Best TPU Filament for 3D Printing: 5 Flexible Options Compared
Quick Answer: How to Choose TPU Filament
Start with a 95A Shore hardness TPU such as Polymaker PolyFlex TPU95 if you want the most straightforward introduction to flexible printing, and move to a softer grade like NinjaTek NinjaFlex (85A) only when the part genuinely needs to stretch. Shore hardness is only part of the answer: wall count, infill, layer height and part geometry change how flexible the finished object actually feels.
TL;DR — Quick Summary
TPU is not one uniform material. Shore hardness, your extruder type and your print settings matter more than brand when choosing flexible filament.
- 1General-purpose 95A option: Polymaker PolyFlex TPU95 — 210-230°C nozzle, 25-60°C bed, 20-40 mm/s (manufacturer guidance)
- 2Softer flexible option: NinjaTek NinjaFlex 85A — 225-250°C extruder, room temperature to 50°C platform (manufacturer guidance)
- 3Extruder: Direct drive is generally easier to tune for flexible filament than Bowden
- 4Biggest setting lever: Print speed, followed by retraction and a constrained filament path
What is TPU (Thermoplastic Polyurethane)?
TPU (Thermoplastic Polyurethane) is a family of flexible 3D printing filaments that produce rubber-like parts, combining elastic behaviour with the processability of a thermoplastic.
TPU is sold in different Shore A hardness grades. A lower number, such as 85A, indicates a softer material than a higher number such as 95A. The grade describes the raw material, not the stiffness of the finished print.
TPU makes parts that rigid filaments cannot: protective cases, vibration-damping feet, grips, bumpers, flexible hinges and cable-management pieces. The trade-off is that flexible filament is less forgiving in the extruder than PLA or PETG, and the label "TPU" covers materials that behave quite differently from one another.
This guide explains what actually drives the buying decision — Shore hardness, extruder type, filament path, speed and moisture — and then compares five widely available options using each manufacturer's own published specifications. It is a selection guide built from manufacturer documentation and general flexible-filament printing principles, not a head-to-head lab test.
Complete Filament Guide
New to 3D printing filaments? Start with our comprehensive guide covering all material types and their applications.
Shore Hardness: What It Tells You (and What It Doesn't)
Shore A hardness is the usual way flexible filaments are graded. Lower numbers indicate a softer raw material and higher numbers a firmer one, so 85A is generally softer and more flexible than 95A, which in turn is softer than a 98A grade.
85A — softer grade
Deforms and stretches readily. More demanding to feed, and usually printed slowly on a direct drive extruder.
95A — common starting point
Firm enough to push through most extruders while still behaving as a flexible material. The grade most general-purpose TPU is sold in.
98A and firmer
Closer to a semi-rigid material. Easier to handle in the extruder, with noticeably less give in the finished part.
What the number does not tell you is how flexible your printed object will feel. Polymaker makes this point directly for PolyFlex TPU95: the flexibility of a printed part depends on factors including infill percentage, wall count, top and bottom layers, and layer height. A thick-walled, densely filled 85A print can feel stiffer than a thin-walled, sparsely filled 95A print of the same shape. Geometry matters too — a wide flat plate resists bending very differently from a thin curved shell.
In practice, choose the hardness grade for the material behaviour you want, then tune wall count and infill to dial in the stiffness of the specific part.
Five TPU Filaments Worth Comparing
These are organised by the role each one plays in a buying decision, not as a ranked leaderboard. Section lengths differ because the amount of reliable published information differs.
Polymaker PolyFlex TPU95
PolyFlex TPU95 is Polymaker's standard 95A flexible filament and the best-documented option here. Polymaker publishes a clear settings window for it and highly recommends using a direct drive extruder. Note that this is the standard TPU95 product — Polymaker also sells PolyFlex TPU95-HF, which is a different filament with its own specifications, so check which one a listing actually refers to.
Why consider it
- • Published, specific settings guidance for the exact product
- • 95A grade suits general flexible parts
- • Manufacturer states printed flexibility depends on infill, walls, top/bottom layers and layer height
- • Sold directly by the manufacturer
Manufacturer guidance
- • Shore hardness: 95A
- • Nozzle: 210-230°C
- • Bed: 25-60°C
- • Speed: 20-40 mm/s
- • Fan: on
- • Direct drive highly recommended by Polymaker
Trade-off: the published speed range is conservative, so large flexible parts take a while. Check the current price and shipping before ordering.
Shop PolymakerNinjaTek NinjaFlex
NinjaFlex is an 85A TPU, noticeably softer than the 95A grades most general-purpose flexible filament is sold in. NinjaTek describes the filament as having a low-tack, easy-feed surface texture and as being suited to direct-drive extruders. That is the manufacturer's own description of the material, not an independent performance conclusion.
The important trade-off: a softer filament can give you greater flexibility in the finished part, but it is also more demanding to feed and print. It compresses more readily inside the extruder, so it is less tolerant of a long or loose filament path and of higher speeds. Softer is not automatically better — it is better only when the part actually needs that much give.
Why consider it
- • 85A grade for parts that need to stretch and deform
- • Manufacturer-documented settings for the exact product
- • Manufacturer describes a low-tack, easy-feed texture
Manufacturer guidance
- • Shore hardness: 85A
- • Extruder: 225-250°C
- • Platform: room temperature to 50°C
- • Top/bottom speed: 10-20 mm/s
- • Infill speed: 15-35 mm/s
- • Suited to direct-drive extruders
3DPrintGeek has no affiliate relationship with NinjaTek, so there is no purchase link here. Check the current listing wherever you normally buy filament.
SUNLU TPU 95A
SUNLU's TPU 95A is a widely stocked 95A flexible filament sold in 1.75 mm diameter with a stated diameter tolerance of ±0.02 mm. Consistent diameter matters more with flexible filament than with rigid materials, because variation in the filament feeding into a soft-material extruder shows up quickly as inconsistent extrusion.
SUNLU publishes temperature and speed guidance for this filament, and it can differ between product versions and listings. Use the figures printed on the spool or on the current product page for the exact item you buy rather than a generic TPU profile.
Manufacturer-stated basics
- • Shore hardness: 95A
- • Diameter: 1.75 mm
- • Diameter tolerance: ±0.02 mm
- • Temperature and speed: check the current SUNLU guidance for your spool
No affiliate relationship, so no purchase link. Compare the delivered price before ordering.
eSUN TPU-95A
eSUN's standard TPU-95A is another commonly available 95A flexible filament. The main thing to be careful about is that eSUN sells several different TPU formulations — high-speed, lightweight/foaming and other variants alongside the standard grade — and they do not share the same printing settings or material behaviour.
Because those variants are easy to confuse on third-party listings, we are not restating detailed temperature figures for standard TPU-95A here. Confirm the exact product name on the spool and use the technical data sheet eSUN publishes for that specific variant before you set up a profile.
No affiliate relationship, so no purchase link.
Overture TPU
Overture is a widely stocked filament brand and its TPU is a common choice for general hobby flexible printing. We are keeping this section short deliberately: we do not have verified current specifications for the exact Overture TPU product and version you are likely to be offered, so quoting temperatures, tolerances or durability figures here would not be defensible.
If you are considering it, check the Shore hardness stated on the listing, confirm the spool weight and diameter, and use Overture's own printing guidance for that item. Availability and pricing vary by retailer.
No affiliate relationship, so no purchase link.
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Comparison at a Glance
| Filament | Shore Hardness | Manufacturer Temperature Guidance | Recommended Speed | Extruder Considerations | Best Fit | Key Trade-off |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Polymaker PolyFlex TPU95 | 95A | Nozzle 210-230°C, bed 25-60°C, fan on | 20-40 mm/s | Direct drive highly recommended by Polymaker | General-purpose flexible parts | Conservative speed window |
| NinjaTek NinjaFlex | 85A | Extruder 225-250°C, platform room temp-50°C | Top/bottom 10-20 mm/s, infill 15-35 mm/s | Described by NinjaTek as suited to direct drive | Parts that need to stretch | Softer material is more demanding to feed |
| SUNLU TPU 95A | 95A | Check manufacturer guidance | Check manufacturer guidance | Standard 95A handling | Widely available 95A printing | Guidance varies between listings |
| eSUN TPU-95A | 95A (standard variant) | Check the data sheet for the exact variant | Check manufacturer guidance | Standard 95A handling | Buyers who can confirm the exact variant | Multiple eSUN TPU formulations are easy to confuse |
| Overture TPU | Check listing | Check manufacturer guidance | Check manufacturer guidance | Standard flexible-filament handling | General hobby flexible printing | Specifications not verified here |
Direct Drive vs Bowden for Flexible Filament
Flexible filament is pushed, not pulled, and anywhere the filament path is unconstrained it can buckle or compress instead of advancing into the hotend. That is the core mechanical reason TPU behaves differently from PLA.
Direct-drive systems place the extruder motor at the hotend, which shortens the distance the soft filament has to travel under load. They are generally easier to tune for TPU, which is why Polymaker highly recommends direct drive for PolyFlex TPU95 and NinjaTek describes NinjaFlex as suited to direct-drive extruders.
Bowden setups are not ruled out. Plenty of Bowden printers print firmer TPU successfully, but they typically require more careful tuning: a tight, well-supported PTFE path with no gaps at the couplings, slower speeds, and minimal or disabled retraction. Softer grades are considerably harder to get working this way than 95A and firmer material.
Settings That Matter Most
Speed
Speed is the setting most likely to cause problems. Manufacturer ranges for flexible filament are deliberately conservative — 20-40 mm/s for PolyFlex TPU95, and slower still for NinjaFlex top and bottom layers. Stay inside the published range before experimenting.
Retraction
Flexible filament stretches under retraction rather than withdrawing cleanly, which can pack material into the extruder. Start with retraction minimal or disabled; light stringing is usually easier to deal with than a jam.
Temperature and cooling
Use the nozzle and bed ranges published for your exact product rather than a generic profile — they vary meaningfully, from 210-230°C for PolyFlex TPU95 to 225-250°C for NinjaFlex. Cooling guidance also differs by product; Polymaker specifies the fan on for TPU95.
Filament path, walls and infill
Close any gap where the filament is unsupported between spool and hotend. Then use wall count, infill, layer height and part geometry to tune how stiff or soft the finished part feels — these change the result as much as the hardness grade does.
Moisture and Storage
TPU can absorb moisture from the air. When it does, printing behaviour and surface finish degrade: bubbling and popping at the nozzle, rougher surfaces, stringing and inconsistent extrusion are all common symptoms. Flexible filament tends to show this sooner than rigid materials do.
Storing spools in a sealed bag or box with fresh desiccant between prints is the simplest preventative step, and a filament dryer is worth having if you print flexibles regularly or live somewhere humid. Drying instructions are not universal — recommended temperatures and times differ from product to product, and TPU softens at lower temperatures than many rigid filaments. Use the drying guidance published for the specific spool you own rather than applying one figure to every TPU.
What People Actually Print with TPU
Protective parts
- • Phone and device cases
- • Bumpers and corner protectors
- • Protective feet for equipment
- • Tool grips and handle sleeves
Functional parts
- • Vibration-damping mounts and pads
- • Flexible hinges and living joints
- • Non-critical gaskets and seals
- • Cable-management clips and sleeves
Wearable and comfort items
- • Watch bands and straps
- • Insoles and padding
- • Soft-touch covers
- • Flexible accessories
One caution: ordinary hobby TPU is not an engineering-certified material. Do not use a printed flexible part for a safety-critical, load-bearing, medical or pressure-sealing application without appropriate engineering validation of the material and the part.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What Shore hardness should I choose for TPU?
95A is the most common starting point because it is firm enough to feed reliably through most extruders while still behaving like a flexible material. Choose a softer grade such as 85A when the part genuinely needs to stretch and deform a lot, and accept that it is more demanding to feed and print.
Is 85A or 95A easier to print?
95A is generally the easier of the two. Softer filament compresses more readily inside the extruder and along the filament path, so it is more prone to buckling and jamming, and usually needs slower speeds and more careful tuning.
Does TPU require a direct drive extruder?
Not strictly, but direct drive is the safer choice. Polymaker, for example, highly recommends a direct drive extruder for PolyFlex TPU95, and NinjaTek describes NinjaFlex as suited to direct drive systems. A direct drive setup shortens the distance the flexible filament has to be pushed, which makes it easier to tune.
Can TPU be printed with a Bowden extruder?
Many Bowden printers can print firmer TPU, but it usually takes more tuning: a tight and well-constrained filament path, slower speeds, and minimal or disabled retraction. Softer grades are harder to get working on Bowden setups than firmer ones.
Does TPU need a heated bed?
Bed guidance varies by product. Polymaker publishes 25-60°C for PolyFlex TPU95 and NinjaTek publishes room temperature to 50°C for NinjaFlex, so a heated bed is often optional rather than required. Follow the guidance printed on the spool or in the manufacturer's technical data sheet.
Does TPU absorb moisture?
Yes. TPU is hygroscopic and can pick up moisture from the air. Wet flexible filament commonly prints with bubbling, popping, a rougher surface and inconsistent extrusion.
How should TPU be stored?
Keep spools in a sealed bag or box with fresh desiccant when they are not in use, and consider a filament dryer in humid conditions. Drying temperatures and times differ between products, so use the specific manufacturer's drying instructions rather than one universal figure.
Why does TPU string?
Flexible filament stretches under retraction instead of pulling back cleanly, so stringing is common. Reducing or disabling retraction, slowing travel and print moves, and lowering nozzle temperature within the manufacturer's stated range all tend to help. Light stringing is usually easier to clean up than a jam is to clear.
Can TPU be printed fast?
Manufacturer speed guidance for flexible filament is typically conservative. Polymaker publishes 20-40 mm/s for PolyFlex TPU95, and NinjaTek publishes 10-20 mm/s for top and bottom layers and 15-35 mm/s for infill on NinjaFlex. Some modern direct drive machines handle more, but pushing speed is the most common cause of buckling and failed flexible prints.
How to Decide
- You want the most straightforward start: a 95A filament with clear published settings, such as Polymaker PolyFlex TPU95.
- The part genuinely needs to stretch: a softer 85A grade such as NinjaTek NinjaFlex, printed slowly on a direct drive extruder.
- You have a Bowden printer: stay with 95A or firmer, slow down, and constrain the filament path before buying a softer grade.
- You are comparing budget options: confirm the Shore hardness, spool weight and exact product variant on the listing, because flexible filament ranges vary more between variants than brand names suggest.
- Whatever you choose: set wall count and infill deliberately — they change how flexible the finished part feels as much as the hardness grade does.
Looking at Polymaker PolyFlex TPU95?
It is the best-documented option in this comparison, with published nozzle, bed, speed and cooling guidance for the exact product. Check the current price and availability on Polymaker's store before ordering.
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