The Anycubic Kobra Neo is an affordable, user-friendly 3D printer that’s perfect for hobbyists and beginners looking to get started with 3D printing. With its competitive price point, generous build volume, and host of handy features, the Kobra Neo punches above its weight class and delivers excellent value for money.
In this comprehensive review, we’ll take an in-depth look at the key specs and capabilities of the Anycubic Kobra Neo 3D printer. We’ll examine its print quality, speed, software, leveling system, community support, and more. By the end, you’ll know whether the Kobra Neo is the right affordable 3D printer for your needs and budget.
Overview of the Anycubic Kobra Neo’s Features and Specs
- Build volume: 220 x 220 x 250 mm
- Layer resolution: 50-400 microns
- Print speed: up to 100 mm/s
- Filament compatibility: PLA, PETG, TPU, ABS
- Supported file types: STL, OBJ, AMG
- Extruder: Direct drive with flexible coupler
- Bed leveling: Fully automatic
- Connectivity: USB, WiFi, Ethernet
- Dimensions: 435 x 435 x 465 mm
- Weight: ~8 kg
Generous Build Volume for the Price
One of the most impressive things about the Anycubic Kobra Neo is its build volume. At 220 x 220 x 250 mm, it can print medium-to-large models with ease. The build volume competes well with more expensive printers like the Ender 3 V2. For the price, it’s very generous.
The decent height allows you to print tall vases, figurines, and other models standing upright without issue. And the square XY dimensions give you plenty of bed real estate for printing multiples or large parts in one go.
Decent Print Speed of up to 100mm/s
While not the fastest 3D printer out there, the Kobra Neo can print at decent clip of up to 100mm/s. This allows you to churn out prints at a reasonable speed without compromising too much on quality.
The stock print speeds Anycubic recommends are:
- Inner wall speed: 60mm/s
- Outer wall speed: 40mm/s
- Top/bottom speed: 40mm/s
- Infill speed: 80mm/s
- Travel speed: 100mm/s
Printing speed will always depend on the model geometry, filament used, layer height, and other settings. But it’s good to have the option to print faster when you need it.
Wide Material Compatibility Out of the Box
The Kobra Neo can print a range of popular materials straight out of the box:
- PLA
- PETG
- TPU flexible filament
- ABS
This material versatility allows you to print anything from rigid models to flexible parts without upgrades.
PLA is ideal for detailed prints and PETG for more heat/chemically resistant prints. TPU allows you to create flexible models like tool handles and robot joints. And ABS unlocks strong engineering-grade parts, albeit with more warping and shrinking.
Having an enclosed chamber would allow ABS printing at peak performance. But even without, the Kobra Neo can print ABS fairly well if you take some extra care.
Direct Drive Extruder for Flexible Filament
The Kobra Neo uses a direct drive extruder with a flexible coupler. This allows it to print flexible filaments like TPU with ease.
Direct drive extruders have much better grip and control over the filament compared to Bowden setups. The flexible coupler also helps take any torque or tension off the feeder gear itself.
While you can print basic TPU on Bowden printers, a direct drive system really unlocks the full potential of flexible filament. No more filament slipping or stripping.
Automatic Bed Leveling for Hassle-Free Printing
Bed leveling is crucial for getting prints to stick and reducing warping/layer issues. Thankfully, the Kobra Neo comes equipped with a full automatic bed leveling system.
Using a dedicated probe, it can map the bed before each print and compensate for any unevenness. This takes the hassle and frustration out of manual bed leveling.
You’ll still need to keep the bed reasonably clean to allow the probe to do its job. But overall, auto bed leveling makes printing much easier and more hands-off. No more adjusting knobs and re-leveling every few prints!
LCD Touchscreen and Onboard Controls
The Kobra Neo features an intuitive 4.3″ LCD touchscreen for controlling prints and settings on the fly. This allows you to navigate menus, load/start prints, adjust temperatures and more right from the printer.
The touchscreen is very user-friendly and responsive. And it looks quite premium for a budget printer like this.
There are also manual control knobs for moving each axis around during leveling or maintenance. And you can use these knobs to control the printer independently, without connecting to a computer.
Reliable Dual Z-Axis Design
To enhance stability and print consistency, the Kobra Neo uses a dual Z-axis setup with two lead screws and stepper motors.
This keeps the gantry perfectly level and prevents tilting/binding that can happen with single Z-axis designs. It helps maintain an even layer height across the entire print surface.
The dual Z-axis works together with the auto-leveling probe to compensate for an uneven or warped print bed. Ensuring rock-solid first layers and overall print quality.
Wide Range of Connectivity Options
The Anycubic Kobra Neo offers USB, WiFi, and Ethernet connectivity out of the box. This gives you flexibility in how you setup and control the printer.
For simple local control, USB works great. But WiFi allows you to place the printer anywhere in your home and print wirelessly. Ethernet gives you a faster, more reliable wired connection if needed.
The printer is also compatible with OctoPrint for monitoring prints remotely from your phone or computer. And you can use the touchscreen to load prints directly from an SD card if desired.
Simple Assembly and Intuitive Software
Assembling the Kobra Neo is pretty straightforward following the included instructions. All the tools required are provided, and it should take 30-60 minutes for beginners. More experienced users may be up and running within 30 minutes.
The printer comes pre-calibrated, so there’s minimal tinkering or adjustment required after assembly. Anycubic’s leveling wizards and software also make getting your first prints dialed in very easy. Even for complete beginners.
Overall, the assembly, setup, and use of the Kobra Neo is about as simple as it gets for a 3D printer. Anycubic clearly designed it to be accessible and easy-to-use for beginners.
How Does the Anycubic Kobra Neo Perform?
Now that we’ve covered the key features and specs, how does the Kobra Neo actually perform when it comes to print quality, reliability, noise and other metrics? Let’s take a detailed look.
Excellent Print Quality for the Price
The Kobra Neo can achieve print quality on par with printers costing much more. Fine details come out very clean, and print surfaces are smooth.
With a 0.4mm nozzle and 0.2mm layer heights, you can achieve remarkable detail in your prints. The 50 micron resolution also allows for fine layers if you wish to trade speed for maximum detail.
Dual Z-axis, auto bed leveling, and Anycubic’s thermal technologies all help ensure consistency between prints. Once dialed in, the Kobra Neo puts out reliable, high-quality prints every time.
Reliable and Consistent Printing
In terms of reliability, the Kobra Neo has all the ingredients for trouble-free operation. The auto leveling, dual Z-axis, direct drive and Anycubic’s hardware quality control help minimize potential issues.
Owners report being able to easily print for months on end without critical failures. And Anycubic’s 12-month warranty provides peace of mind.
The printer also does a great job resuming failed prints. Power outages or filament runouts rarely ruin a print thanks to recovery features built into the firmware.
Reasonably Quiet Operation
The Kobra Neo produces under 50 decibels of noise according to Anycubic. And user testing shows the noise levels are relatively quiet and unobtrusive.
Certainly quieter than Ender 3 style machines with chipboard frames. The metal construction helps reduce vibrational noise during printing.
If you want near-silent operation, an aftermarket silent board upgrade could help further. But for most home use, owners are happy with the low noise output of the Kobra Neo.
Heated Bed Enables Printing Advanced Materials
The Kobra Neo’s heated print bed reaches temperatures up to 100°C. This allows you to print materials like ABS and PETG that benefit from higher first layer temperatures.
The heated bed uses an aluminum plate with a printed surface layer for good heat distribution and adhesion. It does an excellent job holding prints steady during the first few layers.
Between the heated bed and direct drive extruder, the Kobra Neo gives you the hardware needed to print more advanced materials right out of the box.
Excellent for Beginners with Great Community Support
One of the best aspects of the Kobra Neo is the huge user base and community support. As one of Anycubic’s most popular printers, there is a wealth of knowledge available online.
Between Anycubic’s official forums and Reddit communities like /r/anycubic, beginners can find help troubleshooting any issues. There are also tons of mods and accessories for customizing your printer.
The Kobra Neo makes a fantastic entry-level machine thanks to Anycubic’s reputation for good documentation and customer service. You’ll have all the help you need getting started and dialing in high-quality prints.
How Does the Kobra Neo Compare to Other Budget Printers?
The Kobra Neo competes in a crowded market of sub-$300 printers aimed at beginners and hobbyists. Printers like the Ender 3 V2 and Artillery Genius have similar specs and capabilities. So how does the Kobra Neo stack up?
Compared to the Ender 3 V2:
- Smaller 220 x 220 mm build volume vs 220 x 220 x 250 mm on the Ender 3 V2
- The Ender 3 V2 is limited to PLA/PETG without upgrades. The Kobra Neo can print flexible filament and higher-temp materials like ABS out of the box.
- No auto bed leveling on the Ender 3 V2. This is a huge convenience factor in the Kobra Neo’s favor.
- More robust dual Z-axis design vs single Z-axis on the Ender 3 V2.
- Anycubic touts better Quality Control and customer service reputation. But both are popular beginner printers.
Compared to the Artillery Genius:
- Very similar build volumes at 220 x 220 x 250 mm.
- The Genius also has auto bed leveling but uses a single Z-axis design.
- Direct drive on the Kobra Neo allows flexible filament printing. The Genius uses a Bowden setup.
- Both have heated beds, but the Kobra Neo’s max 100C temp enables better ABS printing.
- Anycubic likely has better QC and beginner-friendliness. But the Genius is also a great printer for the price.
Overall, at this entry-level price point, all three printers will perform similarly for PLA and PETG printing. The Kobra Neo’s advantages mainly come into play for flexible filament and higher-temp materials. Plus added beginner-friendly features like dual Z-axis and auto leveling.
Verdict: An Excellent Value 3D Printer for Beginners
In the sub-$300 price bracket, it’s hard to beat the bang-for-buck value offered by the Anycubic Kobra Neo. It combines an impressively large print volume with a robust and beginner-friendly design.
Out of the box, it can print a range of materials at excellent quality for the price. The auto bed leveling, flexible filament capabilities, and dual Z-axis design are big advantages over many competitors. And Anycubic’s reputation and community support instill confidence.
For beginners looking to get started with higher performance 3D printing, the Kobra Neo is a fantastic gateway printer. It’s easy to setup, use and maintain. And it will grow with you as you gain experience and look to print more advanced materials.
While not perfect, at this affordable price point, the Kobra Neo punches far above its weight. Delivering exceptional print quality, reliability and functionality in an accessible, user-friendly package.
