Anycubic’s new 3D printer line-up impressed us this year with products such as the Kobra Max The Photon M3. The $200 Kobra Go, another new addition, is an ambitious attempt by the government to crack the budget 3D printer codes.
Like
- Auto-bed-leveling starting at $200
- Removable plate
- Excellent price
Don’t like
- It can be difficult to read the manual.
- You will need to fine-tune the beginning
I’m an advanced 3D Printer user, but this product is for beginners. Russell Holly, my colleague was kind enough to test the Kobra Go, and compare it to other budget 3D Printers he’s used, such the the Anycubic Kobra. I have included his observations with mine.
Some assembly required
James Bricknell/CNET
The Kobra Go comes in semi-assembled form. This means that although you will need to put together some of the mechanical parts, you don’t need to run cables or use any other tools than the included hex wrenches.
The advantage of a kit is that it allows you to learn about the pieces and their function as you build it. However the manual doesn’t go into much detail. You can certainly do the assembly, and it’s worth the time as it introduces you some advanced features.
Anycubic Kobra Go Spec sheet
| Print dimensions | 220x220x250 mm |
|---|---|
| Printing material | PLA, ABS, PETG, TPU |
| Type Extruder | Bowden |
| Nozzle size | 0.4mm |
| Print speed | 100mm/s (Max) |
| Control | 2.4-inch LCD screen with control dial |
| Leveling system | 25-point auto leveling |
| Filament run-out | Optional extra |
| Protection against power cuts | Yes |
Russell: The Kobra Go’s instruction manual is not only poor, but it also makes Anycubic’s overall ease of use and repair even more easy. User error aside (I did miss a page in this manual, which was completely on me), the manual frequently changes the perspective of a printer when trying show you how to connect various pieces. This makes it necessary for the user stop multiple times to verify that the installation is not being done backwards.
It’s not that the instructions don’t make sense, far from it. However, there is a lot to be done considering the target audience these printers are targeting. For something like this, I suggest that a video demonstration for new 3D printer owners would be appropriate.
It’s still a $200 3-D printer (with additionals).
Russell Holly/CNET
Although most 3D printers priced between $180 and $220 are similar in terms print quality, the Kobra Go’s inclusion of auto-bed-leveling is a strong selling point. ABL should be the industry standard, and Anycubic including it on a printer in the extreme budget category is a good sign. 3D printing will be much easier if ABL is available on every machine.
CNET tested the quality of the print, and there were some instances when the Kobra Go wasn’t calibrated correctly. However, with some effort and some tweaking to the software, you should still be able print high quality models reliably.
RussellThe Kobra Go’s print quality is excellent for a $200 3D printer. This machine can be used to print complex shapes or pieces, but not for high-detail or very fine edges. It’s not too restrictive for most projects with a little practice.
Kit vs. cost
Russell Holly/CNET
There is a delicate balance between affordability and usability when it comes to budget 3D printers. Anycubic can reduce shipping costs and save money by selling the Kobra Go as a kit. This gives the company the opportunity to add premium features like auto-bed-leveling.
The Kobra Go is an excellent choice for those who are new to 3D printing and want to learn (and put in effort), or if they just want a basic 3D printer with ABL.