The prevalence of 3D printing has grown to using a host of printing material. Thermoplastic Polyurethane (TPU) filament is among many polymer variants that are being used for 3D printing. TPU filaments are slightly rigid and also have higher elasticity value than many other printing materials.
For that reason, items printed from TPU can withstand more tensile and compressive forces than the 3D models made of ABS or PLU filaments. TPU filaments are also preferred for 3D printing for their higher chemical and abrasion resistance. Many brands have specific features that may impact your decision making process.
Our overall best pick for the best TPU filament is the Priline TPU, but there are many others that might fit your need for a custom finished product.
If You Are In A Hurry, Here Is My Shortlist of the 9 Best TPU Filaments for 3D Printing
- PRILINE TPU-1KG 1.75 3D Printer Filament <<Best Overall
- SAINSMART Black Flexible TPU 3D Printing Filament
- TECBEARS TPU 3D Printer Filament
- OVERTURE 1.75mm Flexible TPU
- YOYI TPU 3D Printer Filament
- 3D BEST-Q Flexible TPU 1.75mm 3D Printer Filament
- POLYMAKER PolyFlex TPU95 Flexible TPU Filament <<Most Flexible
- NINJA TEK 3DNF01117505 NinjaFlex TPU Filament
- SUNLU Black Flexible TPU 3D Printing Filament
My In-depth Reviews for 9 of the Top TPU Filament Options
3D printing is certainly one of the most remarkable innovations of the 21st century. From professionals to hobbyists, it is letting people make customized objects and achieve unique design requirements in their prototypes without needing an extensive manufacturing setup.
If you were looking for 3D printing material and have ended up on this page, then keep reading. We have researched, shortlisted, and reviewed nine of the best TPU filaments available in the market right now.
Photo courtesy of Maurizio Pesce, Milan Italy, Wikimedia
1. Priline TPU-1KG 1.75 3D Printer Filament<<Best Overall
If you want to use TPU filament for its useful combination of elasticity and strength, consider buying this 2.2lb spool by PRILINE. This TPU filament is made with the high industry standard to ensure it holds the softness and elasticity of rubber but remains harder than TPE and other polymer variants.
Whether you want to make parts of protective applications or wearable devices, you can use TPU filaments. PRILINE TPU filament is compatible with all standard consumer 3D printers. From Ultimaker to Makegear and FlashForge, it works with all 1.75mm-specified printers.
PRILINE TPU filament gives ideal results when extrusion/nozzle temperature is set between 190-210°C and base plate temperature is around 50°C.
- Available in 7 colors
- A great bang for the buck
- Comes with a 30-day money-back guarantee
Our rating: 99%
2. SainSmart Black Flexible TPU 3D Printing Filament
SainSmart is a reliable name among CNC machines and 3D printer manufacturers. The company also offers 3D printing accessories that include TPU filament as well. SainSmart is offering a spool of 1.76lb TPU filament in 15 different colors.
The best thing about SainSmart TPU filament is that it is not just compatible with its own printers. You can use it with nearly every FDM printer that accepts filaments with 1.75mm diameter. We also like this TPU filament because it is easy to use for beginners— thanks to its impressive heating bed adhesion and less susceptibility to warping.
From watchbands to shoe insoles and phone cases, you can use this filament roll to print a host of durable yet flexible stuff.
- Compatible with non-SainSmart printers as well
- Offers dimensional tolerance of +/- 0.05mm
- Vacuum sealed with desiccant
Our rating: 98%
3. TECBEARS TPU 3D Printer Filament– TPU Filament with Best Dimensional Accuracy
TECBEARS is offering premium quality TPU filament at a reasonable price point. Its TPU filaments come in 1.1lb spools and available in more than 15 colors. TECBEARS TPU filaments boast high purity that ensures it doesn’t shrink during printing and maintain superb layer bonding. Both these properties make it possible to make top-quality 3D-printed objects.
The manufacturer has employed a self-adaptive control system and CCD diameter measuring regimen while making these TPU filaments. As a result, you get TPU filaments with one of the best dimension accuracy values (+/- 0.02mm) in the market.
TECBEARS TPU filaments offer better results at a relatively higher extrusion temperature. You need to operate the nozzle of your 3D printer in the range of 205°C-230°C.
- Works with almost all FDM printers
- Clog-free and bubble-free
- Comes with an 18-month warranty
Our rating: 97%
4. Overture 1.75mm Flexible TPU Roll- A Complete TPU Filament Package
Overture is offering a pretty well-thought-out package of TPU filament. You get a 2.2lb filament of 1.75mm diameter in five different colors. Moreover, the package also includes a top-quality 200x200mm build surface. The Overture TPU filament has various distinctive properties that are worth mentioning.
For instance, it exhibits excellent Shore A Hardness that allows it to stretch three times its original length. The filament also displays excellent bed adhesion while undergoing minimal warping and without producing the typical synthetic odor.
TPU filaments are not that good with their imperviousness to moisture. Therefore, Overture vacuum- packs it in a re-sealable bag with aluminum foil with desiccants. You can use the filament with a heated bed in the temperature range of 25°C to 60°C.
- Cost-effective and compatible
- Offers dimensional accuracy of +/- 0.05mm
- Comes with a lifetime guarantee
Our rating: 96%
5. YOYI TPU 3D Printer Filament<<Best European TPU Filament
YOY has been known for its high-quality compliance and manufacturing standards. The company also offers TPU filaments for 3D printing. It is offering TPU filament in 1.7lb spool and 11 different colors. The striking bit about YOYI’s TPU filament is all its raw materials are sourced from Europe and completely free of any impurities.
As a result, you get a finished TPU filament that smoothly passes through the extrusion channel without experiencing any bubbling and warping. Moreover, it is molded into shapes without giving off chemical fumes and odors.
Like any top-quality TPU filament, this YOYI product also offers dimensional accuracy of +/- 0.03mm. YOYI TPU filament offers the best results with a nozzle temperature set in between 200°C-210°C.
- Complies with EU’s REACH standards
- Works without bubbling and warping
- Comes with a 180-day money-back guarantee
Our rating: 95%
6. 3D BEST-Q Flexible TPU 1.75mm 3D Printer Filament <<Best Value TPU Filament
3D Best-Q deals in various 3D printing materials. The manufacturer has also forayed into the manufacturing of TPU filament. It has introduced a 2.2lb roll of 1.75mm TPU filament in eight different colors. The quality of 3D Best-Q’s TPU filament is demonstrated by its elastomeric value.
Higher elastomeric value allows this filament to transform into 3D-printed objects that can withstand extreme external forces without undergoing permanent deformation. The manufacturer has also made sure that you can use its TPU filament with any FDM 3D printer, be it is Makerbot, Cube, or Mendel.
You can use this TPU filament for best 3D printing results by setting its nozzle temperature between 200°C and 220°C and the base plate temperature at 50°C to 80°C.
- Easy to print
- Offers high compatibility and appropriate adhesion
- Ensures dimensional accuracy of +/- 0.03mm
Our rating: 94%
7. Polymaker PolyFlex TPU95 Flexible TPU Filament <<The Most Flexible TPU Filament
If you are looking for an extremely flexible TPU filament, consider buying this 1.6lb spool by Polymaker. The manufacturer has named its TPU filament “PolyFlex” due to its impressive elastic nature. It boasts Shore A hardness of nearly 95A. This means you can stretch it almost thrice of its length, and it will still recoil to its actual size.
This supreme flexibility allows you to use this TPU filament to print prosthetics, wearables, and other objects that undergo high compression and tensile impact. However, this flexibility comes with a tradeoff, i.e., the average dimensional stability. Unlike most of the other TPU filaments that we have reviewed here, Polymaker PolyFlex offers dimensional tolerance of +/- 0.05mm.
- Works in the range of 25°C-60°C heating bed temperature
- Also available in 2.85mm diameter
- Available in 6 colors
- Compatible with almost all FFF/FDM 3D printers
Our rating: 92%
8. NinjaTek 3DNF01117505 NinjaFlex TPU Filament <<Best High-End TPU Filament
NinjaTek TPU filament is a high-end option on this list. However, the price of the filament is justified by a host of its distinctive features. First, this TPU Filament outshines all other options in the market with its roundness and diameter consistency.
Moreover, the manufacturer has used its propriety manufacturing process to ensure the filament remains low-tack and possess easy-to-feed texture. The other great thing about this TPU filament is its good Shore A Hardness. The high Shore Hardness allows you to use the filament for printing objects that undergo repeated movements and impacts (gasket, leveling feet, seals, etc.).
NinjaTek TPU filament works best in the extrusion temperature range of 225°C-235°C. A single NinjaTek TPU filament weighs 1.25lb with enough material for printing a considerable number of small machine parts.
- Offers impressive abrasion resistance— better than ABS and PLA
- Comes without a sealed bag
- A bit heavy on the pocket
Our rating: 90%
9. SUNLU Black Flexible TPU 3D Printing Filament <<Most Eco-Friendly TPU Filament
If you are looking for a TPU filament that offers impressive dimensional accuracy and possesses greater elasticity, consider buying this 1.1lb filament spool by SUNLU. This TPU filament boasts Shore Hardness of 95A and the dimensional accuracy of +/- 0.02mm. The filament allows you to print 3D objects with high accuracy and better tensile strength.
We also like this TPU filament because it is made while complying with all the environmental-friendly measures. SUNLU fully complies with the Restriction of Hazardous Substance (RoHS) directive that ensures no hazardous substances are used in the making of its products.
- Also works with 3D pens
- Works on the wide extruder temperature range
- Comes with a 90-day money-back guarantee
Our rating: 90%
Things to Consider When Buying a TPU Filament
Take these factors into account while buying a TPU filament.
Shore ‘A’ Hardness
It is a scale to measure the hardness of rubber and TPU molds. The scale reads from 0-100. The majority of TPU filaments lie at the higher bands of this hardness scale. You will find most of them in the range of 70-95A.
If you want to print objects that are hard but still exhibit flexibility (wrist bands, tire treads, etc.), stick to TPU filament with lower Shore A Hardness. For hard objects like a construction hat, shopping cartwheels, TPU filament with Shore A Hardness of 90+ will be good.
Dimensional Tolerance
Dimensional tolerance is an important feature in any manufacturing process. Materials that offer higher dimensional tolerance allow you to make items with more accuracy. Try to buy TPU filaments with dimensional tolerance in the range of +/- 0.05mm to +/- 0.02mm.
Warranty/Guarantee
The warranty/guarantee of a TPU filament indicates its quality and the trustworthiness of the manufacturer. Therefore, many top-quality TPU filaments come with a money-back guarantee.
Tutorials
Tips and settings for using TPU:
Printing flexible items using TPU on a regular 3D printer:
Making your TPU prints glossy for a professional look:
Conclusion
We hope that the above reviews and discussions help you pick the best TPU filament for your 3D printing requirements. If we are to make any suggestions, we recommend you should consider investing in PRILINE TPU filament. It has an affordable price, suitable dimensional accuracy, and comes with a 30-day money-back guarantee.
FAQs
What is the difference between TPU and TPE Filaments?
TPU and TPE filaments belong to the same thermoplastic polymer category. However, TPU exhibits better hardness but with the same flexibility as TPE.
Does TPU filament work without a heated bed?
No, your 3D printer should feature a heated bed operating in the range of 20°C to 60°C to use TPU filament as printing material.
What items can be printed from TPU filaments?
From automotive accessories to mobile casings and covers, you can use TPU filament for all those items that exhibit impact resistance with good flexibility.
