The Best Multicolor 3D Printers of 2026
| Product | Score | Print quality & accuracy(25%) | Setup & ease of use(25%) | 3-Year Cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 Bambu Lab P1S AMS 2 Pro ComboBest Overall |
8.6 |
9.0/10 |
9.0/10 |
$709.31checked Sep 15, 2026 |
 Bambu Lab A1 ComboAlso Great |
8.5 |
8.5/10 |
9.5/10 |
$399.00checked Sep 15, 2026 |
 Creality K2 Plus Combo (CFS x1)Also Great |
8.4 |
9.5/10 |
8.0/10 |
$1,645.76checked Sep 15, 2026 |
 Flashforge AD5XAlso Great |
8.0 |
7.0/10 |
9.0/10 |
$399.00checked Sep 15, 2026 |
 Anycubic Kobra 3 ComboBest Value |
7.8 |
7.0/10 |
8.5/10 |
$329.00checked Sep 15, 2026 |
Sorted by score. Prices come from each seller's site on the date shown and change often.
Brand claim vs independent measurement
| Product | What the brand claims | Independent figure | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bambu Lab A1 ComboReal-world print speed vs. top-speed claim | 500 mm/s max print speed, 10,000 mm/s² acceleration | About 250 mm/s average print speed with roughly 6,000 mm/s² average acceleration in practice, measured against a Prusa MK4S for comparison | Tom's Hardware |
| Anycubic Kobra 3 ComboSustainable print speed vs. top-speed claim | 600 mm/s max travel speed | About 350 mm/s is the practical ceiling before print quality drops, based on flow-rate testing on the closely related Kobra 3 V2 Combo, which shares the same ACE Pro platform; 600 mm/s only shows up on short, empty travel moves | Notebookcheck |
| Anycubic Kobra 3 ComboOperating noise | Not published by Anycubic | 42 dB(A) at idle and 55 to 60 dB(A) while printing, measured at 1 meter on the Kobra 3 V2 Combo (same ACE Pro drying unit as the standard Combo) | Notebookcheck |
| Bambu Lab P1S AMS 2 Pro ComboOperating noise across speed modes | Not published by Bambu Lab | 48 dB in Normal mode (150 mm/s), 56 dB in Sport mode (300 mm/s), and 62 to 65 dB in Ludicrous mode, measured at 1 meter | 3D Printer Stuff |
| Creality K2 Plus Combo (CFS x1)Filament purge waste per print | Not published by Creality | 207 g of purge waste plus 17 g in the purge tower (224 g total) in one multicolor test print, attributed to the K2 Plus's larger high-flow nozzle | Tom's Hardware |
| Flashforge AD5XReal-world print speed vs. top-speed claim | 600 mm/s max travel speed | Actual print jobs run closer to 200 mm/s average, dropping to about 75 mm/s on single-wall, no-infill detail parts; 600 mm/s is reached only in short bursts, and the bundled OrcaSlicer-based software crashed repeatedly during testing | Tom's Hardware |
We do not run these tests ourselves. Independent figures are quoted from the source named in each row.
The Bambu Lab P1S AMS 2 Pro Combo is the pick for anyone who wants the most dependable multicolor printing in this group. It pairs a fully enclosed, heated chamber, which opens the door to ABS and ASA, with an AMS 2 Pro unit that actively dries filament while it prints. If $579 is more printer than you need, the Bambu Lab A1 Combo shares the same AMS ecosystem in an open frame for $399, and the Anycubic Kobra 3 Combo undercuts everyone at $329 with its own filament-drying ACE Pro unit.
Buyers who need real workspace should look at the Creality K2 Plus Combo: a 350 mm cubed build volume and a 600 mm/s print speed built for large props and cosplay parts, at a $1,199 price that only makes sense once you are printing at that scale. The Flashforge AD5X sits at the entry point, built around Flashforge’s own Intelligent Filament System with no external box to mount, for shoppers who want four colors and nothing else to configure. Read our full Flashforge AD5X review for more on how it handles day to day.
How we picked
Every printer below is scored on five criteria: print quality and accuracy (25%), setup and ease of use (25%), speed and build volume (20%), reliability and support (15%), and 3-year cost of filament, nozzles, and parts (15%). Subscores come from the spec sheet and product page each brand publishes on its own US store: Bambu Lab, Anycubic, Flashforge, and Creality. These are researched picks, based on published specs and prices, not printers tested in person. See how we score for the full method, and browse our tools and makers hub for more printer coverage.
What to look for
- Build volume: 220 mm cubed fits keychains and small figures. 256 mm cubed and up handles cosplay props. 350 mm cubed and up is for full helmets and large parts in one piece.
- Colors per unit: most AMS-style systems cap at 4 colors per box. If you want more than 4, check whether the printer supports stacking a second unit before you buy.
- Nozzle temperature: 300°C nozzles handle PLA, PETG, and TPU. 350°C nozzles, like the K2 Plus, open the door to PA-CF and other high-temp filaments.
- Chamber: an enclosed, heated chamber (P1S, K2 Plus) keeps ABS and ASA from warping. Open-frame printers (A1, AD5X, Kobra 3) are best kept to PLA, PETG, and TPU.
- Max speed and acceleration: 500 mm/s and up is standard at this price range in 2026. Check the acceleration figure too, since a high top speed with low acceleration rarely gets reached on small parts.
- Warranty length: ranges from 1 year (Anycubic, Flashforge) to 2 years (Bambu Lab) among the brands in this list.
FAQ
What counts as a “multicolor” 3D printer?
A multicolor 3D printer uses an automated filament-changing system, an AMS, ACE Pro, CFS, or built-in IFS, to swap between multiple spools mid-print without you touching the machine. That is different from a single-nozzle printer where you manually change filament between color sections.
How many colors can these printers actually print?
Every combo in this list starts at 4 colors with its included unit. The Bambu Lab P1S and the Creality K2 Plus can go up to 16 colors by buying and stacking up to 4 total units. The Anycubic Kobra 3 tops out at 8 colors with a second ACE Pro.
Does multicolor printing waste filament?
Yes. Every color change purges the old filament color through the nozzle before the new color prints clean, and that purge waste is not included in the prices above since none of these brands publish a per-print waste figure. Expect more waste on models with frequent color swaps.
Should I choose PLA or PETG for a multicolor print?
PLA is easier to dial in and works on every printer in this list, including the open-frame models. PETG holds up better outdoors and tolerates more heat before it softens. See our PLA vs PETG guide for the full comparison.
What if I only need 2 colors, not 4?
A single-nozzle printer with a manual filament swap costs less and skips the added hardware. If this is your first 3D printer and you are not sure multicolor is worth the extra cost yet, compare picks in our best 3D printers for beginners guide, or our broader best 3D printers roundup.
Best Overall: Bambu Lab P1S AMS 2 Pro Combo
Bambu Lab P1S AMS 2 Pro Combo
We don't earn anything from this link.
What we like
- +Fully enclosed chamber with an activated carbon filter handles ABS and ASA safely
- +AMS 2 Pro actively dries filament between color changes
- +2-year warranty and 30-day price protection through Bambu Lab's US store
What we don't
- −One AMS 2 Pro unit still caps color count at 4; extra units cost more
- −$579 combo price is the second-highest in this list
- −500 mm/s max speed, the same top speed as the cheaper A1
Skip it if
Skip it if $579 is outside budget. The A1 Combo shares the same AMS ecosystem for $180 less.
The Practical Math · 3 years
| P1S AMS 2 Pro Combo printer | $579.00 |
| Electricity: 350W x 2 hrs/day x 365 days x 3 yrs x $0.17/kWh | $130.31 |
| Total | $709.31 |
Also Great: Bambu Lab A1 Combo
Bambu Lab A1 Combo
We don't earn anything from this link.
What we like
- +Full-auto calibration needs no manual tuning before each print
- +49 dB operation is the quietest combo in this list, per Bambu Lab
- +One-click slicing and printing through MakerWorld
What we don't
- −AMS lite tops out at 4 colors since the A1 supports only one unit
- −Open-frame design; Bambu Lab does not recommend enclosing it
- −500 mm/s max speed with lower 10,000 mm/s² acceleration than the P1S or K2 Plus
- −Recalled by Bambu Lab in June 2024 for about 12,800 early units (serial 6th digit "A") over a heatbed cable that could short and spark; Bambu Lab offered a free replacement or refund, and units sold since are not affected, per the CPSC.
Skip it if
Skip it if you plan to print ABS, ASA, or other filaments that need a heated chamber.
The Practical Math · 3 years
| A1 Combo printer (includes AMS lite) | $399.00 |
| Total | $399.00 |
Also Great: Creality K2 Plus Combo (CFS x1)
Creality K2 Plus Combo (CFS x1)
We don't earn anything from this link.
What we like
- +350 x 350 x 350 mm build volume is the largest in this list by a wide margin
- +600 mm/s print speed with 30,000 mm/s² acceleration, the fastest spec sheet here
- +Actively heated chamber (up to 60°C) supports ABS, ASA, and PA-CF without warping
What we don't
- −$1,199 as-tested price is more than double the next closest printer in this list
- −Base combo includes only 1 CFS unit for 4 colors; a 16-color setup needs 3 more units
- −495 x 515 x 916 mm footprint needs significantly more desk space
Skip it if
Skip it if desk space or budget is tight. The A1 Combo or AD5X cover 4-color printing for close to a third of the price.
The Practical Math · 3 years
| K2 Plus Combo with 1 CFS unit | $1,199.00 |
| Electricity: 1200W x 2 hrs/day x 365 days x 3 yrs x $0.17/kWh | $446.76 |
| Total | $1,645.76 |
Also Great: Flashforge AD5X
Flashforge AD5X
Paid link · price checked Sep 15, 2026
What we like
- +Intelligent Filament System is built into the printer, no external feeder box to mount
- +600 mm/s travel speed and Core-XY motion for stable tall prints
- +99% resume-print success rate after a power outage, per Flashforge
What we don't
- −220 x 220 x 220 mm build volume is the smallest printer in this lineup
- −Capped at 4 colors, with no official path to more on a single unit
- −Open-frame design limits high-temperature engineering filaments
Skip it if
Skip it if you need a build volume larger than 220 mm cubed.
The Practical Math · 3 years
| AD5X printer | $399.00 |
| Total | $399.00 |
Best Value: Anycubic Kobra 3 Combo
Anycubic Kobra 3 Combo
We don't earn anything from this link.
What we like
- +ACE Pro dries filament while printing, cutting moisture-related failures
- +Lowest price in this list at $329
- +Expandable to 8 colors by adding a second ACE Pro
What we don't
- −250 x 250 x 260 mm build volume is mid-pack, not the largest here
- −Open-frame design, not built for ABS or ASA that need a heated chamber
- −1-year warranty is the shortest of the group
Skip it if
Skip it if you print engineering filaments like ABS or need a fully enclosed chamber.
The Practical Math · 3 years
| Kobra 3 Combo printer | $329.00 |
| Total | $329.00 |
What owners report
4.89 of 5 from 572 ratings on Flashforge store page read Sep 16, 2026
Ratings shown on a seller's own page can leave out reviews the seller removed. We read the most recent reviews ourselves and summarize what repeats.
- −A repeated complaint across AMS-style and IFS-style filament systems is feeding failures: filament stops just short of the extruder gear or gets pushed in and then retracted, throwing a clog error, per posts on Bambu Lab's own community forum about the AMS 2 Pro.
- −Owners of early Flashforge AD5X units report firmware updates triggering new error codes (E0120, E0007) and original extruders wearing out, per a documented case on a personal 3D-printing blog.
- +Flashforge's own store page shows a 4.89 out of 5 average across 572 reviews for the AD5X, with the built-in IFS drawing praise for needing no external box to mount.
the AMS 2 pushes the filament all the way to the extruder but it stops pushing just millimeters shy of the extruder grabbing it
Bambu Lab community forum, AMS 2 Pro feeding thread, Apr 2025
Error E0120 and E0007 have spiked, often occurring immediately after a Wi-Fi-initiated firmware update.
bdking71.wordpress.com, Flashforge AD5X owner report, May 2026
The specs that matter, in plain English
- AMS / ACE Pro / CFS / IFS
- The brand-specific names for an automated multi-spool filament changer: AMS and AMS 2 Pro (Bambu Lab), ACE Pro (Anycubic), CFS (Creality), and IFS (Flashforge). All do the same job of swapping spools mid-print without you touching the machine.
- Core XY
- A motion system where the X and Y stepper motors stay fixed to the frame and move the print head through a belt loop, instead of moving the whole gantry or bed. It lets a printer accelerate faster without shaking the frame, which is why most enclosed, high-speed printers use it.
- Purge waste
- The length of filament a printer pushes through and discards every time it switches colors, to clear the old color out of the nozzle before the new one prints clean. It is separate from the printer's sticker price and adds an ongoing filament cost that none of the brands in this list publish per print.
- PA-CF
- Nylon (polyamide) filament reinforced with chopped carbon fiber. It prints stiffer and more heat-resistant than PLA or PETG, but needs a nozzle rated past 280C to 300C and an enclosed chamber, which rules it out on open-frame printers like the A1, AD5X, and Kobra 3.
- Acceleration (mm/s²)
- How fast the print head reaches its top speed, not the top speed itself. A printer with a high top speed but low acceleration rarely hits that speed on small parts, since it spends most of the print ramping up and slowing back down.
What changed
- Sep 16, 2026 Refreshed with independent measured data from Tom's Hardware, Notebookcheck, and 3D Printer Stuff; added owner ratings from the Flashforge store page and verbatim owner reports from Bambu Lab's community forum and an independent owner blog; queried the CPSC recall database for all five brands (no active recalls found; the Bambu Lab A1's 2024 heatbed-cable recall is disclosed below and does not affect current stock); confirmed all five products are still sold in the US at their listed prices as of this date.
Sources we read
- Bambu Lab P1S AMS 2 Pro Combo, official US store listing read Sep 16, 2026
- Bambu Lab A1 Combo, official US store listing read Sep 16, 2026
- Flashforge AD5X, official store listing and customer rating read Sep 16, 2026
- Anycubic Kobra 3 Combo, official US store listing read Sep 16, 2026
- Creality K2 Plus Combo (CFS x1), official store listing read Sep 16, 2026
- Bambu Lab A1 Combo vs Prusa Research MK4S with MMU3, Tom's Hardware read Sep 16, 2026
- Creality K2 Plus Review: Now in Color, Tom's Hardware read Sep 16, 2026
- Flashforge AD5X review: An affordable option for fast color 3D printing, Tom's Hardware read Sep 16, 2026
- Anycubic Kobra 3 V2 Combo review, Notebookcheck read Sep 16, 2026
- Bambu Lab P1S Review 2026: Speed, Quality & Value Tested, 3D Printer Stuff read Sep 16, 2026
- AMS 2 Pro - Issues with loading filament into Extruder, Bambu Lab community forum read Sep 16, 2026
- The Flashforge AD5X Lemon Report: Silent Hardware Swaps and Firmware Failures read Sep 16, 2026
- Bambu Lab Recalls A1 3D Printers Due to Electric Shock and Fire Hazards, CPSC read Sep 16, 2026
- SaferProducts.gov recall search API, query for "Bambu" read Sep 16, 2026
We research products from published specs, certification databases, independent lab reports and owner reviews. We do not test products in our own lab. How we score.