The Best Alternative to Bambu Lab? Real-World Review of the Anycubic Kobra S1 Combo + ACE Pro
If you’re into smart home automation and Home Assistant, sooner or later you’re going to need a 3D printer. Whether it’s for printing a wall tablet mount, an enclosure for an ESP32 sensor, or a part that broke at home. Today we’re taking a look at the Anycubic Kobra S1 Combo, a printer that promises speed, ease of use, and, most notably, multicolor printing with its ACE Pro system. Is it really the rival Bambu Lab should be worried about? Let’s see it from a beginner’s point of view.
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VideoUnboxing and Setup: Built for Beginners
One of the biggest fears when buying a 3D printer is the setup. The Anycubic Kobra S1 arrives 90% pre-assembled. In just a few minutes, and by following a few very simple steps, you’ll be ready to start extruding filament.
What the Combo Includes:
- Kobra S1 printer: Enclosed frame (ideal for technical materials).
- ACE Pro: The filament management unit that supports up to 4 colors (expandable to 8) and also dries the filament while you print.
Technical Features That Make the Difference
I won’t bore you with the technical jargon, but there are three things that make this printer stand out:
- Insane speed: Capable of reaching up to 600 mm/s. To give you an idea, the famous Benchy test boat prints in just 15 minutes with surprising quality.
- AI camera: It detects whether a print has failed or whether the infamous "spaghetti" has appeared, stops the machine, and alerts you on your phone.
- Enclosed system: Because it’s an enclosed printer, it retains heat better, allowing you to print not only PLA, but also more demanding materials like ASA, PETG or TPU.
The Power of Multicolor with ACE Pro
The ACE Pro system is the heart of the "Combo" experience. It not only handles color changes automatically, but also keeps the filament free from moisture, which is crucial for avoiding print errors.
How much material is wasted? That’s the big question. When switching colors, the printer has to "purge" the extruder. In the video, I show you the real example with a 3-color basket and, although there is some waste, the visual result is professional and effortless.
Real-World Uses: Smart Home and Repairs
In my review, I put the Kobra S1 to the test with projects that are actually useful in everyday smart home life:
- Alexa stand: Ideal for mounting your smart speakers directly on the outlet without dangling cables.
- Custom drain cover: A perfect example of how to repair household items you can’t find in stores.
- Mechanical parts: Such as gears for robotic lawn mowers.
Is it worth it more than a Bambu Lab?
The short answer is: It depends on your budget and needs.
- Anycubic Kobra S1 Combo delivers unbeatable value for money, especially with AliExpress deals. Its active drying system in the ACE Pro is a very strong advantage over the competition.
- It’s the ideal choice for anyone looking for their first "smart" 3D printer without the hassle.
If you want to see the full step-by-step assembly and print tests in detail, here’s my complete video: REAL Review Anycubic Kobra S1 Combo + ACE Pro 💥
Where to buy
If you are interested in Anycubic Kobra S1 Combo, here are the available purchase options:
- Anycubic Kobra S1 Combo — Reviewed in the video: AliExpress · AliExpress (NO ACE Pro)
