The Anycubic Kobra 3 Combo represents a bold step forward in consumer 3D printing, offering a sophisticated blend of functionality and innovation. It’s designed not just to keep up with evolving trends but to set a new benchmark for what a multifilament printer can deliver in the home or workshop setting. With its seamless integration of printer and filament system, this model introduces features that feel both refined and intuitive from the outset.
This machine aims to bridge the gap between casual users and serious makers by combining high-end build quality with features that are typically reserved for more expensive printers. From the moment you begin setup, there’s an immediate sense of attention to detail in both hardware and workflow. The system encourages creativity while simplifying the process of switching between filaments, a challenge that’s been smoothed out with clever design choices.
Rather than simply refining its predecessor, the Kobra 3 Combo reimagines the capabilities of a desktop printer. It’s not just about speed or surface finish — though it excels in both — but about creating a platform that can handle complex, multi-material projects with ease. Whether you’re crafting prototypes, decorative models, or functional prints, this printer is well-equipped to tackle them all with precision.
Design and Functionality
The Anycubic Kobra 3 Combo showcases a thoughtful dual-part design, pairing the main printer with an external filament management unit. Each component carries a sleek and modern aesthetic that departs from the more industrial look of earlier models. The cohesive appearance and well-integrated features make the entire system feel more like a professional tool than a hobbyist kit.
Built around a Cartesian bed-slinger architecture, the printer is constructed almost entirely from metal, lending it a robust and substantial feel. This solid frame contributes to greater stability during printing, which in turn enhances the accuracy of fine details. While the added weight may affect portability, it significantly benefits overall performance.
Cable management is neatly executed, with wiring and tubes routed cleanly along the frame to reduce clutter and risk of snags. The user-facing elements, such as the touchscreen and filament loading paths, are easy to access and logically placed. The printer’s layout encourages hands-on use without overwhelming new users.
The touch display is a large-format screen with a redesigned interface that’s visually appealing and highly responsive. Users can easily navigate settings and manage prints with minimal taps, making it approachable even for those new to 3D printing. Although the screen’s border is noticeable, the menu system itself is smooth and well-organised.
Positioned alongside the printer is the Ace Pro filament box, a companion unit designed to dry and feed up to four separate filaments. Its compact footprint doesn’t take up much additional space, yet it introduces advanced functionality with minimal fuss. The expansion capability for additional colours hints at a forward-thinking approach to future upgrades.
Altogether, the design of the Kobra 3 Combo reflects a refined understanding of what users value most — cleanliness, ease of use, and a professional appearance. Each element feels purposeful, contributing to a system that’s not only efficient but also visually well-considered for its workspace.
Key Features
One of the standout inclusions in the Anycubic Kobra 3 Combo is its multifilament printing capability, made possible by the Ace Pro unit. This allows users to print with up to four different filaments in a single job, streamlining complex projects without the need for manual swaps. It’s a feature that opens creative doors for multicoloured or multi-material designs.
The Ace Pro also functions as a drying unit, keeping filament moisture-free for better print quality and fewer print failures. This built-in drying feature is particularly beneficial when working with more sensitive materials like TPU or ABS. By maintaining optimal filament conditions, it ensures consistent performance from start to finish.
Auto-feeding technology allows each filament to be drawn into the printer without manual threading. It simplifies transitions between colours or materials, reducing the chances of jamming or tangling. This adds a layer of convenience and dependability that’s easy to appreciate during long or intricate prints.
The printer includes a high-temperature, full-metal hotend capable of reaching 300ºC, which expands compatibility with a broader range of materials. From PLA to PETG, and ABS to flexible filaments, the Kobra 3 is well-equipped to handle diverse printing needs. This versatility makes it a great option for users looking to experiment beyond standard options.
A generous build volume of 250 x 250 x 260mm allows for substantial prints without the need to break projects into multiple parts. It accommodates everything from large decorative pieces to functional mechanical components. The size strikes a good balance between desk footprint and project potential.
Speed is another notable characteristic, with maximum print rates reaching up to 600mm/s. Despite this rapid output, print quality remains sharp and detailed thanks to the printer’s sturdy construction. This high-speed capability makes the printer especially appealing for iterative design or high-output workflows.
Additional features such as a filament run-out sensor and power loss recovery provide extra peace of mind during long print jobs. These safeguards ensure that even if there’s a disruption, the print can resume with minimal hassle. They’re simple yet essential touches that improve the overall reliability of the system.
The interface has been completely redesigned, delivering a cleaner and more user-friendly experience. Users can now select specific filaments for a given print, monitor status in real-time, and adjust settings with ease. Combined with a responsive touchscreen, it elevates the daily use of the printer to something intuitive and enjoyable.
Experience Using the Product and Performance
Setting up the Anycubic Kobra 3 Combo is refreshingly straightforward, with most components arriving pre-assembled. Getting it from box to bench takes little more than bolting in the upright, connecting a few cables, and feeding in filament through the supplied tubes. Even first-time users will find the assembly process logical and clearly laid out.
The initial setup includes a calibration routine that ensures the bed is perfectly level for optimal first-layer adhesion. This automatic bed levelling works reliably and eliminates the need for manual adjustment. It sets the tone for a user-friendly experience from the very beginning.
Once powered on, the printer guides you through a start-up process via its redesigned touchscreen. The interface is modern and responsive, offering a much-needed update to the brand’s previous generation of displays. Menu navigation is simple and efficient, allowing you to access settings and filament options without frustration.
The printing process begins with ease, especially when using the included test files. These allow you to get a feel for the printer’s capabilities without diving into your own projects straight away. The initial single-filament models come out impressively smooth and show strong dimensional accuracy.
When switching to multifilament prints, the transition is seamless thanks to the Ace Pro unit. Filament swaps are managed automatically and cleanly, with the system advancing the correct material without user intervention. The process is noticeably smooth, even during prints involving frequent colour changes.
Speed doesn’t come at the cost of quality, even when pushing towards the upper end of its 600mm/s capability. Layers are consistent, and surface textures remain clean and well-defined. This balance of pace and precision is one of the Combo’s strongest advantages.
Multifilament prints do take slightly longer due to the material changeovers, but the difference is minimal unless the design is highly complex. Each filament switch adds only a few seconds, and the printer manages the transition without leaving residue or misalignment. The result is cohesive, multi-tone prints with no visible flaws.
Filament management is made even easier by the Ace Pro’s drying feature, which ensures materials stay in optimal condition throughout the print. This is especially helpful when working with moisture-sensitive filaments that typically require external storage solutions. It’s a small touch that enhances the overall quality and consistency of prints.
During testing, the machine handled PETG, ABS, TPU, and PLA with equal confidence. Each material flowed well through the full-metal hotend, showing no signs of clogging or temperature fluctuation. The ability to switch materials quickly kept the workflow moving without interruption.
The machine’s stability during fast printing was particularly impressive, thanks to the solid metal frame. Even intricate features on tall prints remained sharp and well-formed. There were no signs of ringing or layer misalignment, which speaks to the printer’s precision engineering.
Noise levels were kept in check despite the high-speed operation, with the fans and motors running smoothly. There was no distracting whine or rattle, and the printer didn’t shift or vibrate excessively, even during long prints. The calm operation makes it suitable for use in quieter environments.
Power loss recovery and filament run-out detection both worked as expected during simulated interruptions. When paused mid-print, the system resumed without introducing layer shifts or defects. These safeguards are especially useful during extended jobs or when working overnight.
Print results from the multifilament setup were just as detailed and clean as those from single-filament runs. Colour separation was crisp, and there was no visible bleeding or stringing between zones. It’s this level of quality that sets the Kobra 3 Combo apart from similar systems.
The only minor annoyance was the build-up of discarded filament strands near the outlet, which required occasional clean-up. While not a dealbreaker, it’s something to keep in mind during longer sessions. A catch tray or deflector might help keep things tidier around the workspace.
Conclusion
The Anycubic Kobra 3 Combo is a thoughtfully engineered 3D printing solution that balances ease of use with advanced capabilities. From its refined design to the integration of a reliable multifilament system, it presents a user-focused upgrade that’s both practical and forward-looking. It feels like a natural evolution of the Kobra series, building on its strengths while introducing meaningful improvements.
Its dual-part setup with the Ace Pro adds significant flexibility without complicating the workflow. Whether you’re printing a simple model or tackling a multi-material project, the system handles transitions and challenges with confidence. The automatic features, from bed levelling to filament changes, contribute to a smooth and frustration-free experience.
In terms of performance, the printer impresses with its speed, accuracy, and material versatility. The quality of both single and multifilament prints is consistently high, making it suitable for everything from prototyping to more creative and decorative applications. Reliability is clearly a cornerstone of its design.
For those seeking a capable and feature-rich desktop printer that doesn’t demand a steep learning curve, the Kobra 3 Combo is a strong contender. It delivers dependable results with minimal maintenance and manages to stay accessible to newcomers while offering the depth experienced users will appreciate.
