Tired of searching for the best filament for Ender 3? I’ve tested more than 23 filaments, checked over 12 in-depth reviews, and read tons of customer ratings to look for the quality filaments for the Creality Ender 3 and Ender 3 V2.
This back-breaking research made me put this list of the top 4 filaments, which has everything you need, from excellent precision to smooth texture to optimal heat resisting ability!
The current market has loaded a heap of poor-quality filaments which won’t give you the quality and accuracy you really look for. So if you give this review a read, I’m pretty sure you’ll love at least one of them if not all!
OVERTURE Filament is by far the best filament for Ender 3 due to its automatic winding system, bubble-free design, and self-adaptive mechanism. Also, it’s one of the top-selling products mostly preferred by those who want to get any high-quality PLA filament at a fair price range.
My Top Picks at a Glance:
- OVERTURE Filament – Best PLA Filament for Ender 3
- HATCHBOX Filament – Best ABS Filament for Ender 3
- PRILINE Filament – Best TPU Filament for Ender 3
- OVERTURE PETG Filament – Best PETG Filament for Ender 3
Different Filament Types:
You may get a little confused after looking at so many different types of filaments. But only the 4 types I’ve incorporated here are reliable for your ender 3. So let’s see what they are:
Polylactic Acid (PLA):
If you ask me to show you the most popular filament material for your Ender 3, I’d say it’s nothing but the PLA. And this is probably the reason why professionals rated it as the “most effective one” till now.
Furthermore, you’ll be able to print it out within minimal heat and temperature, which is why the whole process is going to be a breeze. And you’ll be happy to know it lets you use it for plenty of different applications, and that too at an affordable range.
Despite being the strongest, polylactic acid is friendly to the environment as it is biodegradable from several crops, including sugar cane.
Properties of Polylactic Acid:
- Offers a calm and pleasing smell
- Toxic-free
- Less prone to damage
- Mediocre strength and durability
- Easy-peasy to deal with
Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene (ABS):
Hands down, it’s an outstanding material that earns fame for both its mechanical prosperities and affordability. Besides, it will appear more durable, flexible, and capable of withstanding sunlight and moisture. Due to this fact, this type of filament is the go-to choice to print out some of the functional and prototype parts.
In my opinion, you should look for ABS instead of other choices while printing the sections that tend to hold additional wear and usage.
Because of its improved durability, ABS is an ideal choice for either high temperature or exterior usage.
What about the drawback? Unfortunately, it seems kind of weird, which is why I’d suggest utilizing it in those areas that have enhanced ventilation.
Properties of Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene:
- A wee bit trickier in order to print with
- Has the ability to deal with moisture and sunlight
- Impact-resistant, flexible, and durable
- Has equipped chemical smell
Polyethylene Terephthalate (PETG)
Talking about the PETG filament, it is eco-friendly, pretty easy to use, and offers a tough finishing. Consequently, it’s mostly picked by the maker of food bottles and stuff like that.
Basically, PETG is a semi-rigid substance that also ensures as much resistance as needed against impact. Nevertheless, the surface it gets is relatively softer.
Speaking of its materials, PETG maximizes thermal conductivity to help cool down plastic food bottles. And guess what? This filament can be printed out either using or not using any heated bed.
Properties of Polyethylene Terephthalate:
- Hassle-free usage and eco-friendly
- Maximizes durability
- Ensures greater flexibility than ABS and PLA
Thermoplastic Polyurethane (TPU)
When we talk about a filament that has the ability to provide resistance against abrasion, the name of TPU comes in the front category! This one is applied in tons of manufacturer processes, making it multi-functional.
What’s more? This filament generates rugged, durable prints, which will be easily bendable due to the flexibility. But to get your desired result, this filament will print out the materials at the slowest speed possible.
Properties of Thermoplastic Polyurethane:
- Maximizes resistance against heat and abrasion
- Comparatively easier in order to print with
- Improved durability and offers bendable prints
- Compatible with both industrial and consumer prints
Best Filament for Ender 3: Detailed Reviews
Let’s cut to the chase! As you’re quite familiar with the common filament types along with their properties, why don’t you check out my handpicked products which I’ve picked considering the types!
So right now, I’m going to describe the features, pros, and cons of my top 4 picks on the best filament for ender
1. OVERTURE Filament – Best PLA Filament for Ender 3
Specifications:
- Type of material is polylactic acid
- Gives you a single pack
- Weighing approximately 2.2lbs
- Comes in 190 – 220-degree C nozzle temperature
The brand OVERTURE requires no introduction when it comes to choosing the best filament for Ender 3. They’ve produced tons of high-quality filaments around the current marketplace, and this model is one of them that I’ve picked for you.
Your whole printing process is going to be quite smooth and precise, thanks to its bubble-free and clog-free design. To add icing to the cake, the inner diameter gets a comparatively large spool. Thus, it ensures relatively smoother feeding.
Unlike the typical PLA filaments out there, this one right here gets softer points, keeping it as much harder as possible in hotends. And don’t worry about tangling or such kinds of issues, its manual detection with automatic winding has got you covered!
While you create your desired material using Ender 3, you’ll notice how this super-effective filament works maintaining its consistency and accuracy, that’s why I’d definitely love to give this credit to its self-adaptive control mechanism.
Although I’ve specifically picked the OVERTURE filament for Ender 3, the best thing is that it’s friendly with almost every high-end 3D printer!
Read the Overture Filament Review
Highlighted Features:
- Bubble-free as well as clog-free design
- Inner diameter packs a large-sized spool
- Self-adaptive mechanism maintains consistency and accuracy
- Automatic winding system has been included
Pros
- Makes the printing process smoother and accurate
- Free from tangling
- Ideal size to create lots of materials at once
- Excellent durability and free from toxic smell
- Friendly with multiple 3D printers, especially with Ender 3
Cons
- Adhesion appears weak at times!
Reasons to buy: OVERTURE is a highly preferable PLA filament that maintains both consistency and accuracy. It dramatically improves the functionality with its self-adaptive mechanism along with the automatic winding system.
2. HATCHBOX Filament – Best ABS Filament for Ender 3
Specifications:
- Type of material is Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene
- Offers a single pack
- Comes in a 1kg spool
- Includes 210 – 240-degree C nozzle temperature
My second choice from HATCHBOX can be your ultimate choice if you’re a fan of ABS and looking for the best ABS filament for ender 3. Its 1.75 mm standard size ensures this is going to be a perfect match with your 3D printers to work like a pro!
Due to the excellent range of durability and resistance against impact, HATCHBOX ABS has the ability to print out at the highest temperature possible compared to other choices. And as you already know, Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene is compatible with prototype parts, making it ideal for enthusiasts and skilled engineers.
Let it be wallets, phone cases, salt shakers, candle holders, or anything else, this filament material is compatible with all. Each pack carries a total of 2.20 pounds of the spool (1 kg), meaning you’re allowed to create heaps of different stuff at once.
Worrying about the colors? Cool, HATCHBOX filament isn’t like your typical ABS! This will let you get something of vibrant, more vivid, and bold colors to capture users’ attention. Feel free to match or mix it up with textured, glossy, or wood filaments to create anything new or unique.
Highlighted Features:
- Gets a standard size of 1.75 mm to make a match with your Ender 3
- Friendly with prototype parts and stuff like that
- Durable, flexible, and ensures optimal heat resistance
- It can be mixed or matched with textured, wood, or glossy filaments
Pros
- Multi-functional and reliable
- Able to produce numerous material types
- Ensures vivid and bold colors
- Ideal for Ender 3 and a few more 3D printers
Cons
- Might provide a bit of chemical smell!
- Reasons to buy: HATCHBOX filament can be matched or mixed up with some other specific filaments as well, allowing you to create some of the best and most unique designs with your Ender 3. Along with that, it’ll give vibrant colors by working under the maximum range of heat.
3. PRILINE Filament – Best TPU Filament for Ender 3
Specifications:
- Type of material is Thermoplastic Polyurethane
- Gives you one pack
- Weighs about 2.2lbs
- The range of nozzle temperature is 190 to 220-degree C
Are you looking for something that gets improved abrasion resistance? If your answer is “yes,” then I can confidently suggest having the PRILINE filament. In fact, it also gets a standard 1.75 mm standard size combining 1kg spool to make it the best TPY filament for Ender 3.
Along with the greater abrasion resistance, PRILINE is well for its excellent flexibility. Interestingly, it feels much softer and elastic kind of rubber. Thus, it enables constant movement, and that too without ending up with cracking.
I don’t need to hear which material you’re going to create, PRILINE TPU filament can be one of the best matches to deliver lots of different things, including plugs, seals, sheets, gaskets, key-rings, shoes, mobile cases, and so on!
And guess what? Each material will be durable yet bendable. Yep, you’re going to get some hard rubber pieces using this TPU filament for your Ender 3. And don’t be worried by thinking of the colors as they’ll give you what you prefer; more vibrant and more precise!
Highlighted Features:
- Has the ability to withstand abrasion and heat
- 1.75 mm standard size makes it suitable for your Ender 3
- Elastic-like rubber gives you some flexible material pieces
- Thermoplastic polyurethane ensures constant movement without any cracking
Pros
- Bendable and quite flexible
- The rate of abrasion resistance is pretty high
- Capable of creating heaps of different designs
- Pretty easier to print with
Cons
- Prone to clogging or stringing at times!
Reasons to buy: Improved abrasion resistance, bendable, durable, you name it; the PRILINE Filament gives you an elastic-like rubber, making it suitable to create seals, sheets, plugs, mobile cases, key rings, and many more.
4. OVERTURE PETG Filament – Best PETG Filament for Ender 3
Specifications:
- Type of material is Polyethylene Terephthalate
- Offers a single pack
- Comes in 2.2lbs weight
- Includes a nozzle temperature of around 230 to 250-degree C
Looking for the best PETG filament for Ender 3? My list would stay incomplete if I didn’t include this one from OVERTURE. This will guarantee a stable and smooth printing experience with its tangle-free and clog-free patent.
Maintaining accuracy in a quick period is what OVERTURE PETG ensures; this one right here features a larger-sized spool instead of a shorter one, allowing you to make the overall feeding a lot more convenient and smoother. In this way, beginners can have much flexibility using it on their Ender 3.
Did I mention anything about the accuracy? Well, this is because of the self-adaptive mechanism it shows off. And I’m pretty you’re getting able to create a wide variety of different things and stuff as OVERTURE comes in 1kg spool in total.
And once you create your desired material, you’ll notice the colors are so vibrant and natural! You’ll definitely love it!
Last but not least, this cost-effective PETG filament isn’t designed only for your Ender 3, it can be used for some other 3D printers as well like MonopriceFlashFroge and MK3. So I’d love it call it a “versatile PETG filament!”
Highlighted Features:
- It gives you a completely smooth, tangle-free, and clog-free patent
- Gets a large-sized spool for users’ convenience
- Self-adaptive mechanism enhances precision levels and consistency
- Can be used for your Ender 3, MonopriceFlashForge, and MK3
Pros
- Delivers materials of vivid black color
- Cost-effective and pretty easy to print with
- Standard size and eco-friendly
- Compatible with a couple of different 3D printers
Cons
- A bit more sensitive to moisture!
Reasons to buy: Due to the self-adaptive mechanism, OVERTURE PETG filament will maintain as much consistency and accuracy as needed to deliver some strongest, flexible material pieces. Also, it’s pretty effective for not only your Ender 3, but for your MonopriceFlashForge, and MK3 as well!
Buyer’s Guide -Factors to Consider in Buying Filament for CrealityEnder 3 & Ender 3 V2:
Are you finding yourself confused about choosing the best filament for Ender 3? It happens when you’re very new in this field or let’s say you don’t know what things and features you need to look for.
Considering the matter, I’ve compiled a number of core factors that everyone has to consider before getting the filament for their Ender 3. In case they forget, chances are the material they want to create won’t be filled with precision and perfection!
So let’s get started:
Considering the Type
Before looking at anywhere else, make sure you’re quite familiar with the right types of filaments. As I’ve described the 4 common filaments (PLA, ABS, TPU, and PETG) on the very first of my article, it’ll be easier for you to pick up the best one either for your Creality Ender 3 or Ender 3 V2.
Choosing the Correct Size
Once you have picked the right type, ensure to give the size of your desired filament a look. Although there are plentiful options available, from 1.75 – 3.0 mm is by far the best popular size around the current marketplace.
Note that Creality Ender 3 features a feeding head of 1.75 mm, so you better rely on this individual size to create exquisite designs and materials.
Knowing the Printing Conditions
Every filament type isn’t friendly with the same printing condition. For instance, PLA filament should be your only go-to if the temperature of air appears relatively weaker, especially in the winter season. But why PLA?
Well, this is because the objects of ABS tend to bend or unexpectedly break in case the weather appears colder, keep in mind!
Packaging
Nowadays, filaments for the 3D printer are available in two common types – coils and spools. Unlike the coils, spools are way easier to use and give you adequate flexibility. And guess what? All of my picks are of spool filament that suits both newbies and experts.
Color Sections
While choosing any filament, you first need to determine what colored material you’re going to make for your projects. Black, white, blue, are the 3 most common choices, which are ideal for most of your materials. Your choice can be different as there are no specific rules to stick with a single color only.
Heat Resisting Ability
There is no rocket science; it doesn’t make any sense to get those filaments that are unable to tolerate the heat of Ender 3 and Ender 3 V2. So it’s not a big deal whether you purchase PLA, ABS, PETG, or TPY, confirm that the filament has the maximum ability to withstand the heat that will be produced by your 3D printer.
Durability
Thankfully, the models I’ve incorporated here tend to last pretty longer than you expect them to. Although durability matters mostly on the printing condition, surrounding, and overall weather condition, you better take the manufacturer’s advice to know whether your desired filament can produce durable materials or not, it’s a wise idea for sure!
Frequently Asked Questions (F.A.Q’s):
- Are filaments costly?
It depends on which model of the filament you want to get yourself. There are so many choices available around the shop that might cost you a fortune! In a similar way, there are lots of affordable choices which can be effective yet cheapest. And luckily, most of my choices are well-equipped with a fair price range.
- What’s the approximate lifetime of PLA models?
PLA models tend to last pretty long, usually around 6-8 months under harsh conditions. But if you’re going to keep them under room temperature, there is a possibility of lasting for more than 10 years, you heard it right!
- What makes the Ender 3 pro and Ender 3 different?
The very first and most noticeable thing that makes the Ender 3 pro and Ender 3 different is their base plate. When it comes down to the base plate of Ender 3, it’s a little bit tough to operate compared to the Ender 3 pro.
Apart from that, the base plate of Ender 3 Pro has been found more durable and more capable of avoiding sticking to your desired models.
- What if I leave 3D printer working overnight?
It’s definitely the worst decision to do such a thing! There is a huge possibility of explosion when you leave your printer working overnight, even I personally have read a couple of reviews of some customers who had faced such a dangerous situation.
But if you still want to, don’t forget about installing safety firmware or using an enclosure made of strong and sturdy metal.
- Which filament color is ideal for my Ender 3?
Indeed, there are no strict rules to stick to a specific color; you can choose the one depending on which colored material you’re going to create for your projects. But when it comes to my personal opinion, I’d always prefer getting black, white, or even multiple from time to time.
Final Verdict!
The review of the best filament for Ender 3 ends here. I’m pretty sure now you’re quite confident about your ultimate choice and you have decided which one you need to look for.
But in case you’re in confusion, feel free to rely on the OVERTURE Filament that’s not only the best PLA filament but also my top-favorite choice! Thanks to its self-adaptive mechanism, automatic winding system, and bubble-free design.
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