In the Anycubic Kobra X vs Bambu Lab A1 matchup, both cost $299.99, but only the Kobra X prints four colors out of the box (Amazon listings, Oct 16, 2026). The A1 needs the AMS lite for color.
The Kobra X was also faster in multicolor tests. It finished a large multicolor print in 19 hours 45 minutes against 28 hours 21 minutes on the A1, according to Where Nerdy is Cool!, a YouTube channel that ran the two printers head to head. Rist Innovations, a YouTube channel that reviews 3D printers, saw a similar gap on two other prints and credited the Kobra X’s lower filament cutter. Anycubic sent Where Nerdy is Cool! the Kobra X for review.
The A1 still ranked higher on Amazon’s 3D printer best-seller list that day, at #4 to the Kobra X’s #12.
Anycubic Kobra X vs Bambu Lab A1: Side-by-Side Specs
Prices from Amazon at time of writing. I may earn a commission from links, at no cost to you.
| Spec | Anycubic Kobra X | Bambu Lab A1 |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $299.99 | $299.99 |
| Amazon Best Seller rank | #12 in 3D Printers | #4 in 3D Printers |
| Build volume | 260 × 260 × 260 mm | 256 × 256 × 256 mm |
| Speed (listed) | 600 mm/s max | 500 mm/s max speed, 10,000 mm/s² acceleration |
| Buy | Check price | Check price |
Anycubic Kobra X Highlights
- Native 4-color printing built in
- Expands up to 19 colors with 4 ACE 2 Pro units (older ACE Pro is not compatible)
- Hardened steel nozzle, 300 °C
- LeviQ 3.0 49-point auto leveling
- Dual-band Wi-Fi and LAN; AI spaghetti detection
Bambu Lab A1 Highlights
- Full-auto calibration (Z-offset, bed leveling and more)
- Active flow rate compensation
- 1-clip quick-swap nozzle
- Active motor noise canceling
- Multicolor needs the AMS lite (sold as the A1 Combo or separately)
Which One Should You Buy?
On October 16, 2026, both listed at $299.99. The Kobra X includes native 4-color printing, a hardened steel nozzle, a 260 mm build volume and dual-band Wi-Fi plus LAN. It expands to 19 colors with 4 ACE 2 Pro units, and the older ACE Pro is not compatible.
The Bambu Lab A1 prints single color at that price and needs the AMS lite for multicolor, but it ranked higher on the list (#4 vs #12). If built-in multicolor at $299.99 matters most, the Kobra X stands out on paper.
How These Picks Were Chosen
The picks and findings on this page come from Where Nerdy is Cool! and Rist Innovations, plus the Amazon listings linked above. I have not tested these products myself, so each finding is credited to the source that reported it.
What YouTube Reviewers Found: Kobra X vs A1
Here is what independent YouTube reviewers reported. These are their findings, paraphrased and linked so you can watch the full videos. Prices they mention were current when each video was made.
- In one head-to-head test, the Kobra X finished two multicolor prints faster than the A1: about 4 h 5 min vs 6 h 13 min, and about 15 h 55 min vs 21 h 37 min. The reviewer credits the lower filament cutter (Rist Innovations, “NEW ANYCUBIC Kobra X vs. Bambu Lab A1 – Which is BETTER?”).
- Another tester saw a large multicolor print finish in 19 h 45 min on the Kobra X vs 28 h 21 min on the A1, with more purge waste on the A1 side. The Kobra X advantage grew with model complexity (Where Nerdy is Cool!, “The Kobra X Is 9 HOURS Faster?! I Was Wrong About the Bambu A1”).
- The same tester had no bed adhesion or flatness failures on the Kobra X and found its live camera usable at several frames per second (Where Nerdy is Cool!, “The Kobra X Is 9 HOURS Faster?! I Was Wrong About the Bambu A1”).
Video: Rist Innovations, “NEW ANYCUBIC Kobra X vs. Bambu Lab A1 – Which is BETTER?”
Frequently Asked Questions
Does the Kobra X print in color out of the box?
Yes. The listing says it has 4 colors built in.
Is the ACE Pro compatible with the Kobra X?
No. The listing says only the ACE 2 Pro works; the ACE Pro is incompatible.
Which has the bigger build volume?
The Kobra X lists 260 mm cubed and the A1 lists 256 mm cubed.
Sources
- Amazon listing: Anycubic Kobra X
- Amazon listing: Bambu Lab A1
- Amazon Best Sellers in 3D Printers (snapshot Oct 16, 2026)
Related: Best Budget Multicolor 3D Printer | Bambu Lab A1 Review | Bambu Lab A1 vs Flashforge AD5X
Notes and disclosure
Note: Specs and prices below come from Amazon listings and Amazon Best Sellers in 3D Printers at time of writing. Prices and ranks change often, so check the current listing.