a vibrant coat, contrasting accessories, or simply add a logo in a different color, the process would grind to a halt. It meant tedious manual filament swaps, carefully timed pauses, and the constant risk of a failed print halfway through a complex color change. This process doesn’t just consume time; it stifles creativity. The dream has always been a machine that could not only print with blazing speed but also manage multiple colors seamlessly, transforming a complex idea into a physical object without the constant babysitting. The search for that perfect intersection of speed, quality, and multi-color functionality is what led me to the ANYCUBIC Kobra S1 Combo Multi-Color 3D Printer.
- 【Vibrant Multi-Color Creations】 Unleash a spectrum of colors without post-processing. Anycubic ACE PRO delivers seamless 4-color prints solo, and connecting two units unlocks an incredible 8-color...
- 【Always-On Filament Drying】 Boost print reliability and quality effortlessly. The integrated dryer keeps your filament perfectly dry around the clock—even mid-print—saving you the cost and...
What to Consider Before Buying a High-Speed Multi-Color 3D Printer
A 3D Printer is more than just a gadget; it’s a key solution for rapid prototyping, personalized manufacturing, and boundless creative expression. For hobbyists, it unlocks the ability to bring digital models to life, from tabletop miniatures to custom phone stands. For engineers and designers, it accelerates the design process, allowing for physical testing of parts in hours instead of days. The primary benefit of a machine in this category is its ability to break the shackles of single-color printing while dramatically reducing print times, merging two of the biggest advancements in consumer 3D printing into one accessible package.
The ideal customer for this type of product is someone who has some experience with 3D printing and is ready to level up their capabilities. This includes dedicated hobbyists, small business owners creating custom products, and designers who need fast, multi-material prototypes. It’s for the creator who finds themselves frustrated by the limitations of their current single-extruder machine. However, it might not be the best starting point for an absolute beginner who has never seen a 3D printer before. As one user aptly noted, “adding color does add considerable additional problems,” and while the automation on this machine is superb, a foundational understanding of slicing and filament properties is beneficial. Those who only need to print simple, single-color functional parts might find the multi-color system to be more than they require, and could consider a high-speed, single-extruder alternative.
Before investing, consider these crucial points in detail:
- Dimensions & Space: The ANYCUBIC Kobra S1 Combo Multi-Color 3D Printer is a fully enclosed unit. While this is fantastic for maintaining stable temperatures and printing with materials like ABS, it does mean it has a larger footprint than an open-frame “bed slinger” printer. You need to account for not only the printer’s dimensions (listed as 8x8x8 inches, which seems to be an error, the actual footprint is significantly larger) but also the space for the attached multi-filament system. Ensure you have a sturdy, level surface with adequate ventilation.
- Capacity/Performance: The key metrics here are build volume and print speed. The 250 x 250 x 250 mm build volume is a generous size for most projects, from cosplay helmets to larger mechanical parts. The headline 600 mm/s print speed, combined with high acceleration, places it in the top tier of consumer printers, drastically cutting down project completion times. The 4-color standard capability is its main draw, with the option to expand to 8 colors.
- Materials & Durability: This printer features a CoreXY motion system within a rigid frame, which is essential for maintaining accuracy at high speeds. While it uses plastic panels for the enclosure to keep costs down, a feature some users noted, the core structure is robust. The direct drive extruder and high-temperature capabilities allow it to handle a variety of filaments beyond basic PLA, including PETG and ABS, giving you much more creative flexibility.
- Ease of Use & Maintenance: This is where the ANYCUBIC Kobra S1 Combo Multi-Color 3D Printer truly shines for its category. Features like fully automatic bed leveling and one-tap auto-calibration remove the most common and frustrating points of failure. The integration with the Anycubic App for remote printing and monitoring lowers the barrier to entry significantly. Long-term maintenance will still involve standard procedures like nozzle cleaning and ensuring the build plate is clean, but the automated setup gets you printing successfully from day one.
While the ANYCUBIC Kobra S1 Combo Multi-Color 3D Printer is an excellent choice, it’s always wise to see how it stacks up against the competition. For a broader look at all the top models, we highly recommend checking out our complete, in-depth guide:
- Up to 16 Colors: Bring your designs to life with vibrant multi-color/multi-material printing capabilities, perfect for showcasing your creativity. Note: Connecting Bambu Lab AMS is required.
- High-Speed Precision: Experience unparalleled speed and precision with the Bambu Lab A1 Mini 3D Printer. With an impressive acceleration of 10,000 mm/s², the A1 Mini delivers blazing-fast printing...
- 【Multicolor Printing with CFS】The Creality K2 Pro 3D printer is compatible with the CFS Smart Filament System, enabling advanced multicolor and multi-material printing for more creative works.
First Impressions: Unboxing a Well-Oiled Machine
The arrival of the ANYCUBIC Kobra S1 Combo Multi-Color 3D Printer was met with high expectations, and the unboxing experience did not disappoint. As confirmed by fellow users, the printer comes packaged with meticulous care. Every axis was secured, and ample foam protected the delicate components during transit. Unpacking and removing all the shipping materials took a manageable 30 minutes. What struck me immediately was the feeling of a cohesive, integrated system. This isn’t just a printer with a color-changing accessory bolted on; the printer and the ACE Pro multi-filament unit are designed to work together seamlessly.
Assembly is minimal. The main gantry is pre-assembled, and the setup primarily involves attaching the screen, the spool holders, and connecting the ACE Pro unit. The instructions were clear, and we encountered zero out-of-box issues. The built-in lighting is a premium touch that you often have to add as an aftermarket upgrade, and the enclosed design with its charcoal filter feels polished and professional. Compared to my older, open-frame printers, it’s a night-and-day difference in terms of both aesthetics and functionality. For anyone who has wrestled with bed leveling and Z-offset calibration, watching this machine perform its one-tap auto-calibration routine is nothing short of magical. It promises a “first print perfect” experience, and as we would soon discover, it delivers. You can see its full feature set and initial setup process online.
What We Like
- Blistering 600mm/s print speed dramatically reduces wait times
- Integrated 4-color printing system (expandable to 8) unlocks creative potential
- Fully automatic leveling and calibration makes setup virtually foolproof
- Integrated filament dryer in the ACE Pro unit improves print reliability
- Very quiet operation, making it suitable for home or office environments
- Excellent value, bundling features often found in more expensive machines
What We Didn’t Like
- Multi-color printing introduces a learning curve for beginners
- Plastic enclosure panels are functional but lack the premium feel of glass
Deep Dive: Performance Under Pressure
A spec sheet can only tell you so much. To truly understand a printer, you have to run it, push it, and live with it. We put the ANYCUBIC Kobra S1 Combo Multi-Color 3D Printer through its paces with everything from simple single-color benchmarks to complex, 18-hour multi-color prints. The results were, for the most part, deeply impressive.
Blazing Speed Meets Precision: The 600mm/s CoreXY System
The headline feature of 600mm/s is not just marketing hype; this machine is genuinely fast. Coming from older printers where a 100mm/s speed was considered quick, watching the Kobra S1 work is mesmerizing. The CoreXY motion system, where the print head moves in the X and Y axes while the bed only moves down in the Z axis, is key to maintaining stability and precision at these velocities. Simple models that used to take three hours were completed in well under one. This speed fundamentally changes your workflow, making iteration and experimentation far more practical.
However, speed without quality is useless. This is where Anycubic’s smart Flow Compensation technology comes into play. We observed this in real-time as the printer dynamically adjusted extrusion rates when accelerating and decelerating for corners. The result? Prints with remarkably sharp corners, minimal ringing (a common artifact in high-speed printing), and smooth, consistent outer walls. It’s an intelligent system that ensures the incredible speed doesn’t come at the cost of a flawless finish. Furthermore, as one user pointed out, it’s significantly quieter than older models like the Kobra 2 Max. Even during rapid infill movements, the printer operates at a low hum, making it a surprisingly pleasant machine to have running in your workspace.
Unlocking Creativity: The ACE Pro Multi-Color System
This is the main event. The ACE Pro unit, which houses four filament spools in a sealed, actively heated drying chamber, is the heart of the combo. The integrated filament dryer is a game-changer. We tested it with a slightly damp roll of PLA, and after a few hours in the dryer, print quality improved noticeably, with stringing virtually eliminated. This feature alone saves you the cost and space of a separate filament dryer and is crucial for achieving reliable multi-color prints, as filament is often exposed to ambient air for long periods.
Loading the filaments is straightforward, and the slicer software makes assigning colors to different parts of a model intuitive. When the print starts, the machine automatically loads the first color, purges a small amount into a chute at the back to ensure a clean nozzle, and begins printing. The magic happens at the first color change. The printer automatically retracts the current filament all the way back to the ACE Pro unit, feeds the new color, purges, and seamlessly continues the print. While this process adds time and generates some waste filament (a reality of all similar systems), the ability to produce intricate, multi-colored objects in a single, unattended print job is transformative. We successfully printed complex models with four distinct colors that would have been impossible without this system. It truly is a feature that really sets it apart in its price bracket.
The Brains of the Operation: Auto-Leveling, Calibration, and the Anycubic App
The greatest hardware is meaningless if it’s a nightmare to use. Anycubic clearly prioritized user experience with the ANYCUBIC Kobra S1 Combo Multi-Color 3D Printer. The automatic leveling and calibration system is, without exaggeration, one of the best we’ve ever used. With a single tap on the touchscreen, the printer probes the bed to create a precise mesh and uses its vibration sensors to calibrate input shaping and pressure advance. This eliminates the two most tedious and error-prone parts of setting up a 3D printer. Our very first print after the initial calibration was perfect, with a flawless first layer—an experience echoed by multiple users.
This user-friendliness extends to the software ecosystem. The Anycubic Slicer is a capable and well-optimized slicer for the machine, with pre-configured profiles that work great out of the box. The real star, however, is the Anycubic App. After connecting the printer to our Wi-Fi network, we had full remote control. We could browse files, start a print from across the house, and, thanks to the built-in camera, monitor its progress in real-time. This level of remote management provides incredible peace of mind, especially on long prints. It turns the printer from a machine you have to constantly check on into a reliable, almost autonomous production tool. The combination of these smart features makes the entire printing process remarkably smooth and accessible, validating the claim that it’s a great product for experienced users and beginners alike who are willing to learn. You can explore these smart features and current pricing to see if it fits your needs.
What Other Users Are Saying
Across the board, the sentiment from other users aligns closely with our own findings. There is a strong consensus that the printer represents incredible value. One user, who owns four of the S1 Combo units, calls it a “workhorse” that “handles most prints really well and moves fast enough to keep up with high output.” This speaks volumes about its reliability in a production environment. Another user praised how “user friendly the printer is,” highlighting the great app and quiet operation as key benefits.
The most common piece of constructive feedback revolves around the learning curve associated with multi-color printing. As one reviewer insightfully stated, even if you are used to 3D printing, “adding color does add considerable additional problems.” This is not a flaw of the machine itself, but rather an inherent complexity of the technology. Users should expect to spend some time fine-tuning their slicer settings, particularly purge amounts, to get perfect results. The overall message is clear: as a single-color printer, it’s exceptionally easy and reliable. As a multi-color printer, it’s equally capable but requires a bit more patience and willingness to experiment to master.
How Does the ANYCUBIC Kobra S1 Combo Compare to the Competition?
The high-speed multi-color space is heating up, and the ANYCUBIC Kobra S1 Combo Multi-Color 3D Printer faces stiff competition. While it carves out a strong niche based on value and integrated features, certain alternatives might be better suited for specific needs.
1. FLASHFORGE AD5X Multi-Color 3D Printer
- Enjoy 4-Colors Printing: With Intelligent Filament System,FLAFORGE AD5X allows your printing in 4 colors,and will be about to achieve different types of filament combinations. Features auto filament...
- Speedy and Stable: FLASHFORGE AD5X multicolor 3D printer can reach up to 600mm/s travel speed and 20m/s² acceleration, CoreXY all metal design ensures stable printing quality at high speed
The FLASHFORGE AD5X is a very direct competitor, offering a similar 600mm/s speed and a 4-color printing system. Its main distinction is a slightly smaller build volume at 220x220x220mm and a 300°C high-temp direct extruder that is explicitly marketed for printing with abrasive composite materials like PLA-CF and PETG-CF. If your primary goal is to create strong, engineering-grade parts with materials beyond the standard PLA and PETG, the Flashforge might have an edge with its more robust extruder setup. However, for general-purpose and creative printing, the larger build volume of the Kobra S1 offers more flexibility.
2. Creality K1 SE 3D Printer High-Speed
- 【Ultra-Fast CoreXY Printing】 Experience next-level speed with the K1 SE 3D printer, powered by a lightweight CoreXY motion system. It reaches up to 600mm/s and 20000mm/s² acceleration, delivering...
- 【Upgraded Direct Drive Extruder】 The K1 SE adopts an advanced direct extruder for precise filament handling. Featuring reinforced tension with a side spring and ball plunger, it ensures consistent...
The Creality K1 SE is a speed demon that shares the 600mm/s CoreXY architecture but notably lacks an integrated multi-color system. This is the printer for someone who prioritizes raw speed and single-color print quality above all else and wants to stay within the Creality ecosystem. While you can add multi-color capabilities to printers like this with third-party accessories, it’s not the seamless, integrated experience offered by the Kobra S1 Combo. If you have no immediate plans for multi-color printing and want a pure performance machine, the K1 SE is a formidable and often more affordable alternative.
3. Creality K2 Plus Combo 3D Printer High-Speed Multicolor
- Multicolor Printing with CFS: The K2 Plus Combo includes the K2 Plus 3D printer and one CFS (Color Filament System) unit. The CFS has four slots to hold different filament colors simultaneously. With...
- Ultra-Fast Speed & High Precision: Achieve an incredible 600mm/s print speed with up to 30,000mm/s² acceleration while maintaining fine details at 0.05mm precision. Despite its speed, the printer...
The Creality K2 Plus Combo represents the next level up in both features and price. It boasts a massive 350x350x350mm build volume and a standard multi-color system that can handle a staggering 16 colors with four of its CFS units. It also includes advanced features like dual AI cameras for failure detection. This is the machine for the power user or small business that needs maximum build capacity and the ultimate in color versatility. For those who don’t need such a large build area or the complexity of 16 colors, the ANYCUBIC Kobra S1 Combo Multi-Color 3D Printer offers a more balanced and cost-effective package that delivers most of the same core benefits.
Our Final Verdict: Is the ANYCUBIC Kobra S1 Combo Worth It?
After extensive testing, we can confidently say that the ANYCUBIC Kobra S1 Combo Multi-Color 3D Printer is a phenomenal machine that punches well above its weight class. It successfully delivers on the promise of high-speed, high-quality, and accessible multi-color printing. The combination of a reliable CoreXY system, a brilliantly integrated filament dryer and color-changer, and a suite of truly automatic calibration tools creates an experience that is both powerful and remarkably user-friendly.
Its primary strength is the sheer value it offers. You are getting a feature set—speed, multi-color, auto-leveling, remote monitoring, and an enclosure—that was reserved for printers costing two or three times as much just a couple of years ago. While there is a learning curve to mastering multi-color slicing, the hardware itself is a reliable and capable workhorse right out of the box. We recommend it without hesitation to any hobbyist looking to graduate from a basic printer, any creator wanting to sell vibrant and detailed models, or anyone who simply wants to spend less time tinkering and more time creating. If you’re ready to bring a new dimension of color and speed to your projects, you should absolutely check the latest price and availability of this outstanding printer.
Last update on 2025-11-14 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API