Welcome to the Thomas guide to the best 3D printer filament 2024. Thomas has been connecting North American industrial buyers and suppliers for more than 120 years. When you purchase products through our independent recommendations, we may earn an affiliate commission.
Thankfully for DIY additive manufacturing enthusiasts, there are many different types of 3D filament available, but this may get beginners in a bit of a pickle; how do you know which 3D filament is the best for your needs? We outline below the different 3D filaments and their uses, as well as a selection of the top products available to buy now to help you find the right one for you.
Here is a list of the best 3D printer filaments, followed by a buying guide to help you select the best 3D printer filament for your needs.
Thomas’ Top Picks for the Best 3D Printer Filament in 2024
We’ve picked out the top-rated 3D filaments available so you can get printing with a simple “add to cart”.
Best-Rated 3D Printer Filament: SUNLU PLA 3D Printer Filament | Buy Now
Best Cheap 3D Printer Filament (PETG): TECBEARS PETG 3D Filament | Buy Now
Best PLA 3D Printer Filament: OVERTURE PLA Filament | Buy Now
Best Carbon Fiber 3D Printer Filament: PRILINE Carbon Fiber PETG Filament | Buy Now
Best Food Safe 3D Printer Filament: OVERTURE PETG 3D Printer Filament | Buy Now
Best Wood 3D Printer Filament: iSANMATE Wood Filament | Buy Now
Best Metallic 3D Printer Filament: CC3D 3D Printer Silk PLA Rainbow Multicolor Metallic Filament | Buy Now
Best Multicolor 3D Printer Filament: TTYT3D Color Gradient Rainbow Multicolor 3D Printer Filament | Buy Now
Best Glow-in-the-Dark 3D Printer Filament: Amolen PLA 3D Glow-in-the-Dark PLA Filament | Buy Now
Best 3D Printer Filament Set: Mika3D Shiny Silk PLA Filament Bundle | Buy Now
Best 3D Pen Filament: Mika3D 3D Pen PLA Filament | Buy Now
Scroll down to read more about our top picks for the best 3D printer filament on the market, according to thousands of happy buyers.
*Prices listed in this article were as shown in US$ on amazon.com (USA) as of April 2022
1. Best-Rated 3D Printer Filament—SUNLU 3D Printer Filament
Made from premium PLA, this SUNLU 3D printer filament offers high-performance, great strength, is environmentally friendly, and has no odor during printing.
It will fit in most printers that take 1.75mm filament, and one of the many happy customers wrote, “I purchased this PLA+ in black because I was looking for a stronger PLA filament than your usual brand… It looks like silk on the vertical sides of a print. It is very shiny, and I like it.”
BUY NOW: US$20.99 (Was US$27.99), Amazon
2. Best Cheap 3D Printer Filament (PETG)—TECBEARS 3D Printer Filament
Providing ease of printing, reliability, and high detail, the TECBEARS PETG 3D printer filament shares similar specifications to other competitors but at a highly competitive price point.
Many satisfied customers have noted that this product is of great value, and one wrote, “This 3D Printer filament works wonderfully! It is really good quality at a fraction of the price.”
BUY NOW: US$19.99, Amazon
3. Best PLA 3D Printer Filament—OVERTURE 3D Printer Filament
A lot of avid 3D printing fans love OVERTURE filaments as the company has a stringent manufacturing system of examination that ensures their filament is clog-, and bubble-free and provides a smooth and stable printing experience every time.
Each PLA filament also comes with a free bed surface mat and a helpful small plastic ruler. With thousands of positive ratings, this product is one of the best PLA filaments you can buy, and one enthusiastic purchaser confirmed, “All my prints came out flawless for the desired settings… It’s the best PLA you can get for your money. Period!”
BUY NOW: US$19.20 (Was US$26.99), Amazon
4. Best Carbon Fiber 3D Printer Filament—PRILINE 3D Printer Filament
For a strong and rigid 3D filament, this PRILINE carbon fiber polycarbonate version is the way to go. With excellent layer adhesion and dimensional stability, as well as a high strength-to-weight ratio, and high heat tolerance (as is expected of carbon fiber), this product provides superior layer adhesion for prints that won’t warp.
It’s Amazon’s choice for the best carbon fiber PETG filament, and one of the many happy customers commented, “These carbon fiber filaments make parts that appear much more professional,” adding that another benefit “is that there is little or no stringing.”
BUY NOW: US$49.06 (Was US$79), Amazon
5. Best Food Safe 3D Printer Filament—OVERTURE Printer Filament
Clog-free, bubble-free, tangle-free, and at a competitive price, this OVERTURE PETG filament has everything you need in a good 3D printing filament, and it’s food-safe, too, for printing food and drink containers, like dinnerware and cups.
It comes in the standard 1.75mm diameter and is competitively priced. One very pleased customer wrote, “I wanted a good PETG filament since I heard it’s a good food-safe plastic that can be 3D printed… Love the finish on the kombucha fruit cold presser I designed.”
BUY NOW: US$23.99, Amazon
6. Best Wood 3D Printer Filament—iSANMATE 3D Printer Filament
Made from 20% wood flour and 80% PLA, the iSANMATE wood filament can make impressive products with a real wooden feel. It can be used for models of many sizes with flat or smooth surfaces and boasts superb layer bonding and a low shrinkage rate.
One very satisfied buyer wrote, “The adhesion was very good, and I had no issues with overhangs. The finished product looks and feels like real wood (one friend thought it was carved at first).”
BUY NOW: US$28.99, Amazon
7. Best Metallic 3D Printer Filament—CC3D 3D Printer Filament
No polishing is needed when using the CC3D printer silk rainbow multicolor PLA filament, as the end result is always highly detailed and sleek. The color change is random, so you can’t arrange the color scheme, but it provides a beautiful and unique finish nonetheless.
One of the many happy customers described, “It flows great with no clogs or jams, has great moisture resistance, and the end results of these filaments are stunning. The filament has great strength, and layers are solid with a smooth, extremely shiny surface.”
BUY NOW: US$25.99 (Was US$29.99), Amazon
8. Best Multicolor 3D Printer Filament—TTYT3D 3D Printer Filament
The TTYT3D rainbow multi-colored 3D printer PLA filament prides itself on the speed of color change, its smooth, glossy appearance, and its versatility for making anything from figurines to arts and crafts. It is easily compatible at the standard 1.75mm diameter and boasts no edge warping and no clogging.
It has a consistent feed which keeps it stable and reliable, and is also eco-friendly. One very pleased consumer wrote, “Prints came out absolutely gorgeous… I had zero issues with layer adhesion, and it’s a pretty strong filament. Was worried about brittleness, but nope. Good and strong.”
BUY NOW: US$29.99 (Was US$39.99), Amazon
9. Best Glow-in-the-Dark 3D Printer Filament—Amolen 3D Printer Filament
As a contender for the most fun filament you can buy, colors in the AMOLEN PLA 3D glow-in-the-dark version change from green to blue, and purple and pink every ten meters, making unique and attractive products each time.
Exposing it for a short time to a strong UV light or sunlight will give the desired glow effect, enjoyed by adults and children alike. “Some of the best glow-in-the-dark PLA I’ve used,” wrote one buyer. “It prints nicely for me and is actually fairly strong compared to some cheaper PLA… Would recommend this product 100%.”
BUY NOW: US$36.99, Amazon
10. Best 3D Printer Filament Set—Mika3D Printer Filament
The Amazon’s choice eco-friendly MIKA3D PLA filament bundle consists of high-quality, silky, and shiny metallic effect filaments for making stunning prints. These 500g spools are universally compatible, so should be able to fit the majority of 3D FDM printers on the market.
Many buyers are thrilled with the printing outcomes of these filaments, as well as their reasonable price tag (this bundle works out to under $14 for each spool). In addition, there are over 15 different bundle options available. One customer wrote, “It is the best PLA that I have used on my printer; its quality is amazing… and the color is just wow.”
BUY NOW: US$40.99 (Was US$59.99), Amazon
11. Best 3D Pen Filament—Mika3D Filament
For anyone who owns a 3D pen, this pack of Mika3D PLA filament refills consists of an impressive 32 assorted colors; 10 transparent, four metallic, and 18 other popular colors. They are eco-friendly and safe for kids and will fit most popular 3D pens and printers that take the standard 1.75mm diameter filaments.
A very pleased consumer wrote, “Awesome deal for the filament for our 3D pen! My daughter loves the colors and they heat up and build great.”
BUY NOW: US$19.99 (Was US$29.99), Amazon
The Best 3D Printer Filament 2024—Summary
You can’t really go wrong with any of our options above, but for a great all-rounder, the premium PLA SUNLU 3D printer filament (US$20.99, Amazon) is a top choice, and for more variety and options, we recommend the eco-friendly MIKA3D PLA filament bundle (US$40.99, Amazon).
Choosing the Best 3D Printer Filament—Buying Guide
In order to find the best 3D printer filament for your needs, it’s good to know about the different types and what they’re good for. Below are a few of the most common 3D filaments available on the market, as well as a brief overview of their properties and applications.
3D Filament Types and Uses
PLA is by far the best 3D printer filament for beginners as it is easy to use, as is the up-and-coming PETG filament. Still, with a little bit of time, patience, and practice, most of the other 3D filaments can be mastered to make impressive and useful products too.
- PLA (polylactic acid) is easy to use, beginner-friendly doesn’t need a heating bed, emits little to no odor, has minimal warping and shrinkage, is biodegradable and eco-friendly, and is available in a variety of colors and styles.
- ABS (acrylonitrile butadiene styrene) is the top rigid filament available that is high-temperature resistant, highly durable, and hard, but it’s not particularly user-, or beginner-friendly as it tends to warp and shrink.
- ASA (acrylonitrile styrene acrylate) is a weather-resistant alternative to ABS and slightly easier to print with. It’s a little brittle, though, and has a tendency to crack while printing if the settings aren’t perfect.
- PETG (polyethylene terephthalate with glycol) is user-friendly, clear, non-brittle, durable yet flexible, and resistant to high temperatures. Ideal for beginners. PETG resin has been FDA approved for food contact; however, you should always check the Safety Data Sheet on each product as compositions may vary from product to product.
- PP (polypropylene) is durable and tough, flexible and light, is resistant to chemicals, and is food-safe. The trade-off is that it’s difficult to print with, as it tends to warp, and it isn’t the best at layer adhesion.
- POM (polyoxymethylene) is often used in engineering as it’s perfect for high-precision parts like gears and bearings. The first layer needs a lot of care and attention, and the print bed temperature needs to be high for a desirable result.
- TPE (thermoplastic elastomers), TPU (thermoplastic polyurethane), and TPC (thermoplastic copolyester) are flexible yet durable plastics similar to rubber that are used a lot in medical industries. They’re not the easiest to print.
- PMMA (polymethyl methacrylate), commonly known as acrylic or Plexiglass, is a clear glass-like material that is lightweight and shatter-proof. It may warp during printing and is not very flexible.
- FPE (flexible polyester) is a combination of hard and soft polymers, is durable, and is quite user-friendly.
- Nylon is an expensive material that requires a high bed temperature to print with. It is strong, flexible, and durable, and you can even dye it before or after use.
- Carbon fiber reinforced filaments, whether PLA, PETG, or ABS, are strong, and lightweight, but extremely rigid, and have a high heat tolerance.
- PC (polycarbonate) is one of the strongest filaments. It’s both heat and impact-resistant and needs to be stored in a cool, dry place to stay in optimal condition. There is also a PC/ABS filament that provides the best of both plastics.
- PVA (polyvinyl alcohol) is a water-soluble plastic (think the plastic covering dishwasher tablets) that is useful for very particular products but not really easy to handle.
- Wood, metal, and ceramic effect filaments are PLA or ABS based with wood fiber, metal powder, or clay properties added to give the desired effect.
- Other effects, i.e. glow-in-the-dark, rainbow, or color-changing filaments, are also available for more creative and original designs.
Get started on your project now with a variety of the above 3D printer filaments available through Xometry, the industry’s leading on-demand manufacturing platform.
We hope our review of the best 3D printer filament has been helpful. For more 3D printers and other 3D printing suppliers, including 3D printer filaments suppliers, additive manufacturing suppliers, 3D photographic printing services, and 3D sand printing additive manufacturing, consult our additional guides, or visit the Thomas Supplier Discovery Platform.
Sources
- https://all3dp.com/1/3d-printer-filament-types-3d-printing-3d-filament/