Choosing the right 3D printer filament is crucial for successful and high-quality prints. With a vast array of brands and types available, finding the “best” filament can feel overwhelming. This guide compiles user experiences and recommendations to help you navigate the options and select the ideal filament for your 3D printing projects.
When it comes to popular and widely used materials like PLA and PETG, several brands consistently receive positive feedback. Prusament, known for its excellent quality and value, is frequently praised. Users highlight its reliability and consistent performance across various colors. However, stock availability can sometimes be an issue, making it challenging to order a full range of colors at once. Prusa’s own brand filament is also recognized for its reliability and affordability. Their white PLA is particularly favored for its smooth finish, although their silver PLA has been reported to cause clogging issues with smaller nozzles (0.25mm).
For users in Sweden, 3D Prima stands out for its speedy delivery and user-friendly filaments. Their “Easy Print” line is highly regarded for its ease of use and fast shipping within Sweden. “Prima Value” offers a more budget-friendly option, although print quality may not be as refined as “Easy Print”. 3D Prima also provides specialty filaments like ASA, PC, and woodfill, which have been successfully used by users seeking materials beyond standard PLA and PETG.
Clas Ohlson, a more accessible brand in Sweden, offers PLA filament that presents a unique characteristic. Their PLA tends to have less pigment, resulting in transparent, “candy-colored” prints, which can be desirable for specific applications. However, their “nature-colored” PLA is highly praised for its excellent surface finish and ease of printing, making it a top choice for parts that require painting due to its minimal need for sanding and filler. Its affordability and availability in local stores across Sweden further enhance its appeal.
Add:north is another brand mentioned, specifically for their PETG filament. While not the cheapest option, it is considered easy to print with, and their orange PETG is noted to be a close match to Prusa orange, serving as a good alternative when Prusa’s stock is limited.
3D experten’s PLA filament offers a wide range of colors and materials and generally prints well. However, users have noted inconsistencies in diameter, exhibiting the highest variation among brands tested. Grossiste 3D is highlighted for its very good PLA filament, which has proven reliable even for challenging prints where other brands have failed. Despite a price increase due to exchange rates and higher shipping costs typical of French companies, it remains a low-cost option, especially when purchasing 2kg at once instead of 1 roll of 2kg. They also boast a wide range of colors. Accenix PLA, found on platforms like eBay, shares similar spool designs and printing characteristics with Grossiste 3D, leading to speculation that it might be a rebranded product from the same manufacturer.
Rigidi ink was mentioned, but based on user experience, it presented warping issues and is no longer readily available, making it a less recommended option.
In conclusion, the “best” 3D printer filament often depends on individual needs and preferences. Brands like Prusament and Prusa offer a strong balance of quality and value, while 3D Prima and Clas Ohlson provide user-friendly and readily available options, particularly in Sweden. Grossiste 3D stands out for its reliable PLA at a competitive price, and Add:north offers a solid PETG choice. Exploring these brands based on your specific printing requirements and project goals will guide you towards selecting the best 3D printer filament for your needs.
