Fast multicolour printing, but only if you need the whole combo

The ANYCUBIC Kobra S1 Combo is worth buying if you want a fast, enclosed, multicolour 3D printer with drying built in, but it is not an impulse buy at £599.00. Its current price is also the all-time lowest, which makes this a much more interesting purchase than when it was closer to its £929.00 high.

What stands out first?

The biggest selling point is the combination of 4-8 colour printing, 600mm/s maximum speed, and drying and printing at the same time. That is a strong feature set for makers who want to spend less time swapping filament and more time producing finished parts. The included ACE Pro support for around-the-clock filament drying is especially useful for materials that suffer from moisture, and Anycubic clearly positions this as a machine built for more than basic hobby printing.

The printer uses an enclosed CoreXY construction with a 250 x 250 x 250 mm build volume. That enclosure matters because it helps keep the printing environment more controlled, which is useful for consistency and for users working with a wider range of filaments. The dual motor drive and CoreXY layout also suggest a focus on stability at higher speeds rather than just headline speed numbers.

How good are the core features?

The multicolour system is the feature most buyers will care about. Anycubic says the Kobra S1 Combo can print in 4 colours and supports a wide range of filament, which makes it appealing for decorative prints, prototypes, labels, and small batch parts where colour separation matters. The ability to dry and print at the same time is a practical bonus, not just a marketing line, because it reduces interruptions and helps maintain filament quality.

The 600mm/s top speed is another major draw, but like any printer claiming very high speeds, the real value depends on calibration, model complexity, and how much quality you want to preserve. The listing also includes AI intelligent printing, with resume support after a power loss or filament shortage, which is a useful safeguard for longer prints.

The 4.3-inch touchscreen and clean channel are smaller details, but they matter in day-to-day use. A cleaner internal compartment should make maintenance less annoying, and a proper touchscreen is easier to live with than a cramped control interface.

Performance and build quality

Based on the specifications, this looks like a printer aimed at users who want speed without giving up structure. The enclosed CoreXY design should help with stability, and the 250 x 250 x 250 mm build size is a practical all-rounder for most home workshops and maker spaces. It is not a giant-format machine, but it is large enough for many functional parts and display pieces.

The real performance question is whether the multicolour and drying system feels reliable enough to justify the premium. At £599.00, this is not competing with entry-level printers; it is competing with more established ecosystem choices and with the cost of buying separate drying and enclosure accessories. That means the combo format has to earn its keep through convenience and consistency.

Is it good value for money?

At £599.00, the Kobra S1 Combo sits close to its average price of £608.76, and that is important because the market data shows it has moved around a lot: 45 price points over roughly 45 weeks, with a low of £418.99 and a high of £929.00. Since the current price is the lowest ever recorded, the timing is unusually favourable.

Value depends on what you compare it with. A £39.99 3D printer enclosure and £17.99-£22.09 PLA filament are obviously much cheaper, but they do not offer multicolour printing, drying, or a high-speed enclosed CoreXY platform. If you were planning to build those capabilities piecemeal, the Kobra S1 Combo starts to look more attractive.

How does it compare to cheaper alternatives?

The most obvious cheaper alternatives in the provided data are not full printers, but accessories like the 3D Printer Enclosure with LED Light at £39.99 and Creality PLA filament at £17.99 or £22.09. Those products are useful add-ons, but they highlight the price gap rather than close it. The Anycubic is a full-featured machine with a much broader capability set, while those items are support products for existing setups.

What should buyers watch out for?

There are two clear warnings. First, the printer has a 4.0/5 rating from 216 reviews, which is respectable but not elite, so it is not universally loved. Second, Anycubic recommends a firmware upgrade after purchase to access the latest functions, which means some buyers may need to do extra setup work before they get the full experience.

Final take

The Kobra S1 Combo is best for buyers who want multicolour printing, filament drying, and high-speed enclosed printing in one machine. It is less suitable for casual users who only need a basic single-colour printer, or for anyone who wants the cheapest possible route into 3D printing. At the current all-time-low £599.00, it is a compelling but still premium purchase.