Anycubic Kobra X Review: Integrated Multicolor Reimagined

Anycubic has been in a cycle of continuous improvement of its Kobra range for several years, but with the Kobra X it has taken a qualitative leap that goes beyond the usual iteration. This printer not only improves on speed or volume compared to the Kobra 3: it comes with the ACE Gen 2 multicolor system integrated directly into the printhead, a design decision that transforms multicolor performance within the Anycubic ecosystem.

The Kobra 3 was a solid machine (in fact, we have our own review where we analyzed it in depth) in which its ACE Pro system works as an external box connected to the printhead, with all that implies in terms of filament retractions and color change times. The Kobra X changes that approach from the ground up.

At 3Dwork we’ve spent weeks testing the Kobra X intensively (including a 72-hour continuous multicolor printing marathon). This is what we found, unfiltered.

As always, before continuing with the article, a reminder that you can join 3DWork on our Telegram channel full of 3D printing enthusiasts, or on our social media: Instagram, YouTube, TikTok, Twitter and Facebook.

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Anycubic Kobra X

The Kobra X is a bedslinger-type printer (Cartesian… Y-axis moving bed) in the mid-to-high range positioned as the direct evolution of the Kobra 3 in Anycubic’s catalog. It’s not the brand’s first printer with automatic filament changing, but it is the first to integrate the ACE system directly into the printhead rather than adding it as an external box.

Physically, it retains some of the Kobra range’s DNA (brushed aluminum XZ bridge, Cartesian movement), but with improvements in rigidity and precision of its construction. A clear step forward compared to what the Kobra 3 offered.

Unlike many consumer printers that use stamped steel chassis, the Kobra X uses a 13 mm thick machined aluminum bed frame. The result is rigidity and weight (9.5 kg) thanks to the industrial aluminum profiles of the XZ bridge, which complete the structure without any appreciable flex.

The linear rails on the X and Y axes contribute to both precision and the overall quality feel: these are components that in machines in this price range are usually replaced with smooth rods. The dual Z-axis system synchronized by a belt at the top ensures the gantry stays vertical even at high accelerations.

The maximum speed is 600 mm/s with acceleration up to 20,000 mm/s². As always with maximum speed figures: these are the absolute ceiling of the machine in free movement, not the typical working speed. At 300 mm/s you get consistently good results depending on the material and project… and obviously with perfect slicer tuning.

A complete Benchy prints in approximately 13-17 minutes with the slicer’s default settings, which is already a meaningful real-world performance figure.

The 3.5-inch touchscreen covers all configuration and monitoring functions without requiring an internet connection. The interface isn’t the most intuitive on the market, though it’s continuously improving, but it’s complete and allows you to control the machine autonomously.

The print volume is 260 × 260 × 260 mm, compared to 250 × 250 × 260 mm on the Kobra 3. The difference in XY (10 mm per side) is modest but noticeable when working with parts that make full use of the platform. The 260 mm Z range remains the same.

The physical dimensions of the machine are 441.5 × 445.3 × 461.3 mm. With the bed in motion and the spool holders installed, the actual space required grows to approximately 455 × 635 × 685 mm: it’s worth measuring before finding it a spot.

The Kobra X is equipped with a direct drive extruder with a 0.4 mm hardened steel nozzle as standard. The abrasion-resistant nozzle is a detail that many manufacturers reserve for more expensive models: here it comes from the factory, which allows the use of more abrasive filaments from day one without any upgrades.

The hotend Quick-Release system requires no tools to change the nozzle. In practice it works well for routine maintenance, though if the filament breaks inside the internal channels of the ACE Gen 2, a full teardown becomes more complicated due to the number of parts and components involved.

In our tests, filament loading caused no issues even without paying special attention to the cut. The recommended approach is to cut the filament at 45° before inserting it to get a clean tip that makes it easier to enter the internal channels of the ACE Gen 2 and reduce the risk of long-term clogs.

The hotend reaches 300 °C, a temperature sufficient to cover all materials on the official list (PLA, PETG, ASA, TPU, PVA and carbon fiber filaments) and with headroom for higher-temperature technical materials if you want to experiment beyond the official catalog.

The layer cooling system performs well and causes no issues with standard PLA and PETG. On steep overhangs at high speed, as with any machine of this type, it’s worth reducing the speed on critical layers.

The heated bed reaches 100 °C (official maximum temperature). It is powered by direct current (DC), which makes it somewhat slower to reach high temperatures compared to AC systems, but this is a common trade-off in this category.

The print surface is a double-sided PEI plate, mounted on a 3 mm thick aluminum plate specifically redesigned to resist thermal deformation. The thicker aluminum plate is another differentiating detail compared to previous generations.

Adhesion with PLA and PETG is excellent from the first layer. For ASA, the bed at 100 °C (official maximum) is sufficient for good adhesion… though, as always with this type of material, having an enclosure can make results variable depending on the environment.

The LeviQ 3.0 uses 49 measurement points, sufficient for a 260 × 260 mm bed. The initial full calibration process (leveling, resonance compensation and input shaping) takes between 15 and 20 minutes and only needs to be repeated if the machine is moved or adhesion issues appear.

Now let’s get to the big news about this Anycubic Kobra X… the second-generation Anycubic Color Engine (ACE) integrated into the printhead is what fundamentally distinguishes the Kobra X from its predecessor, the Kobra 3. While the Kobra 3 incorporates the ACE Pro system as an external box connected to the printhead via long PTFE tubes, the ACE Gen 2 on the Kobra X is mounted directly on the printhead, reducing the filament retraction distance to just 30 mm.

The practical difference is noticeable: the ACE Pro on the Kobra 3 requires retractions of 160 mm or more to purge the hotend before each color change, generating filament waste and waiting time. With 30 mm of retraction, Anycubic claims a waste reduction of up to 81.25%.

We’ve been able to verify this: in intensive multicolor printing with hundreds of color changes, the difference in purge waste and total print time is significant… though we’ll also tell you that in reality these types of systems still generate a lot of waste.

The base unit supports 4 native colors without any external box. By connecting up to four additional ACE 2 Pro units, the system scales up to 19 simultaneous colors. The Kobra 3 with two ACE Pro units maxes out at 8 colors. The Kobra X has a clear scalability advantage here.

The system also includes an adaptive extrusion force compensator that allows mixing materials of different hardnesses in the same job: for example, PLA + TPU (68D) in the same part. This opens up interesting design possibilities for functional parts that are not available with the ACE Pro on the Kobra 3.

The Kobra X is compatible with the Anycubic ACE 2 Pro, Anycubic’s second-generation filament drying and storage unit. This allows expanding the system up to 19 colors by connecting up to four additional ACE 2 Pro units to the Kobra X, as we mentioned earlier.

The ACE 2 Pro also adds, beyond the color expansion, integrated active filament drying, a particularly useful feature for hygroscopic materials like Nylon, PVA, or PETG in humid environments.

The ACE 2 Pro also incorporates RFID chip filament recognition: Anycubic-brand spools with integrated chips are automatically identified by the system, which loads the recommended print parameters (temperature, speed, bed) without manual intervention. It only works with the brand’s own spools; for third-party filaments, configuration remains manual.

In terms of connectivity and extra features, the Anycubic Kobra X includes:

• Dual-band Wi-Fi (2.4/5 GHz)
• LAN mode (without internet connection, for privacy)
• Mobile app control (Anycubic)
• USB port (for storage only, not for direct PC connection)
• Integrated 720p HD camera (10 fps, with physical privacy cover)
• Power loss recovery (Power Loss Resume): saves the print state every layer to resume from the last point in case of power outage
• Spool tangle detection and filament runout sensor on all channels

LAN mode is a very interesting feature for those who do not want print data leaving the local network. The only drawback is that mobile app monitoring is not available in LAN mode.

Below you will find a comparison table between the Kobra X and its smaller sibling, the Kobra 3:

	Anycubic Kobra X	Anycubic Kobra 3
Technology	FFF/FDM	FFF/FDM
Print volume	260×260×260 mm	250×250×260 mm
Extruder	Direct drive	Direct drive
Max. hotend temp.	300°C	300°C
Max. bed temp.	100°C	100°C
Max. speed	600 mm/s	600 mm/s
Max. acceleration	20,000 mm/s²	20,000 mm/s²
Kinematics	Cartesian (bedslinger)	Cartesian (bedslinger)
Z axis	Dual, belt-synchronized	Dual
Leveling	LeviQ 3.0 (49 points)	LeviQ 3.0 (49 points)
Multicolor system	ACE Gen 2 integrated in printhead (4 base, up to 19)	External ACE Pro (4 base, up to 8)
Color change retraction	~30 mm	~160 mm
Display	3.5″ touchscreen	3.5″ touchscreen
Connectivity	WiFi 2.4/5GHz + LAN	WiFi + LAN
Firmware	Kobra OS (Klipper-based)	Kobra OS (Klipper-based)
Stock nozzle	Hardened steel 0.4 mm	Hardened steel 0.4 mm
Bed surface	Double-sided PEI	Double-sided PEI
Physical dimensions	441.5×445.3×461.3 mm	430×430×470 mm approx.
Net weight	9.5 kg	~8.5 kg
Rated power	1450 W	~1000 W
Official materials	PLA, PETG, ASA, TPU, PVA, PLA-CF, PETG-CF	PLA, PETG, ABS, ASA, PET, PA, PC, PP, TPU
Color expansion	Up to 19 (4× ACE 2 Pro)	Up to 8 (2× ACE Pro)

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Unboxing and setup of the Anycubic Kobra X

Let’s start with our experience with the Anycubic Kobra X: unboxing and setup.

The first impression when unboxing is good. The Kobra X arrives well protected with rigid foam that keeps all components properly protected during transport, and from the very first contact it is clear that this is a solid and heavy machine for its size.

• Printer base and gantry frame (two main modules)
• Double-sided PEI print plate
• 2 spool holders + 4 spool barrels
• 4 PTFE (Teflon) tubes
• Purge wiper with M3×8 screw and cable clips
• Set of hex keys (4.0 / 2.5 / 2.0 mm)
• Magnet, lubricating grease, nozzle cleaner and application brush
• Power cable + decorative covers
• Printed user manual
• PLA filament sample

The included tool kit is functional and covers everything needed for assembly and basic maintenance. The filament sample, though small, is sufficient for the first test print. A plus: it includes lubricating grease, something not always found in the box of machines in this price range.

The Kobra X arrives partially assembled: the base and the gantry are the two main modules that need to be joined. The complete process takes between 20 and 60 minutes depending on the user’s experience.

Main assembly steps:

1. Place the PEI plate on the heated bed
2. Critical step: remove the 6 screws from the X-axis shipping brackets (3 on each side) before turning on the machine. Skipping this step can damage the X axis.
3. Join the XZ bridge and base with 8 M5×30 screws (four per side)
4. Tilt the printer to connect the labeled cables (X, Z, printhead and camera) on the underside of the base, and fit the cable cover
5. Install the purge wiper on the left side, mount the spool holders on top and connect the PTFE tubes

The printed manual is clear enough to follow the process. The cables are labeled, which reduces the chance of connection errors. We also leave you the official Anycubic assembly video below.

Once assembled, we connect the power cable and turn on the printer, which launches a guided setup wizard that includes:

• LeviQ 3.0 automatic leveling (49-point mesh)
• Resonance compensation (input shaping)
• Active noise reduction (phase stepping on motors)

The complete process takes between 15 and 20 minutes and only needs to be repeated if the machine is moved or adhesion issues arise. In normal use, the initial calibration holds up through many sessions without needing to be repeated.

Once finished, we could not resist loading the filaments and running one of the test prints included on the printer itself — printing went without any issues.

The official slicer is Anycubic Slicer Next, built on top of OrcaSlicer and BambuStudio. It includes optimized profiles for the ACE Gen 2 system with color channel management and access to the Maker Online model library.

For users who prefer OrcaSlicer, Anycubic profiles can be imported and used via LAN mode. There is no official native profile in the standard version of OrcaSlicer at this time, but one is expected to arrive in future updates. Cura and PrusaSlicer are mentioned in the manual as compatible, but official profiles for these slicers were not available at the time of this test.

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Analysis and hands-on experience with the Anycubic Kobra X

At this point we have the machine ready and the slicer set up to start creating our projects and put the Anycubic Kobra X to work.

The first test we ran could only have one goal: seeing how the ACE Gen 2 behaves, checking its reliability and finding out whether the color/material changes truly reduce printing time and waste significantly, and…

… the reality was a bit bittersweet. While filament changes and purge waste have been reduced considerably, they are still, in our view, quite significant. It is something inherent to this type of technology, but it is a clear step forward from Anycubic: the reduction in time and material has been approximately 30% compared to similar machines.

Dimensional accuracy results are what you would expect from this price range: within a ±0.1–0.2 mm margin across all three axes, with no noticeable tendency to expand or contract on any particular axis. Functional parts with moderate tolerances come out right on the first try without needing to adjust the scale factor.

It is worth highlighting that first layer results are one of the strongest points of the Kobra X. The 49-point LeviQ 3.0 system does an excellent job compensating for bed variations. In our tests, adhesion was consistent across the entire surface (corners, center and sides) without needing any additional Z-offset adjustments after the initial calibration. A result that does not always happen even on higher-priced machines.

With the stock profile, the Kobra X handles overhangs cleanly up to approximately 45–50°. Beyond that, layer cooling starts to become the limiting factor, as with any bedslinger of this type. Slicer handling of steep overhangs is correct with the stock profile and does not require manual adjustments for general use.

Another very important aspect to keep in mind for multicolor printing is correctly adjusting the purge volumes between filaments. While the slicer estimates some values, these are not always optimal, as they depend heavily on the pigments and color combinations used.

The following example shows the difference between a default print with tinted parts and an optimal purge volume adjustment using specific tests for that purpose.

We would like to take a closer look at the ACE Gen 2, which is the technical heart of the Kobra X and deserves a detailed explanation, because its mechanism is genuinely different from any multicolor system we have reviewed in this price range.

The ACE Gen 2 filament selector is based on a camshaft driven by a worm gear. The camshaft has two lobes positioned 72° apart, and as it rotates it controls four independent tensioners arranged in a dual-layer extrusion system. Each tensioner corresponds to one of the four filament channels.

When the firmware orders a color change, the worm gear rotates the camshaft until the corresponding lobe presses the tensioner of the next active channel, engaging that channel and releasing the previous one. All of this happens inside the toolhead itself, with no need to move any external box or send signals to a remote unit. It is a mechanically simple but highly effective design: few moving parts, low wear and high selection speed.

Completing the system is a direction-changing mechanism that guides the selected filament downward, directly into the hotend, with a minimal travel distance. It is precisely this architecture that allows reducing the retraction required on each change to just 30 mm.

One of the least mentioned but most important components of the ACE Gen 2 is the filament cutter integrated into the toolhead (Hotend Cutter Assembly). Before each color change, the toolhead moves to a specific position in the purge zone and performs a cut of the active filament. The cutting mechanism is triggered by the toolhead’s own movement as it presses against a specific position on the rail, with no additional actuators.

What is the cutter for? It serves two purposes: first, to ensure the filament tip is clean and free of deformations before retracting it, which prevents it from jamming when re-entering the channel. Second, to condition the filament end so that the next load goes in smoothly. Without this prior cut, repeated retractions would progressively deform the tip and cause jams in the channels.

The complete cycle takes between 35 and 42 seconds under normal conditions. To understand why this matters: a system with an external box like the ACE Pro on the Kobra 3 performs retractions of 160 mm or more, which not only takes longer but also generates far more purge filament with each transition. With 776 color changes in a long session, the cumulative difference in time and material is very significant.

The ACE Gen 2 manages filament differently depending on the scenario, and it is important to understand the difference:

• End of filament with the same color available on another channel (Filament Backup):
  When the Filament Backup function is enabled and two spools of the same material and color are loaded on different channels, the system detects depletion via the optical sensor on the active channel and automatically switches to the backup channel. Here is the key point: since it is the same color, no purge cycle is executed. The change is practically transparent to the printed part. Printing continues without pauses or additional waste. This is one of the most practical features of the system for long sessions with a single color.

• End of filament with a different color on the backup channel:
  If the filament runs out and the backup channel contains a different color, the system executes the full change cycle with cut, retraction and purge. The final result on the part will depend on where in the print the change occurs, so for critical single-color parts it is worth making sure the backup channel has exactly the same filament.

• Filament break mid-channel:
  If the filament breaks inside the channel (not at the spool but in the PTFE tube or the mechanism itself), the system triggers error 10107. In this case, recovery requires manual intervention: remove the broken piece of filament, manually reload the channel and resume printing. This is the most tedious scenario and the way to prevent it is to always cut the filament at 45° before loading it and to avoid spools with tangles.

• Retraction failure on a channel (error 11854):
  We documented this error during testing, specifically on channel 4. It occurs when the system attempts to retract the filament and the sensor does not confirm that the retraction has completed correctly. The usual fix is to unload and reload the filament on the affected channel. It is not a frequent error, but it is worth knowing about it.

In addition, the ACE Gen 2 incorporates an adaptive extrusion force compensator that adjusts the pressure applied to the filament based on the material detected in each channel. This is what allows mixing materials of different hardness in the same part (such as rigid PLA and flexible TPU 68D) without having to manually recalibrate the extruder tension on each change.

The system measures the filament advance resistance and adjusts the motor torque accordingly. In tests with PLA + TPU it worked without issues, although results with more extreme materials (high viscosity, very soft filaments) depend on the configured slicer profile.

Below you will find a table summarizing the tests we ran with different sizes:

Material	Hotend temp.	Bed temp.	Result	Notes
Standard PLA	220°C	60°C	★★★★★	Excellent across the full speed range
PETG	240°C	80°C	★★★★☆	Good adhesion, retraction needs slight adjustment
ABS	250°C	≤100°C	★★★☆☆	Not on Anycubic’s official materials list; variable results without enclosure and depending on part size.
ASA	255°C	≤100°C	★★★☆☆	Maximum bed temperature at the limit; variable results without enclosure and depending on part size.
TPU 95A	230°C	40°C	★★★★☆	Direct drive handles TPU 95A well
TPU 85A	225°C	40°C	★★★★☆	Worked well in testing although not initially recommended.
PVA	215°C	60°C	★★★★☆	Excellent as soluble support with PLA; requires pre-drying and a sealed spool to prevent moisture absorption. Not suitable for simultaneous multicolor use with TPU
PLA-CF	230°C	60°C	★★★★★	Hardened steel nozzle included as standard, no wear
PETG-CF	245°C	85°C	★★★★☆	Solid results on functional parts

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The Kobra X generally stays below 48 dB during normal printing, dropping to 45 dB in silent mode thanks to active noise reduction on the motor drivers (phase stepping). For a bedslinger of this size and speed, those are solid numbers.

As for power consumption, the rated wattage is 1450 W, high for this segment but consistent with the system’s size (printer + ACE system). The DC-powered bed is somewhat slower to reach high temperatures compared to AC systems, but in normal use this is not a real problem.

During our tests, the machine completed hours of printing without significant hardware failures. The only specific error documented during testing was error 11854 related to channel 4 retraction failures, which appeared occasionally and was resolved by reloading the filament.

The 720p HD camera at 10 fps has a structural drawback: the viewing angle points downward and the print head obstructs the view of the first layers until the part reaches at least 40-50 mm in height.

Spaghetti detection works once the part has enough height to be visible, but not in the first layers where it would be most useful. It does include a physical privacy cover, which is a welcome touch.

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Final verdict on the Anycubic Kobra X

The Kobra X is the logical evolution of the Kobra 3. The integrated ACE Gen 2 in the printhead is not a gimmick: in real multicolor printing, reducing retractions from 160 mm to 30 mm translates into less waste, less time between color changes, and greater reliability during long sessions. If you already own a Kobra 3, or any other multicolor printer, and you do a lot of multicolor printing… the Kobra X justifies the upgrade and the investment quickly.
If you are buying your first Anycubic multicolor printer, the Kobra X is one of the most advisable options in the current catalog for this machine segment.

The quick-release nozzle system combined with direct access to the printhead simplifies maintenance. The 3.5″ touchscreen covers most needs without having to rely on the app, which is always helpful. Tangle detection and the filament runout sensor work reliably. And LAN mode is a bonus for environments that prioritize privacy.

The OrcaSlicer project is generating some very interesting derivative projects. The most relevant one for the Kobra X is the Full Spectrum fork (initially developed for printers from other brands), which introduces color-mixing capability through the CMYK model: with just 4 filaments (cyan, magenta, yellow and black), the system calculates the necessary purge mixes to reproduce virtually any color in the printed part.

This feature is not in the official OrcaSlicer or in Anycubic Slicer Next at this time. The ACE Gen 2 architecture of the Kobra X (with short retractions and fast color changes) makes it a technically suitable candidate for this type of printing if support arrives in the official slicer or through a custom profile in OrcaSlicer.

We cannot confirm that Anycubic has plans to implement this feature. What we can say is that the community is moving in that direction and that the Kobra X has the hardware to support it. This is something worth watching closely over the coming months.

Moving on to the firmware side, the Kobra X runs Anycubic’s Kobra OS, which is based on Klipper, which in theory opens up the customization possibilities typical of this firmware. In practice, Anycubic has opted for a closed and limited system: the source code is not available and no user-editable Klipper profiles are published. This decision has drawn justified criticism from the open source community.

For the average user, the impact is minimal: the machine works well with the stock firmware and updates OTA. For the advanced user who wants to customize Klipper parameters, modify macros, or integrate the printer into their own Moonraker server, the Kobra X is not the right choice today. We hope Anycubic reconsiders this position with future updates.

If you follow us regularly you will have seen Rinkhals, a custom firmware overlay for the Anycubic Kobra range, developed by the community, that adds features such as Mainsail access, native OrcaSlicer, and Klipper customization without depending on Anycubic’s closed ecosystem.

The relevant news for those considering the Kobra X is that, as of the date of this review (March 2026), Rinkhals does not officially support the Kobra X. The list of compatible devices includes the Kobra 3, Kobra 3 Max, Kobra S1, and some Kobra 2 Pro models, but not the Kobra X. The community is tracking the evolution of the machine and support in the future cannot be ruled out, especially if Anycubic maintains its closed-code policy and demand for alternatives grows.

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Where to buy the Anycubic Kobra X?

Anycubic has the Anycubic Kobra X in its online store, where you can buy the printer directly, along with accessories, spare parts and consumables… although it is currently still on pre-order, they are already shipping units as soon as they become available.

In any case, here are some links to their official store and other reference retailers:

Anycubic Kobra X

Kobra X Maintenance

Just as we always say that calibration tests and adjustments will help you get the most out of your machines, proper maintenance will keep that quality up and extend the printer’s lifespan.

• Linear rail lubrication: every 100–150 hours of use. Linear rails require quality lubricant (PTFE or lithium grease). The Kobra X itself includes grease in the box.
• PEI bed cleaning: with 90%+ isopropyl alcohol before each session. Do not use harsh cleaners that could damage the coating.
• Screw tightness check: especially on the gantry and bed screws, every 50–100 hours. High-acceleration vibrations loosen them over time.
• Nozzle replacement: with the Quick-Release system, no tools needed. Inspect the nozzle if excessive stringing or under-extrusion appears. When changing filament, also check the nozzle for wear.
• ACE Gen 2 channel cleaning: if filament breaks inside the printhead, the disassembly process is tedious. Prevention: always cut the filament at 45° before loading.
• Purge Wiper: periodically check that the purge wiper does not accumulate filament residue that could interfere with scraping. If the wiper scrapes abnormally, clean with tweezers or compressed air and verify the deflector position.

Nozzle replacements and common spare parts are available through the official Anycubic store. The user community is beginning to have access to third-party alternatives for some components.

Official wiki: repair guides and technical support

Anycubic maintains a comprehensive technical wiki for the Kobra X with setup guides, component replacement instructions, and troubleshooting. It is the first resource to check before contacting support.

Getting started and usage guides:

• Quick Start Guide: assembly, first power-on, and initial calibration step by step
• Filament Backup Guide: how to configure automatic spool switching with the same color
• TPU Printing Guide: settings and specific recommendations for flexible filaments
• Official FAQ: frequently asked questions directly from Anycubic

ACE Gen 2 system replacement guides:

• ACE GEN2 Printhead Assembly: full replacement of the printhead assembly
• ACE GEN2 Shift Extruder: replacement of the selector extruder
• ACE GEN2 Hotend Cutter Assembly: replacement of the integrated cutter
• Printhead Filament Break Detection Board: replacement of the filament break sensor
• Nozzle Wiping Module: replacement of the purge wiper module

Mechanical and electronics replacement guides:

• Quick-Release nozzle replacement, hotend and part cooling fans, touchscreen, heated bed, power supply, and mainboard
• Belt and motor guides for X, Y, and Z axes
• WiFi/Ethernet network troubleshooting
• Abnormal purge wiper scraping issue

Common error codes

The Kobra X displays numeric error codes on screen when it detects a problem. These are the most common ones during intensive multicolor use that you may find helpful:

Code	Description	Most common cause	Quick fix
10107	Filament broken	Broken or depleted filament in the active channel	Remove filament fragment, manually reload the channel and resume
10115	USB disk problem	USB with capacity over 128 GB or incorrect format	Use a USB drive of ≤128 GB formatted as FAT32
10409	Device operation abnormal	Internal communication error	Restart the printer; if it persists, check internal printhead connections
11504	Unknown filament in printhead	Unknown filament in the extruder; common when connecting the ACE 2 Pro	Unload and reload the filament in the affected channel; verify ACE 2 Pro connection
11801	Spaghetti detected	The camera detects (or thinks it detects) a spaghetti failure	If it is a false positive, adjust the detection sensitivity in print settings
11816	Z-axis motor anomaly	Problem with the Z-axis motor or cable	Restart; if it persists, check the Z cable connection at the base of the printer
11819	Motor cable fault	Poor contact or open circuit in the motor phase wiring	Check and reseat the connectors of the affected motor
11842	Filament clogging / entanglement	Filament tangled on the spool or clog in the channel	Pause, untangle the spool, resume; if there is a channel clog, unload and reload
11854	Retraction failure	Sensor does not confirm complete retraction of the channel (common in channel 4)	Unload and reload the filament in the affected channel

The complete list of error codes with step-by-step resolution guides is available on the official Anycubic wiki for the Kobra X.

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Frequently Asked Questions about the Anycubic Kobra X

Is the Anycubic Kobra X suitable for beginners?
With some nuance. The setup process is simpler than on traditional machines thanks to the automatic calibration wizard. However, the multicolor system adds a layer of complexity in filament loading and management that can be overwhelming for someone who has never used a 3D printer. For pure beginners, a single-color printer in the same price range would be more straightforward. For those who already have some experience and want to step into color printing, the Kobra X is a good entry point.

What materials can I print with the Kobra X?
With the stock hardened steel nozzle, the officially supported materials are: PLA, PETG, ASA, TPU (95A/85A), PVA, PLA-CF, and PETG-CF. ABS is not on Anycubic’s official list for the Kobra X, although the hotend at 300 °C reaches a sufficient temperature to attempt it. For technical materials requiring a controlled environment, the lack of a closed housing is the limiting factor.

Can I print TPU with the Kobra X?
Yes. The direct-drive extruder handles 95A TPU well officially. In our tests, 85A TPU also worked correctly. The ACE Gen 2 material mixing feature even allows combining PLA with TPU (68D) in the same part to achieve flexible and rigid zones. Anycubic has published an official TPU printing guide for the Kobra X with recommended speed, temperature, and retraction settings.

Which slicer works best with the Kobra X?
For new users: Anycubic Slicer Next (official). For users already familiar with OrcaSlicer: import the official Anycubic profiles into OrcaSlicer via LAN mode. Profiles for Cura and PrusaSlicer were not officially available at the time of testing.

Is the LeviQ 3.0 automatic leveling truly automatic?
The 49-point compensation mesh is fully automatic and runs without any intervention. What still requires a one-time (and rarely repeated) manual adjustment is the initial Z-offset: the distance between the nozzle and the bed at the reference point. Once set correctly, the system maintains that reference reliably across many sessions.

What is the main difference between the Kobra X and the Kobra 3?
The key difference lies in the multicolor system. The Kobra 3 uses the ACE Pro as an external box, with retractions of ~160 mm on each color change. The Kobra X integrates the ACE Gen 2 directly into the printhead, reducing those retractions to just 30 mm: less purge waste, faster changes, and better reliability during long multicolor sessions. In addition, the Kobra X scales up to 19 colors versus 8 on the Kobra 3, and gains slightly in build volume (260×260 vs 250×250 mm in XY).

Is the Kobra X firmware updatable?
Yes, via OTA updates from the touchscreen or the app. The firmware is based on Klipper, but Anycubic has not published the source code nor allows direct customization. Official updates have been regular to date. Note that Rinkhals, the alternative firmware popular in the Anycubic community, does not support the Kobra X as of March 2026.

Is the Kobra X compatible with the ACE 2 Pro?
Yes, the Kobra X is compatible with the ACE 2 Pro. Up to four units can be connected to reach 19 simultaneous colors. The ACE 2 Pro also adds active filament drying. Important: the Kobra X is not compatible with the original ACE Pro from earlier versions (Kobra 3, Kobra S1). It only works with the ACE 2 Pro.

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