Anycubic Kobra 3 Combo vs Bambu Lab X1 Carbon
Technical comparison · Fused filament fabrication (FFF/FDM)
An open machine with Klipper and four colours included against an enclosed CoreXY that reaches 16 colours: about €450 against about €1,150. The question is whether the chamber and the colour count are worth €700 more; the bed, 250×250 against 256×256 mm, is nearly the same.
| Parameter | ||
|---|---|---|
| Identity | ||
| Launch year | 2024 | 2022 |
| Use tier | F2 — Intermediate | F2 — Intermediate |
| Price | ||
| Price (€) | ~400–500 € | ~1050–1250 € |
| Price updated on | 06/2026 | — |
| Universal specs | ||
| Dimensions (W×D×H) (cm) | 45.3 × 50.5 × 48.3 cm | 38.9 × 38.9 × 45.7 cm |
| Weight (kg) | 9.2 kg | 14.13 kg |
| Work area (mm) | 250 × 250 mm | 256 × 256 mm |
| Z-axis height (mm) | 260 mm | 256 mm |
| Power (W) | 400 W | 1000 W |
| Maximum speed | 600 mm/s | 500 mm/s |
| Declared precision | — | 7 μm |
| Category specs | ||
| Footprint X×Y (short side) (mm) | 250 mm | 256 mm |
| Build height Z (mm) | 260 mm | 256 mm |
| Kinematics | Cartesian | CoreXY |
| Max nozzle temperature (°C) | 300 °C | 300 °C |
| Max bed temperature (°C) | 110 °C | 110 °C |
| Max print speed (mm/s) | 600 mm/s | 500 mm/s |
| Enclosed chamber | No | Yes |
| Filament sensor | Yes | Yes |
| Auto bed leveling | Mesh | Mesh |
| Standard nozzle diameter (mm) | 0.4 mm | 0.4 mm |
| Multi-extruder | No | No |
| Native Klipper | Yes | No |
| Input shaper | Yes | Yes |
| Multicolor printing | Yes | Yes |
| Multicolor requires accessory | No | Yes |
| Max colors | 4 | 16 |
| Ecosystem | ||
| Cloud dependency | No | No |
| Software notes | It runs Kobra OS (based on Klipper) with a 4.3-inch touch interface. It is compatible with Anycubic Slicer for color management and connects via Wi-Fi for remote monitoring through the app. | The printer is controlled via Bambu Studio, the proprietary slicer available for Windows, macOS, and Linux, as well as the Bambu Handy mobile app. LAN mode is supported, allowing full local control without an internet connection or cloud account. Remote monitoring via Bambu Cloud is optional. Bambu Studio accepts 3MF, STL, OBJ, and STEP files and includes advanced features such as vibration compensation and flow rate control. |
The differences that matter
- Price about €450 vs about €1,150 → €700 gap for the enclosed chamber and more colours.
- Four colours included vs up to 16 with accessory → on the Kobra multicolour comes in the box, on the X1 Carbon it is an extra.
- Native Klipper vs Bambu Studio → the Kobra works in the Klipper ecosystem, the X1 Carbon in Bambu's (LAN mode, no cloud account needed).
Which one to choose
Choose Kobra 3 Combo if…
you print in one to four colours without buying anything else: multicolour is included in the Combo package. The firmware is native Klipper, run from the 4.3-inch touchscreen or the app. You give up the enclosed chamber and any colours beyond the fourth.
Choose X1 Carbon if…
you need the enclosed chamber or more than four colours: the X1 Carbon reaches 16 with the dedicated accessory. You work with Bambu Studio, including LAN mode without a cloud account. The trade-off is about €700 more, the accessory for multicolour and no native Klipper.
Where to buy
Paid link: the price for you does not change. Methodology
Filaments for these printers
The most chosen spools among the materials both printers can print according to their specifications.
- ELEGOO PLA PLA1.75 mm1 kg Check the price on Amazon →
- Bambu Lab PLA PLA1.75 mm1 kg Check the price on Amazon →
- SUNLU PETG (Polyethylene Terephthalate Glycol) PETG (Polyethylene Terephthalate Glycol)1.75 mm1 kg Check the price on Amazon →
- SUNLU PLA PLA1.75 mm1 kg Check the price on Amazon →
- OVERTURE PETG (Polyethylene Terephthalate Glycol) PETG (Polyethylene Terephthalate Glycol)High speed1.75 mm1 kg Check the price on Amazon →
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