The Kobra S1 marks Anycubic's turn to the enclosed CoreXY: fast (600 mm/s), an enclosure, integrated multicolor via the ACE Pro system. The S1 Max pushes the concept to large format with an actively heated chamber and up to 16 colors. Two machines aimed squarely at the Bambu P1S and the Elegoo Centauri.
The S1 is the "standard format" multicolor enclosed; the S1 Max adds size and a heated chamber (technical materials). For cheaper Anycubic bed slingers, see the Kobra X; for resin, the Photon line.
In brief
Enclosed CoreXY machines on Anycubic's ecosystem, 600 mm/s, multicolor via ACE Pro (an active-drying feeder). The S1: 250 mm, 320 °C nozzle, 8 colors. The S1 Max: 350 mm, 350 °C nozzle, actively heated chamber, up to 16 colors (2× ACE Pro). Budget ≈ $549–599 (S1 Combo) and ≈ $849 (S1 Max Combo).
S1 vs S1 Max
| Spec | Kobra S1 | Kobra S1 Max |
|---|---|---|
| Volume | 250 × 250 × 250 mm | 350 × 350 × 350 mm |
| Motion | Enclosed CoreXY | Enclosed CoreXY |
| Nozzle (max temp) | 320 °C | 350 °C |
| Chamber | Enclosed (passive) | Actively heated |
| Speed | 600 mm/s | 600 mm/s |
| Multicolor | ACE Pro — 8 colors | ACE Pro ×2 — up to 16 colors |
| Indicative price | ≈ $549–599 (Combo) | ≈ $849 (Combo) |
ACE Pro & multicolor
ACE Pro is Anycubic's multi-spool feeder (AMS / CFS equivalent), with the bonus of active filament drying — handy for hygroscopic PETG, TPU and nylon. The S1 drives one (8 colors), the S1 Max can chain two (16 colors). Like any single-nozzle system, every change purges filament: the usual waste applies (see the multicolor guide).
Beyond size, it's the actively heated chamber: paired with the 350 °C nozzle, it makes ABS, ASA and composites reliable — where the (passive) S1 tops out. That's what brings it close to a QIDI Plus 4.
Strengths & limits
Strengths
- Integrated multicolor: ACE Pro with active drying, up to 16 colors (Max).
- Fast enclosed CoreXY: 600 mm/s, an enclosure for ABS/ASA.
- Heated chamber (Max): technical materials within reach.
- Price/equipment: aggressive against Bambu.
Limits
- Ecosystem less mature than Bambu: app and software reliability still improving.
- Multicolor waste: inherent to the single-nozzle ACE Pro.
- S1 (standard) lacks an active chamber: ABS/ASA tricky vs the Max.
- Footprint (Max): a large enclosed machine.
Against the competition
The S1 takes on the Bambu P1S (slicker ecosystem, but multicolor optional) and the Elegoo Centauri Carbon (cheaper, no cloud). Anycubic's argument: multicolor included out of the box (ACE Pro) and, on the Max, the heated chamber few offer at this price. For pure "technical materials" capability, the QIDI Plus 4 remains a benchmark.
Who's it for?
The Kobra S1 is for those who want a turnkey multicolor enclosed machine at a contained price. The S1 Max adds large format and a heated chamber for technical parts in multicolor. If multicolor doesn't interest you, a Centauri Carbon or a P1S is enough; for budget, see the Kobra X.
Anycubic's multicolor enclosed: the S1 for the standard, the S1 Max for large technical work with a heated chamber.