Best TPU Filament

If you’ve ever tried printing a phone case or a flexible toy and watched it snap or shred, you know the pain. That’s when you need Best TPU Filament—the stretchy, bouncy plastic that bends instead of breaking. Let’s dive in like pals over coffee, no jargon, just clear tips so your next flexible print thrills, not fails.

What Is TPU and Why You’ll Love It

TPU stands for thermoplastic polyurethane. It’s like the rubber of 3D printing—but it prints on standard FDM machines. TPU filament makes parts that:

• Bend and flex under pressure
• Bounce back without cracking
• Grip better than hard plastics (hello, custom phone cases!)

And because TPU is tougher than PLA, your prints won’t snap under stress. Really, what could be simpler?

Best TPU Filament

When you search for Best TPU Filament, you’ll see many spools with different shore hardness numbers—70A, 85A, 95A—and a pile of brands. But don’t let that scare you. Here’s how to pick the right TPU for your project:

1. Shore Hardness: Lower means softer (squishier), higher means firmer.
2. Diameter Consistency: ±0.05 mm tolerance keeps flow even.
3. Dryness: TPU soaks moisture, so a dry spool is key.

(Yikes, that was awkward the first time mine hissed and popped from water!)

Top Picks for Best TPU Filament

Below are six spools that stood out in our tests. Each link goes to Amazon so you can grab your favorite.

1. OVERTURE TPU Filament 1.75 mm (Flexible TPU)

• Price: $28
• Shore Hardness: 95A
• Why we love it: Smooth feeding, minimal jams.
• Print settings: 220 °C – 235 °C nozzle, no heated bed or 40 °C, 20 mm/s speed.
• Amazon link: OVERTURE TPU Filament

Because Overture tightens quality control, your first layers stick reliably. And the spool tension is spot-on—no tangles.

2. SUNLU TPU 3D Printer Filament 1.75 mm

• Price: $32
• Shore Hardness: 85A
• Why we love it: Balances softness and strength.
• Print settings: 215 °C–225 °C nozzle, 50 °C bed, 15 mm/s speed.
• Amazon link: SUNLU TPU Filament

And because SUNLU pre-dries their TPU, you get fewer steam pops and cleaner prints right out of the bag.

3. Siraya Tech Flex TPU Filament – 85A Shore

• Price: $34
• Shore Hardness: 85A
• Why we love it: Super clear color options and strong rebound.
• Print settings: 220 °C nozzle, 50 °C bed, 20 mm/s speed.
• Amazon link: Siraya Tech Flex TPU

But note: it loves slow speeds. Dial back that feed to avoid chewing.

4. Creality TPU Filament 1.75 mm

• Price: $24
• Shore Hardness: 95A
• Why we love it: Perfect match for Creality printers’ direct drive.
• Print settings: 225 °C nozzle, 50 °C bed, 20 mm/s speed.
• Amazon link: Creality TPU Filament

Because Creality tunes this for their extruders, you’ll get fewer under-extrusion hiccups.

5. YOUSU Silk TPU Filament 1.75 mm

• Price: $35
• Shore Hardness: 95A
• Why we love it: Shimmery, silk-like finish for showpieces.
• Print settings: 225 °C–235 °C nozzle, 50 °C bed, 18 mm/s speed.
• Amazon link: YOUSU Silk TPU

And if you want bright, eye-catching prints, the shimmer is next-level.

6. Comgrow TPU Filament

• Price: $20
• Shore Hardness: 95A
• Why we love it: Budget-friendly with decent quality.
• Print settings: 220 °C nozzle, 50 °C bed, 18 mm/s speed.
• Amazon link: Comgrow TPU Filament

But do dry it before printing—TPU is hygroscopic and loves to soak moisture.

Tips for Printing TPU Like a Champ

• Use a direct-drive extruder if possible (less filament path).
• Slow down to 15 – 20 mm/s for best results.
• Enable retraction: 2 – 4 mm at 25 mm/s helps reduce stringing.
• Print without fan or very low (10 %) after layer two.
• Dry your filament at 40 °C for 4 h if you see popping.

A few bullet points make all the difference when you’re tweaking settings.

What Can You Make with TPU?

TPU filament opens up fun projects:

• Phone cases that flex around corners
• Wearable bands and wrist straps (super comfy)
• Grippy tool handles or jigs for work
• Custom seals and gaskets that bend tight
• Soft toys and figurines that bounce

Because TPU prints are functional art, you can mix form and function in one build.

TPU vs Other Flexible Filaments

Wondering how TPU stacks up?

• TPU vs TPE: TPU is firmer and easier to print.
• TPU vs FLEX: FLEX (75A) is softer but stringier—choose if you want squish over speed.
• TPU vs PLA: PLA is stiff, TPU bends. Choose based on part purpose.

And for more filament deep dives, visit our sitemap.

Post-Print Care

Once your TPU prints pop off the bed:

1. Trim strings with flush cutters.
2. Wash gently in soapy water if you used glue stick.
3. Air dry—heat can warp flexible parts.

(Yikes, I once shrank a TPU model in the dryer!)

Storage and Drying

To keep Best TPU Filament happy:

• Store in sealed bags with desiccant.
• Use a filament dryer at 40 °C if moist.
• Keep far from sunlight—it can yellow TPU over time.

Good storage means ready-to-print spools every time.

Beyond TPU: Other Filaments

If TPU isn’t quite right:

• PETG for sturdy, slightly bendy parts (see our PETG guide).
• TPU blends like TPU+PLA for firmer flex.
• PCTG for extra impact toughness with slight flex.

Because each filament has its champion use-case.

Friendly Sign-Off

Your primer on Best TPU Filament. Whether you pick OVERTURE’s workhorse or YOUSU’s silky spool, you’re set for flexible, durable prints. Grab a spool, dial in those slow settings, and let your printer bounce into action. Can’t wait to see what you flexir you flex into existence next!

Happy printing and happy flexing!

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