The birth of the Anycubic Kobra 2 series has brought affordable FDM 3D printers for fast printing. This blog discusses a comparison of the features and specs between the Anycubic Kobra 2 Plus and the Kobra Plus. In fact, from the model names, you can tell that the Kobra 2 Plus is an iteration of the Kobra Plus, and it comes with larger, faster, and smarter features than the previous generation. Let's delve into more information.
Specs Comparisons
| Specifications |
 Anycubic Kobra 2 Plus
|
 Anycubic Kobra Plus
|
|---|---|---|
| Original price | $449 | $499 |
| Build volume | 400 x 320 x 320mm | 350 x 300 x 300 mm |
| Extruder | Direct drive | Seperated Bowden |
| Bed leveling | LeviQ 2.0 auto leveling(49-point) | LeviQ 1.0 auto leveling(25-point) |
| Printing speed | 500mm/s(Max.) 300mm/s(Avg.) | 180mm/s(Max.) 100mm/s(Avg.) |
| X-Y-axis | Double metal spindles and SG15 bearings | Traditional D-structure |
| Build plate | PEI magnetic spring steel | Glass |
| Anycubic APP | Yes | No |
| Built-in capacity | Yes, 8G | No |
1. Leveling System
Anycubic Kobra 2 Plus utilizes the latest Anycubic bed leveling system, 'LeviQ 2.0', while the Kobra Plus uses version 1.0. What are the differences between them? Anycubic introduced the LeviQ 2.0 system, which is applied in the Kobra 2 series. On one hand, with just one click, the printer can automatically level the bed, saving makers time and effort, and no need for manual screw adjustments for the bed. On the other hand, based on LeviQ 1.0, the 2.0 system upgrades the automatic Z-height adjustment feature, allowing makers to smoothly print the first layer, which is often a critical factor for printing success.
2. Printing Speed
Comparing the printing speed, the Kobra 2 Plus is much more advanced than the old Kobra Plus, showing nearly triple the speed. This is because the new one can reach a maximum speed of 500mm/s and an acceleration of 10,000mm/s², whereas the old one can only go up to 180mm/s. To better understand this speed data, the new Plus can complete a 3DBenchy print with a suggested average speed of 300mm/s in just 17 minutes and 11 seconds. This speed is indeed quite impressive.
To eliminate the vibrations during printing, which can result in ringing or echoing on the print surface, the firmware of the 2 Plus has upgraded. It now supports vibration compensation and flow control, with the aim of achieving smoother surfaces.
3. Build Volume
The Kobra 2 Plus offers a 28% increase in build volume compared to the previous generation, with dimensions of 400 x 320 x 320mm (41L). This size allows for a one-piece printing of costume helmet, enabling makers to create relatively large art pieces without the need for intricate assembly. In contrast, the old Kobra Plus could only print objects with dimensions up to 350 x 300 x 300mm (32L).
4. Mechanical Framework Design
The mentioned upgrades for larger and faster printing capabilities rely on a robust hardware framework to maintain stable printing results. The Kobra 2 Plus has been optimized the mechanical framework design. For hardware and framework improvements, the Kobra 2 Plus has said goodbye to the traditional D-structure on both the X and Y axes, embracing double metal spindles and SG15 bearings. These enhancements reduce friction during printing, significantly boosting the machine's printing speed. And the durable metal materials make subsequent maintenance easier for users. Additionally, the dual-gear extruder ensures faster and more stable filament gripping and extrusion.
5. Usability and Convenience
In the new generation of the Plus model, you can see that it is smarter and more user-friendly, as some great upgrades have been made to strengthen the Kobra 2 Plus's user-friendliness and convenience. The Kobra 2 Plus supports the Anycubic App, which means the machine can achieve networking, so users are able to control it remotely through the App, including online slicing and video monitoring. However, please note that you'll need to prepare a camera to upgrade the machine, and the Anycubic App (scheduled to be launched in Q4 of 2023). Last but not least, there are other design improvements, including a new screen UI with more intuitive and aesthetically pleasing menus, and you can use either WiFi or USB for file transfer and firmware updates.
Which One Is Better?
If you are looking for a smart high-speed FDM printer with a large print size, Anycubic Kobra 2 Plus is a great choice. As to the price, its original price is $449 USD, but during the pre-sale, it's available for $399 USD, which is even more affordable than the initial pricing of the last generation. Whether you are comparing it to the old Kobra Plus or similar products in the market, the Kobra 2 Plus offers more capabilities while remaining a budget-friendly speedy printer.