The Most Popular 3D Printing Filament Brands Compared

Choosing the right filament for your 3D printing projects can significantly impact the quality, durability, and aesthetics of your final prints. With numerous brands available, each offering distinct characteristics and specialties, selecting the ideal filament can become overwhelming. In this article, we’ll compare some of the most popular 3D printing filament brands, providing insights to help you decide which best fits your specific needs and projects.

1. Hatchbox

Hatchbox is widely renowned among both beginner and experienced 3D printing enthusiasts for its affordable yet consistently high-quality filaments. Their PLA and ABS filaments are particularly celebrated for their reliability, consistency, and ease of use. Hatchbox filaments feature excellent layer adhesion, minimal warping, and vibrant color palettes, making them ideal for a wide variety of creative projects.

Pros:

Budget-friendly
Excellent consistency and quality
Wide range of colors and materials
Minimal warping

Cons:

Occasional availability issues due to popularity

2. eSUN

eSUN offers a diverse array of filaments, including PLA, ABS, PETG, TPU, and specialty materials like wood-fill and flexible filaments. Often praised for their affordability and reliable performance, eSUN filaments are perfect for those looking for a balance between price and quality. Their PETG line, in particular, receives high marks for strength, flexibility, and ease of printing.

Pros:

Affordable price point
Wide variety of filament types
Excellent PETG filaments
Consistent spool quality

Cons:

Occasional diameter inconsistencies, though rare

3. Prusament

Created by the well-known printer manufacturer Prusa Research, Prusament filaments offer unparalleled quality control and consistency. Each filament spool includes precise manufacturing data, ensuring exceptional diameter accuracy and filament consistency. Prusament filaments are especially popular among professional users and enthusiasts requiring perfect dimensional accuracy, tight tolerances, and beautifully smooth finishes.

Pros:

Exceptional diameter accuracy and consistency
Detailed quality reports on every coil
Wide range of colors and specialty filaments
Minimal print issues or defects

Cons:

Slightly higher price compared to budget-friendly competitors
Limited availability from third-party retailers

4. MatterHackers (MH Build and Pro Series)

MatterHackers’ two filament lines—MH Build (affordable, everyday use) and Pro Series (premium, professional-grade)—address both ends of the market spectrum. MH Build filaments provide reliable, budget-friendly materials that are excellent for daily printing projects and prototyping. In contrast, the Pro Series offers advanced filaments for users demanding higher-level performance, durability, and refined finishes.

Pros:

Options for both budget and professional-grade filaments
Excellent performance and reliability across product lines
Great customer support and online community
User-friendly and consistent printing experience

Cons:

Pro Series filaments can be pricier
Availability limited outside the US

5. ColorFabb

ColorFabb has a strong reputation for innovative and unique material formulations, from standard PLA and PETG to advanced composites and specialty filaments such as wood-fill, bronze-fill, and carbon fiber-infused materials. Known for their premium filament quality and stunning final finishes, ColorFabb is the go-to choice for users looking to create functional prototypes or aesthetically differentiated prints.

Pros:

Wide selection of innovative specialty materials
Superior finished appearance and surface quality
Reliable filament performance and dimensional accuracy
Highly respected among enthusiasts and professionals

Cons:

More expensive compared to other manufacturers
Some specialty filaments can be challenging for beginners

6. Overture

Overture offers budget-friendly filaments with consistent quality, making them a favorite among hobbyists and beginners. Their PLA and PETG filaments receive consistent praise for good dimensional accuracy, vibrant colors, and ease of printing. Each spool arrives neatly wound with measurements clearly marked, adding to the user-friendly experience.

Pros:

Competitive pricing
Reliable dimensional accuracy
Well-wound spools with convenient measurements
Wide range of colors available

Cons:

Occasional minor inconsistencies in filament texture and finish

The Verdict: Which Filament Brand is Best for You?

The ideal choice of filament brand ultimately depends on your 3D printing needs, budget, and experience level. Hatchbox and eSUN offer an excellent balance between affordability and high-quality performance, ideal for hobbyists and beginners. Prusament and ColorFabb cater to professionals and enthusiasts looking for superior consistency, dimensional accuracy, and specialty materials. Finally, MatterHackers and Overture provide excellent options across budget and premium categories, making them versatile choices for a wide audience.

By clearly identifying your specific needs—whether it’s affordability, specialty materials, or precision accuracy—you can confidently select the right filament brand for your next exciting 3D printing adventure.