At first glance, the AnyCubic Kobra 3 Max seems like a dream come true — a massive build volume, multicolor printing capabilities right out of the box, and an included ACE unit that adds serious functionality. But after working hands-on with four separate units, our experience paints a more complicated picture.
A Promising Start
Let’s give credit where it’s due: the ACE unit bundled with the Kobra 3 Max is one of its strongest features. It enables multicolor printing and provides direct heated bed power — a rare combo in its price range. This makes it an attractive option for hobbyists eager to dip their toes into multicolor prints without investing in a complex setup like the Bambu AMS or Mosaic Palette.
Where Things Fall Apart
Unfortunately, this machine is a classic case of “great idea, poor execution.” From our time with the Kobra 3 Max, it’s clear that design decisions were not well thought through — and it shows. Several key components feel rushed, under-tested, or simply not refined.
But perhaps the most glaring issue is quality control. Across our four units, consistency was all over the place. Loose belts, alignment problems, and defective components were common. For a printer at this scale and cost, these aren’t just small annoyances — they’re dealbreakers.
Who Is This For?
That’s the tricky part. If you’re chasing a large-format printer with multicolor capabilities and are comfortable with a bit of tinkering (or replacing parts outright), then this machine could still be worth a look. But if reliability and out-of-the-box performance are priorities, you may want to dig deeper into user reviews and community feedback before committing.
Our Verdict: Wait for the Full Review
We’ve added four Kobra 3 Max units to our print farm for extended testing and plan to follow up with a comprehensive review soon. We’ll cover long-term reliability, ACE performance, slicer support, and whether firmware updates can salvage the experience.
Until then, the Kobra 3 Max remains a machine with huge potential — and just as many risks.
