Comparing the Bambu Lab A1 and Anycubic Kobra

Bambu Lab A1

Released:

2023

Build Volume:

256 x 256 x 256 mm
(~10.25 x 10.25 x 10.25 in)

Price Range:

$375 - 400

Check Price On Bambu Lab

Vs.

Anycubic Kobra

Released:

2022

Build Volume:

220 x 220 x 250 mm
(~8.75 x 8.75 x 10 in)

Price Range:

$275 - 300

Check Price on Amazon

About the Bambu Lab A1

The Bambu Lab A1 is a midrange 3D printer that offers fast print speeds, advanced sensors, and above-average print quality. Its 256 x 256 x 256 mm build volume is slightly larger than machines such as the Creality Ender 3 series, and matches that of the Bambu P1P and X1C. It's notably larger than the 180 x 180 x 180 mm build volume of the A1 Mini, making it a clear upgrade from that machine. The A1 uses a Cartesian "bedslinger" design, in which the X axis raises on a gantry and the bed moves back and forth along the Y axis. This design is shared with many other 3D printers in the A1's price range, but is unusual for Bambu Lab--most of their other machines use the CoreXY motion system instead. The motion system on the A1 uses linear rails to decrease vibration, allowing for high print speeds. Similar to Bambu's other printers, the A1 includes a direct drive extruder with an all-metal hot end capable of heating to 300°C, allowing it to print most standard filament types, including flexible filament. However, since the printer isn't enclosed, it won't be an ideal choice for printing materials such as ABS and ASA that benefit from an enclosure. The A1 includes advanced firmware features and sensors that should improve its print quality and ease of use compared to other 3D printers in its price class. In addition to automatic bed leveling and Z offset calibration (which is starting to become a common feature in printers in this class), the A1 includes a sensor in the hot end which allows it to calibrate the flow rate of the filament to further improve print quality. Like the rest of Bambu's lineup, the A1 includes WiFi connectivity and has an integrated camera. These features allow you to monitor and control the printer remotely using the Bambu Studio computer application or the Bambu Handy smartphone app. The A1 is also available in a bundle with the Bambu Lab AMS Lite, a multi-material system that allows the A1 to print with up to 4 different filament spools at once. The Bambu A1 shares many of its fundamental specs with a number of 3D printers from other manufacturers, many of which come in at a lower price. However, its advanced firmware features, overall build quality, and convenience features such as the integrated camera and flow rate sensor give it a few key advantages over its competition that may make it worth a look as a more premium option in its class.

About the Anycubic Kobra

The Anycubic Kobra is a 3D printer that offers an impressive feature set at an affordable price. It comes with auto bed leveling, which ensures that your prints have perfect first layers every time and reduces issues with bed adhesion. This feature is particularly useful for slightly warped print beds, as the probe measures and compensates for any inconsistencies. Additionally, the printer is equipped with a touch screen, making it easier to navigate the interface when printing files and configuring 3D printing settings. One standout feature of the Anycubic Kobra is its direct drive extruder, which is mounted right above the hot end. This design allows for easier filament feeding and reduces the risk of jamming, making it suitable for use with flexible materials. The printer also features a magnetic PEI build surface, providing a reliable and convenient platform for your prints. With a build volume of 220 x 220 x 250 mm, the Anycubic Kobra offers a decent printing capacity for various projects. However, it is important to note a couple of drawbacks. Firstly, in order to keep costs down, this printer uses more plastic pieces and other lower quality components. While this may affect the overall durability of the printer, it still offers good value for its price range. Secondly, the online community for the Anycubic Kobra is relatively small, which means that there may be limited availability of slicer profiles and less support in terms of troubleshooting and learning. Despite these drawbacks, the Anycubic Kobra stands out as a budget-friendly option with useful features such as auto bed leveling and a direct drive extruder.

Click here to view the Bambu Lab A1 on the Bambu Lab website.

Click here to view the Anycubic Kobra on Amazon.

You can find a side-by-side comparison of the specifications for these two printers in the table below:

Brands Overview

Bambu Lab

Bambu Lab, based in Shenzhen, China, and founded by five ex-DJI engineers, has made notable strides in the 3D printing arena with their unique combination of innovation and user-friendly interfaces. They launched their journey with a successful Kickstarter campaign in 2022, securing over $7 million in funding. Their printer lineup, from the flagship Bambu X1-Carbon to the more affordable Bambu P1P, showcases their commitment to high-performance features while ensuring ease of use, making them a rising competitor in the 3D printing industry.

Learn more about Bambu Lab.

Anycubic

Anycubic is a budget line of Creality Ender 3-like clones, known for offering more features than Creality printers but at lower prices. Founded in 2015, Anycubic is currently focusing on their Kobra series printers with a variety of ease-of-use features and attractive pricing.

Learn more about Anycubic.