A splash of color on your desk: Reviewing the Anycubic Kobra S1 Combo & Ace Pro

The Anycubic Kobra S1 Combo is an interesting overall package for anyone wanting to dive into the colorful world of 3D printing without immediately spending a fortune. The print quality is solid, especially if you aren't pushing for breakneck speeds. Thanks to the well-designed slicer and app control, the printer serves as a good starting point for beginners. The Ace Pro module makes multi-color printing refreshingly straightforward, even if the automatic filament management isn't always entirely without generating some waste.

However, those wanting to dive deeper into the subject, tweak firmware settings, or squeeze out every last bit of performance from the printer might hit limitations here. Anycubic remains rather reserved regarding software access. Nevertheless, considering the price and the user-friendliness provided, the Kobra S1 Combo is an attractive option for anyone looking to make their 3D creations more colorful and who values an uncomplicated workflow.

Ultimately, the Kobra S1 Combo leaves a solid all-around impression. It isn't the fastest or most customizable printer on the market, but it does what it's supposed to do quite well – producing 3D objects of appealing quality and, if required, in multiple colors. And it does so at a fair price.

For purchasing the Anycubic Kobra S1 Combo, options include ordering directly from Anycubic (starting at $699 USD) or via Amazon (typically from $820 USD). US customers buying directly from Anycubic, can get 4 kg of free filament.

The Anycubic Kobra S1 Combo is a CoreXY printer that focuses not just on rapid print times, but primarily on a smooth process. Its 250×250×250 mm build volume allows for the creation of decent-sized projects. Conceptually, it is somewhat reminiscent of the popular Bambu Lab X1.

The Kobra S1 has a practical footprint suitable for everyday use, and operation is a breeze thanks to the rotatable 4.3-inch touchscreen.

Although Anycubic promotes impressive figures like 600 mm/s print speed and 20,000 mm/s² acceleration, expectations should be tempered somewhat. The key feature here is more about a reliable printing process, rather than focusing on absolute maximum speed. 200 mm/s represents the peak speed for achieving reliable results in daily use.

The internal electronics are tidily housed, contributing to a cleaner aesthetic, although this might prove more challenging for some DIYers when it comes to maintenance or repairs.

Paired with the Ace Pro module, the Kobra S1 becomes a versatile tool, enabling colorful 3D creations. This significantly enhances the system's appeal for many users.

While the Anycubic Kobra S1 Combo features a sturdy construction, the enclosure itself is made entirely of plastic, including the transparent door and lid. This makes these components potentially more prone to scratches compared to glass alternatives. A clean and organized appearance is contributed to by the thoughtful cable management. A robust steel frame provides essential structural stability internally.

Operation is handled via a tiltable 4.3-inch touchscreen, which is easy to read and allows for comfortable control. The printer offers versatile connectivity options, supporting both Wi-Fi and LAN internet connections. Management is conveniently carried out using the Anycubic App on either a smartphone, Mac or PC.

Anycubic recommends using its proprietary Anycubic Slicer Next software. This slicer is designed to fully utilize the printer's capabilities, offering direct integration with the Anycubic Cloud and providing well-configured print profiles. Users familiar with popular slicers such as OrcaSlicer or Bambu Lab Slicer will find its interface and workflow intuitive.

The hardware isn't without its drawbacks, however. The enclosed design complicates maintenance access, and there's a potential risk of small print debris migrating from the rear of the build chamber into the electronics compartment.

Design strengths, in addition to the aforementioned cable management, include the integrated 480p-webcam for print monitoring and the flexibility to use either the Ace Pro module or individual filament spools. It's worth noting, however, that both the printer and the Ace Pro unit require separate power connections.

Print quality on the Kobra S1 is heavily influenced by the chosen speed. While it delivers excellent quality with most filaments at speeds up to 200 mm/s, pushing faster requires significant tuning and parameter adjustments to maintain good results. Performance with ASA filament is notably strong. The Kobra S1 can process this material at high speeds while still achieving good quality output.

Prints coming off the Kobra S1 Combo generally look great, with good dimensional accuracy. The default slicer profiles are quite capable right out of the box. Overhangs are handled well up to around 60°. Beyond that angle, however, the quality starts to suffer noticeably. In contrast, the S1 tackles bridging like a champ.

There isn't much to criticize regarding the Kobra S1 Combo's safety features. In our "hairdryer test," the thermal runaway protection reliably kicked in and shut the system down as expected. The printer is also designed to detect issues like short circuits or sensor malfunctions.

The enclosure does a good job of keeping curious fingers away from the moving mechanics inside. However, be aware that opening the door during a print doesn't pause the machine – it stubbornly keeps running. For this reason, amongst others, leaving children unsupervised near an operating Kobra S1 is not recommended.

Surprisingly, the Anycubic Kobra S1 runs remarkably quietly. We measured a sound pressure level of just 44 dB(A) from one meter away. Furthermore, the enclosed build chamber effectively contains potential odors during printing.

Looking at energy consumption, the printer hits a significant peak draw of 800 Watts briefly during initial heat-up. While operating with the Ace Pro module attached, the average power consumption settles around 300 Watts. Printing without the Ace Pro reduces this figure by roughly 50 Watts, bringing the average down to approximately 250 Watts.

The Anycubic Kobra S1 Combo delivers solid prints and offers a smooth start to the world of 3D printing. If your goal is simply to get printing without getting stuck in firmware tweaks and endless setting menus, this machine is likely a great fit. But, if you're the type who loves to tinker and fine-tune every last detail, be warned: Anycubic keeps the software customization options on a pretty tight leash here.