Anycubic Kobra S1 Combo vs Flashforge AD5X
Researched by Riley Hart · prices checked Oct 27, 2026
As of Oct 27, 2026, the Anycubic Kobra S1 Combo costs $399 and the Flashforge AD5X costs $349, so the Flashforge AD5X is $50 cheaper. The Anycubic Kobra S1 Combo has a published review score and ranks #1 in our 3D printers ranking; the Flashforge AD5X is not scored yet. Pick the Anycubic Kobra S1 Combo for easy multi color printing on a budget. Pick the Flashforge AD5X for cheap 4 color printing in a small space.
- Build volume
- 250 x 250 x 250 mm
- Max speed
- 600 mm/s
- Multicolor
- 4 colors
- Enclosure
- Yes
The Kobra S1 Combo is a good value enclosed printer for people who want multi color prints without much fuss. It runs quietly and its ACE Pro unit also dries filament. Skip it if you hate waste or want deep firmware control, since color swaps purge filament and settings are limited.
Full Anycubic Kobra S1 Combo review →- Build volume
- 220 x 220 x 220 mm
- Max speed
- Up to 300 mm/s print
- Multicolor
- Yes
- Enclosure
- No
The AD5X is one of the cheapest ways to print in four colors, with a small footprint and quick change nozzles. Print quality is excellent for the price. Skip it if you want a camera, an enclosure out of the box or polished software, since reviewers hit slicer crashes.
Full Flashforge AD5X review →Side by side
| Anycubic Kobra S1 Combo | Flashforge AD5X | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $399 | $349 |
| 3 year cost | $399 | $349 |
| Our score | 7.9/10 | Not scored yet |
| Rank in 3D printers | #1 | #11 |
| Status | on sale | on sale |
| Warranty | 1 year | 1 year limited; 3 months on extruder parts |
| Build volume | 250 x 250 x 250 mm | 220 x 220 x 220 mm |
| Print speed | Up to 600 mm/s (300 mm/s recommended), 20,000 mm/s² acceleration | Up to 300 mm/s print, 600 mm/s travel, 20,000 mm/s² acceleration |
| Multi color | Yes, 4 colors with one ACE Pro; 8 colors with two | Yes, 4 colors with the built in IFS |
| Enclosure | Yes, fully enclosed with LED lights | No, open frame; DIY enclosure kit sold separately |
| Auto leveling | Yes, LeviQ 3.0 with Z offset | Yes, one click auto leveling |
| Max nozzle temp | 320 °C | 300 °C |
| Heated bed | Yes, up to 120 °C, PEI spring steel plate | Yes, up to 110 °C, PEI steel sheet |
| Filament types | PLA, PETG, ABS, ASA, TPU 95A (single color only); FAQ also lists PC, PA and fiber filled | PLA, PETG, TPU 95A, TPU 64D to 75D, PLA-CF, PETG-CF |
| Connectivity | Anycubic app, slicer software, USB drive | Wi-Fi, Ethernet, USB |
| Camera | Yes, 480P HD camera | None (Tom's Hardware notes no camera) |
| Noise | 46 dB or less standard, 44 dB or less quiet mode (Anycubic claim) | About 58 dB without the enclosure (ProToolReviews) |
| Assembly | About 15 minutes from unboxing to first print (Anycubic claim) | Three steps: screen, filament holder and multi color module |
| Weight | 18 kg printer, 4.6 kg ACE Pro | 11.4 kg (Tom's Hardware) |
| Best for | easy multi color printing on a budget | cheap 4 color printing in a small space |
| Skip if | you want low waste or deep tuning | you want a camera or enclosed printing |
Specs are maker claims unless a reviewer is named. Prices from the stores we link, checked daily.
What reviewers found
Anycubic Kobra S1 Combo
- TechRadar (4.5/5): Scored 27 of 30 on a print quality test with about 0.21 mm average X/Y error. A 43 minute single color print became a 14 hour multi color print. Source
- Notebookcheck: Measured 44 dB(A) at one meter. Quality was best up to about 200 mm/s, and nozzle cleaning plus purging caused significant waste. Source
Flashforge AD5X
- Tom's Hardware: Excellent print quality across PLA, PETG, TPU and ASA, but the Orca based slicer crashed about every third print. A 33 frog plate wasted 11 g over 23 color swaps. Source
- ProToolReviews: Called it a well rounded multicolor printer with sharp prints and reliable runs. Noted about 58 dB noise unless enclosed and suggested the optional enclosure. Source
Pros and cons
Anycubic Kobra S1 Combo
Pros
- Strong value for a 4 color enclosed printer
- Quiet, about 44 dB measured by Notebookcheck
- ACE Pro dries filament as it feeds
- Fast setup of about 10 minutes per TechRadar
Cons
- Multi color prints are much slower
- Purging wastes filament
- Needs two power outlets
- Limited firmware settings per Notebookcheck
Flashforge AD5X
Pros
- Low price for 4 color printing
- Compact, spools mount on the side
- Quick change nozzles up to 300 °C
- Wi-Fi and Ethernet built in
Cons
- No camera or built in lighting
- Open frame; enclosure costs extra
- Slicer crashed often in Tom's Hardware testing
- Louder than enclosed printers
Questions buyers ask
Which is better, the Anycubic Kobra S1 Combo or the Flashforge AD5X?
The Anycubic Kobra S1 Combo has a published review score and ranks #1 in our 3D printers ranking; the Flashforge AD5X is not scored yet. Pick the Anycubic Kobra S1 Combo for easy multi color printing on a budget. Pick the Flashforge AD5X for cheap 4 color printing in a small space.
Which is cheaper?
The Flashforge AD5X at $349, versus $399 for the Anycubic Kobra S1 Combo, checked Oct 27, 2026.
What is the difference between the Kobra S1 Combo and the AD5X?
Build volume: 250 x 250 x 250 mm on the Kobra S1 Combo, 220 x 220 x 220 mm on the AD5X. Print speed: Up to 600 mm/s (300 mm/s recommended), 20,000 mm/s² acceleration on the Kobra S1 Combo, Up to 300 mm/s print, 600 mm/s travel, 20,000 mm/s² acceleration on the AD5X. Multi color: Yes, 4 colors with one ACE Pro; 8 colors with two on the Kobra S1 Combo, Yes, 4 colors with the built in IFS on the AD5X.
Also consider
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