The Kobra X and Kobra 4 are Anycubic's open bed slingers: fast (600 mm/s), cheap, and above all multicolor. The Kobra 4 does it via the external ACE box; the Kobra X (2026) changes the game by building the ACE Gen 2 system right into the printhead — no external box and far less waste.
These are Anycubic's entry/mid-range machines, against the Elegoo Neptune 4 and the Bambu A1. For an enclosed CoreXY, see the Kobra S1; for resin, the Photon line.
In brief
Two open Cartesian bed slingers, 260 mm, up to 600 mm/s. The Kobra X (≈ $279) builds 4-color ACE Gen 2 multicolor into the head, with no external AMS. The Kobra 4 (≈ $279–379) reaches multicolor via the external ACE 2 Pro. Ideal for PLA/PETG; no heated enclosure (ABS tricky).
Kobra X vs Kobra 4
| Spec | Kobra X | Kobra 4 |
|---|---|---|
| Volume | 260 × 260 × 260 mm | 260 × 260 × 260 mm |
| Motion | Cartesian (bed slinger) | Cartesian (bed slinger) |
| Speed | 600 mm/s (300 recommended) | 600 mm/s |
| Nozzle | High-speed | 300 °C |
| Multicolor | Built-in ACE Gen 2 (4 colors, no box) | External ACE 2 Pro (optional) |
| Indicative price | ≈ $279 (early bird ~$259) | ≈ $279–379 |
ACE Gen 2 in the head
This is the Kobra X's standout. Instead of an external AMS box pushing filament to the nozzle, the ACE Gen 2 handles the color change right at the head. The claimed benefit: less purge per change (Anycubic claims up to −81% vs a conventional AMS), so less wasted filament and faster transitions.
Single-nozzle multicolor is still single-nozzle multicolor: there's always some purge and a time cost. The "in-head" approach reduces it, but doesn't eliminate it. To understand the trade-offs, see the multicolor guide.
Strengths & limits
Strengths
- Floor price for multicolor: the Kobra X starts around $279.
- Less purge (Kobra X): built-in multicolor, reduced waste.
- Fast: 600 mm/s, a mature Anycubic ecosystem.
- Open & simple: good in PLA/PETG, easy to maintain.
Limits
- No enclosure: PLA/PETG mainly; ABS/ASA warps.
- Bed slinger: real-world speed capped by the moving bed vs a CoreXY.
- Kobra X is new: the ACE Gen 2 ecosystem is young, watch it over time.
- Multicolor = purge: reduced but very much present.
Against the competition
In the affordable bed-slinger space, the Kobra X/4 takes on the Elegoo Neptune 4 (Klipper, large formats) and the Bambu A1 (slick ecosystem, AMS lite). Anycubic's argument: the cheapest multicolor, and the Kobra X's "in-head" trick. If you want an enclosure (ABS, speed), step up to the Kobra S1.
Who's it for?
The Kobra X is the smart pick to start in multicolor on a budget, with less purge than average. The Kobra 4 stays relevant on sale, especially if you add the ACE later. For ABS and speed, move to the Kobra S1 (enclosed); for large open volumes, the Neptune 4.
Anycubic multicolor at floor price: the Kobra X builds it into the head (less purge), the Kobra 4 via the external ACE.