Choosing the best soft 3D printer filament is essential for projects that require flexibility, durability, and smooth finishes. These filaments are ideal for creating flexible accessories, wearables, phone cases, and more. Below is a summary table featuring top soft TPU and flexible filaments known for their elasticity, print quality, and consistent diameter control, helping you find the right material for your creative needs.
| Product | Brand | Material Type | Shore Hardness | Spool Weight |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| OVERTURE TPU Filament 1.75mm Flexible Roll | OVERTURE | TPU | 95A | 1kg (2.2 lbs) |
| FLASHFORGE PLA Flexible 1.75 mm | FLASHFORGE | Flexible PLA | Not specified | 1kg (2.2 lbs) |
| Comgrow TPU Filament 1.75mm | Comgrow | TPU | 95A | 1kg (2.2 lbs) |
| GIANTARM TPU Filament 1.75mm Flexible Soft | GIANTARM | TPU | 95A | 1kg (2.2 lbs) |
| PRILINE TPU Filament 1.75mm Soft | PRILINE | TPU | 98A | 1kg (2.2 lbs) |
OVERTURE TPU Filament 1.75mm Flexible Roll
The OVERTURE TPU Filament features a Shore hardness of 95A, expertly balancing flexibility and resilience, making it perfect for robotics, fashion, and flexible parts. It delivers excellent layer adhesion that ensures smooth, strong layers without warping. This filament is manufactured with a patented clog-free formula, preventing print interruptions, and comes vacuum-sealed with added drying to maintain quality. Suitable for most FDM printers, this spool supports lasting flexible prints that hold their shape and performance over time.
FLASHFORGE PLA Flexible 1.75mm for Soft Accessories
The FLASHFORGE PLA Flexible filament stretches up to four times its length, offering remarkable elasticity beyond traditional TPU. It is beginner-friendly, compatible with Bowden and direct drive extruders, ideal for printing soft phone cases, belts, or decorative arts. The filament is carefully dried and vacuum-packed for bubble-free, clog-free printing. Its dimensional accuracy ensures precision for detailed flexible prints that combine ease of use with outstanding elasticity.
Comgrow TPU Filament 1.75mm Soft and Flexible
Comgrow’s TPU filament offers a consistent 95A shore hardness that provides excellent bendability while maintaining structural integrity. With a 1kg spool of black filament, it accommodates extended printing sessions. This filament fits most FDM printers, making it a reliable choice for users looking for durability combined with a soft, flexible finish. It features tight dimensional accuracy to reduce nozzle clogs and print defects.
GIANTARM TPU Filament 1.75mm Flexible Soft Filament
The GIANTARM TPU filament combines flexibility and durability, stretching up to three times its original length with a shore hardness of 95A. It emphasizes exceptional bed adhesion, low odor, and minimal warping, enhanced by a clog-free patent formula. The filament is vacuum-sealed with desiccants for moisture control, guaranteeing fewer bubbles and tangles during printing. This filament maintains a high dimensional accuracy of +/-0.05 mm for reliable prints.
PRILINE TPU Filament 1.75mm Durable with 98A Hardness
PRILINE’s TPU filament is slightly firmer with a shore hardness of 98A, offering enhanced durability suitable for structural parts requiring some flexibility like RC components or gaskets. It features superior clog-free printing quality and excellent layer adhesion for detailed and smooth prints. The filament spool is vacuum-sealed and dried, maintaining optimal moisture levels to reduce print issues, with precise diameter control ensuring a reliable 3D printing process.
Buying Guide for Soft 3D Printer Filament
Selecting the ideal soft filament for 3D printing depends on several important factors. Here’s what to consider:
Material Type and Flexibility
Thermoplastic Polyurethane (TPU) is the most popular flexible filament due to its excellent elasticity, abrasion resistance, and durability. Flexible PLA offers easier printing but less stretchability compared to TPU. Choose TPU for highly flexible applications, while PLA flexible is good for less demanding flexible prints.
Shore Hardness Rating
This scale measures the filament’s hardness. A rating around 95A offers a soft, flexible feel with good toughness. Ratings closer to 98A mean firmer yet still somewhat flexible filament, ideal for parts needing toughness plus some give.
Dimensional Accuracy
Consistency in filament diameter is vital to avoid nozzle clogs and print quality issues. Look for filaments with accuracy of ±0.02mm to ±0.05mm for reliable extrusion and precise layer bonding.
Packaging and Storage
Flexible filaments absorb moisture easily, causing printing defects. Vacuum-sealed packaging with desiccants and proper drying before use ensures smoother printing and longer shelf life.
Printer Compatibility
Most soft filaments fit common FDM 3D printers. For flexible PLA, Bowden extruders may require adjustments. TPU filaments also require careful print speed and temperature control to avoid jams.
Printing Properties
Opt for filaments that offer clog-free, bubble-free extrusion, good bed adhesion, minimal warping, and consistent layering for smooth flexible prints. Features like patented clog-free formulas or advanced filament drying process improve print success rates.
Intended Application
Consider the end-use of your print. For highly flexible wearables, soft TPU or flexible PLA with more stretch is ideal. For parts requiring some structural firmness but slight flexibility, choose filaments with higher shore hardness.