Anycubic Kobra 3 vs Bambu Lab X1E
Technical comparison · Fused filament fabrication (FFF/FDM)
The Kobra 3 and the X1E aren't in the same league: one costs around €260, the other around €2550, nearly ten times as much. The Kobra 3 suits anyone starting out with FDM printing on a tight budget; the X1E suits anyone printing multicolor parts in an enclosed chamber for production work.
| Parameter | ||
|---|---|---|
| Identity | ||
| Launch year | 2024 | 2023 |
| Use tier | F1 — Entry | F3 — Advanced |
| Price | ||
| Price (€) | ~220–300 € | ~2400–2700 € |
| 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 | 16 kg |
| Work area (mm) | 250 × 250 mm | 256 × 256 mm |
| Z-axis height (mm) | 260 mm | 256 mm |
| Power (W) | 400 W | 1350 W |
| Voltage (V) | 230 V | 100 V |
| Maximum speed | 600 mm/s | 500 mm/s |
| Declared precision | 0.05 mm | 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 | 320 °C |
| Max bed temperature (°C) | 110 °C | 120 °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 |
| Multicolor requires accessory | — | Yes |
| Max colors | 1 | 16 |
| Ecosystem | ||
| Cloud dependency | No | No |
| Software notes | Operated via AnycubicSlicer and compatible with the proprietary cloud app. It leverages a Klipper-based firmware, natively integrating Input Shaping algorithms to reduce vibrations at high speeds. | The X1E works with Bambu Studio, Bambu Lab's proprietary slicer, which handles slicing, automatic calibration, and remote monitoring via the Bambu Handy app. Orca Slicer, an open-source Bambu Studio fork with dedicated profiles, is also supported. The firmware is proprietary; Klipper is not natively supported. The printer can run in LAN-only mode, operating fully without an internet connection through the local network. |
The differences that matter
- Price ~€260 versus ~€2550 → the Kobra 3 costs a fraction of the X1E, matching entry-level use against professional use.
- Max colors 1 versus 16 → only the X1E prints multicolor parts automatically; the Kobra 3 stays single-color per print.
- Enclosed chamber only on the X1E → lets you print technical materials like ABS without warping, which isn't guaranteed on the Kobra 3.
Which one to choose
Choose Kobra 3 if…
Printing prototypes or single-color PLA/PETG parts on a budget happens on the Kobra 3, at around €260. The trade-off is no enclosed chamber and no built-in multicolor system.
Choose X1E if…
Printing multicolor parts with up to 16 colors in a single print, inside an enclosed chamber suited to technical materials too, happens on the X1E. The trade-off is a price around €2550, nearly ten times the Kobra 3's.
Where to buy
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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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