Anycubic Kobra 3 Combo: An In-Depth Review

Today, we’re diving deep into the Anycubic Kobra 3 Combo, a printer that’s generating a lot of buzz in the 3D printing community. If you haven’t yet seen our unboxing video, make sure to check it out here before reading on. We did a basic setup and shared initial impressions, but today, after spending over four weeks with the Kobra 3 Combo, we’re ready to deliver our full review. You can skip to the Final Verdict if that works better for you.

First Impressions and Build Quality

The Anycubic Kobra 3 Combo boasts a solid build, featuring an all-metal base and dual lead screws at the back, driven by a single stepper motor connected via a belt. The machine's X-axis runs on nylon wheels, while the bed operates on a V-steel wheel, ensuring minimal wear over time. Every aspect of the machine is adjustable, allowing you to fine-tune it for optimal performance. This attention to detail in construction gives the Kobra 3 a premium feel, which is impressive for its price point.

Performance and Features

Print Volume and Speed: The Kobra 3 Combo comes with a generous build volume of 250 x 250 x 260 mm and a maximum print speed of 600 mm/s. However, while it’s capable of reaching this speed, we don’t recommend running it at the maximum for prolonged periods, as it could lead to poorer print quality and increased wear on components. For best results, reserve high-speed printing for quick prototypes.

Hot End and Filament Handling: Equipped with an all metal hot end capable of reaching 300°C and a build plate that heats up to 110°C, the Cobra 3 Combo is well-suited for a variety of filaments, including more exotic materials like ABS and ASA. The built-in filament dryer is a standout feature, allowing you to dry your filament at up to 55°C either before or during printing.

Multicolour Printing: Many of you were curious about the multicolour capabilities of this machine, and we’re happy to report that the results are quite satisfactory, especially at this price point. Each filament is fed to the extruder via its own PTFE tubing, allowing the ACE unit to retract and feed filament efficiently during colour changes. We tested various spools, including standard, half-kilogram, and cardboard spools, and the machine handled them all without issue.

Design and Usability

The design of the Kobra 3 Combo is both functional and user-friendly, though it does require some space to accommodate the multicolour setup. The machine's ability to handle up to four spools of the same filament for seamless transitions during long prints is a notable feature, ensuring that no filament goes to waste.

For those interested in open-source compatibility, Anycubic has confirmed that the Kobra 3 Combo will be fully open-source and compatible with Klipper. This opens a world of customization, allowing you to fine-tune the machine to your exact specifications.

Software and Slicing

While we initially used Anycubic's own slicer software, we found it somewhat limiting in terms of customization. However, after experimenting with Orca Slicer, we were able to create a profile that supports seamless colour changes. The machine performed admirably even without the purge tower, which is a common necessity in multicolour printing. Orca Slicer also outperformed Anycubic's slicer in handling colour transitions, particularly when switching between high-contrast colours like black and white.

Additional Features

The Kobra 3 Combo comes equipped with several smart features, including clog detection and a filament sensor that ensures smooth operation during prints. These features, combined with its open-source potential, make the Cobra 3 Combo a versatile and reliable choice for both beginners and experienced users.

Anycubic3D Anycubic Kobra 3 (combo) 3D Printer with ACE Pro System Solid Build Quality: All-metal base and robust construction Versatile Filament Handling: Supports a variety of filaments, including ABS and ASA Effective Multicolour Printing: Handles colour changes well, even without a purge tower Filament Management: Ability to use up every bit of filament with automatic spool switching Future-Proof: Open-source compatibility with Klipper for extensive customisation

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The Anycubic Kobra 3 Combo is an exceptional value for anyone looking to delve into multi material printing. Its robust build quality, impressive feature set, and future-proof open-source potential make it a standout in its price range. While it’s not without its quirks, the overall performance and versatility of this machine are more than enough to recommend it to anyone serious about 3D printing.

We also successfully connected a standard webcam to the USB port, which allowed us to monitor prints remotely—a handy feature for those planning to use Klipper or other remote monitoring software in the future.