Creality K1 Max vs Anycubic Kobra 3 Max Combo
Updated · Price Drop Radar
Bottom line
These are two different kinds of 3D printer. The Creality K1 Max is an enclosed 300 x 300 x 300 mm machine with LiDAR and an AI camera, and it prints one filament at a time. The Anycubic Kobra 3 Max Combo is an open-frame bed-slinger with a 420 x 420 x 500 mm build volume and a four-color ACE Pro. Pick the K1 Max for detailed parts, enclosed printing and materials like ABS. Pick the Kobra 3 Max Combo if you need parts bigger than 300 mm or want automatic color changes, and accept the purge waste and the larger footprint.
Creality K1 Max
Anycubic Kobra 3 Max Combo
Side by side
| Spec | Creality K1 Max | Anycubic Kobra 3 Max Combo |
|---|---|---|
| Type [1][3][4] | Enclosed, single filament | Open frame, four-color with the ACE Pro (eight with two units and a feed module) |
| Build volume [1][2][4] | 300 x 300 x 300 mm | 420 x 420 x 500 mm |
| Machine size [3][4] | Not listed in the sources we read | 706 x 640 x 753 mm (27.7 x 25.2 x 29.6 in) |
| Advertised top speed [2][4] | 600 mm/s, with 20,000 mm/s2 acceleration | 600 mm/s |
| Speed in testing [1][3] | TechRadar says the speed is not yet fully used | Tom's Hardware: about 200 mm/s cruising, 5,000 mm/s2 acceleration |
| Hotend and bed [1][4] | 300 C hotend, 100 C bed | 300 C hotend, 90 C bed |
| Materials [1][4] | PLA, PETG, ABS, ASA, PC, PA, TPU and carbon-fiber blends, per TechRadar | PLA, PETG, ABS and TPU; TPU can't go through the ACE Pro |
| Monitoring [1][2][3] | AI camera and LiDAR, Wi-Fi | Camera is an optional add-on |
| Firmware [1][3] | Limited access to Klipper | Closed-source Kobra OS, no SSH |
| Noise [3] | Not measured in the sources we read | 60 dB in standard mode |
| List price [3] | Check the live price | $999 list; $649 on sale at Tom's Hardware's review |
Creality K1 Max
- Enclosed, so ABS and similar materials are on the table
- LiDAR and an AI camera; TechRadar's test models came out with minimal supports
- Glass-and-aluminum build that TechRadar calls premium
- One filament at a time
- Filament loading means removing the PTFE tube, which TechRadar calls fiddly
- Limited Klipper access
Anycubic Kobra 3 Max Combo
- Biggest multicolor printer on the market at its review, per Tom's Hardware
- Reliable fully automatic bed leveling and input shaping
- Slicer lets you cut color-change waste with purge objects and tuned volumes
- Open frame, so no chamber for warp-prone plastics
- Tom's Hardware needed glue stick on the bed for prints past 12 hours
- Color swaps waste filament, and the camera costs extra
Which one is right for you
| If you are | Pick | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Detailed, small to medium parts | Creality K1 Max | Enclosed, with LiDAR and AI help; TechRadar saw minimal supports |
| Large props, helmets or tall parts | Anycubic Kobra 3 Max Combo | 420 x 420 x 500 mm |
| Want several colors in one print | Anycubic Kobra 3 Max Combo | Four-color ACE Pro |
| Want to print ABS | Creality K1 Max | Enclosed chamber |
| Tight space | Creality K1 Max | The Kobra 3 Max needs a lot of room |
What to look for
Part size
Why it matters: A part that doesn't fit has to be cut into pieces and glued, which takes time and leaves seams.
How to check: Measure the largest thing you expect to print.
Watch out: The K1 Max prints up to 300 mm on each side. The Kobra 3 Max goes to 420 x 420 x 500 mm.
Materials
Why it matters: Warp-prone plastics like ABS need a warm, draft-free chamber.
How to check: List the plastics you want to use.
Watch out: The K1 Max is enclosed. The Kobra 3 Max is an open frame, and Anycubic lists only PLA, PETG, ABS and TPU.
Color
Why it matters: Multicolor printers swap filament and purge the old color out of the nozzle.
How to check: Decide how many of your prints need more than one color.
Watch out: Tom's Hardware's 48-hour test print had 902 swaps. The updated slicer cut waste by about half compared with the original Kobra 3, but waste is still part of the cost.
Room and noise
Why it matters: A big bed-slinger needs space to move.
How to check: Measure the table, plus clearance front and back.
Watch out: The Kobra 3 Max is 706 x 640 x 753 mm and runs at 60 dB in standard mode, and Tom's Hardware says the ACE Pro dryer can be louder.
Tinkering
Why it matters: Open firmware lets you change settings and add features.
How to check: Decide whether you want to adjust the machine itself.
Watch out: TechRadar says the K1 Max has limited Klipper access. Tom's Hardware says the Kobra 3 Max's firmware is closed but works fine in practice.
Traps and timing
- The ACE Pro is part of the Combo. Anycubic also sells the Kobra 3 Max as a single-color machine, so confirm what is in the box.
- Anycubic's filament colors in the Combo bundle are randomly selected and may include duplicates.
- Tom's Hardware's review was written on early software and later updated. Its conclusions come from the updated slicer, so run any firmware updates.
- The Kobra 3 Max camera is optional on Tom's Hardware's unit, and the AI spaghetti detection needs it.
- Advertised speeds are ceilings. Tom's Hardware measured about 200 mm/s cruising on the Kobra 3 Max, and TechRadar says the K1 Max's speed is not yet fully used.
Before you check out
- Measure your largest planned part against 300 mm and 420 mm.
- Decide if you need an enclosure for ABS or similar plastics.
- Count how many prints need more than one color, and budget for purge waste.
- Measure the table and the clearance around it.
- Confirm the listing: K1 Max, and Kobra 3 Max Combo with the ACE Pro.
- Check the live Amazon price.
How we put this together
We don't test 3D printers in a lab. We compared the makers' published specs, the Amazon listings and independent reviews, all listed under Sources, and where they disagree we say so. Prices come from Amazon and are refreshed by our system throughout the day.
Price Drop Radar earns a commission on qualifying Amazon purchases made through links on this page, at no extra cost to you. That never decides which product we recommend.
Quick answers
Is the Creality K1 Max enclosed?
Yes. TechRadar describes an enclosed, glass-and-aluminum design with a lid and door you can open for PLA.
Can the Anycubic Kobra 3 Max print in more than one color?
The Combo does, with the four-color ACE Pro. Two ACE Pro units and a feed module give eight colors, per Anycubic.
Which prints bigger?
The Kobra 3 Max, at 420 x 420 x 500 mm. The K1 Max is 300 x 300 x 300 mm.
Which is better for ABS?
The K1 Max, because it is enclosed. The Kobra 3 Max is an open frame.
Does multicolor waste filament?
Yes. Tom's Hardware's 48-hour test with 902 swaps shows color changes purge filament, though the updated slicer cut waste by about half versus the original Kobra 3.
Sources
- Creality K1 Max review, TechRadar
- Creality K1 Max 3D printer, Creality
- Anycubic Kobra 3 Max Combo review, Tom's Hardware
- Kobra 3 Max Combo, Anycubic